Online MA Course
An online MA is a 2-year postgraduate program that provides flexibility for students and working professionals to gain deep knowledge in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. The online degrees give a balance of traditional courses and practical skills through interactive video lectures, e-books, and workshops. Students can access their curriculum at their own personalized pace from anywhere. An online MA course enhances learners’ critical thinking, research capabilities, and creativity, which helps them to secure career opportunities in media, entertainment, corporate, research, and related fields.
Written ByAkram Raja
Last Updated : 15-01-2026

Course Duration :2 Years
Overview of Online MA Course
The online Master of Arts (MA) is a PG program delivered digitally to students in various subjects, such as English, Psychology, Political Science, and Journalism. UGC-DEB approved the online MA course to provide top-notch education to every Indian. The 24-month PG program is the primary choice for fresh graduates and working professionals to strengthen their critical thinking, creativity, and research capabilities in the domains of humanities, education, arts, and social sciences.
The online MA course offers a personalized learning pace that allows working professionals to align their personal and professional lives with their career goals and professional commitments. Learners can access live lectures, recorded videos, and the e-library through their laptops and smartphones.
In recent times, the online education sector in India has experienced a boom driven by a rise in learner enrollment in online courses, demand for flexibility, the development of digital infrastructure, and the adoption of skill-based learning. The online universities sector, being the leader in this growth, is expected to reach US$1.51 billion by 2029 with a CAGR of 11.9%.
The MA online course is focused on the latest curriculum, interactive learning pedagogy, and skill-based learning to ensure learners stand out from the competition. After completing an Online MA Degree, the learner is efficient for administrative, teaching, and research roles in various private and government sectors.
Why Choose Online MA Course
An online MA course comes with unmatched convenience over traditional PG courses:
- Learn on the go: An Online degree program offers flexibility to access study materials and recorded lectures from anywhere and anytime. It helps working professionals to maintain a work-life balance and leverage a personalized learning pace.
- More affordable than a Traditional Course: The MA Online degree in India usually costs around ₹ 20,000 to ₹ 2 lakhs, and eliminates the burden of travel expenses, accommodation away from home, and other related bills. These factors make the online degree lighter on your pocket as compared to traditional MA courses.
- Accessible to All Learners: Learners from even remotest villages can now access higher educational digital content through their smartphones and laptops, eliminating the need to relocate to metro cities for top-tier universities.
- Global Networking Opportunities: Online universities conduct networking and virtual meetups to connect with peers, alumni, industry leaders, and recruiters across the globe.
Top Affordable Universities for Online MA Courses (Accreditation & Rankings Overview)
Here’s the list of some top online universities you should prefer for an Online MA course:
| Universities | Universities Accreditations |
| Manipal University Online | UGC-DEB, NAAC A+, AICTE, WES |
| LPU Online | UGC-DEB, NAAC A++, NIRF, THE World University Ranking |
| DPU - DY Patil Online Pune | UGC-DEB, NAAC A++, AICTE, NIRF |
| UPES Online | UGC-DEB, NAAC, NIRF, QS World University Ranking |
| Amity University Online | UGC-DEB, NAAC, QS World University Ranking, WES, DEC, WASC, QAA (UK) |
| Jain University Online | UGC-DEB, NAAC A++, QS World University Ranking |
| NMIMS Online | UGC-DEB, NAAC A+, NIRF, AACSB, WES, AICTE |
Who Can Pursue Online MA Course
Working Professionals
Who want to strengthen their knowledge in humanities, arts, journalism, social science, and related fields, to grow in their careers.
A Fresh Graduate
Who want to gain real-world insight and kickstart their career in teaching, research, and media facilities in major private and government companies.
Government Job Aspirants
Looking for a flexible degree to balance their higher education and job preparation.
Career Changers
Looking to grow in more creative roles, or an administrative role, through a flexible degree with a deep focus on creative writing, literature, humanities, and arts.
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Key Highlights of Online MA Course
| Key Factors | Details |
| Program Name | Online Master of Arts (MA) |
| Degree Level | Post Graduate (PG) |
| Duration | 2 Years (4 Semesters) |
| Mode of Learning | Online |
| Approvals to be considered | UGC-DEB | NIRF | NAAC Certification |
| Top Specializations |
|
| Eligibility |
|
| Fees | ₹ 20,000 - ₹ 2 Lakhs (Full Program Fees) |
| Affordability | Cost-effective than a traditional MA course |
| EMI Options | Yes, No-cost EMI options available |
| Admission Process | 100% Online |
| Payment Options | UPI, Debit Card, Netbanking, Credit Card, No-cost EMI, Bank Transfer |
| LMS |
|
| Exam Mode | 100% Online Mode |
| Job Acceptance | Widely accepted by Global MNCs and Government Sectors |
| Placement Assistance |
|
| Top Job Roles | Professor | Content Writer | Journalist | Educational Consultant | Public Relationship Manager | Media Researcher | Political Consultant | Content Strategist | Market Research Analyst | Psychologist | Administrative Officer |
| Average Salary | ₹ 2.5 - 15 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Aditya Birla Corp., Uflex, Schbang, Zee Media, NDTV, Reliance Entertainment, JK Media, CISCO, UpGrad, Coursera |
Eligibility Criteria of Online MA Course
Here are some of the common eligibility criteria for MA online programs in India:
- Bachelor's degree from a UGC-recognized university/institution.
