Full Form of B.A. and M.A. Degree

Author : Richard Charles | Published On : 11 Nov 2025

When exploring higher education options, two of the most commonly encountered academic degrees are B.A. and M.A. These abbreviations represent foundational qualifications in the humanities and social sciences. But what do they actually stand for? What subjects do they cover? And how do they influence your career trajectory?

In this article, we will break down the full forms of B.A. and M.A., explore their academic significance, compare their scope, and guide you on how to choose the right path. If you are a student, parent, or career advisor, this article will guide you in understanding these degrees in depth.

What is the Full Form of B.A.?

The expanded form of B.A. is Bachelor of Arts. It is an undergraduate degree with a typical duration of 3 years (though it can vary by country).

What is a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)?

A Bachelor of Arts is an undergraduate academic degree that is awarded to students who complete a program in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. B.A. is often considered to be one of the most popular degrees globally, offering a broad education that focuses on—critical thinking, communication, and cultural understanding.

What is the Full Form of M.A.?

The full form of M.A. is Master of Arts and this is a postgraduate degree. The typical duration of M.A. is 2 years.

What is a Master of Arts (M.A.)?

A Master of Arts is a postgraduate degree that is normally pursued by individuals after successfully completing a B.A. degree. It allows students to specialize in a particular subject area such as English, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and more. The M.A. program is research-oriented and prepares students for academic, professional, and leadership roles.

Subjects Offered in B.A. and M.A.

Here's a list of popular subjects you can study under B.A. and M.A. programs:

Subject Area	B.A. (Undergraduate)	M.A. (Postgraduate)
Literature	English, Hindi, Bengali	Advanced Library Studies
Social Sciences	Sociology, Psychology	Applied Sociology, Clinical Psychology
History	Ancient, Medieval, Modern	Historiography, Research Methods
Political Science	Indian Polity, Global Politics	Political Theory, Public Administration
Economics	Micro, Macro, Development	Econometrics, Policy Analysis
Philosophy	Ethics, Logic, Metaphysics	Advanced Philosophy, Research
Languages	French, German, Sanskrit	Translation Studies, Linguistics

Key Differences Between B.A. and M.A.

Feature	B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)	M.A. (Master of Arts)
Academic Level	Undergraduate	Postgraduate
Duration	3 years (in India)	2 years
Entry Requirement	After 12th grade	After completing B.A.
Focus	Broad foundational knowledge	Specialized, research-based
Career Readiness	Entry-level jobs, further study	Advanced roles, PhD Preparation
Examples of Careers	Content Writer, Teacher, Analyst	Professor, Researcher, Consultant

Career Scope After B.A. and M.A.

Career Options After B.A.

Content Writer / Editor
Journalist / Reporter
Social Media Manager
School Teacher
Civil Services Aspirant
NGO Worker
Customer Support Executive

Career Options After M.A.

College Lecturer / Professor
Research Analyst
Policy Advisor
Psychologist / Counselor
Historian / Archivist
Government Officer (via UPSC, SSC)
International Relations Expert

While B.A. degree builds your foundations, it is the M.A. degree that often opens the doors to highly-paying, specialized roles and is a stepping stone to doctoral studies (Ph.D.).

Global Recognition of B.A. and M.A.

Both B.A. and M.A. degrees are recognized worldwide. In countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India, these degrees are offered by prestigious universities and are considered essential for careers in education, media, public service, and research.

B.A. in the USA: Often takes 4 years and includes general education requirements.
M.A. in the UK: Usually 1 year, focused on dissertation and specialization.

Skills Developed Through B.A. and M.A.

B.A. Degree Builds:

Critical Thinking
Communication Skills
Cultural Awareness
Analytical Reasoning

M.A. Degree Enhances:

Research Methodology
Subject Expertise
Academic Writing
Leadership and Teaching Skills

All of the skills mentioned here are highly valued across industries, making B.A. and M.A. graduates versatile professionals.

Top Universities Offering B.A. and M.A.

