Quick Answer
An online MA in English in India is a two-year, four-semester master’s degree in English literature and language, taught through live and recorded classes with online exams. Among our partners, Chandigarh University, LPU, Sikkim Manipal University and Amity University Rajasthan appear on the UGC-DEB 2026-27 entitled list for it. Fees at the three we checked run from about ₹65,600 to ₹78,750 for the full programme.
Key Highlights
- An online MA in English is listed on the UGC-DEB 2026-27 entitled list for Chandigarh University (row 67), Lovely Professional University (row 69), Amity University Rajasthan (row 78) and Sikkim Manipal University (row 80), as read from the page images on 6 November 2026.
- Manipal University Jaipur, NMIMS, UPES, GLA and Amity University Uttar Pradesh are entitled for other programmes but do not list an MA (English) for 2026-27, and ARKA JAIN’s recognised-list rows do not include one either.
- All three official MA English pages we checked state 80 credits over four semesters; on UGC’s norm of 30 study hours per credit, that is about 2,400 hours of work (our calculation).
- Per-semester fees on the official pages, checked on 6 November 2026: LPU ₹16,400, SMU ₹18,750 and Chandigarh University ₹19,688.
- The 2020 UGC regulations treat an online degree from an entitled university as equivalent to the campus degree, but the mode of study is printed on the back of the degree and mark sheets.
- For college teaching, the UGC 2018 regulations on minimum qualifications ask for at least 55% at master’s level plus NET, SLET or SET (with stated exceptions), so your marks matter as much as the mode.
What is an online MA in English?
An online MA in English is a postgraduate degree in English literature, literary theory and language that you study entirely online: admission, classes, assignments and exams. It is the same Master of Arts degree the university awards on campus, delivered under UGC’s rules for online programmes.
Most programmes cover the same backbone. You read British poetry, drama and fiction across periods, move into literary criticism and theory, study Indian writing in English and in translation, and finish with postcolonial, diaspora or world literature and a research component. Some universities add a language or linguistics paper, research methodology, or electives from outside English.
People search for this under several names: masters in english online, MA English online, or an online English degree at postgraduate level. They all point to the same thing in India, an MA (English) delivered in online mode by a university that UGC permits to do so. That last condition is the one that decides whether the degree is worth having, so we start there.
Which universities offer an online MA in English in 2026-27?
The answer has to come from the UGC-DEB list, not from a university advertisement. On the UGC-DEB 2026-27 entitled list, four of the universities we work with list Master of Arts (English), and five do not.
The list is a scanned PDF, and rows run across pages, so we read the page images rather than relying on the text layer. Here is what each partner’s row shows, as checked on 6 November 2026:
| University | Row on the 2026-27 entitled list | MA (English) listed? | What the row does include |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh University | 67 | Yes | 10 programmes, including MA (English), MA (Economics), MA (Journalism and Mass Communication), MBA and MCA |
| Lovely Professional University | 69 | Yes | 13 programmes, including MA (English), MA (History), MA (Political Science) and MA (Sociology) |
| Amity University (Rajasthan) | 78 | Yes | 9 programmes, including MA (English), MA (Journalism and Mass Communication) and MBA |
| Sikkim Manipal University | 80 | Yes | 9 programmes, including MA (English), MA (Political Science) and MA (Sociology) |
| Manipal University Jaipur | 74 | No | MA (Economics) and MA (Journalism and Mass Communication), but no MA (English) |
| Amity University (Uttar Pradesh) | 108 | No | MA (Journalism and Mass Communication) and MA (Economics), but no MA (English) |
| NMIMS | 61 | No | BBA, BCom and two MBA programmes |
| GLA University | 115 | No | BCA, BCom (Hons), BBA, MBA and MCA |
| UPES | 125 | No | BCom, BBA, BCA, MBA variants and MCA |
ARKA JAIN University is not on the entitled list. It is on the separate UGC-DEB recognised list for 2026-27, and its rows there cover BBA, MBA (General), BCA, MCA and BCom (General), not an MA.
