Course Overview
The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at MAHE Dubai is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program designed to nurture the next generation of ethical thinkers and global leaders. The program encourages students to explore the breadth of human experience across disciplines, including English, Sociology, Psychology, Mass Communication, Filmmaking, Gender Studies, Geopolitics & International Relations, and Foreign Languages.
Every student of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) will undertake a unique and flexible learning journey—ranging from single majors to double majors and wide-ranging minors. Students are immersed in the latest theories and debates while being encouraged to question, contextualize, and reimagine knowledge. The curriculum is rooted in contemporary global challenges, combining rigorous academic inquiry with a strong emphasis on skills development, digital literacy, and research.
Whether pursuing careers in creative industries, social impact, communication, or further studies, graduates are equipped with the tools and transferable skills to engage the world with empathy, insight, and innovation.
The program begins with a strong foundation in liberal arts during the first year, aimed at introducing students to a wide spectrum of disciplines and ways of thinking.
From the second year onward, students personalize their academic journey by choosing one of three learning pathways:
- Explorer: 1 Major + 1 Minor — An explorer deepens their knowledge base on a single core discipline of study while complementing it with a focused study in a minor discipline.
- Innovator: 1 Major + 2 Minors — An innovator strengthens their knowledge base in a single core discipline of study while broadening their perspectives through two diverse minor subjects.
- Consolidator: 2 Majors — A consolidator develops comprehensive knowledge and expertise in two core discipline.
Meritorious students are invited to undertake Honours study in the fourth year. They engage in advanced research coursework and undertake a guided dissertation, preparing them for postgraduate study or research-oriented careers.
Course Details
Starting Date:
September 2026
Study Mode:
Full-Time
Program Length:
3 years (6 semesters)
Application Deadline:
30 July 2026
Book Now For Our 2025 Open days
Join us for an exciting opportunity to explore all that Manipal Dubai has to offer at our Open Days event for 2025.
Explore More
Key Facts
Multiple Majors & Specialization Offerings
Choose from majors in Psychology, English, Sociology, Media & Mass Communication, or Filmmaking, with options for additional minors in Journalism, Gender Studies, Geopolitics & International Relations, and Languages (Arabic, French), or pursue an approved double major.
Interdisciplinary Curriculum
Delivered by the Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts, the course draws on philosophy, culture, society, environment, and technology, enabling students to see the world through multiple lenses.
Research-Driven Learning
The fourth year offers a focused research track, including coursework in research methodology, writing, and philosophy, culminating in a thesis that prepares students for postgraduate study and knowledge creation.
Skill-Based Education
Each semester includes Extra-Disciplinary Competency (EDC) courses such as digital skills, design thinking, financial literacy, and public policy that are designed to build practical skills essential for real-world engagement.
Internships & Experiential Learning
Students engage in fieldwork, industry internships, and hands-on projects with NGOs, media organizations, and community initiatives that support career readiness.
Benefits
- A Truly Liberal Arts Experience
Located in Dubai and backed by MAHE India, the program blends the best of global liberal arts education with regional relevance. - Personalized Learning Pathways
With over 5 majors, 10 minors, and double major combinations, students can shape their academic journeys according to their interests and career goals. - Global Learning Platforms
Integration with platforms like Coursera provides access to internationally recognized learning resources and certifications. - Expert Faculty & Industry Mentors
Learn from experienced and dedicated academics and researchers, as well as visiting professionals who bring real-world perspectives into the classroom. - Research & Innovation Hub
Access mentorship, academic publishing opportunities, and interdisciplinary research initiatives that promote original thinking and intellectual growth.
Admission Requirements
Those students aiming to join this vibrant community are expected to fulfil the following admission criteria:
- Completed 10+2 examination or its equivalent.
- Certified from a recognised board.
- Passed with at least 55% aggregate marks.
Career Opportunities
The BA (Honours) develops well-rounded, future-ready professionals with the confidence and capabilities to lead in a global and multicultural world. Their competence is driven by both disciplinary expertise as well as a range of transferable skills relevant to adapting, innovating, and problem-solving. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers and further education in:
- Media, Journalism & Creative Industries: Content strategy, film production, media analysis, editing, and publishing
- Social Impact & Development: NGOs, community development, policy research, and advocacy
- Human Resources & Corporate Communications: Organizational development, public relations, training, and recruitment
- Research & Higher Education: Academic research, teaching, and postgraduate study in humanities, social sciences and communication
- Counselling & Applied Psychology (for Psychology majors): Mental health support roles, behavioural research, and applied interventions
Course Detail
The program starts with a broad exploration of foundational concepts and methods that are crucial for understanding human experiences and cultural expressions. It equips students with essential analytical skills necessary for their academic development.
