MA History is a two-year postgraduate academic degree that studies the progression of historical events, their interpretations, consequences, and impact on current society. Students can study an MA History degree part-time, full-time, online, distance, or by correspondence.
MA History eligibility requires a minimum of 45-50% marks in graduation from a recognized Indian university. The majority of colleges in India offer MA History admission based on entrance exam marks. However, several MA History universities provide direct admissions based on merit. Some common MA History exams include CUET PG and IPU CET, among others.
After graduation, applicants with an MA in History have a variety of professional opportunities. Some of the most popular MA History occupations for graduates include archivist, journalist, archaeologist, historian, curator, and teacher. Graduates can pursue higher education with a PhD in History or a specialist degree in fields such as political science, cultural studies, language studies, museum studies, and others.
MA History graduates can work in government sectors, such as museums, archaeological departments, and academic institutions. They can also work as a historian, museum curator, archivist, archaeologist, high school teachers, or librarians. The average package for MA History fresh graduates is estimated to be about INR 5-8 LPA.
Table of Contents
- MA History Highlights
- What is an MA in History?
- Why Study an MA in History?
- Who Should Study an MA in History?
- MA History Eligibility Criteria
- MA History Entrance Exams 2025
- MA History Colleges in India
- MA History Admission Process 2025
- MA History Syllabus
- MA History Job Opportunities in India
- MA History FAQs
MA History Highlights
The table below provides a quick overview of the MA History program in India:
What is an MA in History?
MA History is a two-year postgraduate degree focused on the study of the past, including individuals, societies, events, and problems. The program covers topics such as Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India, World History, Indian government and politics, literature, economic history, and contemporary concerns in international relations, among others.
- Master of Arts in History also involves the study of great leaders and inventors, those whose personalities have affected history, as well as their character strength, ambition, ability, leadership, and inventiveness.
- MA in History also involves the study of great ideas and movements started by significant people, as well as how they impacted our communities and countries politically, economically, and socially.
- The MA History course teaches advanced critical skills and historical insights using facts, concepts, and comparative frameworks.
Also Check: MA Ancient History
Why Study an MA in History?
Choosing an MA in History offers various benefits and career opportunities:
- The MA History course focuses on mankind's great successes as well as its terrible blunders. As a result, we had a deeper understanding of how things were and how we may approach a better future.
- With a deeper understanding, an individual can better organize and administer our societies for the benefit of everyone.
- The MA History course provides numerous opportunities. Graduates can pursue careers as historians, museum curators, archivists, archaeologists, high school teachers, and many other fields.
- History master's postgraduates will develop strong writing, analytical thinking, and research abilities that will help them succeed as writers, editors, or analysts.
- The MA History program provides opportunities in teaching, research, government institutions, museums, heritage conservation, and archival management.
- MA in History graduates can contribute to the academic discipline by conducting unique research on previously unexplored or underrepresented historical issues.
- Students develop advanced analytical skills, as well as the ability to critically evaluate sources, which is highly valuable in many fields.
- Studying MA History provides insight into societal shifts and their implications for the present, making it essential for anyone interested in social sciences and public policy.
Who Should Study an MA in History?
An MA in History is ideal for students with an interest in the past and how it shapes the present. Here are some profiles that may find the course particularly appealing:
- Candidates who are interested in studying history because history does not let them.
- Choosing MA History will help students comprehend how past events shaped the present.
- Applicants interested in studying for an MA in History will learn from the past, teaching them not just about themselves and how they came to be, but also how to avoid mistakes and forge better paths for their society.
- Candidates who have a great interest in people, learning about those who may have lived decades or even centuries ago, yet their actions have a direct impact on how we live now.
- Selecting to study MA History helps candidates gain a deeper understanding of the world and how it works.
- When you study the MA History course, you gain a better understanding of how conflicts escalate.
- Students interested in historical research reveal the warning indicators of many types of disasters, ranging from genocide to climate inaction.
- Understanding these MA History trends can make you a more informed citizen who can take meaningful action.
MA History Eligibility Criteria
Students who have finished an undergraduate degree in any discipline are eligible to take the MA in History course. Students with a BA in History are more likely to pursue a Master's degree in History.
- Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in history, or preferably in a related field, while many universities accept students from all areas to pursue an MA in history.
- Candidates should have graduated with at least 45% - 50%.
- Candidates who have already graduated can apply for the course.
- Those in their final year of school may also apply for the course.
