MA Philosophy: Admission 2025, Syllabus, Eligibility, Subjects, Colleges, Careers

• Updated on  Jul 05, 2025, by Rajnandini Malladeb

MA Philosophy is a 2-year PG programme. It provides in-depth knowledge about classical Indian Philosophy and Greek Philosophy to Modern Logic. Students gain information about classical Indian philosophy, ethics, logic, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language, and contemporary continental philosophy.

 

MA Philosophy eligibility requires a bachelor's degree in Philosophy or a related discipline from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate score of 50%. A Master’s in Philosophy admission is given on both a merit and an entry basis. Some common M.A Philosophy entrance exams are CUET-PG, CSIR NET, and GATE.

 

Some of India's top MA Philosophy colleges are JNU, DU, BHU, AMU, Mumbai Univ, Loyola Chennai, University of Calcutta, Miranda House, etc. The typical MA Psychology degree prices range from INR 20,000 to 60,000.

 

MA Philosophy graduates can pursue a variety of careers, such as Archivist, Researcher, Lecturer/Professor, Student‑affairs manager, Insurance underwriter, Content writer, Counselor, Ethics consultant, etc. If students wish to pursue higher education, they can opt for a PhD in Philosophy. Interested students can read about: PhD Philosophy.

 

Table of Contents

  1. MA Philosophy Highlights Table
  2. What is MA Philosophy?
  3. Why Study MA Philosophy?
  4. Who should study MA Philosophy?
  5. MA Philosophy Eligibility Criteria
  6. MA Philosophy Entrance Exams 2025
  7. MA Philosophy Colleges in India
  8. MA Philosophy Admission Process 2025
  9. MA Philosophy Syllabus
  10. MA Philosophy Job Opportunities in India
  11. MA Philosophy FAQs

 

MA Philosophy Highlights Table

The MA Philosophy course highlights are mentioned below:

Details

Particulars

Course Name

MA Philosophy

Course Level

Postgraduate/ Master’s

Duration

2 Years

Course Type

Full-Time

Admission Process

Merit-based or institute entrance exams (e.g., DU, JNU), plus CUET‑PG options

Eligibility Criteria

Bachelor’s degree (in any stream), with 40-45% aggregate mark

Course Fees

INR 25,000-1,08,000

Top Colleges

DU, JNU, BHU, AMU, Loyola (Chennai), Miranda House (Delhi), Lady Shri Ram, IGNOU, etc

Job Profiles

Archivist, Researcher, Lecturer/Professor, Student‑affairs manager, Insurance underwriter, Content writer, Counselor, Ethics consultant

Top Recruiters

Eureka Forbes, AJ Solutions, NIAS, Subex, HP, Dell, Siemens, Mphasis (plus roles in government, NGOs, media)

Average Salary in India

INR 2-6 LPA (Fresher)

 

What is MA Philosophy?

MA Philosophy is a two-year postgraduate degree that appends itself to the systematic investigation of the basic questions on existence, knowledge and values, reason and mind of man. Classical and contemporary schools of thought are explored in the course and include topics like logic, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, Indian and Western philosophies and philosophy of religion.

 

MA in Philosophy makes graduates more than suitable for a variety of careers, including academia, law, journalism, and public policy, as well as non-profit employment, through their ability to think, reason and express complicated ideas. In addition to the career advantages of the course, there are the personal and intellectual benefits of helping to develop someone to be questioning, ethical and better understand the world and human experience.

 

Why Study MA Philosophy?

A MA Philosophy prepares students for careers in research, teaching, civil service, policy analysis and writing. This degree is ideal for those who are eager to abstract ideas, enjoy deep thinking, and want to understand the nature of reality, knowledge and morality. A few reasons to study MA Philosophy?

