BA Subjects

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BA HONORS SUBJECTS

One of the most common undergraduate degree courses, Bachelor of Arts is opted for by scores of students every year. The program offers a varied range of disciplines to specialize and you can further advance your career by opting for a master’s degree. From Linguistics and Economics to Social Sciences and Finance, students get an overview of a plethora of fields which helps them discover the immense scope of this stream. But before opting for a degree program, it is important to know the key Art stream subjects that you can choose from. Hence, here is a blog that will shed light on major BA subjects covered during different courses to help students understand the different concepts and topics that constitute the widely comprehensive field of Arts.

About BA Course

The full form of BA is Bachelor of Arts (BA) and is an undergraduate degree awarded in the field of Liberal Arts or specializations related to Humanities or Social Science. It is generally a three-year program in which students mainly study different subjects such as History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy, amongst others. The program generally lasts for 3 years but in many countries, it can extend up to four years as well. Upon completing graduation, one can find innumerable jobs and courses after BA to advances their knowledge.

How many subjects are there in BA?
A BA course comprises a combination of compulsory and elective subjects depending upon the specialisation you have chosen. Generally, students need to study 5 compulsory subjects in BA along with some elective subjects though it can vary as per the university and program.

BA Honours Subjects List

Bachelor of Arts is a very broad domain. Due to this, the core and elective subjects can vary from one specialization to another. Here is a list of the popular BA subjects:

Best BA Subject for UPSC Exams
The major BA subjects for UPSC Exams are History, Geography, Public Administration, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Environment, Ecology, Polity and Science and Technology.
While picking the right subject for BA for UPSC, you must consider those subjects that you have a rough knowledge of and interest in as you will be able to cover their syllabus this way. Some of the best BA subjects for UPSC exams include Economics, Ecology, Psychology, Polity, and Geography.

Must Read: BA Courses

BA Courses List

Since Arts stream subjects are interdisciplinary, one can pursue a BA degree in a multitude of specializations. Before we move on to the in-depth description of some of the BA subjects, here are some of the subject areas of Bachelor of Arts courses in India:

Note: In Indian institutes, BA can be pursued either as a generic course that covers subjects of Arts and Humanities or it can be opted for as a BA Hons, which focuses on a certain specialization such as BA Hons. in English, Economics, Political Science, etc.

Must Read: BA Mathematics

Which Subjects is Best for BA?
Choosing the right BA subject for your degree can be a tough decision. The most popular BA subjects include English Literature, Economics, Psychology, Psychology, Sociology and Language studies. It is essential to assess where your interests lie to select the right subject which will be the best for your BA course!

List of BA Subjects in Different BA Courses

The subjects offered in BA vary from course to course. But there are some major disciplines that are generally included in this program. So, here is a list of the key Bachelor of Arts courses with BA subjects you will be studying during the course.

BA English Subjects

  • Nineteenth-Century European Realism
  • Literary Criticism
  • World Literature
  • American Literature
  • European Classic Literature
  • Postcolonial Literature
  • Literature and Cinema
  • Indian Classic Literature
  • Modern European Drama
  • British Literature
  • Post-World War II
  • British Romantic Literature
  • English Poetry: The Pre-Romantic to the Victorian
  • Women’s Writing Literary Theory
  • English Drama: Elizabethan to Victorian 

Also Read: BA Honors

BA Economics Subjects

Also Read: BA Hons

BA Psychology Subjects

  • Development Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Industrial Psychology
  • Psychopathology
  • Guidance and Counselling
  • Project work
  • Field Work
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Environmental Psychology
  • Sports Psychology

BA Geography

BA Sociology Subjects

Also Read: MA Sociology

BA Anthropology Subjects

  • Human Genetics
  • Introduction to Social Anthropology
  • Introduction to Biological Anthropology
  • Primate Biology / Cell Biology
  • Anthropology of religion, politics & economy
  • Biostatistics and Data Analysis
  • Biological Diversity in Human Populations
  • Human Ecology: Social and Cultural Dimensions
  • Genetics & Genomics
  • Statistics

Also Read: MA Anthropology

BA Kannada Subjects

BA in Literature, Language and Linguistics

Linguistics is referred to as the scientific study of language and is a significant discipline in the stream of Arts. Along with Linguistics, Literature and Language are also integral BA subjects that can vary as per the language you have chosen such as English, Spanish, French, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, etc. In any BA degree with a focus on modern language, the main aim is to analyze the intricacies of languages. For example, in BA English Literature, the subjects mainly encompass the study of the history of this language as well as the literary contributions of a diverse range of writers and poets. Furthermore, you can even pursue an MBA After BA English!

