Arts, humanities and social sciences
BA and BA (Hons) programmes cover subjects such as English, history, political science, psychology and sociology. Central universities admit through CUET-UG; liberal arts universities use their own holistic processes.
The usual admission route
- Class 12
- CUET-UG or university process
- University allocation
- Admission
Courses and how long they take
| Course | Level | Duration | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA / BA (Hons) | Undergraduate | 3 years (4 with honours or research) | Class 12 in any stream |
| BA in journalism and mass communication | Undergraduate | 3 years | Class 12 |
| Liberal arts (BA or B.Sc Hons) | Undergraduate | 4 years | Class 12; at universities such as Ashoka |
| MA | Postgraduate | 2 years | A bachelor's degree |
| Master of Social Work (MSW) | Postgraduate | 2 years | A bachelor's degree |
Entrance exams
Eligibility
- Class 12 in any stream for most programmes.
- Some honours programmes ask for the subject, or a related one, in Class 12 or CUET.
Where it can lead
- Civil services
- Teaching and academia
- Journalism and media
- Psychology and counselling (with further study)
- Policy, research and NGOs
- Communications and HR
Arts colleges in our directory
21 institutions offer arts programmes.
Delhi University
University of Delhi
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government, est. 1922
- Main entrance
- CUET-UG
- Arts
- Commerce
- Science
- Management
- +1 more
Amity Noida
Amity University, Noida
- Location
- Noida, Uttar Pradesh
- Type
- Private, est. 2005
- Main entrance
- University's own process
- Engineering
- Management
- Law
- Commerce
- +7 more
Jindal Global University
O.P. Jindal Global University
- Location
- Sonipat, Haryana
- Type
- Private, est. 2009
- Main entrance
- University's own process
- Law
- Management
- Arts
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government-aided, est. 1881
- Main entrance
- CUET-UG
- Arts
- Science
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government-aided, est. 1899
- Main entrance
- CUET-UG
- Arts
- Science
- Commerce
LSR
Lady Shri Ram College for Women
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government-aided, est. 1956
- Main entrance
- CUET-UG
- Arts
- Commerce
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government-aided, est. 1948
- Main entrance
- CUET-UG
- Arts
- Science
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government-aided, est. 1948
- Main entrance
- CUET-UG
- Arts
- Science
- Commerce
JNU
Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government, est. 1969
- Main entrance
- CUET-UG
- Arts
- Science
BHU
Banaras Hindu University
- Location
- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Type
- Government, est. 1916
- Main entrance
- CUET-UG
- Arts
- Science
- Commerce
- Medical
- +1 more
- Location
- New Delhi, Delhi
- Type
- Government, est. 1920
- Main entrance
- Jamia entrance test or CUET
- Arts
- Science
- Commerce
- Engineering
- +3 more
AMU
Aligarh Muslim University
- Location
- Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
- Type
- Government, est. 1920
- Main entrance
- AMU entrance test
- Arts
- Science
- Commerce
- Engineering
- +2 more
Arts: common questions
Can a science student take a BA?
Yes. Most BA programmes accept Class 12 students from any stream.
What is a four-year BA?
Under NEP 2020, many universities offer a fourth year leading to an honours or honours-with-research degree. You can usually leave after three years with a regular degree.
Last reviewed October 2026. Admission rules, dates and eligibility change every year, so confirm them on the official website before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.