  • The course guides the students to evaluate ethical dilemmas in law, medicine, business, and technology.
  • To study the MA in Philosophy strengthens the understanding of justice, rights, and political theory, important for public policy, a career in civil services and governance.
  • The logical and analytical skills taught in philosophy support UPSC, GRE and CLAT preparations. Students will learn how to have decent arguments and spot the loopholes quickly.
  • MA in Philosophy Hons helps candidates to seriously assess the implications of AI, genetic engineering, and digital secrecy. It is increasingly relevant in ethics boards, tech regulation, and innovation governance.
  • Along with AI Transforming Industries, philosophy graduates are expected to be in high demand by 2030 for roles like Chief Ethics Officer, guiding AI with moral arguments.

 

Who should study MA Philosophy?

MA Philosophy is a versatile program suited for those who enjoy deep thinking and questioning life’s big ideas. It appeals to learners who are intellectually minded and open-minded. The course is best suited to students who have an interest in finding out the basic truths about existence, knowledge and morality.

  • People with careers or interests in interdisciplinary studies, such as mixing philosophy with law, science, politics or arts.
  • People who wish to strive to enhance their analytical and decision-making skills.
  • Students who are keen on becoming self-aware, ethically minded, with a generalist perspective of the world.
  • Those students who like to debate, write and express his or her ideas.
  • Students who want to pursue higher education: Philosophy is a solid basis of graduate work in other fields.
  • Individuals motivated by intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning, and not just job placement.

 

MA Philosophy Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for an MA Philosophy degree may vary slightly based on the country and university. Some colleges hold their own entrance tests, with unique eligibility conditions. Some institutions prefer candidates with honours degrees, so check the university's website.

 

However, below is a broad description of the usual eligibility criteria for the MA Philosophy degree from the University of Delhi, especially in India:

  • Educational Requirements: A Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or a comparable discipline from an accredited university. Some universities may accept students from different disciplines who have studied humanities subjects.
  • Minimum Marks: Generally, candidates must have received at least 50% in their undergraduate degree. Some MA Philosophy colleges may have varying cutoff percentages or relaxations for reserved categories, depending on the institution.
  • Many MA in Philosophy institutions require students to pass an entrance exam (such as the CUET UG or university-specific exams).
  • There is no specific age limit for the MA Philosophy course.

 

MA Philosophy Entrance Exams 2025

The MA Philosophy Entrance tests are mentioned now:

Exam Name

Application Date

Exam Date

Application Fee

CUET PG 2026

January 2026

May 2026

Varies by category

TISSNET 2026

November 2026

January 2026

INR 1,030

BHU PET 2026

February 2026

May 2026

INR 1,000

University of Mumbai Entrance Exam 2026

June 2026

July 2026

INR 800

JMI Entrance Exam 2026

March 2026

May 2026

INR 700

Christ University Entrance Exam 2026

February 2026

April 2026

INR 1,000

University of Hyderabad Exam 2026

April 2026

May 2026

INR 500

Banaras Hindu University 2026

February 2026

May 2026

INR 1,000

Aligarh Muslim University 2026

April 2026

May 2026

INR 700

 

MA Philosophy Colleges in India

There are several top Indian colleges offering an MA in Philosophy degree. A few of these have been listed below:

College Name

Location

Fees (Approx.)

NIRF Ranking (Latest)

Admission Process

University of Delhi

New Delhi, Delhi

INR 25,000

6 (University)

DUET (Delhi University Entrance Test)

Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

Varanasi, UP

INR 30,528

5 (University)

BHU PET (BHU Postgraduate Entrance Test)

University of Mumbai

Mumbai, Maharashtra

INR 35,000

61 (University)

Mumbai University Entrance Exam

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)

New Delhi, Delhi

INR 20,000

3 (University)

JMI Entrance Exam

University of Hyderabad (UoH)

Hyderabad, Telangana

INR 37,000

17 (University Category)

UoH Entrance Exam

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)

Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh

INR 20,000

8 (University Category)

AMU Entrance Test

Lady Shri Ram College (LSR)

New Delhi, Delhi

INR 36,000

10 (College)

DU CUET PG

 

MA Philosophy Admission Process 2025

The admission process for MA in Philosophy at Amity University (Noida) is as follows:

  • Step 1: The candidates need to start by visiting the official website of the Amity University and head to the application page of the course.
  • Step 2: Now, the candidates need to fill out the application form with the required details and submit the form along with the applicable fee.
  • Step 3: The university’s admission committee will select the students as per their past academic performance and total seats available for intake.
  • Step 4: The selected candidates will receive confirmation from the university selection committee via mail or call.
  • Step 5: Selected candidates will then have to pay the admission fee to enroll in the course.
  • Step 6: After that, candidates will join the new academic session for MA in Philosophy on the specific date.