- 10+2+3 degree from a recognized university/institution.
Growth of Online Education
- Value of Online Degree: UGC-DEB has made it equal in value to a regular degree.
- Market Demand of Online Degree: Forecasted to reach $8.93 billion with a CAGR of 8.6% (2020-29).
- Global Employee Acceptance: 92% Acceptance rate of online graduates by leading global MNCs.
- Salary Hike:Professionals receive a 40-60% salary hike after completing an online degree.
Duration of Online MA Course
The Online MA course in India follows a duration of 2 years, divided into four semesters of 6 months each. Online universities conduct examinations, projects, and dissertations at the end of every semester.
UGC allows students to leverage a flexible timeline for the online courses, whether they want to accelerate or extend it to 4 years in case of failure, or as an inevitable condition to continue the programs.
Additionally, UGC also allowed multiple entry and exit points to ensure a flexible and seamless learning process. It lets students exit at any point in the program and are eligible to continue at the same point or opt for the final degree if they fail to continue under certain unfortunate circumstances.
Source: Guideline for multiple entry and exit points in Higher Education
Syllabus & Subjects of Online MA Course
The online MA course in India offers a wide range of specializations to learners that enhance their skills in research, critical thinking, project management, and script writing.
The Online MA programs provide multiple specialization options, including Economics, English Literature, Political Science, Sociology, History, Psychology, and JMC (Journalism and Mass Communication).
Each semester of the MA Online Program focuses on a different set of courses and skills. The first year (first two semesters) focuses on the core concepts of literature, media research, algorithms, and digital publishing. The second year ( third and fourth semesters) focuses on a practical approach to news analysis, script writing, critical thinking, project management, and related fields.
The MA degree focuses on the latest curriculum that balances both technical and soft skills, including time management, team bonding, networking, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills.
Given below is the semester-wise Online MA program syllabus:
Online MA (Journalism and Mass Communication) Curriculum | |
| Semester-I | Semester-II |
|
|
| Semester-III | Semester-IV |
|
|
Note: The above table showcases the curriculum for the MAJMC (Journalism and Mass Communication), and subjects may vary as per the specialization you choose.
Fee Details of Online MA Course
The Online MA program fee usually costs around ₹ 20,000 to ₹ 2 lakhs in India. Students can save around 60% by enrolling in an online course because of lower tuition fees, and reduce the need for relocation, accommodation, and travel-related costs.
Learners can pay by semester, yearly, or full course fee using the preferred method, including education loans, credit cards, UPI, and No-cost EMI options. Online university also offers up to 20% scholarship to selected students based on merit and reservation.
Top Online MA Colleges in India and Course Fees
Given below are the Online MA course fees at the top universities in India:
| List of Universities | Full Fees | Per Sem Fee | EMI Available (No-cost) |
| Manipal Online MA | ₹80,000 | ₹20,000 | Yes |
| Amity Online MA | ₹1,30,000 | ₹32,500 | Yes |
| LPU Online MA | ₹65,600 | ₹16,400 | Yes |
| Shoolini Online MA | ₹42,000 | ₹10,500 | Yes |
| Jain Online MA | ₹90,000 | ₹22,500 | Yes |
| VGU Online MA | ₹72,000 | ₹18,000 | Yes |
| SMU Online MA | ₹75,000 | ₹18,750 | Yes |
| Chandigarh Online MA | ₹75,000 | ₹18,750 | Yes |
Note: Online MA Fee, scholarship, and no-cost EMI may vary based on payment method, available seats, and specialization.
EMI starting at ₹6,776/month only
The course fee is ₹2,75,000
Invest in your career
Boost your career growth with an industry-relevant online degree.
Get high ROI by securing high-paying job roles in leading MNCs.
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EMI & Financial Support for Online MA Course
Learners can avail interest-free or low-interest loan facilities to minimize the financial burden of course fee payments. Online universities collaborate with an EMI partner that provides no-cost EMI and hassle-free loan disbursement.
Loan Process - 100% Online
- Fill in Application Form & KYC
- Bank Verification
- E-mandate & Loan Agreement
- Disbursement
Loan Eligibility Criteria
- Age - 21- 59
- Cibil Score - 650+
- Salary - Minimum 20K
- Documents Required - Adhaar | Pan | Last 6 months' bank statement
Admission Process for Online MA Course
The admission process for the online MA program in India is simple:
- Registration: Visit the university’s official website and register yourself.
