5 Myths About Studying a Bachelor of Arts: You Must Know
Why Everyone Has an Opinion About BA—And Most Are Wrong
You’re in a room full of relatives or classmates. Someone asks, “What course are you in?”
You answer, “Bachelor of Arts.”
And then it happens.
That pause. That polite smile. That awkward “Oh… okay.”
You can almost hear the assumptions forming:
Didn’t get into science?
No job prospects?
Just doing BA because it’s easy?
If you’ve ever said you’re studying BA and felt the need to explain, justify, or defend your choice, you’re not alone.
The Bachelor of Arts is probably one of the most misunderstood degrees out there. It’s dismissed, underestimated, and surrounded by a cloud of myths that have nothing to do with the real world.
We’re breaking down five of the most common myths about studying BA—and showing you why it’s time to stop treating this degree like a fallback plan and start seeing it for what it is: a launchpad with far more power than people realize.
Myth #1: “BA Is Only for Students Who Couldn't Get Into Science or Commerce”
“Oh, you’re doing BA? What happened—couldn’t get into science or commerce?”
If you’ve heard this line, you’ve already seen how casually people dismiss the Bachelor of Arts—as if it’s a Plan C after all the “real” options are gone.
But here’s the truth: many students choose BA intentionally, not because they couldn’t get into other streams, but because they see value in something beyond formulas and balance sheets.
Why This Myth Is Outdated and Harmful
- It assumes all students fit into the same mold. Not everyone wants to be an engineer, doctor, or accountant—and that’s not a failure, it’s clarity.
- It undermines subjects like literature, history, political science, and psychology—fields that shape the world’s thinkers, leaders, and changemakers.
- It ignores the fact that many high scorers choose BA because they care more about purpose than prestige.
Here’s what choosing BA really says about a student:
- “I want to build communication, research, and critical thinking skills.”
- “I’m interested in society, culture, people—not just data.”
- “I’m confident enough to not follow the crowd.”
The truth is, BA isn’t what students fall back on—it’s what many lean into when they know who they are and what they want to explore.
Myth #2: “There Are No Real Jobs After a BA”
Let’s get one thing straight—BA doesn’t mean “Barely Applicable.”
Yet somehow, that’s the label it gets when it comes to careers. You’ll often hear, “You did BA? What will you do with that—teach?” as if that’s the only option.
This myth is not just wrong—it’s outdated, and it’s costing students their confidence.
Here’s what people miss when they say BA has no job prospects:
- BA grads are everywhere—in media houses, government offices, NGOs, research labs, HR departments, and multinational companies.
- It’s one of the most flexible degrees when it comes to career options. Why? Because it focuses on transferable skills like communication, analysis, and problem-solving.
- Civil services, content strategy, policy-making, advertising, digital marketing, design thinking—these industries are filled with BA graduates making a real impact.
Some career paths BA students commonly pursue:
- UPSC, SSC, and other government services
- Journalism, media, and public relations
- Psychology and counseling
- Content writing, branding, and digital marketing
- Teaching, training, and academic research
- Social work, law, and development studies
The real problem isn’t that BA has no jobs—it’s that people don’t know where to look.
If you play to your strengths, get the right exposure, and combine your BA with strong internships or certifications, you’re not “jobless”—you’re career-ready in ways that many technical grads are not.
Myth #3: “BA Students Don’t Learn Practical Skills”
“All you do is write essays, right?”
It’s a comment every BA student has heard at least once. People assume that because you’re not working with lab equipment or coding software, you’re not learning anything practical.
But let’s ask this—what exactly are ‘practical skills’?
If they mean the ability to solve problems, think critically, communicate ideas, and understand human behavior—then BA students are learning some of the most valuable, real-world skills there are.
Here’s what BA students actually walk away with:
- Strong communication skills – written, verbal, persuasive, and contextual
- Critical thinking – analyzing arguments, spotting bias, connecting dots
- Research abilities – digging into topics, interpreting data, forming conclusions
- Empathy and cultural awareness – essential in leadership, HR, marketing, and public-facing roles
- Adaptability – BA students learn to work across disciplines, with people and ideas
These skills are in high demand in:
- Digital marketing & content creation
- HR and talent management
- Brand strategy & customer research
- Civil services, policy-making, and international relations
- Public speaking, training, and coaching
In a world powered by automation and AI, human-centric skills aren’t “extra”—they’re essential.
And BA students? They’ve been practicing them from day one.
Myth #4: “Only a Master’s Can Make a BA Worthwhile”
“BA is the base only, the real value comes only after MA.”
This belief is so common, it’s almost treated like fact. But let’s stop and ask—is a BA without a master’s really worthless?
Not at all.
In reality, many BA graduates get hired right after their undergrad, not because they added another degree, but because they knew how to make the most of the one they had.
What actually matters more than a master’s?
- Internships and work experience during college
- Building a strong LinkedIn presence and network
- Certifications in content, design, marketing, analytics, or communication
- Learning to write, research, lead, present, and collaborate
Roles BA graduates can land without a master’s:
- Content writer/ Copywriter
- Social media executive
- Admissions or academic counselor
- Research assistant
- Junior policy analyst
- Customer success or HR executive
- Civil service aspirant
- Brand associate or strategist
Yes, a master’s can help—but it’s not mandatory.
It’s a path, not a requirement. A well-used BA degree already opens doors—you just need to walk through them.
Myth #5: “BA Is a ‘Backup Plan’ Degree”
Let’s be honest—how many times have you heard someone say, “I’m just doing BA for now”?
As if it’s not a real choice, just something to pass the time while figuring life out.
This mindset has turned one of the most versatile degrees into the most underestimated one. But the truth is, BA isn’t a fallback—it’s a foundation.
And many students are choosing it not because they had no options, but because they know exactly what they want.
BA isn’t Plan B. For many, it’s Plan A—with purpose.
- Students who dream of civil services start with a BA.
- Future psychologists, journalists, researchers, and policy-makers begin with a BA.
- Creators, marketers, designers, educators, and activists build careers rooted in what they learned during their BA.
Choosing the arts doesn’t mean you couldn’t get into something else.
It often means you had the clarity to not follow the crowd.
So let’s stop calling BA a backup—and start recognizing it for what it is: a bold, broad, and brilliant first step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is a BA degree useful for getting jobs?
Yes. BA graduates are hired in media, government, education, marketing, and policy sectors.
Q2: Can I earn well after doing a BA?
Absolutely. With the right skill-building and internships, BA graduates can earn competitively across industries.
Q3: Do I need to do an MA after BA?
Not always. Many students build successful careers right after BA, especially when paired with practical skills or certifications.
Rethink the BA—It’s Not What You’ve Been Told
The idea that a Bachelor of Arts is a weak, fallback, or second-choice degree is not just wrong—it’s lazy thinking.
The world is run by communicators, analysts, storytellers, educators, and leaders.
Most of them started exactly where you’re considering now: a BA.
This degree doesn’t limit your future—it expands it. It helps you think sharply, speak, write better, lead stronger, and grow deeper. Those are not soft skills. They are survival skills.
Choose Confidence. Choose BA. Choose UBM College
At UBM College, we offer both BA General and BA Honours programs built to challenge stereotypes—and empower students.
- Experienced mentors who believe in your potential
- Curricula aligned with real-world careers
- Internships, workshops, and career coaching from day one
Whether you're passionate about a subject or still exploring your path, UBM College gives you the tools to make your BA bold, brilliant, and truly yours.
Ready to own your future? Apply to UBM College today.
Your degree should never be a backup.
With UBMC, it's a power move.