A note on Amity
There are two Amity rows, and they are different universities. Amity University Rajasthan (row 78) lists MA (English). Amity University Uttar Pradesh (row 108) does not. When we checked Amity Online’s programme menu on 6 November 2026, it showed postgraduate MA options in Journalism and Mass Communication and in Public Policy and Governance, and an Amity BA in English, but no MA English page. If you want an MA English from Amity, ask Amity in writing which university will award the degree and for which session before you pay. Our Amity University Online profile has more on the university.
Other universities on the list
Our partners are only part of the picture. Our count of the entitled list’s text layer found about 50 programme entries titled Master of Arts (English) or a close variant such as English Literature, spread across central, state, deemed and private universities (our count, approximate, because the scan splits rows). Examples we confirmed on the page itself include Andhra University (row 1), Jaipur National University (row 79), Bharathidasan University (row 82) and Aligarh Muslim University (row 107).
The method for checking any of them is the same, and our guide to checking a UGC approved online programme walks through it step by step. It is written for MBA students, but the list, the rows and the session dates work the same way for an MA.
Who is eligible for an online MA in English?
You need a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. None of the three official pages we read asks for a specific minimum percentage or an entrance exam, but the wording differs, and one university prefers English at graduation.
| University | Eligibility as stated on the official page (6 November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Chandigarh University | Graduation in any discipline or equivalent, preferably with English as a subject, or a BA (Hons) in English |
| LPU | Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) or equivalent |
| Sikkim Manipal University | A 10+2+3 year bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or institution, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Association of Indian Universities |
UGC’s 2020 regulations leave admission criteria to the university wherever UGC or the relevant regulator has not set them (Regulation 14). That is why the wording varies.
Two practical points if you are coming from a non-English background. First, “any discipline” means a BCom, BSc or BBA graduate can apply at LPU and SMU, and CU’s wording also allows it, with a stated preference for English. Second, the reading load is heavy from Semester 1. If you have not read much literature since school, start with a few of the set authors before classes begin. Shakespeare, Austen and Dickens appear in the first semester at SMU, for example.
What about the DEB-ID?
Every learner in an online or ODL programme needs a DEB-ID, created through your ABC ID, under UGC’s DEB-ID public notice that applies from the October 2024 session. LPU’s MA English page says plainly that a DEB-ID is a must for enrolment. You can create it on the UGC-DEB student portal. The steps are the same as for any online degree, and our online admission steps and DEB-ID guide covers the documents and order of work.
How long does an online MA in English take?
The online MA in English is a two-year, four-semester programme at every university we checked, and UGC rules allow up to four years to finish (our calculation from the doubling rule).
Regulation 13 of the UGC online programme regulations says the duration follows UGC’s specification of degrees, and the maximum duration is double the minimum. For a two-year MA, that works out to four years (our calculation).
| University | Duration stated | Credits stated | Weekly effort stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh University | 2 years, 4 semesters | 80 minimum | Not stated |
| LPU | 2 years, 4 semesters | 80 | 8 to 10 hours a week |
| Sikkim Manipal University | 24 months, 4 semesters | 80 | 15 to 20 hours a week |
The 80-credit figure is the same at all three, which makes comparison easier than it is for most online degrees. UGC’s delivery norms in Annexure VI of the same regulations are built on 30 hours of learning per credit. On that norm, 80 credits means about 2,400 hours over two years, or about 600 hours a semester (our calculation). That total includes live sessions, recorded lectures, reading, assignments and self-study.
The weekly figures look far apart, but they are estimates of the same kind of workload. In a literature degree the reading is where the hours go. A single Victorian novel can take a week of evenings. Plan for the higher number in your first semester and adjust once you know your reading pace.
What subjects are in an online MA in English?
The core is British literature by period and genre, literary criticism and theory, Indian writing in English, and postcolonial literature, ending with a dissertation or term paper at two of the three universities. The differences are in language papers, research methods and electives.
Here is the semester-by-semester list from each official page, as checked on 6 November 2026.