- Institutes do not set an age limit for MA History admissions.
MA History Entrance Exams 2025
The MA Admission is dependent on the candidates' performance in the admission exams administered by various institutes and universities. Some of the most common exams and their details are listed below:
MA History Colleges in India
Today, MA History has a broad scope. Many government colleges and private institutes offer the MA History subject throughout India. Candidates are recommended to check whether the MA History college to which they intend to apply is recognized by UGC and authorized by AICTE.
MA History Admission Process 2025
The admission procedure for the M.A. in History program at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for the academic year 2025-26 is as follows.
Step 1: To apply online, go to the official JNU admission portal at “jnuee.jnu.ac.in”. Provide correct personal, academic, and contact information.
Step 2: After completing your application, register for CUET PG 2025, which is organized by the National Testing Agency. This exam will assess your understanding and covering fundamental MA History program-related topics.
Step 3: Once the CUET PG 2025 results are released, candidates must apply independently to JNU via the university's online portal.
Step 4: JNU will notify the shortlisted candidates for MA History program. You must upload the relevant documents for verification, including your bachelor's degree mark sheets, transfer certificate, and category certificates.
Step 5: After paying the costs and confirming their seat, candidates must attend a physical document verification process at JNU. After successfully verifying and completing all processes, you will receive your official MA History admission confirmation.
Documents Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree Mark Sheets (All years of undergraduate study)
- Transfer Certificate from the last attended institution
- Character Certificate from the last attended institution
- Category Certificate (if applicable, such as SC/ST/OBC)
- Passport-sized Photographs (as per the prescribed format)
- Government-issued ID Proof (Aadhar card, Passport, or other valid identification)
- Migration Certificate (if applicable, for students from universities outside India or from universities not affiliated with JNU)
- CUET PG Admit Card and Scorecard
- Statement of Purpose (if required by the university for the program)
MA History Syllabus
MA History entails a thorough examination of not only the history of India and its borders, but also global history and the interrelationships between Indian and world history. Some MA History colleges also teach students how to use various computer application technologies to better analyze history. It is a semester-based course split into four semesters. The following table contains a full semester-by-semester MA History syllabus.
MA History Job Opportunities in India
Students can look into jobs in a variety of professions, including journalism, archaeology, historical research, academia, historical fiction, monument restoration, tourism, and museums. Candidates should be aware that the income connected with any MA History job description is subject to change depending on a variety of circumstances such as location, government regulations, academic qualifications, the candidate's talents, and so on.
Candidates can see various MA History jobs below, along with a brief description of the MA History job profile and the typical yearly pay.
MA History FAQs
What is the scope of MA history?
MA History offers several job opportunities in education, research, museums, archives, and heritage protection. Graduates can work as historians, archaeologists, archivists, content writers, or in public relations. There are also openings in civil services, government agencies, and cultural groups.
What are the MA in History fees at Mumbai University?
The MA History fees at Mumbai University vary according to the student's category. Annual fees for Indian students typically range between INR 10,000 and INR 20,000. International students may face increased tuition costs, which can be validated on the university's official website or prospectus for the most current and up-to-date information.
What is the number of subjects in the MA History?
MA History courses often include Ancient History, Medieval History, Modern History, Historiography, Indian History, World History, Economic History, and Social History. The actual number of subjects varies by university, but they often comprise both core and elective papers, with a focus on research techniques in the final semesters.
Can I get a job after earning my MA in history?
Yes, obtaining an MA in History opens you a variety of job opportunities. Graduates may work as historians, archivists, museum curators, researchers, or educators. There are additional opportunities with government institutions such as the Archaeological Survey of India, cultural preservation agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Many people pursue professions in journalism, writing, and public history, with competitive opportunities in media outlets and educational institutions.
What is the number of subjects in the MA History?
MA History courses often include Ancient History, Medieval History, Modern History, Historiography, Indian History, World History, Economic History, and Social History. The actual number of subjects varies by university, but they often comprise both core and elective papers, with a focus on research techniques in the final semesters.
Can I get a job after earning my MA in history?
An MA in History provides several job opportunities. A student can become a historian, an archivist, a museum curator, a researcher, or even a teacher. Other institutions that are open to applicants include the government, such as the Archaeological Survey of India, cultural preservation agencies, and different non-profit (NGOs). For many students, there is the possibility of becoming active players in the trade of journalism, authorship, or public history, with the best opportunities in media houses or educational institutions.