In India:

University of Delhi
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
University of Mumbai
Christ University

Globally:

Harvard University
University of Oxford
Stanford University
University of Toronto
Australian National University

Salary Expectations

Degree	Entry-Level Salary (India) (INR)	Mid-Level Salary	Senior-Level Salary
B.A.	2.5 – 4 LPA	5 – 8 LPA	10+ LPA
M.A.	4 – 6 LPA	8 – 12 LPA	15+ LPA

Average salary for BA graduates is INR 2.9 LPA.
Average MA salary is INR 5.03 LPA.

Admission Requirements

For B.A.:

Completion of 10+2 (any stream)
Merit-based or entrance exam (varies by university)

For M.A.:

B.A. degree in relevant subject
Entrance exam or merit-based admission

B.A. vs. B.Sc. vs. B.Com. vs. M.A. vs. M.Sc. vs. M.Com

Degree	Stream	Focus	Career Path
B.A.	Arts	Humanities	Media, Education, Civil Services
B.Sc.	Science	Technical	Research, Engineering, IT
B.Com.	Commerce	Business	Finance, Accounting, Banking
M.A.	Arts	Advanced Humanities	Academics, Research, Policy
M.Sc.	Science	Advanced Technical	Data Science, AI, Pharma, R&D
M.Com.	Commerce	Advanced Business	Corporate Finance, Auditing

When to Choose a B.A. or Pursue an M.A.?

If you are a student in the humanities, social sciences, or liberal arts, the first step in your higher educational journey is often a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). A B.A. degree allows students to have a broad exposure to different types of ideas, culture, and it's purpose is also to help students in developing analytical, writing, and critical thinking skills. Start with a B.A. if you are a college student or at the beginning of your academic career, in other words, exploring college and/or an area of study that includes literature, history, sociology, political science, or psychology.

These students can also complete their B.A. and continue to deepen their knowledge and/or specialization subject area by completing a Master of Arts (M.A.) in the academic field. This advanced level will require a greater understanding of theory and research. In other words, an M.A. degree will most frequently be required for students pursuing academic careers, including teaching, researching, or policy research, or assume a leadership role that requires higher educational qualifications and mastery of the subject.

In short, a B.A. degree is a foundation for an intellectual area of study and an M.A. can provide you with a specialization and/or advancement at the professional and/or intellectual level.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is important to understand the full form and scope of B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) and M.A. (Master of Arts) as it is helpful in making sound academic decisions and career choices. These degrees provide a strong basis in the liberal arts and the social sciences that prepares students for careers in teaching and education, media and communication, public service and government, and research in higher education. Regardless of whether you are concluding the first year of your undergraduate studies, or you are planning for more specialized higher education, B.A. and M.A. degrees can offer relevant paths to meaningful experiences and sources of knowledge.

FAQs:

1. What are the qualifications or eligibility requirements for a BA and MA?

For a BA, most of the time, you need to complete 10+2 (high school) from a recognized board. In order to enter a M.A. program, you must have a Bachelor's degree (often a B.A. or equivalent) from a recognized university and usually with a minimum mark (i.e. often around 50%).

2. How long does a BA and MA program take to complete?

A typical B.A. program is around 3 years (either semester or yearly mode). While an M.A. degree mostly takes 2 years.

3. Can someone with a B.Sc. do an MA in a completely different area of study?

Sometimes they can, but it largely depends on the university and the subject of interest. Many universities will insist that you have taken the same subject or a related subject as part of your Bachelor degree. You can check the specific university in advance for eligibility requirements.

4. What are some of the traditional career options after obtaining an MA degree?

An MA graduate can go into teaching (school, college), civil service jobs/ administration, research (including policy analysis), content writing (and publishing), corporate communication, NGOs.

5. Can I study B.A. and M.A. online or through distance learning mode?

Yes, you can. There are several universities/ institutions offering distance or online M.A. programs which are particularly helpful for working professionals. You have to check that the program you are interested in is recognized/ accredited.