Top Arts Colleges in Tamil Nadu

Studying Arts as a subject is often seen as unprofessional and most people think that those who are not sure of what they want to do in the future pursue Arts. But, contrary to popular belief, Arts has a huge scope as a career, and people pursuing Arts can have a flourishing job, earning a hefty sum in the future. Arts or humanities as it is popularly known as, has many specializations under the course, which are English Literature and Grammar, History, Geography, Political Science, Journalism, and even Psychology. 

After the completion of 12th standard, one can pursue Arts in the bachelor's degree, Master's degree, and for further Ph.D. studies as well. Candidates should have an in-depth knowledge of facts, poems, stories, current affairs, and everything abstract around them to be good in the Arts subject. Fluency in writing, and speaking the English language is also necessary. To have more detailed information on the various Arts specializations, the best Arts colleges in Tamil Nadu, their eligibility, admission procedure, cut-offs, career prospects, and essential FAQ's read further.

Arts Degree Colleges in Tamil Nadu: Specializations Available

• Undergraduate level

Bachelor of Arts English: BA English is one of the most popular courses undertaken by students after their 12th standard in the Arts department. Students from the Humanities section in school usually take up this three-year course, where they are made to learn poetries, sonnets, stories, and histories of the classical English literature, and the grammar as well. 

Bachelor of Arts LLB: BA LLB is another popular course chosen by students who are mainly from the Commerce and Humanities department in their 12th standard. It is a five-year integrated course where students are taught both arts subjects like history, political science, English as well as law subjects combined.

Bachelor of Arts Journalism and Mass Communication: BA Journalism and Mass Comm is a widely chosen field by many students after their 12th because the career prospects of this course are wide and varied. This three-year professional course helps you learn how to become a reporter, journalist, or PR and advertising executive. 

Bachelor of Arts psychology: A new career path but adopted by many, is BA psychology. With the rise of mental health cases in the world, it is no surprise that becoming a psychologist, or a psychiatrist is one of the noblest professions to pursue. Candidates, preferably from the Humanities department in their 12th standard can apply for the three-year undergraduate program. 

Bachelor of Arts history: To some, history is a boring subject, but the wide range of facts, and truths about age-old civilizations, culture, and traditions intrigue many. So, candidates are now also applying for BA history as their undergraduate studies to learn more about the past. Students from the Humanities section in their class 12th are keener in this BA program. 

• Postgraduate level

Master of Arts English:  MA English is a popular stream in postgraduate studies after BA English. More advanced literature is taught to the students in the course of two years, where students learn about Shakespearean novels, sonnets, poems, other famous writers, and poets from all over the world as well as other linguistics. 

Master of Arts LLB: Students after completing their BA LLB degree pursue this three-year Master of Arts LLB, where they are taught about the different legal proceedings, the constitution and framework of India, and other countries, in-depth studies of criminology, human rights, business or corporate laws, and legal pedagogy to name a few.

Master of Arts Journalism and Mass Communication: Following BA journalism and mass comm, candidates can opt for MA journalism and mass comm to have more advanced knowledge of the techniques to become a TV news reporter, or an editor of a newspaper or magazine, and an event coordinator. Fieldwork and on-spot reporting are also taught in the MA program. 

Master of Arts Psychology: The two-year, MA psychology course gives you the necessary training and expertise to become a psychologist or a psychiatric practitioner in hospitals, schools, or business corporations by making you learn about the human psyche, behavioral issues, or disorders and emotional imbalances. Writing a thesis is also considered to be an important aspect of MA psychology. 

Master of Arts History: MA in history is also a two-year postgraduate course that helps students learning about the various historical traditions, in-depth research about ancient civilizations, and field trips to historical ruins, or ancient empires so that they have a fair idea of the rulers who lived there and understand their lifestyle. Essential facts and ideas are also nurtured as well as the urge to find artifacts. 

Ph.D. in Arts: Ph.D. in the Arts degree is a popular three-year course undertaken by students after their postgraduate studies in either of the Arts subjects mentioned above so that they have a specialization in any one of the subjects they want to pursue as a career. Thesis submission is a must, and admissions are based on either entrance examinations or through merit. 

Arts Degree Colleges in Tamil Nadu: Eligibility Criteria

• Undergraduate courses

The eligibility criteria for admission to undergraduate colleges are as follows: 

1. Candidates must be qualified with a minimum of 50% or above from a recognized board or equivalent in their 10+2 in Humanities, Commerce, or Science stream. 

