B.A. Political Science: Subjects, Syllabus, Eligibility, Career Options

If you’re curious about how governments work, why elections matter, or how global politics shape our daily lives, then B.A. Political Science might be the course for you. This undergraduate degree is one of the most popular choices for students in India and abroad who want to build a career in law, civil services, diplomacy, teaching, or research. In this blog, we’ll cover everything about B.A. Political Science course’s eligibility, syllabus, top colleges, career options, and future scope in detail.

What is B.A. Political Science?

A B.A. in Political Science is a 3-year undergraduate degree that studies how governments work, how laws are made, and how power is used in society. It looks at topics like political theory, international relations, public administration, and policies that shape our daily lives. Simply put, this course helps you understand the world of politics beyond just elections and leaders.

For anyone curious about governance, diplomacy, or even preparing for competitive exams, a Bachelor’s in Political Science offers a strong foundation. Here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know about B.A. Political Science. 

Course Name	Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science
Level	Undergraduate Degree
Duration	3-4 years
Eligibility	India: 10+2 with any stream  Abroad: English proficiency tests (IELTS/TOEFL)
Average Fees	India: INR  20,000 – INR  1.5 Lakh per year USA: USD 20,000 – 50,000 per year UK: GBP 12,000 – 25,000 per year Canada: CAD 15,000 – 30,000 per year
Core Subjects	Political Theory, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Public Administration, Indian Political System
Top Colleges (India)	DU (Delhi University), JNU, Presidency University, Jadavpur University, BHU
Top Universities (Abroad)	Harvard University, LSE, Sciences Po, University of Toronto, ANU
Career Options	Civil Services, Policy Analyst, Political Consultant, Diplomat, Lawyer, Journalist, Researcher
Average Salary	India: INR  4–8 LPA USA: USD 50,000–90,000 UK: GBP 28,000–60,000 Canada: CAD 45,000–80,000

Why Study B.A. Political Science?

Studying B.A. Political Science is about understanding how the world actually runs. It builds your critical thinking, teaches you how policies affect people, and helps you analyze social issues deeply. It’s also one of the most popular choices for students aiming for careers in civil services, law, journalism, diplomacy, or public policy. If you’re someone who likes debates, questions authority, or wants to make real changes in society, Political Science is literally made for you.

Political Science Courses 

So here’s the deal. Political Science is not just one course. You can study it at undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and even PhD levels, depending on how far you wanna go. Each level opens up different career doors. Let’s take a look at them.

Course Name	Level	Duration	Average Fees (India)	Average Fees (Abroad)
Bachelor’s in Political Science	Undergraduate	3 years	INR 20,000 – INR 1.5 lakh per year	USD 10,000 – 30,000 per year
Master’s in Political Science	Postgraduate	2 years	INR 30,000 – INR 2 lakh per year	USD 12,000 – 35,000 per year
Diploma in Political Science	Certificate/Diploma	6 months – 1 year	INR 10,000 – INR 60,000	USD 5,000 – 15,000
M.Phil. in Political Science	Research	1–2 years	INR 50,000 – INR 2.5 lakh	USD 15,000 – 25,000
Ph.D. in Political Science	Doctoral	3–5 years	INR 1 lakh – INR 5 lakh (total)	USD 20,000 – 50,000 (total)

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Bachelor’s in Political Science Syllabus 

A B.A. in Political Science is a mix of history, law, theory, and even a little economics. The syllabus is designed to make you understand how power, policies, and governments actually work. Here’s the semester-wise syllabus.

Semester 1	Introduction to Political Theory, Indian Political Thought (Ancient & Medieval), Basics of Constitution
Semester 2	Western Political Thought, Comparative Government & Politics, Political Theory: Concepts & Debates
Semester 3	Indian Government & Politics, Public Administration, International Relations: Concepts & Theories
Semester 4	Political Processes in India, Global Politics, Public Policy & Governance
Semester 5	Indian Political Economy, International Organizations, Political Sociology, Discipline Electives (like Feminist Theory, Human Rights)
Semester 6	Contemporary Global Issues, Indian Political Thought (Modern), Research Methodology, Dissertation/Project Work

Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor’s in Political Science

Not everyone can just walk into a B.A. Political Science program. There are some boxes you gotta tick. The criteria are slightly different for India and abroad, so here’s the breakdown:

Eligibility in India

• Qualification: 10+2 from a recognized board.
• Minimum Marks: Usually 50–60% aggregate, but it can vary depending on the college.
• Subjects Required: No strict subject bar, but having Political Science or Humanities in 12th helps.
• Entrance Exams: Top central universities like DU, JNU, BHU, and many state universities admit through CUET-UG 2025.

Eligibility Abroad 

• Qualification: Completion of high school (12 years of education) equivalent to Class 12 in India.
• Minimum Marks: Generally 70–80% aggregate in high school.
• English Proficiency:
  
  • IELTS: 6.5 overall
    
  • TOEFL iBT: 80–90+
    
  • Some universities also accept the Duolingo English Test.
    
• Additional Requirements:
  
  • Statement of Purpose
    
  • Letters of Recommendations
    
  • In the US, SAT/ACT is required.
    
  • In the UK, a UCAS application may include a personal statement and predicted grades.

