Bachelor of Arts in History is a 3-year full-time undergraduate course. There are various aspects of history which are covered in this course, including cultural, social, economic, political and ideological, and this is to provide a better understanding of the subject to students. It explores past events, societies, and cultures, as well as civilisations across the entire world. It assists students to understand historical processes and their influence on the modern era, shaping crucial perceptions on contemporary social and political as well as cultural issues.
A student from any stream can apply for this course, preferably from the arts stream. Students who have passed the 10+2 or equivalent exam with a minimum of 50% marks can apply for this course. While many colleges admit students based on merit, some top universities have given chances to join them through an entrance exam conducted either individually or through an all-India entrance exam.
Bachelor of Arts in History gives a thorough knowledge of the ancient period to the modern age. This course encourages the student to advance their analytical thinking and in-depth knowledge in socio-political contexts, as well as research skills. It also helps to understand timeframes, heritage, and the evolution of civilisations and societies over time.
Table of Contents
- BA History Highlights
- What is BA History?
- Why Study BA History?
- Who should study BA History?
- BA History Eligibility Criteria
- BA History Entrance Exams 2025
- BA History Colleges in India
- BA History Admission Process 2025
- BA History Syllabus
- BA History Job Opportunities in India
- BA History Vs BA Economics
- BA History FAQs
BA History Highlights
Provided below are some of the basic key highlights for the Bachelor of Arts in History:
What is BA History?
A BA in History is a 3-year, full-time, based undergraduate degree programme that emphasises the study of past events, civilisations, and societies across different eras and geographic locations.
- This course helps the students to understand the causes and consequences of historical developments as well as their influence on modern society.
- This course enables the students to develop a complete knowledge of political systems, cultural movements, wars, economic structures, and the evolution of societies over time.
- A BA in History integrates the students into the study of different aspects, such as historical documents, artefacts, literature, and archaeological findings.
- The core topics of the course include Indian history of the ancient, medieval, and modern eras, world history, colonialism, and historical methodology.
Why Study BA History?
BA History is a well-suited career option for students who have an interest in uncovering patterns of the past to understand the present and future in a better way. A Bachelor in Arts History is more than learning facts and dates by heart; learning to analyze and question complex evidence, to pursue thorough investigation, and explain results clearly.
- In this field, the candidates will learn the role of events of the past that influence the current states of affairs and future considerations.
- The learning of this nature develops the inquisitive mind, a research ability, as well as writing skills that become desirable in a wide range of careers that include education, law, journalism, public policy, and heritage management, among others.
- The candidates will be able to enroll in higher studies courses, like MA, or PhD in History.
- The degree enhances cultural literacy and insight and thus fosters the growth of individuals, besides enhancing understanding of human communities.
Who should study BA History?
The History BA course will be an ideal option for candidates who want an advanced knowledge of history and historical events. Here are the ideal candidates who should opt for this course:
- The programme well accommodates curious students, who are interested in investigating the past, exploring different cultures, and making connections between past trends and issues that people are dealing with at present.
- Those with an interest in teaching, research, law, media, archival work, or entering public service stand to benefit a great deal.
- It also fulfils the requirements of people who appreciate intellectual rigour and desire to have adaptable skills that can be used in a variety of working backgrounds.
- The candidates who want advanced knowledge by enrolling in higher studies, like MA History, or MA Ancient History.
- Finally, a BA in History can be regarded as a great option to contemplate the story of humankind and the implications of this story presented to the world today.
BA History Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for BA History admission varied from university to university. The general criteria to take admission are listed below.
- The candidate should be qualified 10+2 or equivalent with any stream, preferably from the arts stream, from a well-recognised board.
- The candidates should have secured a minimum of 50% marks in their previous examinations. However, for the reserved categories, there is a 5% relaxation in cut-off marks.
- The candidate must have scored well on the entrance exam, such as the CUET UG.
