Frequently asked questions about online BA

With the increase in popularity of online learning, all important qualifications are now available within easy reach of students. This includes Bachelor’s courses, an important stepping stone to higher education. BA courses are readily available on online learning platforms – the same 3-year undergraduate program with quality and credibility at par with the courses offered in the conventional offline (on-campus) mode. The added advantage is easy accessibility to the program anytime, anywhere, without the need to attend a physical classroom. What’s more? The job prospects for online BA graduates are on the constant rise with more and more employers accepting online learning at par with offline courses.

This blog aims to address all your common queries about pursuing an online BA degree (if you’re still sitting on the fence, that is).   

Most asked questions about online BA

The rising demand for online BA degrees from renowned universities has raised an equal number of queries and doubts in students’ minds. Perhaps because online learning, which wasn’t as heard of before, is now the common norm and also ruling the charts. Several reputable institutions today offer online BA courses to students across India and worldwide. Sikkim Manipal University is one of them, offering top-quality online BA degrees via the Online Manipal platform.

Let’s begin by answering some of the most common and frequently asked questions about online BA programs.

Is online BA equally valuable as traditional BA programs?

The first and foremost concern of the students is often regarding accreditation and recognition of online BA degrees. Will it be held in regard at a company later, or will it be considered as valuable as a traditional BA degree at the time of the job interview? This is what bothers most students; we want you to know that you are not alone. Moreover, there is nothing you need to worry about either in this regard.

For an online degree to be recognized at par with its offline counterparts, it must be approved by the UGC or University Grants Commission, a statutory organization created by the Ministry of Education, India. All UGC-entitled degrees are recognized and accepted at par with offline degree programs by universities and companies everywhere. Sikkim Manipal University offers online BA programs that are entitled by the UGC.

What are the benefits of pursuing an online BA?

Most students often wonder what special benefits they are entitled to by pursuing an online BA program when they can apply for the same degree the conventional way on campus. Here are some top benefits explained for pursuing a BA degree online:

• Easy affordability: Online learning is relatively less expensive than a campus degree. This is essentially because studying online saves you the cost of fuel during travel to college, infrastructure costs, rent, food, and other such expenses that you may need to bear for pursuing a course on campus.
• Flexible learning: This is one of the major advantages of pursuing a BA degree online. You can choose to study at your own pace and even create your own timetable for learning – one that best fits your schedule. Some online BA courses also offer self-paced learning, which means you can choose to study the program at a time convenient for you.
• Ideal way to study while you work: Online learning is one of the best options for working professionals, allowing them to continue working while studying in their own time. They can opt for flexible learning schedules with their work routine that manage to complete the online BA course without compromising their job. Moreover, completing the degree paves the way for further career advancement too.

What is the duration of an online BA program?

Online BA degrees generally last for 3 years or 36 months. The course is offered at the undergraduate or Bachelor’s level and is divided into 6 semesters. 

Are university rankings & accreditations important for online BA?

Yes, the ranking of the university that you choose for your online BA program is rather important. So is the accreditation earned by the institution. This is primarily due to the tough competition that exists between study institutions in the current educational landscape. Each college or university competes for student attention, and the one with the maximum rankings, student ratings and reviews, or national and international accreditations, deserves the top preference.

Sikkim Manipal University is accredited A+ by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). The university was also ranked among the Top 101-150 Universities in 2023 and the Top Private University in North East. Sikkim Manipal also features among the Top 10 Multidisciplinary Universities in the East Zone.

What is the admission process for online BA?

Most students are interested in learning more about the admission requirements and process for online BA programs. To apply for admission at the Sikkim Manipal University for online BA courses, the process is detailed as follows:

Step 1: Visit the Online Manipal platform and choose the program that you want to apply for (in this case online BA by Sikkim Manipal University). Enter your details in the provided form and pay the registration fee to proceed.

Step 2: You will be required to enter your educational background and details about your professional experience (if applicable).

Step 3: The next step is to make the payment for the online BA program. You may choose to pay for the full course all at once, for the first year, or only for the first trimester. 

Step 4: After successful completion of the program fee, you would need to upload all the necessary documents asked for. Attach the documents with your application and submit it. The admission process is now complete. 

What are the eligibility criteria for online BA?

Online BA courses at Sikkim Manipal University require students to have completed a 10+2 from a recognized school by the national or state board of India. Alternatively, students with a 10+3 diploma from a recognized institution at the state or national level are also accepted for online BA programs at the university.

What are the top universities for online BA?

Online BA courses are offered at several renowned universities in India. Some of the top universities for online BA degree programs that are worth considering for admissions include:

• Sikkim Manipal University
• Jain University
• Lovely Professional University (LPU)
• Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
• Amity University

What is the online BA course curriculum?

The program at Sikkim Manipal University is taught for 3 years (36 months). A total of 6 semesters are covered in the program and around 15-20 hours per week of learning is imparted to the students.

Online BA at Sikkim Manipal is offered in a combination of 3 subjects – English, Sociology, and Political Science. The curriculum for the course is listed as follows:

What are the top BA specializations to pursue?

Online BA courses allow students to specialize in a subject of their choice per their academic interests and career aspirations. This enables students to major in a specific area of study and pursue advanced studies in that specific domain. Some of the top specializations worth pursuing in online BA programs are:

• BA in English
• BA in Sociology
• BA in Political Science
• BA in Economics
• BA in Psychology

Sikkim Manipal University offers online BA courses with a combination of all 3 top specializations – English, Sociology, and Political Science. This allows the students to gain expertise in all three disciplines and pursue their career paths as per their interests. 

What are the career options after online BA?

Many students considering online BA courses are concerned about the career scope upon course completion. They often ask, “What after online BA?” Graduates in the degree are eligible to apply for a wide range of well-paying job roles across varied industries, some of which are shared below:

What is the demand for BA graduates?

To top it all, the most frequently asked question in the students’ minds and on online media platforms is the current demand for graduates with an online BA in the job market. A Bachelor of Arts or BA holds the potential to open up a wide array of career options for students pursuing studies in the discipline. A few examples include careers in:

• Administration
• Finance 
• Healthcare 
• Commerce 
• Digital Marketing 

Conclusion

Now, we know that online BA programs are just as valuable in every way possible as our good old traditional BA degrees pursued on campus. We also learned through this blog that several top universities are offering online BA courses in India. Sikkim Manipal University tops the list of institutions offering online degrees to students globally.    

The duration and flexibility of online BA programs offered at Sikkim Manipal attract most Indian students. They enjoy the freedom of choosing their own pace of learning and timetable and to relax and study comfortably from their homes. 

Additionally, online BA degrees offered by Sikkim Manipal University are UGC-entitled. The university too is accredited by NAAC and the course holds recognition and acceptance by many higher education institutions, government bodies, and corporations.