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Understanding the Difference Between BA and BA Hons

September 7, 2024

BA Hons vs BA, which of these two is better? This is a very obvious question that students think of soon after they pass Class 12. They often find themselves in a dilemma of choosing between a bachelor of arts (BA) and a bachelor of arts with honours (BA Hons). Both of these degrees are highly sought-after among students who want to pursue higher education in the humanities after completing 12th grade. However, both degrees offer different learning opportunities and career paths.

The key difference between BA and BA Hons is that students pursuing a BA (Hons) programme gain specialised knowledge in particular subjects or disciplines, whereas the BA programme imparts knowledge in all aspects of the humanities. This article aims to provide a comprehensive difference between BA and BA Hons degrees, enabling you to make an informed decision.

What is BA

A bachelor of arts is an interdisciplinary undergraduate programme that encompasses a broad range of humanities subjects. The degree provides students with an all-inclusive understanding of different disciplines in the field of humanities. This is an ideal choice for students who want to develop essential skills during their course period.

Subjects: This three-year programme incorporates essential subjects and modules for the overall development of the students.

Here is a table of subjects covered in the BA programme:

Semester I	Semester II
History of India-I: From the earliest times up to c. 300 BCE	History of India-II: c. 300 BCE to 700 CE
Microeconomics-I	Microeconomics-II
New Age Life Skills-I	British Poetry and Drama: 14th to 17th Centuries-Practical
Microsoft Excel-Refresher to Advanced	Open Elective
Constitutional Government and Democracy in India	Political Process and Governance in India
Introduction to Indian Writing in English	British Poetry and Drama: 14th to 17th Centuries
Value-Added Course	New Age Life Skills-II
	Value-Added Course

Semester III	Semester IV
History of India III: c. 700 to 1500	History of India IV: c. 1500-1800
Economics of Growth and Development-I	Financial Markets & Institution
Popular Literature-Practical	British Poetry and Drama: 17th to 18th Centuries-Practical
Open Elective	Politics and Problems of Globalization
Nationalism in India	British Poetry and Drama: 17th to 18th Centuries
Popular Literature	Digital Marketing
New Age Life Skills-III	Open Elective
Value-Added Course	Value-Added Course

Semester V	Semester VI
History of India V: c. 1750s to 1947	Issues in Twentieth-Century World History II
Indian Political Thought-II	Indian Foreign Policy-Evolution and Changing Dynamics
Public Finance	Contemporary Economic Issues
Language and Linguistics	Modern European Drama + Modern European Drama-Practical
Issues in Twentieth-Century World History-I	Western Political Thought
Comparative Perspective on Political Process	Indian Economy
Agricultural Economics	Modern European Drama + Modern European Drama
Entrepreneurship	Basics of Artificial Intelligence
	Dissertation

What is BA Hons

A Bachelor of Arts (Honours) is a specialised degree that is designed to impart specialised knowledge in a specific discipline of the humanities. In this degree, students gain an in-depth understanding of their chosen domain and develop skill sets necessary for the future. B.A. (Hons) is one of the most preferred degrees over a general B.A. programme because of its focused curriculum and research-orientated approaches. It’s an ideal choice for students who want to enhance their knowledge in a specific domain for several opportunities. Students can choose any specialisation of their choice and concentrate on it.

Some of the common and most popular B.A. honours degrees are:

B.A. (Hons.) in English
B.A. (Hons.) in Economics
B.A. (Hons.) in Hindi
B.A. (Hons.) in Psychology
B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science
B.A. (Hons.) in History
B.A. (Hons.) in Sociology
B.A. (Hons.) in Journalism & Mass Communication
B.A. (Hons.) in Philosophy
B.A. (Hons.) in Geography

Key Difference Between BA and BA Hons

B.A. offers a wide range of subjects that are necessary in the humanities without any specialisation. A B.A. (Hons) is a specialised degree that offers a deeper understanding of the chosen domain, allowing students to explore more in a single discipline. To understand better, read below to know the key difference between BA and BA Hons:

