General specialisation overview: what is an Online MA in English?
Online MA in English is the English elective track of the Master of Arts, delivered fully online by UGC-entitled universities. English studies combines literature across periods and geographies with language, criticism and the writing craft that turns reading skill into professional communication.
You study British, American and Indian English literature, literary criticism and theory, linguistics, post-colonial and gender writing, and academic and professional writing, ending with a dissertation or long research essay.
Across the 6 universities in our dataset that run this track, the programme takes 2 years and costs ₹60,000 – ₹75,000 in total. Your degree certificate reads MA — the specialisation appears through your elective papers and project, exactly as it does on campus.
Highlights of Online MA in English 2026
| Programme | Online MA in English |
|---|---|
| Level | Postgraduate degree |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Mode | Online / Distance |
| Fee range | ₹60,000 – ₹75,000 |
| Universities offering it | 6 in our dataset |
| Approvals to check | UGC entitlement + UGC-DEB, NAAC grade, AICTE where applicable |
| Typical entry salary | ₹4 – ₹9 LPA (role dependent) |
General specialisation overview: scope of Online MA in English
Content, communications and edtech hiring have made strong writers commercially valuable, while the traditional teaching route stays open through NET and B.Ed.
Schools and colleges, publishing and edtech, content and communications teams, advertising agencies, and media houses. For an online learner the practical advantage is timing: you apply each module at work while you study, so by the time the MA is awarded you already have english work to talk about in interviews.
Teaching
School and college teaching via NET/B.Ed pathways.
Content & copywriting
Brand, product and SEO content for companies and agencies.
Publishing & editing
Commissioning, editing and proofreading.
Corporate communication
Internal comms, PR and executive writing.
Edtech content
Curriculum and assessment writing.
Research
PhD track in literature and cultural studies.
Eligibility criteria
Eligibility is set by each university, not by the specialisation. Confirm the exact percentage rule on the university's own admission page before you pay.
- 1
A bachelor's degree of at least three years from a UGC-recognised university.
- 2
Most universities ask for 50% aggregate (45% for reserved categories) — always confirm on the university page.
- 3
No entrance exam at most online universities; a few run an internal aptitude test or interview.
- 4
Working professionals can apply without a break in employment — attendance is not physical.
- 5
Graduates from any stream are usually eligible, though a english background helps.
Admission process
- 1
Shortlist the university, not just the specialisation — Compare the 6 universities that run English on approvals, fee and semester structure before you register.
- 2
Register on the online-learning portal — Create an account with your mobile number and email, then verify the OTP to open the application form.
- 3
Fill the application and pick the specialisation — Choose MA and then English as the elective track — the choice is usually recorded at admission or by semester 2.
- 4
Upload documents — Degree certificate, consolidated marksheets, photo ID, passport photo and category certificate where applicable.
- 5
Pay the fee (full, semester or EMI) — Most universities allow semester-wise payment and no-cost EMI; keep the receipt and the fee-structure page.
- 6
Get the enrolment number and LMS access — Verification takes a few working days, after which recorded lectures, e-books and live-class links open up.
Why study English in online mode?
Same degree, UGC-entitled
An online MA from a UGC-entitled university carries the same academic value as the on-campus degree.
Earn while you learn
Recorded lectures and weekend live classes mean you never have to resign to upskill.
Lower total cost
₹60,000 – ₹75,000 covers the whole programme — no relocation, hostel or commute spend.
Specialisation depth from semester 2
Core management or subject papers come first, then English electives, projects and a capstone.
Portfolio you can show
Case work, live projects and the capstone become interview evidence, which matters more than the mode of study.
Placement support included
Most universities give resume reviews, mock interviews and access to a recruiter portal — assistance, not a guarantee.
General specialisation overview: indicative syllabus of Online MA in English
Indicative structure compiled from the papers universities publish for this track. The exact paper list and credits are decided by your university.