Students study 4 foundational courses in first and second semesters each. In the third, fourth, fifth and sixth semesters they choose their majors and minors. They may choose a Major and a Minor, a major and two minors or two majors.
If they opt for honours they complete the core courses and also complete a dissertation in a topic relevant to their chosen major and minor selection.
| Semester 1 (Any Four) | Semester 2 (Any Four) |
|---|---|
| Language and Critical Thinking | Contemporary Narratives |
| Literature and Culture | Writing as Argument |
| Philosophy as a Perspective | Global Englishes |
| The Past and Society | Ethics and Fairness |
| Everyday Society | The Social Self |
| Understanding the Mind and Behaviour | Political and Cultural Imaginations |
| Art of Storytelling | Principles of Economics |
| Culture and Technology | |
Students study 8/12 courses to Major and 4 courses to Minor in each subject.
| English | Sociology | Psychology | Mass Communication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literary Theory and Criticism | Introduction to Kinship | Perspectives in Psychology | Visual Communication and Photography |
| Literary Genres | Culture and Modernity | Psychology of Social Behaviour | Reporting and Writing |
| Classics in World Literature | Classical Sociological Thought | Biopsychology | Introduction to Radio |
| Literary Periods | Gender and Society | Psychology: Core Concepts and Processes | Understanding Social Media |
| Theatre and Performance | Basics of Sociological Inquiry | Foundations of Cognitive Psychology | Introduction to Film |
| Twentieth Century Literature | Political Sociology | Psychology of Growth and Development | Computer Graphics for Media |
| Translation Studies | Introduction to Globalisation Studies | Statistical Techniques in Psychology | Media and Society |
| Studies in the Novel | Social Anthropology | Artificial Intelligence and Human Factors | Introduction to Studio Production |
| Literatures of Resistance and Survival: Modes of narrative in Holocaust and anti-caste literatures | Migration, Mobility, and Society | Measurement of Human Capacity | Advertising and Public Relations |
| Post-Millennial Literature | Sociology of Mental Health | Psychology in Business and Marketing | Media Psychology |
| Print Culture | Urban Studies | Abnormal Psychology | Media Laws and Ethics |
| Reading Film | Sociological theories and methods | Counselling Skills and Processes | |
| Women’s Writing | Development and Society | ||
| Digital Sociology | |||
| Economy and Society | |||
| Health, Inequality and Society | |||
| Media, Society, and Representation |
The focus shifts to application and specialisation, with students selecting from advanced topics that align with their career goals. This year is critical for developing expertise in the selected niche. Therefore, the process moves towards in-depth study and a capstone project that demonstrates both scholarly and practical applications.
| Semester 5 (Any Three) | Semester 6 (Any Two) |
|---|---|
| ENG - Literary Genres and Methods | ENG - The Individual and Society |
| ENG - Literature and Sexuality | ENG - Drama |
| ENG - Reading Film | ENG - World Literatures |
| ENG - Narrative Motifs | ENG - Workshop in Creative Writing |
| SOC - Society and Development | ENG - Translation Studies |
| SOC - Social Conflicts and Social Movements | SOC - Identity and Society |
| SOC - Media, Society and Representation | SOC - Sociological Theories |
| SOC - Health, Inequality and Society | PSY - Abnormal Psychology – II |
| PSY - Abnormal Psychology – I | PSY - Cognitive Psychology – II |
| PSY - Cognitive Psychology – I | PSY - Counselling Psychology – II |
| PSY - Counselling Psychology – I | PSY - Personality Psychology |
| PSY - Abnormal Psychology – I | PSY - Cognitive Psychology – II |
| PSY - Consumer Psychology | |
| Mandatory Course - Thesis | |
| Mandatory Course - Academic Portfolio |
Note: Students must choose four elective courses in Semester 5 and three in Semester 6, with a total of four electives in the same discipline required to obtain a major in the final year.
Fees
.
Virtual Tour
Explore what Manipal Dubai Campus can offer you. From accommodation, study spaces, sports facilities, cafes, restaurants, modern classrooms, advanced labs, and welcoming spaces that inspire learning and creativity.
Contact Us
Would you like to explore more with Manipal Dubai? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
