BA in Urdu (Bachelor of Arts in Urdu) is a 2-year under-graduation degree course that aims at providing the students with knowledge of Urdu language, its valuable literature, poetry, history, as well as its importance as a culture. The Bachelor’s in Urdu program enables students to learn abilities in handling, reading, analysing, and writing Urdu texts and acquire the knowledge of translation, linguistics, and communication.
The eligibility criteria for the BA in Urdu program require applicants to pass through a higher secondary school, i.e. 10+2, from a recognised board with an aggregate of 50% marks or above. The admission to the BA in Urdu course is primarily a merit, but certain colleges might consider national-level entrance exams like CUET UG, or may conduct their own admission test.
BA in Urdu average fee ranges from INR 15,000 – 81,000. A few of the best colleges providing a BA in Urdu are Jamia Millia Islamia, University of Delhi (various colleges), Aligarh Muslim University, Dr. B. Ambedkar University College, and IGNOU.
The BA Urdu graduates get opportunities to work in education, media, translation, publishing, government services, as well as cultural establishments. Urdu Teacher, Content Writer, Translator, Journalist and Editor are among some of the job profiles that BA in Urdu graduates can pursue. The average salary after completing a BA in Urdu program is INR 4-5 LPA.
Table of Contents
BA Urdu Key Highlights
The basic highlights of the BA Urdu program are listed below for reference:
What is BA Urdu?
Bachelor of Arts in Urdu, also known as BA Urdu, focuses on the Urdu language, the study of Urdu literature and its cultural inheritance. This degree trains students with a detailed study of Urdu poetry, prose, drama and critical essays, and the development and relevance of the language in the history and today. The main purpose of the program is to achieve fluency in Urdu, literary culture and to create a firm basis of careers in language, literature, and communication.
The students of a BA Urdu degree will do coursework in classical and modern Urdu literature, grammar and linguistics, literature criticism, translation, creative writing and journalism Urdu. Students are likely to study related to popular poets and writers, the art of translating Urdu into other languages, and the influence of Urdu in the press and society.
Why Study BA Urdu?
BA in Urdu can provide the student with a rare combination of linguistic skills, literary understanding and cultural awareness that they can then utilize in any number of careers in the future. The program cultivates critical thinking, literary creativity and high levels of different communication skills by studying poetry, prose, translation, and media writing. Few reasons to pursue this course of study are:
- This degree leads to opportunities in schools as educators and journalists, translators, publishing houses and cultural organizations.
- It also promotes an advanced insight into South Asian tradition and teaches how to reach a vast audience with the help of storytelling and proper communication.
- After completing their degrees, students are expected to be articulate professionals who can make a difference to literature, media, and education as well as in their social discourse, and thus BA Urdu is a degree that is worthy as well as versatile.
Who should study BA Urdu?
BA Urdu is suitable for people who are interested in or fascinated by languages, literature, and historical background. This program is appropriate to students who love reading and writing, and analysing texts, or those who are attracted to poetry and story telling and creative writing. The ideal candidates for BA Urdu degree are:
- It is helpful for people seeking to pursue careers as teachers, people in the press or media, translation professionals, or people working in the public sector.
- Interested individuals who may have curiosity towards South Asian culture, or a language or are interested in preserving language heritage.
- There is no previous knowledge of Urdu expected, although the student interested in language acquisition and reasoning would benefit.
- The BA in Urdu program is attractive to people who would like to interact with other communities and take part in the cultural discourse.
BA Urdu Eligibility Criteria
Candidates need to meet certain eligibility criteria to undertake BA in Urdu program. Mentioned below is the basic eligibility criteria followed in reputed colleges:
- Candidates must have completed 10+2 or its equivalent from a recognized state or central board.
- Some colleges require Urdu as a subject at the 10+2 level or proof of proficiency in Urdu language.
- Minimum marks required usually range from 45% to 55%, with relaxation for reserved categories like SC/ST/OBC.
