MA Distance Education - Distance MA Course Syllabus, Fees, Admission
October 15th, 2024: 10 Min
A distance MA degree is a postgraduate course that focuses on subjects related to humanities, social sciences as well as fine arts. The distance MA is a convenient way to complete a postgraduate degree without the need for attending the campus.
Since both the Indian and global markets are highly competitive when it comes to jobs, a distance MA degree can give students and young professionals an edge above the others. In many professional sectors, like public affairs and even social services, candidates with an MA degree make a name for themselves.
A distance MA degree is a 2-year course but can stretch up to four years in case the student is not able to complete the course in 2 years. This duration solely depends on the mode of studying a student has opted for. The best part about pursuing an MA distance course is the flexibility that the mode offers to its students. Apart from this, a distance MA also offers students several specializations to choose from, including but not restricted to subjects like MA in English, Sociology, Psychology etc.
A distance MA degree can help potential students and young professionals who wish to further their education and pursue an MA course, even if issues like financial constraints, health problems, or even family responsibilities are holding them back. Students do not have to worry about the quality of education since the top universities offer the best quality of education to the students who can gain a degree without regularly attending an on-campus university setting.
Apart from the two-year MA distance education in an online mode, there are various other kinds of MA that students can pursue. Here is a list of some of them:
- Online MA: Flexible and allows students to access course materials and attend lectures and classes from anywhere.
- Part-time MA: Flexible and students can spread their course load over a longer period.
- Executive MA (duration:12-18 months): Help working professionals to continue working while pursuing their MA.
- Hybrid MA (duration 1.5-2.5 years): A combination of online learning and physical presence students can join online + physical classes.
Programme Benefits
If you are someone who is looking to add to your educational qualifications and increase your chances of landing your dream job post it, an MA degree is a perfect option for you. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the scope of MA. If you are still apprehensive about it though, here is a list of the benefits that some of the best distance MA learning courses can offer:
Endless choices: With the choice to pursue a distance MA degree comes the benefit of choosing from a vast list of subjects that will help one further their career and education. If you think you can handle it, students can also select more than one specialization to expand their skills further.
Flexible: By enrolling in a MA from distance education students have the advantage of pursuing their studies and upskilling themselves while also staying dedicated to their other commitments. As a part of distance education courses, students can study remotely, only needing to be physically present to take their exams.
Best for young professionals: With a regular MA course, students need to visit an on-campus university to attend classes and ultimately finish their studies. This rarely leaves any room for any other commitments, let alone pursuing a job. However, an MA with distance education lets young professionals continue their jobs while adding more skills and learning to their portfolios.
Affordable: With almost every distance education, one will notice that it is cheaper compared to a traditional full-time course. The quality of education remains the same, but students will end up saving considerably when they enrol in a distance course. So, even if financial crunches are keeping one from continuing their studies, distance education can prove to be the saviour.
Quality education: Though the concept of distance education has been looked down upon in the past, in recent years society has realised that distance education provides its students with the same quality education, if not better, as regular, full-time universities. This is one element that universities offering MA in distance learning refuse to compromise on.
Effective: It was seen that students who learnt via distance learning mode fared better, if not equally well, as regular college-going students. This could be because when students pursue courses like an MA with distance education, they tend to learn and upskill themselves on their own time, with very little pressure. This helps them have a more effective learning experience.
Top MA Specializations
- MA in English
- MA in History
- MA in Political Science
- MA in Politics
- MA in Sociology
- MA in Public Administration
- MA in Anthropology
- MA in Economics
- MA in Social Work
- MA in Rural Development
- MA in Physiology
- MA in Public Policy
Top Colleges and Universities Offering Distance MA
- IGNOU or Indira Gandhi National Open University
- Institute of Distance Education, University of Madras
- School of Open Learning
- Andhra University
- School of Distance Education, Bharathiar University
- Jamia Millia Islamia
Fee & Scholarship
Here's a combined look at the fee structure that each University offers its students when they decide to apply for distance MA courses:
University/college |
Fee Amount |
IGNOU or Indira Gandhi National Open University |
₹10,000 to ₹19,200 |
Institute of Distance Education, University of Madras |
₹13,300 to ₹21,750 |
School of Open Learning |
₹2,000 onwards |
Andhra University |
₹10,400 onwards |
School of Distance Education, Bharathiar University |
₹44,000 onwards |
Jamia Millia Islamia |
₹10,000 (first year fees) |
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for students or young professionals who wish to pursue a distance MA might differ from one university to another. However, when it comes to a Master’s Degree, these eligibility criteria are very stringent. This is why students must go through the same first before applying for any distance MA degree.