- Fill Basic Details: Fill your academic, personal, and work experience details.
- Upload Documents: Upload identity proof, academic certificate, signature, photograph, and work experience letter.
- Pay your online MA program fee.
- Confirmation from the University: After completing the basic process, you will receive admission confirmation from the university via sms and email.
Documents Required for Online MA Admission
Given below is a list of some documents required for online MA admission in India:
| Categories | Document You can Upload |
| Academic Marksheet and Certification | 10th | 10+2 | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Identity Proof | Aadhar | PAN | Passport/ Visa for International Students |
| Work Experience | Offer Letter | Experience Letter |
| Photo and Signature | Passport-size photo | Scanned Signature |
| Additional Documents | For reserved category seats:
|
Note: While uploading, ensure the documents are in the right format (JPEG, PNG, PDF) and size as requested.

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Is an Online MA Course Worth It?
An MA online degree combines digital learning flexibility, credibility, and real-world skills to ensure you secure a balanced career path. It covers the latest curriculum, modern tools, virtual research stimulation, and techniques to ensure learners stand apart from the competition.
The course focuses on the all-around growth of learners in both personal and professional fields. It helps learners leverage modern tools, AI, VR, and qualitative analysis tools for real-world assessment, along with soft skills, like problem-solving, critical thinking, strategic thinking, and understanding cross-cultural practices to ensure sustainable development planning.
A learner can study and implement concepts in real-time for their case studies and projects, which helps them exponentially succeed and enhance domain expertise. Additionally, the online MA program has a better career scope compared to the traditional one:
- 90% Online MA degree graduates experience better ROI on higher education.
- 70-90% of online graduates secure a job within six months of completing their degree.
- Working professional with an experience hike of around 30% on their current CTC.
- 61% of HR professionals preferred online graduates across the globe for their superior learning quality, critical thinking, and readiness for real-world challenges as compared to traditional MA graduates.
Career Opportunities & Job Roles After Online MA Course
Learners after pursuing an online MA course in India are eligible for a wide range of job opportunities in both private and government sectors. A skilled online graduate can secure a job position of Research Analyst, Content Writer, Journalist, Educational Consultant, Media Researcher, Psychologist, and News Reporter for administrative, media, and entertainment industries.
Even as a fresher, 70-90% of online graduates secure a job within 6 months of completing the degree. An online MA graduate can secure an average package of ₹ 3 - 15 LPA. The package may vary depending on skill sets, specialization, experience, domain expertise, and familiarity with modern tools and techniques.
Online universities conduct networking events and virtual groups to connect with peers, alumni, industry leaders, and global recruiters. It also offers placement assistants, including mock interviews, placement drives, and workshops for resume building.
Some online universities also offer apprenticeship and internship programs for learners to build professional skills and ensure seamless transition from virtual classroom to the boardroom.
Job Profiles After Online MA Courses
The table below contains the list of Online MA job profiles and the average package:
| Job Roles | Average Package |
| Professor | ₹ 4 - 16 LPA |
| Content Writer | ₹ 2- 7 LPA |
| Educational Consultant | ₹ 2.5 - 11 LPA |
| Journalist | ₹ 2 - 8.5 LPA |
| Market Research Analyst | ₹ 3 - 8 LPA |
| Public Relationship Manager | ₹ 3 - 7 LPA |
| Political Consultant | ₹ 2 - 9 LPA |
| Media Researcher | ₹ 2.5 - 6 LPA |
| Content Strategist | ₹ 3 - 14.3 LPA |
| Administrative Office Assistant | ₹ 2 - 9 LPA |
| Psychologist | ₹ 2 - 8 LPA |
Source: Ambition Box
Top Recruiters of Online MA Course
The Online MA. Graduates are preferred by MNCs, Government bodies, and startups for their excellent analytical, research methodology, and domain expertise.
The table below contains the list of Online MA’s top recruiters:
| Top MNCs Recruiters | Average Package |
| Aditya Birla Corporation | ₹ 3 - 9 LPA |
| Uflex | ₹ 3 - 12 LPA |
| Schbang | ₹ 4 - 13 LPA |
| Zee Media Corporation | ₹ 4 - 15 LPA |
| Terribly Tiny Tales | ₹ 2.5 - 7 LPA |
| NDTV Network | ₹ 3 - 12 LPA |
| CISCO | ₹ 4 - 20 LPA |
| UpGrad | ₹ 3.4 - 16.6 LPA |
| Reliance Entertainment | ₹ 3 - 11 LPA |
| JK Media | ₹ 4.5 - 13 LPA |
| Coursera | ₹ 7 - 25 LPA |
Source: Ambition Box