Chandigarh University
| Semester | Subjects on the official page |
|---|---|
| 1 | Literary Criticism and Critical Approaches I; British Poetry Till 17th Century; British Drama I; Early British Fiction; English Language |
| 2 | Literary Criticism and Critical Approaches II; British Poetry of 19th and 20th Century; British Drama II (19th and 20th Century); British Novel of 19th and 20th Century; Indian Writing in English |
| 3 | Literary Theory I; Indian Writing in Translation; Autobiography; Post-Colonial Theory; Post-Colonial Novel |
| 4 | Literary Theory II; Dalit Literature; Women’s Writing; Post Colonial Drama; Post Colonial Poetry |
CU’s main page states 20 credits a semester, five subjects of 4 credits each, and 80 credits in all. Its separate admissions page shows a slightly different credit split and adds Research Methodology in Semester 2, so ask which scheme applies to your batch. See the full list on CU's online MA English page.
LPU Online
| Semester | Subjects on the official page |
|---|---|
| 1 | British Poetry; British Drama; Academic English; Fundamentals of Research; Fundamentals of Information Technology |
| 2 | British Fiction; Literary Criticism; Introduction to the Study of Language; Generic Elective I; Teaching Aptitude |
| 3 | Discursive Prose; Post-Independence Indian Literature; Literary Theory Post World War II; Generic Elective II; Term Paper, or one course from the generic elective basket |
| 4 | Postcolonial Literatures and Cultural Studies; Generic Electives III and IV; Dissertation, or two more courses from the elective baskets |
LPU’s page lists 80 total credits, 19 courses, four generic electives and one skill enhancement course. It names interdisciplinary electives such as International Banking and Forex Management, Data Science Toolbox and Machine Learning, and it is the only one of the three with a course called Teaching Aptitude. Details are on LPU's online MA English page and our LPU Online profile.
Sikkim Manipal University
| Semester | Subjects on the official page |
|---|---|
| 1 | Drama I; Poetry I; Fiction I; Literary Theory and Criticism I; Gender Studies in Literature |
| 2 | Drama II; Poetry II; Fiction II; Literary Theory and Criticism II; Environment and Climate Change |
| 3 | American Literature; Indian English Literature; Post-Colonial Literature I; Research Methodology; Literature and Environment |
| 4 | Diaspora Literature; Post-Colonial Literature II; World Literature; Dissertation |
SMU’s course descriptions name the authors you study: Shakespeare, Thomas Kyd, John Webster and Ben Jonson in Drama I; Chaucer to Dryden, including Donne, Milton and Marvell, in Poetry I; and Defoe, Dickens, Austen, Brontë, Hardy and George Eliot in Fiction I. The curriculum sits on SMU’s online MA English page at onlinemanipal.com, and our Sikkim Manipal University profile has more on the university.
What is common and what differs
| Area | Chandigarh University | LPU | SMU |
|---|---|---|---|
| British poetry, drama and fiction | Two semesters each | One course each | Two semesters each |
| Criticism and theory | Four courses across all semesters | Literary Criticism; Literary Theory Post World War II | Two courses |
| Indian writing | Indian Writing in English; in Translation; Dalit Literature | Post-Independence Indian Literature | Indian English Literature |
| Postcolonial and world | Four courses | One course | Two courses, plus Diaspora and World Literature |
| American literature | Not listed | Not listed | Yes |
| Language or linguistics | English Language | Introduction to the Study of Language; Academic English | Not listed as a core course |
| Research | Not listed on the main page | Fundamentals of Research; Term Paper or Dissertation option | Research Methodology; Dissertation |
| Non-English courses | None | IT fundamentals, Teaching Aptitude, generic electives | Environment and Climate Change |
A simple way to read this: CU is the most literature-dense, with every one of its 20 listed courses inside English studies. SMU adds American, diaspora and world literature and a compulsory dissertation. LPU is the most flexible, with generic electives and a choice between a term paper or dissertation and extra elective courses.
If you are thinking of UGC NET in English or a PhD later, look at how much theory and research each programme includes, because a dissertation gives you a piece of written research to show.
How much does an online MA in English cost?
