
Arts Courses After 12th: If you have passed your 12th boards exams in humanities stream, then the first question in your mind must be “What are some of the best courses after 12th?”, isn’t it? well if this question puzzle’s you, then you are surely at the right place!
Here in this article we have explained in detail about the top courses & career options for Arts students after passing class 12th.
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Even in today’s times, students who take up humanities subjects in their class 12th, aim to serve the nation as an IAS officer or a civil servant. On one hand where that is an extremely noble profession, the scope isn’t limited to this only! Keep on reading to know.
Conventional and Traditional Arts Courses After 12th
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is one of the most popular arts courses after 12th that focuses on the humanities, social sciences, fine arts, and liberal arts disciplines. It is a versatile degree that offers a broad range of subjects and allows students to explore various academic areas.
Here’s a brief overview of a Bachelor of Arts degree:
- Duration and Eligibility: A BA degree program typically lasts for three years in India. To be eligible, students need to have completed their 12th grade education from a recognised board or equivalent with an aggregate of 50% marks.
- Specializations: BA degrees offer a wide range of specializations to choose from. Some common specializations include English, History, Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Psychology, Philosophy, Fine Arts, Linguistics, Anthropology, and Cultural Studies. These specializations allow students to gain in-depth knowledge and expertise in their chosen field of study.

- Curriculum: The curriculum of a BA degree program includes a combination of core subjects, electives, and specialization specific courses. It aims to provide students with a well-rounded education by incorporating subjects from different disciplines. The coursework typically involves lectures, seminars, tutorials, research papers, projects, and exams.
- Skill Development: A BA degree program emphasizes the development of critical thinking, analytical reasoning, research skills, effective communication, problem-solving, and creativity. It encourages students to think independently, analyze complex ideas, and express their thoughts effectively.
- Career Opportunities: A BA degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities with high salary in various sectors. Graduates can pursue careers in fields such as education, journalism, publishing, advertising, public relations, human resources, social work, research, administration, arts and culture, tourism, and non-profit organizations. The degree also serves as a foundation for further studies at the postgraduate level.
Degree | Branch |
Bachelor of Arts | Some of the conventional branches are: B.A. (H) Economics B.A. (H) Psychology B.A. (H) Sociology B.A. (H) Anthropology B.A. (H) Archaeology B.A. (H) History B.A.(H) Political Science B.A (H) Mathematics B.A. (H) Geography B.A. (H) Philosophy Degree Course in Indian Regional and Foreign Languages is yet another option |
Fine Arts/Performing Arts Degrees
To pursue a degree in Fine Arts is more driven by passion and zeal rather than a want for a high paying job. If you are also interested in the same, know the various fields that draws your attention:
- Duration and Eligibility: A degree in Fine Arts or Performing Arts typically lasts for three to four years, depending on the program and institution. The eligibility criteria may vary, but generally, students need to have completed their 12th from a recognised board or equivalent with an aggregate of 50% marks. A relaxation of minimum 5% in total is in place for students belonging to SC/ST/PwD category.
- Specializations: Fine Arts and Performing Arts degrees offer a range of specializations for students to choose from based on their interests and talents. Common specializations include Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Printmaking, Applied Arts, Theatre Arts, Dance, Music, Film and Television, and Creative Writing. These specializations allow students to develop their artistic skills and explore their chosen field in depth.
- Curriculum: The curriculum of a Fine Arts or Performing Arts degree combines theoretical knowledge with practical training. It includes a mix of foundational courses, specialized courses, studio practice, workshops, performances, and projects. The coursework varies depending on the chosen specialization but generally covers art history, art theory, technique development, practical skills, creative expression, and critical analysis.

- Skill Development: A Fine Arts or Performing Arts degree program aims to develop students’ artistic abilities, creativity, critical thinking, and technical skills. It emphasizes hands-on practice, experimentation, conceptual understanding, and the ability to communicate ideas through artistic expression. Students also develop skills such as teamwork, self-discipline, adaptability, and resilience.
- Career Opportunities: Graduates with a degree in Fine Arts or Performing Arts can pursue diverse career paths within the creative industries. They can work as professional artists, painters, sculptors, photographers, designers, actors, dancers, musicians, filmmakers, writers, art directors, art educators, curators, or arts administrators. Some graduates may choose to establish their own studios or freelance in their respective fields. Others may explore opportunities in galleries, museums, theaters, advertising agencies, production companies, and cultural organizations.
