Choosing a college for MA in Economics in India is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your life. It can affect where you live, what jobs are available to you, and how much money you have for retirement. The choice also impacts your happiness and success at work. If choosing a college has been overwhelming so far, this post should help. This post will focus on factors to consider when choosing a college for an Economics degree program. For help choosing a college for other degrees, read this post.
1. Start by deciding on the type of degree program you want to pursue
There are two types of programs: full time and part-time. Full-time degrees usually take four years and require about 120-course credits, whereas part-time degrees typically take six years and require about 60-course credits. You should opt for a full-time degree, as they are completed faster, and employers prefer hiring people with a full-time degree over those who studied part-time.
2. Know what is available in your city of choice
Your first step should be to check what college for MA in Economics in India offers economics degrees in your area. Every large Indian city has at least one or more colleges that offer Economics degrees. You can ask friends and family for suggestions, read newspapers and magazines to see what new colleges are coming up or visit college fests in your area.
You should also check if the college is recognized by UGC or AICTE, post-graduation options (jobs, higher education – PhD), number of faculty members, student-faculty ratio etc.
3. Be aware of the entry requirements
MA in Economics is an extremely competitive program with only a few seats available every year and hundreds of applicants competing for each seat. As such, you need to be aware of the minimum qualification criteria to apply for MA Economics from your desired city. You should have at least completed a Bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) OR have spent two years in a Master’s degree program (also called pre-university training). Your Bachelor’s degree should be equivalent to 10+2. Your scores in the entrance tests also play an important part in gaining admission into a good college.
4. Research well about the college and its professors
You should ensure that the colleges you are applying to have qualified, experienced and dedicated faculty members. To do this, read reviews of past students online or refer to alumni associations of your desired college on social media. You can also ask current students for their opinion or visit forums where former students share their experiences.
Another good source will be your seniors who have completed their Economics degrees from the same college. Ask them what they think about the classes, quality of teaching staff and other activities (sports/clubs) organized by the college. You may even want to look into how likely it is for professors to have retired and whether the college can find qualified replacements.
5. Find out how easy it is to gain internships or jobs after completing your degree
A good college will prepare you for a job by giving you practical experience during your course. Internship opportunities are also an excellent way of gaining real-life work experience before you graduate. A good college usually has strong links with local businesses, financial institutions and industry, making it easier for students to find internships. You can try researching on LinkedIn or ask current students about employment opportunities around their cities – chances are they’ll know.
6. Look into the facilities available at the college
You should also confirm that the college has good infrastructure including libraries, laboratories, workshops/machinery and other facilities that go with the course. You should also try to find out more about the support services offered by the college. For example, does the college have a career office? What kind of help can it provide you with in finding internships or jobs? Especially when you are new to an area or lack connections, having access to helpful resources is important.
7. Location – commute and recreational activities
Where you decide to study Economics will affect how much your degree costs and determine what kinds of internships or job opportunities are available to you after you graduate. Most colleges are located in major Indian cities because they attract students from all over the country. Cities that are considered educational hubs may not always be the ideal places to live in if you want a peaceful, quiet life with lots of recreational activities available. If you prefer big cities – go ahead and pick your college based on its rankings and overall international feel, but if not, there’s nothing wrong with choosing a city with dorms or can offer nearby housing for students.
8. Cost
This is where many students let affordability get the better of them by applying to colleges without considering living expenses or making provisions for tuition fee hikes every year. Education costs have been going up steadily over the past few years all over India, and it isn’t unlikely that they will continue to rise shortly as well.
Wrap up:
With a little research, you can determine which colleges are best for students like you to pursue studies with courses relevant to the current job market. Many Economics graduates end up in careers related to statistics or research, marketing and finance – all of which have room for entry-level employees who are ready to work hard in return for experience and opportunities.
