Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), Madurai offers a 2-year full-time Master of Arts (MA) in English through its Department of English and Comparative Literature under the School of English and Foreign Languages. Established in 1967 under the headship of a British Council Representative, the department has a distinguished legacy of over five decades in English literary studies, research, and language teaching. The MA programme spans 4 semesters and covers British, American, and Commonwealth Literatures, Indian Writing in English, Comparative Literature, and English Language Teaching (ELT). The department has produced over 300 M.Phil. dissertations and around 100 Ph.D. theses, reflecting its strong research tradition. The total fees for the 2-year programme are approximately Rs. 21,120, making it highly affordable. Admission is merit-based (non-entrance), and the programme is popular among students aspiring for teaching, research, civil services, and communication-related careers.

Admissions for the academic year 2026-27 are currently open. Applications were made available from 02 March 2026, and the last date to submit applications is 06 April 2026. Counselling and selection are expected in May-June 2026, with the academic session commencing in July 2026.

Key Points

The Department of English at MKU was established in 1967 under the headship of a British Council Representative, giving it a strong international academic foundation from its inception.
The department has produced over 300 M.Phil. dissertations and around 100 Ph.D. theses on British, American, Commonwealth, and Indian literatures, reflecting exceptional research output.
The School of English and Foreign Languages also houses the Department of English Language Studies (one of its kind in India for ELT at PG level) and the Department of French (with 100% placement and French Embassy support).
The programme covers a wide range of literary traditions including British, American, Commonwealth, and Indian Writing in English, as well as Comparative Literature.
The programme is offered in English medium and is well-suited for students preparing for UGC NET in English, civil services, and academic careers.

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

Madurai Kamaraj University Latest Updates and News

08 Apr, 2026 Madurai Kamaraj University Directorate of Distance Education Admission 2026-27 is ongoing for UG/PG programs. The last date to apply is Apr 10, 2026 (extended). Apply Now!

02 Mar, 2026 Madurai Kamaraj University MA English Literature Admission 2026 is open. Apply by Apr 6 @mkuniversity.ac.in. The entrance exam is tentatively scheduled for May 23 & 24, 2026.

02 Mar, 2026 Madurai Kamaraj University MA English Literature Fee Structure 2026-27 is out. The total academic fee is ₹ 15,400 .

Madurai Kamaraj University Important Events

PG1

MKU MA English Fees

The MA English programme at MKU is among the most affordable postgraduate programmes in India. The total fee for the 2-year programme is Rs. 21,120 for OC/BC/MBC/DNC category students. SC/ST students are exempt from tuition fees as per Tamil Nadu Government norms. The caution deposit of Rs. 1,000 is fully refundable at the end of the programme.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	I Year (Rs.)	II Year (Rs.)
Tuition Fee	6,000	6,000
Lab Consumables Fee	750	750
Special Fee	1,610	1,610
Examination Fee	1,200	1,200
Admission Fee	100	-
Caution Deposit (Refundable)	1,000	-
Insurance Fee	250	150
Alumni Fee	-	500
Total Fees	10,910	10,210
Grand Total (2 Years)		Rs. 21,120

SC/ST students are exempt from tuition fees as per Tamil Nadu Government policy.
Differently abled students are exempt from tuition fee and special fee.
Caution Deposit of Rs. 1,000 is fully refundable at the end of the programme.
Application/Registration fee for non-entrance programmes: Rs. 500 (SC/ST and Christian AdiDravidar students are exempt for the first application).
80% refund (excluding special fee and caution deposit) if withdrawal is made at least 15 days before the closing date of admission; 50% refund if withdrawal is less than 15 days prior; no refund after the closing date of admission.
Hostel fees (optional, not mandatory): Approximately Rs. 24,000-35,000 per year for accommodation; mess charges are additional and managed by students on a dividing system.

