IGNOU MA English (MEG) 2026: Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Syllabus and Admission
Part of IGNOU Courses & Fees: Explore the IGNOU Courses List for July 2026 Admission and Fees
The IGNOU MA English is a two-year postgraduate programme with a fee of Rs. 8,200 per year for the July 2026 session. Any candidate holding a Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a recognised university is eligible to apply.
| Detail | MA English (MEG) |
|---|---|
| Programme code | MAEG |
| School | School of Humanities (SOH) |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree from a recognized University. |
| Medium | English |
| Duration | 2 years minimum, 4 years maximum |
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 8,200 /- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 16,400 (Rs. 8,200 x 2 years) |
| Total credits | 80 |
| Admission cycles | January & July |
IGNOU MA English (MEG): what the programme covers
The IGNOU MA English (MAEG) is a two-year postgraduate programme requiring 80 credits for degree award. The School of Humanities (SOH) offers this programme, which systematically studies literary theory, British literature, and literatures in English. Students must complete 40 credits in the first year and 40 credits in the second year. Each course carries 8 credits.
In the first year, MEG 05 Literary Theory and Criticism (8 credits) is compulsory. Learners must choose any four additional courses from options such as MEG 01 British Poetry, MEG 02 British Drama, MEG 03 British Novel, MEG 07 Indian English Literature, MEG 08 New Literatures in English, MEG 12 A Survey Course in 20th Century Canadian Literature, MEG 06 American Literature, or MEG 09 Australian Literature. For the second year, learners choose any five courses from a selection that includes MEG 15 Comparative Literature, MEG 04 Aspects of Language, MEG 14 Contemporary Indian Literature in English Translation, MEG 10 English Studies in India, MEG 13 Writing from the Margins, MEG 11 American Novel, MEG 16 Indian Folk Literature, MEG 17 American Drama l, MEG 18 American Poetry, and MEG 19 Australian Novel.
IGNOU MA English (MEG) eligibility: who can apply
To apply for the IGNOU MA English programme, a candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree. The programme is offered exclusively in English medium. There are no specific percentage requirements for the qualifying degree.
Before you apply: IGNOU admission step by step; checking your IGNOU admission status and IGNOU last dates.
IGNOU MA English (MEG) fees 2026: programme fee and other charges
The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration is Rs. 16,400. This amount excludes additional charges such as registration and university development fees.
Learners pay a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 at the time of admission. A University Development fee of Rs. 400 is also payable at admission. The application process is fully online via the ODL admission portal, the IGNOU Samarth admission portal, for the July 2026 session. Payment modes include net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI.
Learners who opt for soft copy study materials instead of printed self-instructional study material receive a 15% discount on the programme fee.
MA English (MEG) fees, July 2026 session
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Programme fee (July 2026) | Rs. 8,200 /- per year |
| Full-course programme fee | Rs. 16,400 (Rs. 8,200 x 2 years) |
| Registration fee (once, non-refundable) | Rs. 300 |
| University Development fee (once) | Rs. 400 |
| Term-end exam fee | Rs. 200 per theory course |
Paying IGNOU fees: IGNOU fee structure for every programme.
IGNOU student services
IGNOU MA English (MEG) duration and credits
The IGNOU MA English programme has a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum duration of 4 years. Learners must complete the programme within this 4-year window from the date of admission.
The total credits for the IGNOU MA English programme are 80.
IGNOU MA English (MEG) syllabus: semester-wise courses
The IGNOU MA English (MAEG) programme requires students to complete 80 credits over two years. Each course in the programme carries 8 credits.
In the first year, MEG 05 Literary Theory and Criticism is a compulsory course. Students must choose any four additional elective courses from a list that includes MEG 01 British Poetry, MEG 02 British Drama, MEG 03 British Novel, MEG 06 American Literature, MEG 07 Indian English Literature, MEG 08 New Literatures in English, MEG 09 Australian Literature, and MEG 12 A Survey Course in 20th Century Canadian Literature. For example, MEG 05 Literary Theory and Criticism includes study blocks on Classical Criticism, Romantic Criticism, and Feminist Theories. MEG 01 British Poetry covers poets from Chaucer to Sylvia Plath across its ten study blocks.
For the second year, learners must choose any five courses from the available electives. For instance, MEG 04 Aspects of Language includes study blocks on English Phonetics and Phonology, English Morphology, and English Syntax. MEG 15 Comparative Literature explores Comparative Indian Literature and Comparative World Literature across its seven study blocks.
MA English (MEG) structure at a glance
| Semester / group | Courses | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| I Year (MEG-5 + Any Four of the following courses) | 9 courses | 72 |
| II Year (Any Five of the following courses) | 10 courses | 80 |
MA English (MEG) I Year (MEG-5 + Any Four of the following courses)
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEG 05 | Literary Theory and Criticism | 8 | Compulsory |
| MEG 01 | British Poetry | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 02 | British Drama | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 03 | British Novel | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 07 | Indian English Literature | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 08 | New Literatures in English | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 12 | A Survey Course in 20th Century Canadian Literature | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 06 | American Literature | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 09 | Australian Literature | 8 | Elective |
MA English (MEG) II Year (Any Five of the following courses)
| Course code | Course title | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEG 15 | Comparative Literature | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 04 | Aspects of Language | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 14 | Contemporary Indian Literature in English Translation | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 10 | English Studies in India | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 13 | Writing from the Margins | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 11 | American Novel | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 16 | Indian Folk Literature | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 17 | American Drama l | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 18 | American Poetry | 8 | Elective |
| MEG 19 | Australian Novel | 8 | Elective |
Syllabus for other programmes: IGNOU syllabus, programme by programme.
