MA English Literature: Academic Options

After MA English Literature, a student desirous of pursuing further studies has many options to choose from. After an MA in English Literature, a student can opt for an M.Phil. course in any of the branches of literary studies. M.Phil. is a Master of Philosophy Program and is partly theoretical and partly research based. It is the perfect option for students who wish to pursue a career in academics and go for research in Literature. Alternatively, students can also appear for UGC-NET exam in English Literature and directly get admission in Ph.D. programs across the country upon qualification. Some of the courses which can be done after an MA in English Literature are:

• M.Phil. in English Literature
• M.Phil. in Creative Writing
• M.Phil. in Language and Literature
• M.Phil. in Linguistics
• M.Phil. in Comparative Literature
• M.Phil. in Comparative Religion
• M.Phil. in Translation Literature

There are also several courses which you can do to target a particular career. Some such courses are:

Name of Course	Purpose of Course
Bachelor of Education	Suitable for people who wish to pursue a career in teaching
PG Diploma in Publishing	Suitable for people who wish to pursue a career in publishing and printing
PG Diploma in Teaching (English Language/ Methodology/ Primary)	Another viable option for those aiming for a career in Teaching

There is a popular opinion that a degree in English Literature is of no use when it comes to job prospects and is viewed skeptically by one and all. However, this perception is wrong as can be seen by the many career options available for MA English students. There are many sectors which are open for MA English Literature graduates. Some of these sectors are:

• Education
• BPOs and KPOs
• Publishing
• Theatre, Media and Entertainment
• Corporate
• Writing
• Advertising and Public Relations

Some of the popular professions available for Post Graduates in English Literature are:

Profession	Highlights
Editor or Assistant Editor	A popular choice among English Literature Post Graduates. A diploma degree in Book publishing can be helpful.
Web Content Writer	A fast-growing career option for English for English Graduates. Web Content Writer’s job is to write catchy and informative articles for webpages and blogs.
Academic Writer	Academic Writing is also a popular choice among English Graduates. An academic writer basically has to write research papers, journal writings, Statement of purposes etc.
Teacher	Post Graduates in English Literature can be hired as PGT. An additional degree in B.Ed. helps secure a good position
Translator	A translator’s job is to translate a given document in English. A diploma degree in translation is advised.
Public Servant	After a Post-Graduate degree, a candidate can appear in competitive examination for jobs in various Government departments.
SEO	SEO or Search Engine Optimization has emerged as a fast-growing field of work and is perfect for people with excellent English language skills.
Quality Control Executive	Nowadays BPOs and KPOs look for individuals with a good grasp of the English language for the position of Quality Control Executive.
Theater Actor	Though not a high-paying option, a lot of English Graduates choose to turn towards theater to channel their creative side. Studying plays and how theater works give an edge to MA English graduates.

MA English Literature: Salary Trends

The average salary package after the completion of the MA English Literature program largely depends upon the industry of employment and the job profile. Below is a graph to illustrate the salary trend for various job positions.