On the official pages checked on 6 November 2026, the full programme costs about ₹65,600 at LPU, ₹75,000 at SMU and ₹78,750 at Chandigarh University, before small application or registration fees. Discounts and deadlines change often, so treat these as a snapshot.
| University | Per semester | Full programme | Other fees and conditions shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPU | ₹16,400 (shown against an “actual fee” of ₹20,000, with a 20% student grant) | ₹65,600 (our calculation, 4 × ₹16,400) | Includes an exam fee of ₹2,000 a semester; excludes a non-refundable registration fee of ₹1,000 |
| Sikkim Manipal University | ₹18,750 | ₹75,000; ₹67,500 if paid in full upfront (10% discount) | Annual option ₹37,500, or ₹35,625 with a 5% discount; application fee ₹500 |
| Chandigarh University | ₹19,688 | ₹78,750 after a 25% early-bird concession on ₹1,05,000 | Annual ₹39,375; seat booking ₹10,000 |
Adding LPU’s registration fee, LPU’s total comes to ₹66,600 (our calculation). SMU’s total with the application fee is ₹75,500 at the semester rate, or ₹68,000 if you pay in full upfront (our calculation).
A few cautions. Both LPU and SMU showed an admission deadline of 7 November 2026 on their pages, so the next intake may come with different grants or discounts. CU’s main page shows ₹19,688 a semester, while its separate admissions page showed ₹18,750 when we checked, so ask CU for the fee in writing for your session. And Amity University Rajasthan’s online MA English fee is not something we could confirm from an official page, so we have left it out.
If cost is the deciding factor, our guide to online vs distance mode explains why ODL programmes often cost less, and what you give up for the lower fee.
Is an online MA in English valid in India?
Yes, if the university is entitled to offer that MA in online mode for the session you join. Regulation 22 of UGC’s 2020 regulations says degrees awarded through online and ODL modes by recognised institutions are treated as equivalent to the corresponding conventional degrees.
Three conditions decide validity in practice:
- The programme must be on the list for your session. Check the row on the 2026-27 list, not last year’s, and check that the programme name matches. An MA (English) at one Amity university does not cover a different Amity university.
- You must be admitted through the proper route. That means a DEB-ID linked to your ABC ID, and admission directly with the university. Regulation 4(C)(vi) bars franchising of online programmes to private service providers.
- You must finish within the time limit. For a two-year MA, that is four years under the doubling rule (our calculation).
The mode is not hidden. Regulation 16(2) requires the mode of delivery, admission and completion dates and exam centre details to be printed on the back of every degree, certificate and mark sheet. Our guide on what your degree certificate shows explains how that looks in practice.
For jobs, further study and government exams, the broader question is covered in our article on whether an online degree is valid. It is written about the MBA, but the rules it quotes apply to every online degree, including an MA.
UGC’s own precautions notice for students of March 2024 lists the checks to run before you enrol, and it is worth ten minutes of your time.
Online MA in English vs MA English distance education: which should you choose?
Both are valid when the university is listed for that mode. Online mode is built around a learning platform with live and recorded classes and online proctored exams; ODL, or MA English distance education, relies more on self-study material and exams at physical centres, and is restricted by territory.
| Point | Online MA in English | Distance (ODL) MA in English |
|---|---|---|
| Which UGC-DEB list | Online entitled list (or recognised list for online) | ODL list |
| Teaching | Live and recorded sessions, e-content, forums, quizzes | Printed or digital self-learning material, with contact sessions |
| Exams | Technology-enabled or proctored online exams | At exam centres with CCTV and biometric checks (Regulation 15) |
| Where you can enrol from | No territorial limit for online mode | State and private universities only within their state; private universities only from headquarters and recognised off-campus centres (Annexure III) |
| Degree back-print | States “online” mode | States ODL mode |
The 2026-27 ODL list also carries MA (English). Alagappa University’s ODL entry (row 22 of the UGC-DEB ODL list), for example, includes Master of Arts (English) among its 24 programmes.
Which suits you? If you want structure, deadlines and live interaction, online mode tends to suit working adults better. If you are a strong independent reader, live near an ODL university’s centre, and want the lowest fee, ODL can work. For the detailed trade-offs, see our guide to checking a distance programme before you choose.
How are online MA English classes and exams run?
You learn through the university’s learning platform: recorded lectures, reading material, discussion forums and graded quizzes, with live sessions at set times, usually weekends. Exams are online and proctored, and continuous assessment carries at most 30% of your marks.
