Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The M.A. in English at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered under the Department of English, Faculty of Arts. One of the most prestigious M.A. English programmes in India, it covers British literature from Chaucer to contemporary writers, American literature, Indian literature in English, literary criticism and theory, linguistics, and world literatures in translation. The programme spans 4 semesters with 16 courses of 5 credits each, and is structured to develop critical thinking, literary analysis, and research skills. With a total seat intake of 96 and tuition fees of just Rs. 1,500 per semester (Rs. 6,000 total), it is one of the most affordable and sought-after M.A. English programmes in the country. Admission is based on CUET PG scores, and the programme is popular among students aspiring for careers in academia, civil services, journalism, content writing, and publishing.

Admissions for the 2026-27 session are currently in progress. CUET PG 2026 was conducted from March 6 to March 27, 2026, and results are expected by May 6, 2026. BHU's Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG 2026) registration is expected to open in May 2026 at bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in. Based on the 2025 cycle, the last date for BHU PG registration was around June 2026, and the batch typically commences in July-August.

Key Points

The Department of English at BHU is one of the oldest and most reputed English departments in India, with a distinguished faculty known for research in postcolonial studies, literary theory, and Indian writing in English.
The syllabus is comprehensive, covering Poetry (Chaucer to Seamus Heaney), Drama (Marlowe to Stoppard), Fiction (Fielding to Fowles), Literary Criticism (Aristotle to Derrida), and elective courses in Women Writing, Indian Literature in English, American Literature, and New Literatures in English.
The Anne Besant Fellowship is a unique opportunity for M.A. students who score 8.5 CGPA in their 3rd semester, offering direct Ph.D. admission without an entrance exam.
BHU's central library, with over 9.76 lakh books and 1.33 lakh journals, provides exceptional research resources for literature students.
The programme attracts students from across India and abroad, creating a diverse and intellectually stimulating academic environment.

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15 Apr, 2026 CUET PG 2026 Results are expected to be released by First week of May @exams.nta.nic.in. To know more, click here.

BHU MA (English) Fees

The M.A. (English) at BHU is one of the most affordable postgraduate programmes in the country. The tuition fee is just Rs. 1,500 per semester, amounting to Rs. 6,000 for the entire 2-year programme. Including other university charges such as registration, development, and examination fees, the total cost comes to approximately Rs. 25,500 for the full programme. Hostel accommodation is optional and available at approximately Rs. 4,875 per semester. The extremely low fee structure makes BHU's M.A. English accessible to students from all economic backgrounds.

BHU MA (English) Admission 2026

Important Dates

Event	Date
CUET PG 2026 Conducted	March 6 to March 27, 2026
CUET PG Results Expected	May 6, 2026
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Opens	May 2026
Last Date for BHU PG Registration (based on 2025 cycle)	June 2026
Batch Commences	July-August

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree (B.A. or equivalent) from a recognised university with at least 50% marks in aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates).
Candidates appearing in their final year of the qualifying examination are also eligible to apply, subject to fulfilling eligibility at the time of admission.
There is no specific subject restriction; graduates from any stream can apply, though a background in English literature is advantageous.

Admission Process:

Register and appear for CUET PG 2026 (Paper Code: LAQP01) at exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg.
After CUET PG results, register for BHU's Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG 2026) at bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in.
Pay the non-refundable registration fee (Rs. 300 for UR/OBC/EWS; Rs. 150 for SC/ST/PwBD).
Upload required documents including 10th, 12th, and UG marksheets, birth certificate, and category certificates (if applicable).
Participate in seat allotment rounds and confirm admission by paying the semester fee within the stipulated deadline.
Report to the department with original documents for verification and enrolment.

BHU: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 6 Reviews

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is a prestigious institution offering affordable education with a focus on research and academia. The admission process involves an annual entrance exam. The faculty comprises 28 teachers, with teaching quality described as average, but supportive, especially in the arts department. The fee structure is highly reasonable, with admission costing 1,800 INR, even semester fees around 300 INR, odd semesters about 1,200 INR, and a total average fee for two semesters around 5,000 INR.

An M.A. degree costs under 10,000 INR. Campus recruitment mainly targets research and academia, with engineering students in their 5th and 6th semesters eligible for placements, receiving average packages of 5 lakhs per annum. Exceptional offers range from 25-30 LPA, with some reaching up to 1 crore from foreign companies. The Dr. Sarvapalli Radhekrishna internship offers a stipend of 20,000 INR per month for one year, with 100 positions available in various disciplines.

