St. Thomas College of Arts and Science Chennai BA English Literature: Fees 2025, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Introduction

Bachelor of Arts in English or B.A. English is an Undergraduate program in English Language and Literature. It is a three year program and is available for students who have cleared their Higher Secondary School Examination. This course is taught at undergraduate colleges throughout the country.

History of the Course

English language teaching started in India as early as the advent of missionary schools during the colonial era. University of Calcutta, established in 1857, was one of the foremost educational institutes to teach English Literature in India. Since then English literature education has formed a vital branch of the Arts and Humanities courses in India. Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature has remained an elite course and is a breeding ground for intellectuals since pre-independence era.

Objectives of the course

A degree in English Language and Literature helps an individual to develop thinking skills and makes them more sensitive towards the world and society. A typical graduation course in English Literature comprises of literature from various era and countries and spans novels, plays, poems and essays. In the language part a student is required to learn comprehension, acquire basic knowledge of Rhetoric and Prosody, and nuances of writing.

Duration of Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature

The ideal duration for completion of BA in English Literature is minimum 3 years. Nowadays a lot of universities have adopted the semester system. In the semester system of the program, students have to appear in six semesters, wherein, two semesters comprise one year.

Highlights for Bachelor of Arts in English

Top Colleges for B.A. in English Literature in India

Bachelor’s degree is offered by universities but is taught in respective colleges and hence it is important to select a college which has a good faculty and a remarkable history of teaching the subject. Below is a list of Top Colleges for BA English in India:

• Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University
• Loyola College, University of Madras
• St. Stephens College, University of Delhi
• St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Mumbai
• Miranda House, University of Delhi
• Madras Christian College, Madras University
• Hindu College, Delhi University
• Fergusson College, University of Pune

Course Structure

Universities across India offer courses which span literatures from around the world. The course usually comprises Core Papers spanning all the genres of literature which are:

 In addition to the main courses a student also needs to take some concurrent courses which vary from qualifying language to subjects like Economics, Ethics etc.

Almost all universities follow the below mentioned structure of marks distribution:

Internal Assessment

Internal Assessment includes the following assessment criteria:

• Performance and Participation in Tutorials
• Class Participation
• Class Presentation
• Assignments

Academic Options after BA in English

For students who aspire to continue their studies after Bachelor of Arts degree in English can always go for Master of Arts in English or other Post Graduate courses in Humanities. Many Universities offer Integrated MA Courses which award an MA and PhD degree on completion after five years. Students after MA can also appear for UGC NET exam and get Junior Research Fellowship of up to 12,000 INR.  

Aspirants seeking admission to 3 year Full-time BA Program should meet the following criteria as specified by the institute.

Academic Requirement:

Candidates who have passed the following examinations should produce eligibility certificate from the respective authorities:

• HSC Examination of Tamil Nadu Government (Private Study).
• Private candidates from the CBSE under the Open School System.
• Higher Secondary or equivalent examination conducted by other State Boards in India.