MKU MA English Admission 2026

Admissions to MA English at MKU for 2026-27 are currently open, with applications available from 02 March 2026. The programme follows a non-entrance based merit selection process, where candidates are ranked based on UG marks up to the 5th semester. The selection list and waitlist are published on the university website and department notice boards. Candidates must pay the registration fee of Rs. 500 online through the university's admission portal.

MKU MA English Admission Dates

Event	Date
Availability of Prospectus and Online Applications	02 March 2026
Last Date for Submission of Applications	06 April 2026
Publication of Selection / Merit List	May 2026 (Tentative)
Counselling / Admission	May - June 2026 (Tentative)
Commencement of Academic Session	July 2026 (Tentative)

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
CUET PG 2026	Registration	14 Dec 2025 - 25 Jan 2026
CUET PG 2026	Admit Card	03 March 2026
CUET PG 2026	Exam	06 - 27 March 2026
CUET PG 2026	Result	06 May 2026
TANCET 2026	Registration	16 March 2026 - 10 April 2026
TANCET 2026	Admit Card	01 May 2026 (Tentative)
TANCET 2026	Exam	09 May 2026
TANCET 2026	Result	24 June 2026 (Tentative)

Note: MKU MA English admission is non-entrance based (merit in UG). CUET PG and TANCET scores are not required for MKU admission but may be used for admission to other universities offering MA English.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

A pass in B.A. English or any UG degree with English as Part II (subsidiary) from a recognized university with 50% marks is required.
For SC/ST candidates, a pass is sufficient.
Candidates appearing in the final year/semester of UG are also eligible to apply.

Admission Process:

Visit the official MKU admissions portal at admissions.mkuniversity.ac.in and register online.
Fill in the application form and upload required documents (SSLC, HSC, UG mark sheets up to 5th semester, community certificate, passport photo, and signature).
Pay the application fee of Rs. 500 online (SC/ST and Christian AdiDravidar students are exempt for the first application).
Selection is based on UG marks up to the 5th semester; no entrance examination is required.
The merit/selection list is published on the university website and department notice boards.
Selected candidates must report to the Department of English and Comparative Literature with original certificates for verification and pay the prescribed fees through SBI I-Collect on the day of admission.
Waitlisted candidates are informed of their position and must report on the specified date; fees must be paid on the same day.

Madurai Kamaraj University: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 1 Reviews

In the 5th semester, students have the chance to participate in campus interviews with companies like TCS, Zoho, HCL, and Infosys, with about 70% receiving job offers. TCS offers roles in business processing outsourcing and services, including a Youth Employment Program that features an internship with a stipend of approximately 15,000 rupees.

The institution is known for its affordable fees compared to other colleges, making it accessible to a wide range of students. Scholarships are available based on community criteria and academic performance. The college also boasts a strong placement system, assisting students in securing jobs upon graduation.

By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

MKU MA English Scholarships 2026

MKU MA English students can avail a range of government scholarships based on community and merit. The university follows Tamil Nadu Government reservation and scholarship policies, ensuring financial support for students from SC/ST, BC, MBC, and minority communities. Given the already low fee structure of the programme, these scholarships can effectively make the programme nearly free for eligible students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount (Approx.)
Tamil Nadu Government Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)	SC/ST students; minimum pass in qualifying exam	Full tuition fee waiver + maintenance allowance (as per TN Govt. norms)
Tamil Nadu Government BC/MBC Scholarship	BC/MBC students; 50%+ marks; family income up to Rs. 2.5 LPA	Partial to full tuition fee support
Central Government Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)	SC/ST students; family income up to Rs. 2.5 LPA	Up to Rs. 5,000-20,000 per annum
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Scholarships	Various categories; merit and means based	Varies by scheme
MKU Students Aid Fund	Economically weaker students	As per university norms
Minority Scholarship (Central Govt.)	Minority community students; 50%+ marks; income criteria	Up to Rs. 10,000 per annum

SC/ST students are exempt from paying tuition fees at the time of admission as per Tamil Nadu Government policy.
Differently abled students are exempt from tuition fee and special fee.
Students must apply for government scholarships through the Tamil Nadu e-Grantz portal or the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) within the stipulated deadlines (usually October-November each year).
The university's Students Aid Fund provides additional support to deserving students on a case-by-case basis.