UGC requires every online programme to follow a four-part model of e-learning: video tutorials, e-content such as reading material, a discussion forum for doubts, and assessment. In an English MA, the reading material carries more weight than in most online degrees, because the texts themselves are the course.
What the three universities say:
- LPU describes a “LIVE + Recorded” model with weekend live lectures and “Flexible Online Exams”.
- Chandigarh University says exams are conducted online through its learning platform and describes an on-demand examination facility.
- SMU says enrolment, orientation, classes, assignments, projects and examinations are all online, with access to live and recorded classes, discussion forums and e-libraries.
Under Regulation 15, continuous assessment is capped at 30% and the term-end exam carries at least 70%. You also need 75% attendance or participation before you can sit the exams. If you want a feel for weekly online study, our guide on what studying online is like explains the platform and exams; it is written for MBA students, but the experience is very similar.
A practical tip for literature students: ask whether the e-library includes the full texts on the syllabus or only study notes. Reading summaries of a novel is not the same as reading the novel, and examiners can tell.
Can you teach with an online MA in English?
You can use it towards teaching, but the degree alone is rarely enough. For college teaching, UGC’s 2018 regulations on minimum qualifications set the bar; for school teaching, the rules come from other bodies and the specific recruitment notice.
College and university teaching
The UGC Regulations, 2018 on minimum qualifications for teachers, available as the UGC 2018 qualification regulations, say two things that matter here:
- Clause 3.3 says the National Eligibility Test (NET) or an accredited state test (SLET or SET) “shall remain the minimum eligibility” for appointment as Assistant Professor, with exceptions written into the regulation for candidates with a PhD awarded under UGC’s standards.
- Clause 3.4 says a minimum of 55% marks (or an equivalent grade) at master’s level is the essential qualification for direct recruitment of teachers, with a 5% relaxation for SC, ST, OBC (non-creamy layer) and specified disability categories.
So for a college post, your MA marks and your NET, SLET or SET result matter. The regulations we read do not distinguish between online and campus master’s degrees, and Regulation 22 of the 2020 online regulations treats them as equivalent. Even so, read the actual advertisement for any post, because institutions publish their own criteria, and check that the version of UGC’s qualification rules in force on the date of recruitment has not changed.
On NET itself, the National Testing Agency publishes an information bulletin for each cycle with the marks and age conditions. We have not quoted those conditions here because we could not open the official bulletin when we checked; read the current one before you plan around it.
School teaching
School teaching posts are governed by teacher education norms and by the recruitment rules of each state, board or school system, which usually include requirements beyond a master’s degree. We have not verified those rules for this article, so read the specific recruitment notice for the post you want and check what it says about the degree, any teaching qualification and eligibility tests.
What other work can an online MA in English lead to?
Beyond teaching, the official pages point to editing and proofreading, writing, content, journalism, communications and public relations, and research-led roles. Which of these opens up depends far more on the skills and portfolio you build than on the degree title.
The universities name these roles, which we list without salary or placement claims:
| University | Roles or areas named on the official page |
|---|---|
| Chandigarh University | Academician, Linguist, Author, Editor or Proofreader, Content Writer, Journalist, Public Relations Manager |
| Sikkim Manipal University | Editing and Proofreading, Communications, Linguistics, Author, Public Relations, Academics, Content Management, Journalism, Technical Writing, Grant Writing |
A neutral way to think about these paths:
- Editing and publishing. Close reading, accuracy and style judgement are what an MA trains. Publishers and editorial teams usually test candidates with an edit or proofreading task, so practise on real copy.
- Content and communications. Writing for websites, newsletters, reports and internal communications rewards clarity more than literary flair. A small portfolio of published pieces says more than marks.
- Technical and grant writing. Turning complex material into clear documents is a skill the MA strengthens. It usually needs subject knowledge in the field you write for.
- Journalism. The MA helps with reading and writing depth; newsroom skills such as reporting and verification are learned on the job or in a specialist course.
- Research and further study. A dissertation, as at SMU or optionally at LPU, is a useful starting point if you later apply for a PhD, subject to each university’s admission rules.
If you already work, a common way to use the degree is a step up within the same field: a content writer moving to an editor’s role, or a school teacher adding a postgraduate qualification while preparing for NET.