Degree | Branch |
Bachelor of Performing Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts | Some of the preferred branches are: Applied Arts Pottery & Ceramics Plastic Arts Painting Textile Design Drama & Theatre Music Digital Arts Cartooning Calligraphy Graphic Designing Dance Illustration Printmaking Photography Sculpture |
Top 20 Universities/Colleges Offerring Arts Courses After 12th
These top universities in India offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various disciplines, including Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Commerce, and more. Considering your choice of stream/subject, you can opt for any of the below mentioned universities:
- University of Delhi (DU), Delhi
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi
- University of Calcutta, Kolkata
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh
- University of Mumbai, Mumbai
- IIT Madras, Chennai
- University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata
- University of Allahabad, Prayagraj
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune
- Osmania University, Hyderabad
- University of Calicut, Calicut
- University of Rajasthan, Jaipur
- University of Lucknow, Lucknow
- University of Mysore, Mysore
- University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram
- Panjab University, Chandigarh
- Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
- University of Kashmir, Srinagar
Students must keep in mind that in order to get admission in the top universities and colleges in India, they need to qualify the Common Universities Entrance Test for Undergraduate Program (CUET UG).
Check 6 Best Commerce Courses After 12th with High Salary here!
Online/Distance Learning Mode (ODL)
Apart from the prestigious universities offering arts courses after 12th in regular mode, there are universities and institutions offering vocational, degree, short term and various diploma courses in online and distance mode. Some of them are:
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
- Sikkim Manipal University (SMU-DE)
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU)
- Annamalai University, Directorate of Distance Education
- University of Mumbai, Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL)
- Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University (MPBOU)
- Karnataka State Open University (KSOU)
- Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU)
- Nalanda Open University (NOU)
- Uttarakhand Open University (UOU)
- Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU)
- Alagappa University, Directorate of Distance Education
- University of Delhi, School of Open Learning (SOL)
- University of Madras, Institute of Distance Education (IDE)
- Kakatiya University, School of Distance Learning and Continuing Education
Check out Commerce Courses After 12th with High Salary!
Specialized Courses Under Humanities/Arts
Students might find this section the most informative and lucrative since it mostly contains the courses which are most sought after. Have a look:
Law
Pursuing a degree in law is a dream of a lot of students since quite early in their lives. Here is how they can make the dream turn into reality:
Degree Courses in Law
- LLB
- BA. LLB
- BLS. LLB
- BBA. LLB

Entrance Exam for Law
Students will have to qualify the national/state level law entrance examination in order to get admission in undergraduate law programs. Here are a few of the important ones:
- CLAT (Common Law Admission Test): It is the primary, All India level entrance examination which a student needs to qualify in order to get admission into various law colleges.
- CUET UG (Common Universities Admission Test): The most widely accepted score, as we mentioned before as well.
- AILET (All India Law Entrance Test): The National Law University, Delhi, conducts the entrance examination every year to admit students for various law courses.
- BLAT (Banaras Law Admission Test): One of the most prestigious universities in India to offer law programs. The entrance exam is conducted each year.
Check the latest entrance exam news here!
Designing
Bachelor of Design or B.Des has been the talk of the town ever since, but it is definitely not limited to just fashion. Here is a list of the programs that has the term ‘design’ in them:
- Fashion Design
- Accessory/Jewellery Design
- Graphic Design
- Product Design
- Communication Design
- Industrial Design
- Furniture and Interior Design
- Animation Design
- Film and Video Design
- Visual Communication
The streams mentioned above are mostly covered as undergraduate as well diploma courses in most of the Indian institutions. As per trend, students mostly go for either diploma or certificate courses in case of auxiliary designing courses.
Management
This booming industry has a lot more to offer than just a BBA or an MBA degree. Having a degree in management will open doors for you in finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, banking, business management, business analytics, tourism, information technology, e-commerce and a lot more such industries. Let’s see how.
Degree Courses in Management
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
- BHM (Bachelor of Hotel Management)
- BBM (Bachelor of Business Management)
- BMS (Bachelor of Management Studies)
- IPM (Integrated Program in Management)
- B.Com (Management)
- Bachelor in Business Economics
Check popular diploma courses after 12th commerce here!