Semester 1
- British Poetry & Drama
- Literary Criticism
- Academic Writing
- History of English Literature
Semester 2
- American Literature
- Indian Writing in English
- Linguistics
- Research Methodology
Semester 3
- Post-Colonial Studies
- Literary Theory
- Victorian Literature
- Comparative Literature
Semester 4
- Women's Writing
- Modernism & Post-Modernism
- Cultural Studies
- Dissertation
University-specific data: colleges offering Online MA in English
| # | University | Total fee | Duration | Approvals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandigarh University OnlineMohali, Punjab | ₹75,000 | 2 years | Check university page | View |
| 2 | Uttaranchal University OnlineDehradun, Uttarakhand | Not specified | 2 years | UGC-DEB · NAAC NAAC A+ accredited | View |
| 3 | Shoolini University OnlineSolan, Himachal Pradesh | Not specified | 2 years | UGC-DEB · NAAC NAAC accredited | View |
| 4 | Parul University OnlineVadodara, Gujarat | ₹60,000 | 2 years | UGC-DEB · NAAC NAAC A++ (youngest private university in India to receive A++ in the first cycle) | View |
| 5 | Kurukshetra University (CDOE)Kurukshetra, Haryana | Not specified | 2 Years | NAAC A++ Grade from NAAC | View |
| 6 | Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open UniversityNashik, Maharashtra | Not specified | — | UGC-DEB · NAAC Accredited 'A' Grade by NAAC in its first cycle in 2022 | View |
| University | Total fee | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh UniversityMohali, Punjab | ₹75,000 | 2 years |
| Uttaranchal UniversityDehradun, Uttarakhand | Not specified | 2 years |
| Shoolini OnlineSolan, Himachal Pradesh | Not specified | 2 years |
| Parul UniversityVadodara, Gujarat | ₹60,000 | 2 years |
| KUK CDOEKurukshetra, Haryana | Not specified | 2 Years |
| YCMOUNashik, Maharashtra | Not specified | — |
Career prospects & indicative salary range 2026
Salary bands are indicative ranges for Indian hiring, not university placement promises. Your package depends on prior experience, city and interview performance.
| Job role | Indicative annual salary range | What the role does |
|---|---|---|
| Content Strategist | ₹4 – ₹10 LPA | Owns content planning and quality for a brand. |
| Copywriter | ₹3 – ₹8 LPA | Campaign, product and performance copy. |
| Editor / Sub-editor | ₹4 – ₹9 LPA | Editing and publishing workflow ownership. |
| Corporate Communications Executive | ₹4 – ₹10 LPA | Internal comms, PR and messaging. |
| Teacher / PGT English | ₹3.5 – ₹8 LPA | School teaching (B.Ed usually required). |
| Assistant Professor (after NET) | ₹5 – ₹11 LPA | College-level teaching and research. |
Content Strategist
4 – 10 LPAOwns content planning and quality for a brand.
Copywriter
3 – 8 LPACampaign, product and performance copy.
Editor / Sub-editor
4 – 9 LPAEditing and publishing workflow ownership.
Corporate Communications Executive
4 – 10 LPAInternal comms, PR and messaging.
Teacher / PGT English
3.5 – 8 LPASchool teaching (B.Ed usually required).
Assistant Professor (after NET)
5 – 11 LPACollege-level teaching and research.
Top recruiters
- Publishing houses
- Edtech firms
- Digital agencies
- Media houses
- Schools & colleges
- Corporate comms teams
Industries hiring
- Education
- Publishing
- Advertising
- Media
- Edtech
- Corporate communication
University-specific data: fees published by each university
| University | Duration | Total fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh University | 2 years | ₹75,000 |
| Uttaranchal University | 2 years | Not specified |
| Shoolini Online | 2 years | Not specified |
| Parul University | 2 years | ₹60,000 |
| KUK CDOE | 2 Years | Not specified |
| YCMOU | Not specified | Not specified |
Specialisation choice rarely changes the Online MA fee — the figures above are the programme fees published by each university.
Online MA in English FAQs
Yes, when the university is UGC-entitled for online programmes and listed on UGC-DEB. The degree does not say "online" differently in terms of validity — it is treated at par with the on-campus MA.
₹60,000 – ₹75,000 for the full programme across the 6 universities we track. Semester-wise payment and EMI options are common.
No. Universities price the MA as one programme; the English choice changes your electives, not the fee.
Some universities let you change the elective track before semester 2 closes. Ask the admission counsellor in writing — it is not guaranteed everywhere.
Universities offer placement assistance: resume help, mock interviews and recruiter portals. That is different from guaranteed placement, so ask what exactly is included for online learners.
More on the Online MA
Each section below is a full page of its own — open the one you need.
Other MA specialisations
- MA in Economics4 universities
- MA in Political Science4 universities
- MA in Sociology2 universities
- MA in Journalism & Mass Communication1 universities
- MA in Psychology1 universities
- MA in Mass Communication1 universities
- MA in Marathi1 universities
- MA in Hindi1 universities
- MA in History1 universities
- MA in Education1 universities
- MA in Public Administration1 universities
Not sure which Online MA to pick?
Compare the universities above on fee, entitlement status and specialisation, or talk to a counsellor who will walk you through the shortlist. No cost, no obligation.