Documents Required:

  • Photocopy of 12th marksheet
  • Photocopy of 10th marksheet
  • Original Registration Payment Receipt
  • Copy of score card for entrance examination.
  • Photocopy of ID Proof (Aadhar Card/Pan Card/ School Certificate).
  • Passport size Photographs ( Five - 2.5 x 3.0 cms)
  • On plain paper, the candidate and their parents/guardians make two undertakings to stay away from ragging (proforma provided in the appendix).

 

MA Philosophy Syllabus

The MA Philosophy syllabus is UGC and CBCS-aligned. Given below is the syllabus from Calcutta University:

Semester I

Semester II

Indian Epistemology and Indian Logic

Western Logic

Western Epistemology

Indian Ethics

Indian Metaphysics

Western Ethics

Western Metaphysics

Political Philosophy

Analytic Philosophy

Philosophy of Religion

Semester III

Semester IV

Philosophy of Language (Indian)

Contemporary Indian Philosophy

Approaches to the Theories of Self and Consciousness (Indian and Western)

Continental Philosophy

Theories of Ethics and Politics

Logical Reasoning and Application: Western and Indian

 

MA Philosophy Job Opportunities in India

MA Philosophy graduates have multiple employment opportunities across sectors. The table below highlights these job profiles:

Job Profile

Experience

Top Recruiters

Average Salary (INR)

Teacher/Professor

0–5+ years

Schools, Colleges, Universities

INR 3–15 LPA

Content Writer

0–3 years

Media Houses, EdTech, Corporates

INR 2.5–4 LPA

Human Resources

0–5 years

IT Firms, MNCs, Consulting Companies

INR 3–5 LPA

Journalist

0–4 years

Newspapers, TV Channels, Online Media

INR 2.5–5 LPA

Research Analyst

0–2 years

Think Tanks, NGOs, Research Firms

INR 3–5 LPA

Counselor

0–3 years

Schools, NGOs, Hospitals

INR 2.5–4 LPA

 

MA Philosophy FAQs

What skills do a candidate get to know from a MA Philosophy degree?

Students will develop critical thinking, logical analysis, ethical reasoning, debate and communication skills. These are valuable in areas such as laws, journalism, public policy and business. Philosophy teaches how to evaluate ideas deeply and clearly.

What are the options for studying MA Philosophy through distance or online mode?

Several universities, such as IGNOU, offer MA Philosophy through distance education. The mode of instruction is flexible thus allowing working professionals, or those who will not be able to attend the regular programs to take part in the training program.

Can I pursue higher education after MA in Philosophy?

Yes. Candidates can opt for a PhD in a specialized area of philosophy. Moreover, they can even pursue an MBA or professional courses to enhance their resume.

Can MA Philosophy graduates pursue careers in psychology or counseling?

While MA Philosophy does not make you a psychologist, it does provide foundational knowledge in ethics, reasoning, and human behavior, which can be useful for careers in counseling or mental health support. Professional work may require further certification in the field of psychology or counseling.

Are there internship opportunities for MA Philosophy students?

Most colleges promote internships in many fields including; universities and research institutions, non-governmental organizations, media, social work. Internships are always not obligatory but may contribute to the growth of practical skills and also to employment when a person can receive work after the graduation.

How does MA Philosophy help in developing soft skills?

The course focuses on logic, rational thoughts, effective communication and ethics. These skills are portable and applicable in several disciplines (including business, law and public administration).

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