- Candidates should not have any backlogs or pending subjects in their qualifying exams at the time of admission.
- Some universities accept national-level entrance exam scores like CUET PG or may conduct their own entrance exam or merit-based admission depending on the institution.
BA Urdu Entrance Exams
In some universities, entrance exams are required to take admission in the BA Urdu program. Mentioned below are some relevant entrance exams for the BA in Urdu course:
BA Urdu Colleges in India
Some of the prominent colleges for the BA in Urdu program are listed below, along with their location and course fees:
Students with interest in Hindi can pursue B.A in Hindi Literature
BA Urdu Admission Process 2025
The Admission Process is almost the same in all the universities. For clear understanding, given below is the admission process to enroll into BA in Urdu program at Zakir Husain Delhi College:
Step 1: You should have finished your 10+2 or any other equivalent examinations in a recognized board with a minimum of 50%.
Step 2: Go to the official site of the Zakir Husain Delhi College, and then complete the online application form with great attention.
Step 3: Attach documents required which usually include your academic transcripts, your identity proof and your passport sized pictures. Submit the application fee.
Step 4: Once you have made a submission, your application will be checked by the college to ascertain your documents and eligibility.
Step 5: Admissions are mostly merit-based on your marks. In case of a shortlist, you shall be issued with an official offer to study by email or the college portal.
Step 6: To book your seat, ensure that you pay your tuition fees before the deadline. Hand in any other document that has to be submitted to complete your admission formalities at the college office.
Step 7: Take part in the orientation program of the college. It will familiarise you with the faculty and course pattern as well as campus facilities and help you settle down easily.
Required Documents:
- 10th and 12th mark sheets
- Graduation Marksheets
- ID proofs
- Transfer certificate
- Character certificate
- Medical certificate
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
BA Urdu Syllabus
BA Urdu syllabus is spread in six semesters of duration of three years and this well-rounded program also enables students to develop sound language skills, literary taste, and experience to work in a variety of professions. For reference, the BA Urdu syllabus at Aligarh Muslim University is given below:
Click to read more about the next-level course of study- MA Urdu
BA Urdu Job Opportunities in India
Graduates of BA Urdu have an opportunity to work in such fields as education, media, publishing, translation, and cultural organisations and take such a job as Urdu Teacher, Content Writer, Translator, etc. The most popular employers are schools, news agencies, publishing houses, and governmental organisations. Find below a list of job opportunities for BA in Urdu graduates:
Read about the highest-level of degree in Urdu– PhD Urdu
BA Urdu vs. BA Hons. Urdu
The comparison between BA Urdu and BA Urdu (Hons.) is given below:
BA Urdu FAQs
Are non-Urdu students allowed into the BA in Urdu program?
The answer is yes, because as many of the universities begin with elementary language courses, there is no prior requirement for formal education in Urdu. Nevertheless, students will adjust faster with a simple fascination with introducing languages and literature.
Does the BA in Urdu course entail extracurricular activities?
To capture the attention of the students outside the classroom, most colleges form Urdu literary societies, poetry recitation events, and cultural festivals. Such activities also make the students grow with confidence and network with the Urdu-speaking community.
Are BA in Urdu program students offered the opportunity of scholarships?
To fulfil your dream to study Urdu, several universities and state governments provide merit-based as well as need-based scholarships to students who intend to learn Urdu. The objectives of these scholarships are the popularisation of the language and providing the students with a minority background.
What are the research opportunities inside the BA in Urdu course?
Students are able to take part in research projects in Urdu linguistics, in classical literature, or translation studies, commonly under the mentorship of faculty. There are also colleges which motivate students to make paper presentations at the national and international Urdu conferences.
What is the role of the BA in Urdu program in competitive examinations?
The program boosts reading comprehension, critical writing, and general awareness capabilities, which can come in handy during exams such as UPSC, SSC and state-level public service commissions. Those graduating in Urdu also get to have government jobs (which are language-specific) and even translation jobs.