BA History

Encompassing the study of human history from the beginning of civilization to modern times, BA History is another prominent program that is a top choice amongst students wanting to get an Arts degree. It generally covers the most significant historical events from around the world including American, African, European and Asian History. To advance your knowledge in this field, you can enroll in an MA History program. Here is a list of major BA subjects that are a pivotal part of the curriculum:

  • World History
  • Economic History
  • Ancient History
  • Art History
  • History in Practice
  • Defining Digital Humanities

BA/BA [Hons] in Fine Arts

Fine Arts is another prominent specializations in BA and encompasses the study of the history of Arts. For BA subjects under this program in India, you will get to know about the history of Indian Art from its varied stages. Its variation as Bachelor of Fine Arts abroad also comprises the study of art history as well as various artistic pursuits primarily in terms of Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Writing, amongst others. It is different from Applied Arts or Humanities because Fine Arts has its central focus on the creative side of the field of Arts and is chosen by those wanting to explore the lives of renowned artists and eras in the context of their culture and backgrounds. Below are the BA subjects under courses like BA/BA Hons Fine Arts:

BA-Subjects

BA Economics

Offered as an Honors program, BA Economics deals with the study of optimal utilisation of resources and focuses on the major conceptual bifurcations of Economics, i.e. Macroeconomics as well as Microeconomics. It explores the varied forms of financial markets, the functioning of an economy, as well as the economics trend of contemporary times. The list of BA subjects under the specialisation of Economics are:

BA in Journalism

For those aspiring to explore the news media and establish a journalism career, BA Journalism is the choicest option for you. Generally running for a period of 3-years, the undergraduate program equips students with the knowledge of how print, broadcast as well as web journalism work. It also includes many electives like photojournalism, new media, multimedia journalism, etc. and students are provided with the opportunity to hone their news reporting, writing and multimedia skills. Take a look at the following list of BA subjects with journalism as the main specialisation:

  • Introduction to Journalism
  • Press Laws and Ethics
  • History of Media
  • News Media Management
  • Magazine and Niche Journalism
  • Production
  • Editing

BA Psychology

Aimed at the study of human behaviour, BA Psychology encompasses the analysis of mental processes, brain functions as well as various other aspects of Psychology from development psychology to industrial psychology. As an interdisciplinary bridge between Medical Science, Social Science and Education, it covers several BA subjects such as

  • The Psychological Processes
  • Educational Psychology
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Study of Behaviour
  • Social Psychology
  • Industrial Psychology
  • Psychopathology
  • Sports Psychology
  • Environmental Psychology
  • Project work
  • Field Work

Here is a comprehensive blog on BA Psychology Subjects!

BA Political Science 

BA in Political Science imparts students with the knowledge of the theory and practice of politics as well as types of political systems and their functioning. Concerned with global and comparative politics, the Political Science Syllabus aims to provide you with detailed knowledge of forms of governance. Mainly offered as a 3-year bachelor’s degree, the BA subjects under this program include:

  • Understanding Political Theory
  • Perspective of Public Administration
  • Political Systems
  • Introduction to Comparative Government & Politics
  • Political Analysis
  • History of Politics

BA LLB

Another integrated program offered to those wanting to make a career in Law, Bachelors of Arts LLB is generally a 5-year course bringing a unique combinations of Arts and Law subjects. The curriculum of this LLB course details upon varied aspects of Law and incorporates law case studies, seminars, moot courts, interactions with prominent retired judges of High courts and Supreme courts in India. The commonly included BA subjects in under this integrated degree such as,

  • Civil Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Labour Law
  • Political Science
  • Land Laws
  • Women and Law
  • Business Law

BA Subjects in DU

The following are the popular subjects at DU:

  • BA History
  • BA Bengali
  • BA Economics
  • BA Applied Psychology
  • BA Political Science
  • BA English
  • BA Philosophy
  • BA Sociology
  • BA Journalism

BA Subjects in IGNOU

Bachelor of Arts (BA) is one of the popular courses in IGNOU and is offered across various subjects. Here are the major BA subjects in IGNOU:

BA Subject Selection

Selecting the right BA subject whether it’s before studying the course or after selecting from a certain specialisation can be a cumbersome task. It is important to introspect and study your interests and find the closest specialisation for BA. Here is a useful guide to BA subject selection:

  • Think about where your interests lie, if you are inclined towards studying a language, be it English or a foreign language like Spanish or French, it’s best to opt for a BA language course or BA Linguistics if you want to pursue a career in studying languages and their roots.
  • For BA students confused about selecting subjects from electives, it is better to take up disciplines that you have always been interested in. These subjects can vary from one person to another. Think of taking an elective as an additional subject that you can learn apart from the specialisation and then pick accordingly.
  • BA subject selection is also important for UPSC aspirants and you must choose a subject as per how much you know about it, whether you have studied it before or have an innate interest in it.

Want to know which is easy subject for BA?
Language subjects are considered easy subjects in BA as well as theory subjects like History, Political Science, Psychology, etc.