Parameters	BA	BA(Hons)
Description	It is a three-year undergraduate degree that offers a broader understanding of various subjects.	It is a three-year undergraduate degree that covers diverse topics of one particular specialisation with an in-depth focus.
Duration	3 years	3 years
Eligibility Criteria	Must have passed the 10+2 examination with 50% aggregate marks. Some universities and colleges may ask you to pass the CUET entrance exam.	Must have passed the 10+2 examination with 50% aggregate marks. Some universities and colleges may ask you to pass the CUET entrance exam.
Specialisations	No Specialisations	There are diverse specialisations available in B.A. (Hons) like: B.A. (Hons.) in English B.A. (Hons.) in Economics B.A. (Hons.) in Hindi B.A. (Hons.) in Psychology B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science B.A. (Hons.) in History B.A. (Hons.) in Sociology B.A. (Hons.) in Journalism & Mass communication B.A. (Hons.) in Philosophy B.A. (Hons.) in Geography
Admission Process	Admission can be offered based on merit or entrance exams, depending on the colleges you’re applying to.	Admission can be offered based on merit or entrance exams, depending on the colleges you’re applying to.
Career Paths	Some of the career options that you can select are HR, content writing, journalism, digital marketing, social work, event planning etc.	Career options you can choose from are public relations, journalism, teaching, copywriting, HR, data science, civil services, law, marketing, event planning etc.
Average Salary	2 to 4 lakhs per annum, depending on the experience, job profiles, specialisation and location of the organisation.	3 to 6 lakhs per annum, depending on the experience, job profiles, specialisation and location of the organisation.
Top Colleges & Universities in Delhi NCR	K.R. Mangalam University, Gargi College, Hansraj College, Jamia Millia Islamia, University of Delhi, Amity University.	K.R. Mangalam University, Lovely Professional University, Hansraj Colleges, Chandigarh University, Hindu College.

BA Programmes Available at K.R. Mangalam University

Situated in the Delhi-NCR region, K.R. Mangalam University is one of the most preferred universities known for its diverse academic offerings, including B.A. Programmes across multiple disciplines for students to gain advanced understanding. Under the guidance of highly experienced educators, students get engaged in several academic research projects, industry events, guest lectures, workshops, internships, and fieldwork. Additionally, the university has strong tie-ups with leading industries to ensure excellent placement opportunities for students after graduation.

Here is a list of B.A. Programmes with various specialisations available at K.R. Mangalam University:

Programmes	Duration
B.A. LL.B (Hons.)	5 Years
B.A.(Journalism And Mass Communication	3 Years
B.A. (Hons. with Research) (Journalism And Mass Communication)	4 Years
B.A. (Hons.) English	3 Years
B.A. (Hons. with Research) English	4 Years
B.A. (Hons.) Economics	3 Years
B.A. (Hons. with Research) Economics	4 Years
B.A. (Hons.) Psychology	3 Years
B.A. (Hons. with Research) Psychology	4 Years
B.A. (Hons.) Political Science	3 Years
B.A. (Hons. with Research) Political Science	4 Years
B.A. (Hons.) Culinary Arts	4 Years
B.A. Programme	3 Years

Which is the Right Degree For You

Ask yourself, “Do I want to gain in-depth knowledge in a specific area?” or ask, “Do I want to learn all-inclusive knowledge in a wide range of subjects?” The choice depends on your personal preferences, like your career paths and higher education opportunities. It might be difficult for you to choose the right degree since there are several options available, but with the right guidance and research, you can do that. Here are key factors that you can consider while selecting the right degree:

Find out which subject excites you the most and you enjoy learning about it.
Explore what jobs you are thinking of after completing your graduation.
Consider a programme that can offer you practical learning opportunities like research-oriented, hands-on learning projects, and fieldwork.
If you’re aiming to pursue higher education after your graduation, then think about postgraduate opportunities.
Seek advice from elders, teachers, or alumni for better understanding.

Conclusion

Before enrolling in any programme, it is necessary for you to understand the difference between BA and BA Hons in order to make an informed decision. While choosing a degree, always consider factors like interests, career paths, higher learning opportunities, and long-term future opportunities. If you are someone who wants to acquire in-depth knowledge of a specific field, choosing B.A. (Hons.) would be the right choice for you. In contrast, the B.A. programme is ideal for students who want to study broad knowledge across multiple subjects. By understanding the above factors, you will be able to choose the right degree for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BA?

Bachelor of Arts is a three-year undergraduate programme that covers a wide spectrum of humanities subjects.

What is BA Hons?

A Bachelor of Arts is a three-year undergraduate degree that provides in-depth knowledge in a specific domain in the field of humanities.

BA Hons vs BA: which is better?

B.A Hons is better than a general B.A as it shows a high level of academic achievement. Both degrees offer great career opportunities; however, several employees seek employers with advanced knowledge and qualifications.

Can I do BA Hons after 12th?

Yes, you can pursue a Bachelor of Arts honours right after passing 12th class.

Can I pursue an MBA after my BA?

Any BA graduate has the chance to pursue an MBA for their post-graduation after completing their graduation.

What career options do I have after completing my BA?

After completing your BA, you can either work in some amazing job roles such as public services, administration, and civil services or pursue your higher education in the eligible domains.