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Top Colleges for Political Science in India

Political Science is one of the most popular arts courses in India, and the college you choose makes a huge difference. Here’s a list of the best colleges for a Bachelor’s in Political Science in India.

1. University of Delhi (DU) – Delhi

Delhi University is the first choice for almost every Political Science aspirant in India. With its long academic legacy, DU offers one of the strongest departments of Political Science.

• Top DU Colleges for Political Science:
  
  • Miranda House
    
  • Lady Shri Ram College for Women
    
  • Hindu College
    
  • St. Stephen’s College
    
  • Ramjas College
    
• Admission Process: Through CUET-UG conducted by NTA.
  
• Course Fees: Approx. INR 15,000–INR 25,000 per year.

2. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) – Delhi

JNU is internationally recognized for its Political Science, International Relations, and Policy Studies. It is known as the hub of intellectual debates and activism in India.

• School of International Studies: Ranked among the best in Asia.
  
• Admission Process: CUET for UG and JNU Entrance for higher degrees.
  
• Course Fees: Extremely low, approx. INR 400–INR 600 per semester.

3. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) – Delhi

JMI has grown rapidly in academic reputation and is now ranked among India’s top universities. Its Political Science program is very strong, with a focus on International Relations, Indian Politics, and Comparative Politics.

• Admission Process: CUET-UG for Bachelor’s in Political Science.
  
• Course Fees: Around INR 8,000–INR 12,000 per year.
  
• NIRF Ranking 2025: Ranked #3 among Indian Universities.

4. Presidency University – Kolkata

One of India’s oldest and most prestigious institutions, Presidency has produced some of the finest political thinkers and leaders.

• Admission Process: Through PUBDET (Presidency University Bachelor’s Degree Entrance Test).
  
• Course Fees: INR 3,000–INR 5,000 per year (very low).

5. Loyola College – Chennai

A top arts and science college in South India, Loyola is widely respected for its Political Science program.

• Admission Process: Merit-based and an entrance/interaction round.
  
• Course Fees: INR 25,000–INR 45,000 per year.
  
• NIRF Ranking 2025: Consistently among the Top 10 Arts Colleges.

6. Christ University – Bengaluru

A leading private university in India, Christ has built a strong name in Political Science and related disciplines.

• Admission Process: Christ Entrance Test, Skill Assessment, and Interview.
  
• Course Fees: INR 1.4–INR 1.8 lakh per year.

7. Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) – Mumbai

Although best known for Social Work and Development Studies, TISS also offers strong courses in Political Science, Governance, and Public Policy.

• Admission Process: Merit-based for UG and TISSNET for PG.
  
• Course Fees: INR 35,000–INR 60,000 per year.

Top Universities for Political Science Abroad

If you’re planning to study B.A. Political Science abroad, these universities are some of the most recognized worldwide. 

Country	University	Popular Course	Duration	Average Tuition Fee (per year)
USA	Harvard University	B.A. in Government (Political Science)	4 years	USD 50,000 – 54,000
USA	Stanford University	B.A. in Political Science	4 years	USD 51,000 – 55,000
UK	University of Oxford	B.A. in Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE)	3 years	GBP 39,000 – 41,000
UK	London School of Economics (LSE)	B.Sc. Politics and International Relations	3 years	GBP 34,000 – 37,000
Canada	University of Toronto	B.A. in Political Science	4 years	CAD 29,000 – 32,000
Canada	McGill University	B.A. in Political Science	4 years	CAD 22,000 – 25,000
Australia	University of Melbourne	B.A. in Politics & International Studies	3 years	AUD 26,000 – 30,000
Australia	Australian National University (ANU)	Bachelor of Political Science	3 years	AUD 27,000 – 31,000
Singapore	National University of Singapore (NUS)	B.A. in Political Science	4 years	SGD 21,000 – 23,000
Germany	Free University of Berlin	B.A. Political Science	3 years	EUR 550 – 750 (semester fee only)

Career Options and Salary After B.A. Political Science

A B.A. in Political Science opens up real jobs across government, private, media, law, and even international organizations. Here are the top career options you can explore after completing the degree.

Career Role	Average Salary in India (per year)	Average Salary Abroad (per year)
Civil Servant (IAS/IPS/IFS)	INR 8 – 20 LPA	USD 70,000 – 90,000 (Gov. roles in USA/UK)
Policy Analyst	INR 5 – 10 LPA	USD 60,000 – 85,000
Political Consultant	INR 6 – 12 LPA	USD 65,000 – 90,000
Journalist/Reporter	INR 3 – 8 LPA	USD 45,000 – 70,000
International Relations Specialist	INR 6 – 15 LPA	USD 55,000 – 80,000
Professor/Lecturer	INR 4 – 10 LPA	USD 65,000 – 100,000
Lawyer (after LLB)	INR 5 – 12 LPA	USD 70,000 – 110,000

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This was all about Bachelor’s in Political Science in India and abroad. Political Science as a field is gaining more importance with the growing need for governance experts, policy makers, and global leaders in today’s world. With the right education and skills, you can build a career in civil services, law, research, media, or even pursue higher studies in top universities abroad. For more such helpful guides on courses, careers, and study abroad options, make sure to check out the Leverage Edu blog and stay updated.