Bachelor of Arts in India

Now that you are familiar with BA subjects and specialisation options, here is a list of some of the top BA colleges/universities in India which you should definitely consider:

  • Presidency College, Kolkata
  • St. Xavier’s College Mumbai
  • Lady Shree Ram College for Women, Delhi
  • Loyola College, Chennai
  • St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta
  • St. Stephen’s College, Delhi
  • Fergusson College, Pune
  • Presidency College, Chennai
  • Hindu College, Delhi
  • Hans Raj College, Delhi
  • Christ College, Bangalore
  • Symbiosis College, Pune
  • Sophia College, Mumbai
  • St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad
  • Miranda House, Delhi
  • Stella Maris College, Chennai
  • St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore
  • Jesus & Mary College, Delhi
  • Mount Carmel College, Bangalore
  • Queen Mary’s College, Chennai
  • Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi
  • Madras Christian College, Chennai
  • Vivekananda College, Chennai
  • Ramjas College, Delhi
  • Mithibai College, Mumbai
  • St. Teresa’s College, Kochi
  • Nizam College, Hyderabad
  • Sacred Heart College, Kochi
  • Maulana Azad College, Kolkata
  • Elphinstone College, Mumbai
  • Jyoti Nivas College, Bangalore
  • Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata
  • Maharani Arts College, Bangalore
  • Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai
  • D.G. Vaishnav College, Chennai
  • Scottish Church College, Kolkata
  • St. Mira’s College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Pune
  • NMKRV College for Women, Bangalore
  • Women’s Christian College Chennai
  • Jai Hind College Mumbai
  • Loyola Academy Degree & PG College Hyderabad
  • National College, Basavangudi Bangalore
  • Isabella Thoburn College Lucknow
  • Bethune College Kolkata
  • MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai
  • Gokhale Memorial Girls College, Kolkata
  • Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College, Bangalore
  • D.G. Ruparel College, Mumbai
  • Wilson College, Mumbai
  • M.S. Ramaiah Junior and Degree College, Bangalore
  • Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
  • Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar
  • JSS Institute of Education, Bangalore
  • A.G. Teachers College, Ahmedabad
  • Indira Gandhi B.Ed College, Karnataka
  • College of Teacher Education, Agartala
  • College Of Teacher Education, Kozhikode
  • National Council of Teacher Education, New Delhi
  • K. J. Somaiya College of Education, Mumbai

Bachelor of Arts Abroad

University LocationQS World 2023 Rankings
University of Oxford UK 4
Harvard University USA5
University of Cambridge UK2
University of California, Berkeley USA27
Stanford University USA3
Yale University USA18
University of Edinburgh UK15
Humboldt University of Berlin Germany131
Australian National University Australia30
University of Toronto Canada34
National University of Singapore Singapore11
London School of Economics and Political Science UK56
The University of Tokyo Japan23

FAQs

How many subjects are there in BA?

A student pursuing BA Hons. is likely to have 4 core and 2 elective subjects in their curriculum. However, a student studying general BA has the option to select all 6 subjects.

Which subject is best for BA?

BA Economics and BA Political Science are considered to be the best options. Most of the central universities in India have a high cutoff for these two courses. BA Economics also provides various employment opportunities for graduating students.

What are the easy subjects in BA?

Physical Education, Sociology, English, Philosophy and Home Science are considered to be easy BA subjects in comparison to other subjects.

What is the qualification for BA?

Students interested in studying a BA course should have a XIIth passing certificate from a recognized board of examination. For getting admission in Indian universities, candidates need to meet the cutoff criteria set by them. Whereas, universities abroad evaluate your complete academic profile which includes, transcripts of high school, SOP, LORs, a scorecard of language and subject proficiency tests, etc.

What is the difference between a BA and a BSc course?

BA course typically focuses on humanities and social sciences subjects, while a BSc course focuses on science and technology subjects. Additionally, a BA course often emphasizes critical thinking, research, and communication skills, while a BSc course emphasizes analytical and technical skills.

Can I pursue a BA course through distance education?

Yes, many universities and institutions offer BA courses through distance education or online mode.

Thus, the above-mentioned BA subjects are the important disciplines that constitute a bachelor’s degree program in Arts. Bachelor of Arts is a course that takes you deeper into the colossal field of Arts and helps you understand the theoretical as well as artistic disciplines that it comprises of. If you are planning to pursue BA and don’t know where to start, Leverage Edu can help you find an ideal program and university that fits your interests and preferences to bring you closer towards your dream career in Arts.

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14 comments
    1. Hi!
      Thank you for your feedback, we will surely include BA Criminology in our list of BA subjects!

  1. Given info is very useful. But I didn’t get BA Statistics info & suggestions. But I’m happy to get it all. Thanks

    1. Hi!

      Thank you for your feedback. We will surely include BA Statistics on our list of BA Subjects!

  2. We need best collage for BA with combination of English literature ,public administration /history or political science in secunderabad

    1. Hi Subhashini!

      Please connect with our experts at 1800572000 and get all the guidance you need! Thank you

    1. Hi!
      Thank you for your feedback, we will surely include BA Criminology in our list of BA subjects!

  1. Given info is very useful. But I didn’t get BA Statistics info & suggestions. But I’m happy to get it all. Thanks

    1. Hi!

      Thank you for your feedback. We will surely include BA Statistics on our list of BA Subjects!