BA History Entrance Exams 2025
There are different entrance exams conducted by different universities. The most common entrance exam for a History BA is listed below.
BA History Colleges in India
The topmost History BA colleges in India are highlighted below.
BA History Admission Process 2025
Students who are seeking admission in the History BA course may be required to appear for the entrance exam, such as CUET UG. However, some universities offer admission on the basis of merit of the qualifying exams. Given below is the detailed admission process for the Desh Bandhu College.
Step 1: The candidates need to register and appear for the CUET UG entrance exam and wait for the declaration of results.
Step 2: The applicant should register through the University of Delhi online admission portal. Only online applications will be acceptable. There is no offline admission process for the students.
Step 3: The applicants have a valid e-mail ID and contact number for future notifications about the admission.
Step 4: The applicants should fill in the personal and academic details accurately during the registration process. After that, the registration fee must be paid only through the provided link.
Step 5: The applicant will be permitted to update the marks and make minor changes in the form during the window provided to them. This will only be a one-time process.
Step 6: After declaration of the cut-off marks, the applicants should log in to the UG admission portal dashboard to choose the course and college they want to take admission to.
Step 7: The university will declare the merit list of selected candidates, and selected candidates must join the online verification of documents.
Documents Required
- Class X certificate
- Class XII certificate
- TC and Migration
- Photo identity card
- Passport-sized photographs
BA History Syllabus
The table below highlights the syllabus involved in this course. The semester-wise syllabus of this course in National College, Tiruchirappalli, is mentioned in the following table.
BA History Job Opportunities in India
The job opportunities after completion of a BA in History are given in the following table. There is a varied range of job opportunities in various fields with attractive salary packages.
BA History Vs BA Economics
BA History is an ideal discipline to study as it allows one to explore the past and its long-term effects on human groups, though BA Economics is the most suitable option of those who would like to study and analyze economic systems as well as governmental policies.
BA History FAQs
Is a BA in History useful if I want to pursue Law or Political Science later?
Yes, absolutely. A BA in History can be very beneficial if you want to pursue law or political science later. Studying the history of constitutional law can help you understand the context of constitutional law and its principles over time. Similarly, studying the history of political movements can help you understand current political events.
What kind of internships can I do while pursuing a BA in History?
While pursuing a BA in History, as a student, you have several internship opportunities. These include historical societies and organisations, museum internships, archaeological research, NGO internships, or a subject-specific research project.
Is BA history useful for UPSC?
A Bachelor of Arts degree in history is valuable for the Civil Services exams. History is one of the disciplines used as a major subject in the prelims and mains exam. This course provides a well-founded training on studying past events, social-political movements and development of governance, all of which are covered in the UPSC curriculum. History also develops the skills of analysis and writing, which are necessary in both the General Studies papers as well as in the Essay writing.
What is the salary of BA history?
In India, the median salary of a BA History graduate is between INR 300,000 and INR 10,000,000 per year, depending on the position, industry, and level of experience. The common occupations found are archaeologist, historian, archivist, teacher, and content writer, all having their remuneration.
What is the scope of BA History?
The scope of BA History is large and generic in its approach. The education graduates can work in the area of education, research, archaeology, heritage management, museums, archives, journalism, and public administration. Besides, the degree qualifies the candidate for some of the competitive examinations like UPSC, state Public Service Commissions, and jobs in organizations like the Indian Council of Historical Research and the Archaeological Survey of India.
Can I work in the tourism industry with a BA in History?
Yes. You can work in the tourism industry with a BA in History. BA History graduates can work as heritage tour guides and content developers for cultural tourism. The graduates can also join as consultants in historical storytelling and destination curation.
How does a BA in History help in preparing for government exams?
A BA in history offers a great advantage to prepare for the government exams, specifically the exams like the UPSC exams. It offers a strong foundation in historical context and critical thinking, as well as general knowledge. History can be chosen as an optional subject in the UPSC main exam, which provides a competitive advantage.