For Indian Students:
Bachelor’s Degree: Potential students or young professionals must have a Bachelor's degree in Arts or a similar discipline from an accredited university. When it comes to the minimum marks attained in graduation universities do put a cap on it and usually require a minimum of 50% marks in graduation.
MA Entrance Exam: Even though in a lot of universities students can directly apply for a distance MA, some universities may consider CUET PG marks in India for Distance MA admissions.
For international students
- The student should have passed a three-year bachelor’s degree programme from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% or equivalent
- If the student has completed a bachelor’s degree programme from a foreign university, they should have a certificate of equivalence from the AIU (Association of Indian Universities).
Admission Process
If you have chosen the specialization you wish to follow through on, it is important to know the distance MA college admission procedure. It is a straightforward, zero-hassle process and by simply following the process listed on your screen, as a part of your chosen university's process, you can complete your admission
Check the eligibility criteria: Make sure you fulfil all the eligibility criteria set down by the university of your choosing. Once determined that you have fulfilled all of them, proceed to the next step.
Fill out the application form: Now, you will move one step ahead near your admission into the college. Fill out the application form with accurate details and don’t forget to choose the course you had your mind to pursue. Ensure all the details entered in the application form match with the documents that you are asked to upload.
Upload documents: This step is important, so ensure that all your documents are clear when you upload them. The university will usually ask students for their Aadhar Card, PAN card, bachelor’s degree mark sheet, and the latest passport-size photograph. If post uploading of the documents you are asked to pay the enrollment fees, do so. This step however might differ from one university to another.
Wait for university approval: It does take some time for universities to cross-check your documents. Once that is done the university will send you a confirmation message,
Pay the first semester/year’s fee: Once you receive confirmation from the university, proceed to pay your fees and your admission is done.
Placement Assistance
One of the major concerns that students and young professionals often have post the completion of their distance MA degree is where will they get a good job. This is where the university’s placement assistance program comes to help them. Most top distance universities want to ensure that their students go out into the world as well-rounded individuals, capable of establishing a great professional life for themselves. This is why most of these universities have tie-ups with some of the best companies in the country, to help their students find a footing in the world.
Potential Job Roles and Job Opportunities for Distance MA Graduates
Here’s a look at the following potential job roles that you can explore post-completion distance MA degree programme :
- Content Writer
- Assistant Professor
- Social Worker
- Teacher
- Lecturer
- Journalist
- Environmental Manager
- Demographer
- Senior Researcher
- Senior Lecturer
- Public Relations Officer
- Policy Consultant
Industry Hiring Partners and Recruiters
There are a lot of companies looking to recruit young professionals who have completed their Master’s. Here is a list of some of them:
- Times Group
- Hindustan Times
- Jagran
- Times of India
- Nielsen India
- Majestic MRSS.
- Ipsos India
- Kantar IMRB
- UNICEF
- Oxfam
Frequently Asked Questions
Is distance MA recognized in India?
Yes, absolutely. Most of the top universities offering a distance MA degree for students to pursue are UGC-approved. As a result of this, all government and private sector companies find a distance degree in MA valid and worth acknowledging.
Is distance MA an equivalent course to an on-campus course?
Completely. Each distance MA course is designed in a manner that is at par with other MA courses whether regular or online. These courses are designed by industry experts and help students gain both theoretical and practical knowledge about the industry they want to make a mark on.
Can I get a placement opportunity after a distance MA?
Even though this provision varies from one university to another, a lot of the universities offering distance MA to its students also take care of the placement post-completion of the degree. However, if this is important for you, it is best to confirm the same with the universities and apply to one that has this provision.
What are the basic eligibility criteria for the distance MA?
Potential students or young professionals must have a Bachelor's degree in Arts or a similar discipline from an accredited university. When it comes to the minimum marks attained in graduation universities do put a cap on it and usually require a minimum of 50% marks in graduation.