Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), Madurai offers a 2-year full-time Master of Arts (MA) in History through its School of Historical Studies, one of the oldest and most distinguished schools in the university. Established in 1970 by eminent historians Prof. K. Rajayyan and Prof. N. Subhramanian, the school comprises three departments: Ancient History, Medieval History, and Modern History. The MA programme spans 4 semesters and covers ancient Indian history, medieval history, modern Indian history, world history, historiography, and South Indian history. The school is the birthplace of the South Indian History Congress (founded in 1978), an academic forum for international historians, which continues to be headquartered at MKU. The total fees for the 2-year programme are approximately Rs. 23,320, inclusive of a field study fee. Admission is merit-based (non-entrance), and the programme is popular among students aspiring for civil services, teaching, research, and heritage management 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 School of Historical Studies at MKU is the birthplace of the South Indian History Congress (1978), an internationally recognized academic forum for historians, still headquartered at MKU.
The school has three specialized departments: Ancient History, Medieval History, and Modern History, offering deep specialization within the MA programme.
The programme includes a field study component, providing students with hands-on exposure to historical sites, archives, and archaeological fieldwork.
The programme is offered in both Tamil and English medium, making it accessible to students from regional language backgrounds.
Several distinguished alumni of the school have served as Vice-Chancellors, including the 16th Vice-Chancellor of MKU, Prof. Dr. P.P. Chellathurai, who was a former student, scholar, and faculty of this school.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

MKU MA History Fees

The MA History programme at MKU is among the most affordable postgraduate programmes in India. The total fee for the 2-year programme is Rs. 23,320 for OC/BC/MBC/DNC category students, which includes a field study fee of Rs. 1,000 per year. 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	1,710	1,710
Examination Fee	1,200	1,200
Admission Fee	100	-
Caution Deposit (Refundable)	1,000	-
Insurance Fee	250	150
Field Study Fee	1,000	1,000
Alumni Fee	-	500
Total Fees	12,010	11,310
Grand Total (2 Years)		Rs. 23,320

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 History Admission 2026-27

Admissions to MA History 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 History 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)

Relevant 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 History 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 History.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

A pass in B.A. History with 55% marks is required; SC/ST candidates require 50% marks.
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 School of Historical Studies 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

The M.A. History program offers an interactive learning experience, with faculty using engaging teaching methods. Students are assessed through three internal exams of 25 marks each, with the best two scores contributing to the final internal marks, alongside projects, assignments, and attendance. Each semester also includes a main external exam worth 75 marks.

The first-year fee totals 10,920, covering tuition (5,110), lab consumables/contingency (600), special fees (1,710), computer/internet fees (1,200), other fees (100), a caution deposit (1,000), and charges for the CBCS handbook, insurance (200), and field/industrial visits (1,000). The second-year fee is 10,220, which includes tuition (5,110), lab consumables/contingency (600), special fees (1,710), computer/internet fees (1,200), CBCS handbook and insurance (100), field visits (1,000), and an alumni fee (500).

Consistent study makes exams manageable.

By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

MKU MA History Scholarships 2026-27

MKU MA History 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 History FAQs

Ques. Is a History background mandatory to apply for MA History at MKU?

Ans. Yes, unlike many other MA programmes at MKU that accept any graduate, MA History at MKU specifically requires a pass in B.A. History with 55% marks (50% for SC/ST). This means only students with a History background at the UG level are eligible. Students from other disciplines who wish to study History at the PG level should check if they meet this eligibility criterion before applying.

Ques. What is the South Indian History Congress, and how is it connected to MKU?

Ans. The South Indian History Congress is an internationally recognized academic forum for historians, founded in 1978 by Prof. K. Rajayyan of MKU's School of Historical Studies. It was established in the premises of the School of Historical Studies at MKU and continues to be headquartered there. The forum brings together historians from across India and abroad for academic conferences and research exchange, giving MKU History students unique exposure to the broader academic community.

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

Ans. Graduates of MA History from MKU can pursue careers in civil services (UPSC/TNPSC with History as optional), teaching and lectureship (after qualifying SET/NET), research at universities and historical institutions, archaeology and heritage management, archival work, journalism and media (historical reporting), and further studies such as M.Phil or Ph.D. The school's strong research tradition and connections with the South Indian History Congress provide excellent networking opportunities for academic careers.

Ques. Does the MA History programme at MKU include fieldwork or site visits?

Ans. Yes, the MA History programme at MKU includes a field study component, as evidenced by the field study fee in the fee structure. Students are taken to historical sites, museums, and archives as part of their academic training. This hands-on exposure to primary historical sources and archaeological sites is a valuable component of the programme that distinguishes it from purely classroom-based learning.

Ques. What specializations are available within MA History at MKU?

Ans. The School of Historical Studies at MKU has three specialized departments: Ancient History, Medieval History, and Modern History. The MA programme covers all three periods, with students gaining exposure to ancient Indian civilization, medieval South Indian history, and modern Indian history including the colonial period and independence movement. The school also offers courses in historiography, epigraphy, and area studies.

Ques. Is the MA History programme at MKU research-oriented, and what research opportunities are available?

Ans. Yes, the School of Historical Studies at MKU has a strong research tradition. The school has produced numerous M.Phil and Ph.D scholars, and several of its alumni have become distinguished historians and academics. The school organizes lecture series on contemporary studies and maintains connections with the South Indian History Congress. Students interested in research can pursue M.Phil and Ph.D programmes after completing MA, with opportunities to work on funded research projects in areas like South Indian history, epigraphy, and archaeology.

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Madurai Kamaraj University MA History: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

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