BHU offers scholarships for meritorious and financially needy students, including the 'Earn while you learn' initiative. The Anne Besant Fellowship allows postgraduate students with a CGPA of 8.5 in their third semester a direct path to Ph.D. admission. The placement cell offers training and opportunities with top companies like Wipro, TCS, IBM, and Infosys.

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BHU MA (English) Scholarships 2026

BHU offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options to M.A. English students, covering merit-based, need-based, and category-specific support. The university's extremely low fee structure itself is a major financial benefit. Students can additionally avail government scholarships such as the UP Scholarship (for UP domicile students) and the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) schemes. The Anne Besant Fellowship is a unique institutional scholarship for high-achieving M.A. students.

BHU MA (English) FAQs

Q1. Is BHU M.A. English worth it for someone who wants to crack UGC-NET/JRF?

Ans. Absolutely. BHU's M.A. English is widely regarded as one of the best programmes for NET/JRF preparation in India. The comprehensive syllabus covering British, American, Indian, and World literatures, along with literary theory and criticism, aligns closely with the UGC-NET English syllabus. The department's strong academic culture and access to BHU's vast library resources make it an ideal environment for NET/JRF preparation. Many BHU M.A. English alumni have qualified NET/JRF and gone on to prestigious Ph.D. programmes and teaching positions.

Q2. What is the Anne Besant Fellowship at BHU, and how can M.A. English students benefit from it?

Ans. The Anne Besant Fellowship is a unique initiative at BHU that allows M.A. students who score 8.5 CGPA in their 3rd semester to get direct admission to Ph.D. without appearing for any entrance exam. The selection is based on an interview. Students who qualify NET/JRF within one year of Ph.D. admission receive a stipend. This is a significant advantage for high-achieving M.A. English students who wish to pursue research careers.

Q3. What is the CUET PG paper code for M.A. English at BHU, and what is the exam pattern?

Ans. The CUET PG paper code for M.A. English at BHU is LAQP01. The exam is conducted by NTA and consists of objective-type questions covering English literature, literary theory, and language/linguistics. The exam is computer-based and typically of 2 hours duration. Candidates should refer to the official NTA website (exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg) for the latest syllabus and exam pattern.

Q4. Can students from Science or Commerce backgrounds apply for M.A. English at BHU?

Ans. Yes. The eligibility for M.A. English at BHU requires a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university with at least 50% marks in aggregate. There is no restriction on the stream of the undergraduate degree. However, students with a background in English literature (B.A. with English as a major subject) will have a significant advantage in the CUET PG exam, which tests knowledge of English literature and language.

Q5. What are the career options after M.A. English from BHU?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in academia (teaching at colleges/universities after qualifying UGC-NET), civil services (UPSC/State PCS), journalism and media, content writing and editing, publishing, translation, corporate communication, and international organisations. BHU's M.A. English degree is highly respected by employers and academic institutions. Many alumni have gone on to prestigious Ph.D. programmes at Indian and international universities.

Q6. How competitive is admission to M.A. English at BHU, and what CUET PG score is needed?

Ans. M.A. English at BHU is highly competitive. Based on 2025 CUET PG cutoffs, the General category cutoff was around 198-221 marks (out of 300), OBC around 166-192, SC around 157-182, and ST around 143-176. The competition has increased significantly since the shift to CUET PG. Students are advised to prepare thoroughly for the CUET PG English paper (LAQP01), focusing on British literature, literary theory, and language/linguistics.

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Aastha Vyahut

2.9

MA, English

Reviewed on Sep 2, 2024(Enrolled 2024)

Beauty of VASANTA COLLEGE FOR WOMEN (BHU)

Fees and Financial Aid:

I am studying in affiliated college of BHU THAT is vasanta college for women ( VCW), HERE the yearly fees is 12000 for all the categories in MA English,the fees may increase in case of practical subjects such as HOME SCIENCE, MUSIC etc,and BHU offers two kinds of seats one regular and another paid so if you are enrolled via paid seat u have pay 10000rs extra with the college fees that is 10000+12000rs... And there are scholarship for the reserved category,and one under bpl

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Rajarshee Bose

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MA, English

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2024(Enrolled 2024)

The Lanka Files

Fees and Financial Aid:

Tuition fees in BHU is very flexible. With it's fees starting from 2575, varying on the course you choose ofcourse. BHU has a placement cell that provides training and placement opportunities to students. he placement cell organizes counseling, personality development, and mock interviews to prepare students for placements. Some of the top recruiters at BHU include Wipro, TCS, IBM, and Infosys.

I do not know about it yet. But there are such facilities. Teachers and seniors are concerned about it. But as I am new here I could not make myself aware about this. Scholarships are available for meritorious students.

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