How do you choose the right online MA in English?
Choose in this order: confirm the row on the 2026-27 list, compare the syllabus with what you want to do, then compare the fee for your session in writing.
- Check the list row. Open the entitled list, find the university’s row and confirm “MASTER OF ARTS (ENGLISH)” is in it. Do not rely on a portal’s word that its group is “UGC entitled”; entitlement is per university and per programme.
- Match the syllabus to your goal. If you want NET or a PhD, favour theory and a dissertation. If you want a writing career, look for language, academic writing or communication courses, and plan your own portfolio alongside.
- Look at the workload honestly. SMU’s 15 to 20 hours a week and LPU’s 8 to 10 hours a week describe the same 80-credit programme size. Your reading speed decides which is closer to the truth.
- Get the fee in writing. Ask for the total for your session, what is included (exam fees, registration, application), and whether any grant or concession has a closing date.
- Ask about the texts. Will you get access to full texts through the e-library, or only notes?
- Check exam and device rules. Online proctored exams need a working laptop or desktop and a stable connection.
Not sure which MA English fits your plans, or whether the university you are considering is on the current list for your session? Talk to an admission counsellor and we will read the official list and syllabus with you before you pay anything.
How GetOnlineDegree.in Helps
We compare online MA programmes using the UGC-DEB lists and each university’s own programme pages, not brochures or third-party rankings. When you speak to us, we can show you the exact row for the university you are considering, point out where a programme page leaves gaps (such as a credit split that differs between two official pages), and suggest the questions to ask the university in writing.
We can also explain the difference between online and ODL options for an MA in English, help you with DEB-ID and admission steps, and lay out the fee for your session side by side. The choice of university stays yours.
Conclusion
An online MA in English is a two-year, 80-credit master’s degree that is valid when the university is entitled to offer it in online mode for your session. In 2026-27, Chandigarh University, LPU, Sikkim Manipal University and Amity University Rajasthan list it among our partners, while MUJ, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, NMIMS, GLA, UPES and ARKA JAIN do not.
The syllabi share a common core of British literature, criticism and theory, Indian writing and postcolonial studies, but differ on language papers, research and electives. Fees at the three we checked fall between about ₹65,600 and ₹78,750. If you plan to teach in a college, remember that UGC’s 2018 rules look at your master’s marks and your NET, SLET or SET result, not just the degree, so aim high in the exams and choose a programme with the research depth you need.
FAQs
Is an online MA in English valid for government jobs?
An online MA in English from a university entitled to offer it in online mode is treated as equivalent to the campus degree under Regulation 22 of UGC’s 2020 regulations. For any government post, read the recruitment notice, because it sets its own qualifications. Make sure the programme is on the UGC-DEB list for the session you joined and that you finish within four years.
Which universities offer an online MA in English in India?
On the UGC-DEB 2026-27 entitled list, MA (English) appears for Chandigarh University, Lovely Professional University, Amity University Rajasthan and Sikkim Manipal University among our partners, and for many others such as Andhra University, Jaipur National University, Bharathidasan University and Aligarh Muslim University. Always check the university’s row on the current list before applying.
What is the fee for an online MA in English?
As checked on 6 November 2026, LPU charges ₹16,400 a semester (about ₹65,600 in total, our calculation), Sikkim Manipal University ₹18,750 a semester (₹75,000 in total) and Chandigarh University ₹19,688 a semester (₹78,750 after a 25% concession). Registration, application or seat booking fees are extra, and discounts change between intakes.
Can I do an online MA in English after BCom or BSc?
Yes, at the universities we checked. LPU accepts a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, SMU asks for a recognised 10+2+3 bachelor’s degree, and Chandigarh University accepts graduation in any discipline, preferably with English as a subject. Expect a heavy reading load from the first semester if you have not studied literature since school.
Can I become a college lecturer with an online MA in English?
The MA is one step. UGC’s 2018 regulations ask for at least 55% marks at master’s level (with a 5% relaxation for specified categories) and NET, SLET or SET as the minimum eligibility for Assistant Professor, with exceptions for certain PhD holders. The regulations do not separate online and campus degrees, but always read the specific recruitment advertisement.
