Nearing the end of your 12th standard brings with it a list of daunting decisions.
Two of the most in-demand options from the ones under the arts stream are the bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of arts honours (BA Hons).
Though both degrees are underpinned by a solid foundation of humanities and social sciences, they may vary in terms of specialization, depth of study, and career prospects.
This article explains the differences between BA and BA Hons. Further, it provides an overview for relevance in different career paths and the top colleges offering these courses in India.
What Is BA and BA Hons?
A BA or Bachelor of Arts is the general undergraduate degree which shall extend over three years and cover, broadly, subjects in the humanities including history, literature, political science, and sociology.
The students pursuing BA Hons specialise in a subject of study such as English, Economics or History, etc, and specialize in that particular field.
Right Path After 12th Arts: BA or BA Hons?
This general BA is very much up to the ideal requirements of a student who would want to study many subjects and not be very fussy about his or her line of activity.
It provides a general exposure to various fields and, therefore, becomes a good option for those who may not have clarity about the specific field in which they wish to pursue their careers.
Under this general BA, students can opt for media and education, public relations, and even start an entrepreneurial venture.
Whereas, if you have one special career in mind, then BA Hons is better, because specialization leads to more specific avenues of careers, that is, subject matter expert, researcher, etc.
BA Fees in India
BA or BA Hons fee differs in every college.
The government colleges are much cheaper than their private counterparts.
For example, a BA degree from the University of Delhi or Jawaharlal Nehru University can cost between 5,000 and 50,000 for tuition every year, depending on the college and the course.
Private colleges such as Symbiosis International University or Amity University charge much higher fees up to 3,00,000 an year for BA or BA Hons courses.
Online BA in India courses also have started growing nowadays and the fees for that courses falls around 20,000 to 1,00,000 a year.
Top BA Colleges in India according to NIRF Ranking
The NIRF rankings are done on the basis of parameters like teaching, learning resources, research, and student outcomes.
Following are the some of the best BA colleges in India, as per the latest NIRF rankings:
- Miranda House, Delhi University
- NIRF Rank : 1
Miranda House is popularly known for its BA courses in English, Political Science, and History.
This institution provides a very lively academic atmosphere and excellent faculty.
- Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University
- NIRF Rank : 2
LSR offers both B.A and B.A Hons in subjects such as Psychology, Economics, and English, which is proud of its successful alumni.
- Loyola College, Chennai
- NIRF Rank : 3
Loyola has a wide range of BA programs, including BA Hons in History, Economics, and English, among others.
- Xavier’s College, Mumbai
- NIRF Rank : 4
St. Xavier’s has a wide BA course offerings with rich academic scholarship standards in subjects like Sociology and English.
- Hindu College, Delhi University
- NIRF Rank : 9
This college is also known for a good humanities program and campus life; thus, it hosts many BA Hons students.
Some Useful Topics Related to Course :
Unveiling the Benefits of Pursuing an Online BA in India
High Paying Jobs for Arts Students
Contrary to popular opinion about the less employable nature of Arts students, many career opportunities are out there for BA and BA Hons graduates that pay more than a pretty penny.
Among the best paying sectors for Arts students are:
- Content Creation and Media
Journalism, content writing, and digital marketing are those fields where the highest salary can be earned.
It is told that some media houses pay handsomely for the skilled professionals in such areas of activities.
For instance, the Times Group or even NDTV is such places.
- Public Relations and Advertising
Companies rely on PR professionals to keep the brand image and public communication; advertising agencies offer competitive packages to creative strategists, copywriters, and account managers.
- Human Resources
A BA degree with specializations in psychology or sociology can lead to HR roles, where professionals manage employee relations and organizational behavior.
Top companies like Tata, Infosys, and Wipro offer competitive salaries to HR managers.
- Economics and Financial Services
The BA Hons in Economics can lead to jobs in banking and financial analysis and consultancy.
Multinational corporations and government bodies offer high paying roles to economic analysts and consultants.
Government Sector Jobs After BA
The Government sector in India also offers the following jobs to BA graduates through various exams and recruitment processes.
Some of the most sought-after government sector jobs for BA graduates are as follows:
- Civil Services
Graduates can take the UPSC Civil Services Examination to become sought-after IAS, IPS or IFS officers.
Generally, career growth and job security are significant aspects of civil services. Good salaries are also very attractive.
- Banking Sector
Many BA graduates get qualified for the banking sector by clearing the exams of IBPS PO and SBI PO.
The Public sector banks offer job security and sound job opportunities for clerical and management level posts.
- Teaching
Teaching can be a profession for BA graduates by clearing CTET or state-level teaching examinations.
Teaching is indeed one of the most respected professions and also stable in terms of employment, and their salary also grows with time.
- Railways
A graduate can be recruited by the Indian Railways with exams conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board, more popularly referred to as RRB.
BA graduates may apply for assistant station master or goods guard or traffic apprentice jobs.
Conclusion
In brief, both BA and BA Hons have their advantages when it comes to professional ambitions.
A general BA degree creates opportunities and scope for practical application in a number of career lines.
Then, NIRF rankings must be considered to identify the best BA colleges in India so that quality education is provided.
Finally, between BA and BA Hons, the choice totally depends upon the career aspiration, interest to pursue one particular subject, and long-term professional goals.