Higher education in the arts has been around for centuries, much before the more technical disciplines like engineering and IT came into being. Education in the arts disciplines is of two broad types: the fine arts and the liberal arts. Liberal arts courses deal with arts as a learned skill in the subjects of the humanities and social sciences like history, political science, philosophy, sociology and anthropology.
The several disciplines of the liberal arts have developed in India since ancient times with the intermingling of different cultures facilitated by contacts with worldly scholars like Marco Polo, Albiruni, Fa-Hien and Francois Bernier. In the modern-day, the scope of liberal arts in India has widened with increased funding of research into its various disciplines. Here’s a list of the top 10 liberal arts courses in India and how to apply for them.
1. Sociology/Social Studies Major
The eligibility criteria for Sociology undergraduate courses in India are to have a minimum qualification of passing Grade 12 with the major humanities subjects or any such equivalent. Having sociology as a subject at the 10+2 level is preferred. The Flame University Aptitude Test (FEAT), Shiv Nadar University Entrance Exam (SNUEE), Ashoka Aptitude Test (AAT) and Krea Immersive Case (KIC) are some of the entrance exams that offer admission into the following universities. The universities that offer quality courses in Sociology are:
- Flame University
- Ashoka University
- Shiv Nadar University
- Krea University
2. Philosophy Major
One of the most sought-after courses of liberal arts education in India, this course requires applicants to have passed the Grade 12 level or its equivalent, preferably with humanities subjects. Coming to the entrance exams, Philosophy Major courses require specific entrance exams held by individual colleges. The colleges that offer some of the most comprehensive programmes are Krea University, Azim Premji University and Karnavati University’s Unitedworld School of Liberal Arts and Mass Communication.
3. History Major
Similar to the eligibility criteria of other liberal arts courses in India, courses in history as a major subject require candidates to have passed the Grade 12 level exams with humanities subjects (including History). The SNUEE, AAT, KIC and the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) are some of the entrance exams that students can opt for to qualify for admission into Indian universities offering courses in history, such as:
- Shiv Nadar University
- Ashoka University
- Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts
- Krea University
- Azim Premji University
4. Political Science/Political Studies/International Studies
Courses in political studies and international studies require applicants to have a minimum qualification of passing high school with humanities subjects. It is preferable that you have had political science in your subject mix at the Grade 12 level in school. Although there is no unified national level entrance exam for political science courses, each university has its own set of entrance tests. The leading universities that offer these courses are:
- Shiv Nadar University
- Unitedworld School of Liberal Arts and Mass Communication
- Karnavati University’s Unitedworld School of Liberal Arts and Mass Communication
5. Bachelor of Arts in Economics
The BA Economics courses available in India are different from the BSc Economics courses. The eligibility criteria for the former are to have a minimum high school qualification till Grade 12 or its equivalent in either Science, Humanities or Commerce streams. The AAT, Jindal Scholastic Aptitude Test (JSAT), FEAT and SET are some of the entrance exams that applicants try to crack for this course. These entrance tests allow candidates to get admission into some of the most prominent colleges:
- Shiv Nadar University
- Ashoka University
- OP Jindal University
- Flame University
- Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts
- Krea University
6. Business Studies
Business studies also come under the purview of liberal arts courses in India, and the minimum eligibility criteria are similar to that of other liberal arts courses. Passing a Grade 12 examination or its equivalent can satisfy the eligibility criteria for this course. Sitting for the Krea University admission procedure that involved the KIC round and for the Symbiosis Entrance Test can allow students to gain admission into the following universities that offer Business Studies courses:
- Krea University
- Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts
7. English Literature
For undergraduate courses in English and English Literature, the minimum eligibility is to have passed the Grade 12 exams in an English medium school with English as the first language. For postgraduate programmes, candidates need to hold a BA degree in English as a minimum. By passing university-specific entrance exams or TOEFL, IELTS or PTE exams, students can gain admission into the following colleges that offer courses in English:
- Symbiosis University’s Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts
- Shiv Nadar University
- Unitedworld School of Liberal Arts and Mass Communication
8. Journalism and Mass Communication
Being a broad subject that encompasses knowledge of several disciplines and current affairs, students who have had either science, commerce or humanities stream in their Grade 12 level or its equivalent are eligible to apply for these courses. The Karnavati University Aptitude Test (KUAT), AAT and JSAT exams are some of the exams that journalism aspirants can sit for. Upon cracking these exams, candidates can gain admission into the following colleges:
- Karnavati University’s Unitedworld School of Liberal Arts and Mass Communication
- Symbiosis University’s Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts Ashoka University
- OP Jindal University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication
9. Entrepreneurship
Liberal arts counselling can often direct students towards entrepreneurship courses. The eligibility criteria for these courses are largely general as India encourages entrepreneurs in every discipline. To further narrow down on the eligibility, applicants who have been able to crack the Vijaybhoomi Scholastic Aptitude Test (VSAT), SNUEE, KUAT and FEAT can gain admission into the following colleges for courses in entrepreneurship:
- Vijaybhoomi University’s Jagdish Sheth School of Management
- Shiv Nadar University
- Karnavati University
- Flame University
10. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
The minimum eligibility criteria for BBA courses are a passing certificate of the Grade 12 level from any educational board and any stream of high school education, be it science, commerce or humanities. Entrance exams for Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) courses at institutions like Atria University are of 5 rounds that include written subject matter tests, general aptitude tests, group discussion rounds and even personal interview rounds. The universities offering BBA liberal arts courses in India are:
- Atria University
- FLAME University
- Vijaybhoomi University’s Jagdish Sheth School of Management
- Karnavati University’s Unitedworld School of Business
- OP Jindal University
Choose the best course for yourself
With such a wide range of universities to choose from when thinking about pursuing liberal arts courses in India, it is no surprise that even international students consider India a prospective education destination. Moreover, these private colleges and universities provide the latest in educational infrastructure that ensures a well-rounded development of students not just in academics but also in practical life.
Some of the top Indian universities like Flame University and Krea University offer liberal art courses like social sciences, business studies and languages, because there is a bright career prospect in India for these.
To know more about the career options offered by the liberal arts education in India, get in-depth career guidance at Mindler for applications to Liberal Arts Universities.