MKU MA English FAQs

Ques. What is the eligibility for MA English at MKU? Do I need a BA English background?

Ans. Candidates with a B.A. English degree are the primary applicants, but students with any UG degree where English was studied as Part II (subsidiary subject) are also eligible. A minimum of 50% marks in UG is required for OC/BC/MBC/DNC candidates (pass only for SC/ST). This means students from science, commerce, or other arts backgrounds who studied English as a subsidiary subject can also apply.

Ques. What literary traditions does the MA English programme at MKU cover?

Ans. The MA English programme at MKU covers a broad range of literary traditions including British Literature (from Old English to contemporary), American Literature, Commonwealth Literature (Australian, Canadian, African, etc.), Indian Writing in English, Comparative Literature, and English Language Teaching (ELT). The programme also covers literary theory and criticism, enabling students to engage with texts from multiple critical perspectives.

Ques. What career options are available after MA English from MKU?

Ans. Graduates of MA English from MKU can pursue careers in teaching and lectureship (after qualifying UGC NET/SET in English), civil services (English literature is an optional subject for UPSC), content writing and editing, journalism and media, corporate communication, translation, publishing, and further studies such as M.Phil or Ph.D. The department's strong research tradition makes it an excellent launchpad for academic careers.

Ques. How strong is the research tradition in MKU's English department?

Ans. The Department of English at MKU has an exceptionally strong research tradition. Since its establishment in 1967, the department has produced over 300 M.Phil. dissertations and around 100 Ph.D. theses covering British, American, Commonwealth, and Indian literatures, as well as Comparative Literature and English Language Teaching. This makes it one of the most prolific English literature research departments in South India.

Ques. Is UGC NET in English a good career option after MA English from MKU, and how does the programme help?

Ans. Yes, UGC NET in English is one of the most sought-after qualifications for MA English graduates, as it opens doors to Assistant Professor positions in colleges and universities across India. MKU's MA English programme covers the entire UGC NET English syllabus including literary history, literary theory, and individual authors. The department's strong academic environment and research orientation provide excellent preparation for NET.

Ques. What is the Department of English Language Studies at MKU, and is it different from the MA English programme?

Ans. The Department of English Language Studies is a separate department within the School of English and Foreign Languages at MKU, established in 1989 and elevated to independent status in 1992. It is described as one of its kind in India for offering English Language Teaching (ELT) at the postgraduate level. The MA English Language Studies programme focuses on linguistics, language teaching methodology, and communication skills, while the MA English (Comparative Literature) programme focuses on literary studies. Students interested in language teaching should consider MA English Language Studies, while those interested in literature should opt for MA English.

Important Updates

Course Finder

Search from 20K+ Courses and 35+ Streams

Why To Join Madurai Kamaraj University - Reviews & Rating

4.5

(1 Verified Review)

Write a College Review

& Win Monthly Prizes Up to ₹1 Lakh/-*

5(43%)

4(27%)

3(8%)

2(13%)

1(9%)

Academic

4.1

Faculty

4.1

Infrastructure

4.1

Accommodation

3.7

Social Life

4.0

Placement

3.6

Reset All Filter

Mary

4.2Helpful

MA, English Literature

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2024(Enrolled 2021)

Flashback on VHNSN fairy tale

Fees and Financial Aid:

This college is the best platform for learning for middle class students. Tuition fee also very less that is only 6000rs/- per semester, when I learned M. A., English. I got placement in many companies that offer English language training for school students.

Report

Anonymous

4.4Helpful

MA, English Literature

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2023(Enrolled 2023)

Honest

Student Snaps:

Fees and Financial Aid:

The fee structure is actually good to compare with other institutions. All students can pay the fees. The scholarships are given to the students according to the community and marks. Placements are really good to get a job for the students as fresher.

Report

Do you think the data is wrong ? Report Here