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Kamaldeep
26 December, 2025
“Art is not freedom from discipline, but disciplined freedom.” – John F. Kennedy
Are you planning to pursue higher education in the discipline of Arts? Do you find subjects like humanities, history, sociology and psychology fascinating and engaging? Well, Master of Arts is a postgraduate programme of 2 years which can be pursued after graduation from any stream.
Most commonly, candidates pursue a Master of Arts after the Bachelor of Arts (which is the undergraduate programme for students). However, with the changing educational landscape, priorities and learning methods have changed for aspirants. Nowadays, students have the flexibility to earn an MA degree while working.
If you are a working professional and wish to do Master of Arts in flexible mode, we can help you select the best institute offering online MA courses in India. This blog uncovers the top online MA colleges in India that offer quality education. The list also includes distance MA colleges, which are approved by UGC. Scrolling ahead, you shall discover the online MA colleges in India fees, specialisations offered by each college and much more.
First things first! Online MA and distance MA are used interchangeably most of the time. However, these are the two terms that vary in numerous ways. The difference between online MA and Distance MA are as follows:
In most cases the duration of online and distance MA courses is 2 years. However, the duration of the programme can vary, ranging from 2 to 5 years, depending on the flexibility provided by the university. Also, it is divided into 4 semesters based on your chosen specialisation.
While the eligibility criteria may slightly vary by colleges or universities, to apply for distance and online MA courses, students must fulfil the following eligibility requirements:
The rankings and accreditations of the best colleges for online and distance M.A are shared below:
Many reputed and prestigious colleges offer online and distance MA programmes across numerous specialisations. Some of the best colleges in India are shared below:
Since its establishment in 1985, IGNOU has experienced remarkable growth and now it is recognised as the largest university in the world in terms of student enrollment. The university is recognised and accredited by UGC-DEB and has received the A++ grade from NAAC.
It has a vast network of 69 regional centres and over 2005 learner support centres. IGNOU provides a selection of 318 programmes and in 2023 it launched 39 new ODL programmes. In addition, the university also launched 19 new 4-year undergraduate programmes. IGNOU offers you both online MA and distance MA courses, primarily with a duration of two years. However, the specialisations of the course may vary depending on the mode of education you choose. Let us explore more details of the IGNOU MA further.
Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Mysuru is a state public university that branched from the University of Mysore in 1996. It is a pioneer in higher education under the open and distance learning system (ODL). KSOU has established 21 regional centres across the state.
In terms of providing quality and relevant distance learning education, KSOU offers you everything including an up-to-date curriculum, study materials, contact classes, method of testing, transparency in the conduct of examination and evaluation and announcement of results.
The quality of self-learning material (SLM) and audio-video lectures produced in the in-house studios of the main campus are greatly admired by the students. The university offers both online and distance MA courses across many specialisations. You can opt for online MA via KSOU Online.
Located in Mohali, Chandigarh University Online is one of the popular and prestigious online learning platforms that equip students to pursue academic programmes from anywhere and earn degrees with convenience and flexibility.
The Centre for Distance and Online Learning (CDOE) has incorporated new concepts and emerging technologies in the curriculum to prepare students for the present progressive market landscape as well as global workspaces.
All the remote programmes are thoughtfully tailored to cater to students’ needs and provide a safety net to pursue tertiary education at a distance. The faculties of online programmes help students to navigate their academic journey effectively and enjoy a robust learning experience. Chandigarh University online MA course is a two-year programme. It offers you a variety of online MA specialisations to choose from. Scroll ahead to learn about CU online MA fees and specialisations.
Established on 26th August 1982, BRAOU was initially named Andhra Pradesh Open University; however, the university was later renamed on 26 October 1991. It is one of the renowned centres for online education and learning (COEL) that is recognised and accredited by UGC-DEB. It is one of the best distance MA colleges in India.
BRAOU courses are offered in different disciplines, including a two-year distance MA course through a wide network of 213 study centres spread across both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It also includes 23 regional coordination centres and 14 other centres.
BRAOU offers a two-year distance MA course across several in-demand specialisations. However, for many specialisations, the medium of instruction is Telugu, while the rest of the MA courses' content shall be delivered in English.
Students get quality and interactive learning course materials in 3 different languages – Telugu, English and Urdu. They have multiple modes (Print and Electronic) for delivery of instruction and a wide network of support services.
Shri Ventakeshwara University – Centre for Distance and Online Education was established in 1954 in Tirupati on a sprawling campus of 1000 acres with a panoramic scenic view.
The university was started with 6 departments namely Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Botany, Economics and Philosophy which have now extended to 58 departments wherein 71 different PG courses and several Diploma and Certificate courses are being offered. The total academic faculty strength in the university is 400 with 1500 non-teaching staff and a student strength of 5000. You can pursue your distance MA from the SVU Directorate of Distance Education. The course is available with specialisations in History.
Founded in 1956, Kurukshetra University is one of the recognised and accredited universities in Haryana, India that offers regular and online programmes as well as certification courses. M.Com, M.A, MBA, MCA, BBA, B.Com and BA are some of the sought-after programmes that are offered by the university.
In addition to the directorate of distance education, the university has 45 teaching departments on the campus and 369 affiliated colleges situated in the districts of Ambala, Panipat, Kaithal, Yamuna Nagar, Hisar, Panchkula etc. It is among the top online MA colleges in India. KUK online MA course is a two-year postgraduate programme, available in 3 specialisations.
The Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, was established in February 1982 by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The university has 39 departments, offering 54 postgraduate programs besides offering M.Phil and Ph.D programmes. It is one of the premier universities offering open and distance learning programmes as well as online courses.
It also has many Learning Support Centres (LSCs) all over India and Personal Contact classes for both theory and practical in their premises by their experienced teachers.
Bharathiar University is recognised and accredited by UGC and NAAC with an A+ grade in the 4th cycle assessment. Moreover, Bharathiar University offers MA courses in both distance and online learning modes. You can also choose your desired specialisation based on your interests and career goals.
Here are the online MA fees for the top colleges we have explored above. Let us take a look:
Mentioned above are the top colleges that offer a variety of online and distance MA specialisations. Here they are:
Many career opportunities are available after an online MA course, depending on your chosen specialisation. Some of the popular job profiles for online or distance MA graduates and their salaries are shared below:
Source: Ambition Box
The demand for online and distance learning courses is quickly growing due to easy accessibility, ease of learning and low-cost features. Even for undergraduate and graduate programs like B.A., M.A., B.B.A., or M.C.A., candidates prefer to enrol in online platforms to balance their studies and other personal commitments. Enrolling in top distance and online MA colleges offers you wider course recognition and a top-tier learning curriculum.
Now that you have an overview of the best colleges for online and distance MA courses along with their fees and specialisations, you can easily think through how to pursue your higher education and choose a programme that best suits your academic and career goals.
As per the norm of UGC, an online MA is equal both in value and credibility to a regular MA. When you obtain an online MA from a university that is UGC-DEB-approved, it is a good decision.
The eligibility criteria for an online MA is to have completed your bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
Yes, a distance MA degree, which is earned from an institute recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Distance Education Bureau (DEB), is a highly valid and legitimate course.
Yes, Indira Gandhi National Open University offers you a distance as well as an online MA course across numerous specialisations.
MA courses pursued in top specialisations, which are highly in demand among employers, are considered the best MA courses. Some of the popular MA programmes include:
✅ MA in Journalism and Mass Media
✅ MA in Economics
✅ MA in Public Administration
✅ MA in Political Science
✅ MA in English
✅ MA in Psychology
✅ MA in Sociology
✅ MA in Foreign Languages
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