2. A 5% relaxation will be given to those belonging to the SC/ST/OBC

• Postgraduate courses 

The eligibility criteria of postgraduate courses from a reputed university are as follows:

1. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in any stream with a minimum of 50% score or percentile from a recognized college. 

2. 5% relaxation will be given to candidates who are from the SC/ST/OBC.
   
   

• PhD 

1. Candidates who are willing to pursue a Ph.D. in Arts should have a master's degree from any reputed university. 

Arts Degree Colleges in Tamil Nadu: Admission process 

• Undergraduate level

The admission process of B.A. is usually merit-based, depending upon the score of your 12th board results or something equivalent. But some colleges can conduct entrance exams too for admission, like

• NPAT

• DUET

• BHU UET

• JNUEE

• TISS BAT

• IPU CET and others 

Candidates appearing for these entrance examinations are granted admission based on the entrance scores as well as their 12th results. Document verification and personal interviews can also be conducted. 

• Postgraduate level

For pursuing postgraduate studies in Master of Arts, students need to sit for various entrance examinations, conducted by universities, and appear for the GD-PI round, and writing ability test. 

• TISSNET

• JNU M.A. entrance exam

• Christ University M.A Entrance Exam

• DU LLB

• Delhi University M.A entrance exam

• Azim Premji University M.A. entrance exam and others 

List of Arts Colleges in Tamil Nadu: Top Arts Colleges in Tamil Nadu

B.A. English and M.A. English Colleges 

B.A. L.L.B. and M.A. L.L.M. colleges

B.A. Journalism and mass communication and M.A. journalism and mass communication colleges

B.A. and M.A. Psychology Colleges

B.A. and M.A. History colleges 

Career Options for Arts Graduates and Expected Salary

English 

LLM

Journalism and Mass Communication

Psychology

History

Top recruiters for English 

1. Professor/teacher in any school or college

2. ETV Bharat

3. The Guardian 

4. Times Network 

5. Times of India 

Top recruiters for LLM

1. ICICI bank

2. DSK Legal 

3. Platinum Partners 

4. Trilegal

5. Amarchand and Mangaldas and Suresh A Shroff and Co.

Top recruiters for Journalism and Mass Communication

1. The Times of India

2. Heyman Associates 

3. NDTV

4. Times Network

5. Bloom Gross and Associates  

Top recruiters for Psychology 

1. Darshan Perera

2. Bhumi. P

3. KLM Institute, Bangalore

4. Snapcare HR

5. Helpageyouth Foundation 

Top recruiters for History

1. Professor/teacher in any school or university

2. Andrew Carnegie 

3. Savillis

4. Tour leader for Natural history museums

FAQ's

1. What are the eligibility criteria for BA? 

Ans: For admission to any BA degree college, you need to be qualified in your 10+2 with a minimum percentage of 50% from a recognized school. Some colleges can even ask for entrance examinations.

2. Do I need to appear for entrance exams to get admission to M.A. colleges? 

Ans: Entrance examinations are not mandatory, but you need to appear for some, based on the college or university. 

3. Can B.A. be completed in one year? 

Ans: No. B.A. is a three-year program and cannot be completed in one year. 

4. What are the job prospects after M.A.?

Ans: After M.A. you can apply for a content writer, journalist, professor, civil service, or lawyer.

5. What are the subjects taught in B.A. law? 

Ans: The subjects taught in B.A. LLB are English, history, political science, and a few law-related subjects. 

6. Do I have to have a Ph.D. degree after M.A.?

Ans: It is not mandatory to pursue a Ph.D. after masters. But it gives you better exposure to the specialization you are going to follow.

7. Is B.A. helpful for civil service examinations?

Ans: B.A. has subjects like history, pol science, economics, statistics, administration, and constitutional law. Hence, B.A. is helpful for civil service. 

8. Will I get admission to B.A. colleges if I score less than 50% in +2?

Ans:  No. The minimum score required to get admission to B.A. colleges is 50%. So, you will not get admission. You can apply for a B.A. pass degree, not B.A. honors.

9. What skills should I possess to take up B.A? English? 

Ans: If you want to pursue B.A. English you need to have a strong command of the language, good reading, and comprehensive skills, a writing flare, and an interest in learning ancient literature and poetry.

What is the scope after M.A. history? 

Ans: After M.A in history you can sit for various competitive examinations, give the IPS exam, or even become an archaeologist or history professor.