TISS Mumbai M.A. Labour Studies: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. The MA Labour Studies programme accommodates both regular students and trade union representatives. Regular students follow the standard curriculum with 2-month internships in industry, labour organisations, research organisations, or think tanks. Trade union nominated students follow a modified schedule with a 6-month internship in their parent trade union/workers association in Semester III, followed by a 1-month block internship and reflection paper in Semester IV. Both tracks cover the same core curriculum and receive the same degree upon completion.

Ans. In 2024, TISS received official recognition from the Government of Maharashtra for the Labour Studies and Practice programme. This recognition qualifies graduates for employment in government positions such as Welfare Officer, Additional Welfare Officer, or Assistant Welfare Officer within the state of Maharashtra. This opens significant career opportunities in government labour administration and welfare departments for programme graduates.

Ans. The programme includes internship opportunities totalling 16 credits across the 2-year duration. Regular students undertake a 2-month internship in Semester III (8 credits) and a 1-month block internship in trade unions in Semester IV (4 credits). Internships are conducted in industry, labour organisations, research organisations, think tanks, consulting firms, and trade unions. Students work on real projects related to employment relations, industrial relations, CSR, labour policy, and research under the guidance of organisation supervisors and TISS faculty advisors.

Ans. Yes, the programme is designed to accommodate students from diverse academic backgrounds. The curriculum welcomes students from anthropology, sociology, history, economics, public policy, literature, media, labour law, commerce, management, and engineering. The programme provides foundational courses in labour economics, labour law, and research methodology to ensure students from various backgrounds can successfully complete the programme. The multidisciplinary approach enriches classroom discussions and learning.

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers in labour welfare, industrial relations, employment relations, labour policy, and research in both formal and informal sectors. Career opportunities include positions in government labour departments (as Welfare Officer, etc.), NGOs, trade unions, research organisations, think tanks, consulting firms, international organisations like ILO, and corporate social responsibility departments. Many graduates also pursue further studies in labour law, public policy, or related fields. The Government of Maharashtra recognition particularly opens doors for government employment in the state.

Ans. The Global Labour University (GLU) is an international network of universities offering labour studies programmes in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO). TISS was one of the founding partners of GLU. Other prominent institutions in the network include the University of Kassel and Berlin School of Economics and Law in Germany, University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, State University of Campinas in Brazil, and Penn State University in the USA. This affiliation provides TISS students with opportunities for international collaboration, exchange programmes, and access to global labour research and networks.