IGNOU MA English (MEG) admission 2026: how to apply on the Samarth portal
IGNOU MA English (MEG) admission for the July 2026 session is open through the Samarth portal. The application process is entirely online; no printed form needs to be sent to a Regional Centre.
IGNOU conducts admissions for its MA English programme twice a year, in the January and July cycles. The current admission cycle on the ODL admission portal is July 2026.
To apply for IGNOU MA English (MAEG) admission in the July 2026 session, follow these steps:
- Visit the IGNOU Samarth admission portal.
- Keep your APAAR ID ready before starting the application.
- Upload a colour passport-size photograph with a white background, under 100 KB in JPEG format.
- Upload a soft copy of your relevant educational qualification, under 200 KB, in JPEG or PDF format.
- If applicable, upload a soft copy of your category certificate (SC/ST/OBC) under 200 KB.
- Pay the programme fee of Rs. 8,200 per year for the July 2026 session.
- Pay a non-refundable registration fee of Rs. 300 at admission.
- Pay a University Development fee of Rs. 400 at admission.
- Complete the payment using net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI through the payment gateway.
IGNOU MA English (MEG) exams and assignments
Assignments are compulsory for the IGNOU MA English programme. Learners must submit assignment responses before taking the Term-End Examination (July 2026). Tutor Marked Assignments go to the Coordinator of the learner’s Learner Support Centre (July 2026). Assignments for the current session are available for download from the website (July 2026). A failed assignment requires re-submission. Once an assignment is passed, it cannot be re-submitted to improve the grade.
Term-end examinations are held twice a year, in June and December (July 2026). Examination centres are available across the country and abroad (July 2026). There are two daily exam sessions: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM (December 2026 TEE). Learners may write the exam in Hindi even if registered in English medium, except for language programmes (December 2026 TEE).
The examination fee is Rs. 200 per theory course (December 2026 TEE). For project and practical exams, the fee is Rs. 300 for up to 4 credits and Rs. 500 for above 4 credits (from January 2023 admission cycle). Hall tickets are uploaded on the University website and are not sent by post (July 2026). The University provides numerical marks and division (I, II or Pass) for master’s degrees upon request (July 2026). A copy of the answer script costs Rs. 100 per course (January 2026).
Only term-end theory exams can be re-evaluated; projects, practicals, workshops, assignments, or seminars are not eligible. Master’s students who fall short of 2% marks for a 2nd or 1st division may improve their score, with one opportunity only (January 2026). Early declaration of results costs Rs. 1000 per course for Indian students, provided there is proof of selection for a post or further studies (January 2026).
Exam and assignment guides: IGNOU assignment format; IGNOU TEE date sheet and IGNOU result and grade card.
Notices and Documents from IGNOU
Common IGNOU Questions
What is the total fee for the IGNOU MA English programme?
The total programme fee for the minimum two-year duration of IGNOU MA English is Rs. 16,400. This amount is calculated at Rs. 8,200 per year, as stated in the July 2026 prospectus, and excludes registration, development, and examination fees.
What are the eligibility criteria for admission to IGNOU MA English?
To be eligible for the IGNOU MA English programme, a candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree.
How many credits must be completed each year for the MA English degree?
Learners must complete 40 credits each year to progress in the IGNOU MA English programme. The total credits required for the award of the degree are 80.
Which courses are compulsory in the first year of IGNOU MA English?
In the first year of IGNOU MA English, MEG 05 Literary Theory and Criticism is a compulsory course. Learners must choose any four additional elective courses from the available options to complete their first-year credits.
Does the IGNOU MA English programme include any practicals or projects?
Each course carries 8 credits and focuses on literary theory, British literature, and literatures in English.
Where can I find the study material for IGNOU MA English courses?
The self-learning material for IGNOU MA English courses, such as MEG 05 Literary Theory and Criticism, is available on the eGyanKosh repository. This platform hosts study blocks for over 3923 courses across 384 programmes.
Can I complete the IGNOU MA English programme in less than two years?
No, the minimum duration for completing the IGNOU MA English programme is two years. The maximum duration allowed for completion is four years.
What is the admission cycle for the IGNOU MA English programme?
IGNOU offers admission to the MA English programme in two cycles each year: January and July. The current admission cycle available on the ODL admission portal is July 2026.
Are there any courses in the first year that are heavier in terms of study blocks?
This indicates a potentially heavier workload for MEG 01.
What is the full form of MEG in IGNOU?
The full programme name is Master of Arts (English) (MAEG), offered by the School of Humanities (SOH).