Entrance Exam for Management
Students will have to qualify the national/state level entrance examination in order to get admission in undergraduate management programs. Here are a few of the important ones:
- IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test): Qualifying this examination would grant admission into a five-year course 5-year integrated program offered in the management field. 5 IIMs offer this course including IIM Indore, IIM Ranchi and IIFT.
- CUET UG (Common Universities Admission Test): The most widely accepted score, as we mentioned before as well.
- DU JAT (Delhi University Joint Admission Test): One of the most prestigious institutions offering courses in management studies, University of Delhi conducts this exam once a year in online mode.
- AIMA UGAT (All India Management Association Undergraduate Aptitude Test): It is a national level entrance exam that grants admission to students for BBA course.
- GGSIPU CET (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test): GGS IPU’s management study courses are considered one of the best in the country. Hence, taking this admission test would unlock many avenues for you in the management sector.
Diploma Courses in Management
Students can go for diploma courses in management as well. Here is a list of the few most preferred ones:
- Business Management
- Retail Management
- Event Management
- Travel and Tourism
- Financial Management
- Human Resource Management
- Export and Import Management
- Advanced Diploma in Business Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Supply Chain Management
- International Business
Hotel Management
One of the most lucrative arts courses after 12th is pursuing a course in hotel management. The sector is already blooming with a lot of opportunities and is only set to rise. Here’s a comprehensive list of degree courses which you can take up after your class 12th:
- Bachelor of hotel management
- Bachelor of Hotel Management and catering technology
- B. Sc in hospitality and hotel management
- B.Voc in Hotel Management
- BA in hotel management
- BSc In Culinary Arts
Entrance Exam for Hotel Management
Students will have to qualify the national/state level entrance examination in order to get admission in undergraduate hotel management programs. Here are a few of the important ones:
- NCHM JEE (National Council for Hotel Management Joint Entrance Examination): The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts this entrance exam once a year to grant admission to students in B.Sc in Hospitality & Hotel Administration courses.
- AIMA UGAT (The All India Management Association Under Graduate Aptitude Test): The entrance examination is conducted every year for admission of eligible candidates to the BHM (Bachelor of Hotel Management) course.
Apart from the above mentioned national level entrance examination, there are a lot of state and university specific entrance exams that are conducted to grant admission to students under various hotel management courses. Some of these are:
- IIHM eCHAT (International Institute of Hotel Management Electronic Common Hotel Admission Test)
- IPU CET BHMCT (IP University Common Entrance Test for Hotel Management and catering technology)
- PUTHAT (Punjab University conducts the Panjab University Tourism & Hospitality Aptitude Test)
- Oberoi STEP (Systematic Training and Education Program)
- IHM AEE (IHM Aurangabad Entrance Exam)
- UP CET BHMCT (The Uttar Pradesh Common Entrance Test for Hotel Management and catering technology)
- MAH BHMCT CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test for Hotel Management and catering technology)
Diploma Courses in Hotel Management
Students can go for diploma courses which offer immense practical knowledge and is valuable for enhancing the skills, much required in this particular sector:
- Hotel Management
- Bakery Operations
- Front Office Operations
- Hotel Management and Catering Technology
- Housekeeping Operations
Mass Communication & Journalism
With the advent of digital media, the need for journalism writing and mass media communication has grown manifolds. If you are interested in opinionated writing, then there are various Mass Communication and Journalism courses available in India after class 12th. Some of the popular courses include:
- Bachelor of Mass Communication (BMC),
- Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC),
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication (BA-JMC),
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication (BA-Comm)
Entrance Exam for Mass Communication and Journalism
Most of the colleges/universities conduct their own entrance examinations. Some of the popular entrance examinations for Mass Communication and Journalism courses in India are:
- IIMC (Indian Institute of Mass Communication)
- ACJ (Asian College of Journalism)
- SET (Symbiosis Entrance Test)
- Christ University Entrance Exam
- DUET (Delhi University Entrance Test)
- IPU CET (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test)
Apart from the above-mentioned entrance examinations, prestigious institutions like Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Film & Television Institute of India (FTII) also conduct institute specific entrance examinations.
Diploma Courses in Journalism and Mass Communication
Students can go for diploma courses which offer immense practical knowledge and is valuable for enhancing the skills, much required in this particular sector:
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Journalism & Media Management
Vocational Courses
Vocational courses are a great way to build your career in a specific field with the utmost skill enhancement and practical knowledge. Moreover, vocational courses must be a part of the daily curriculum which our current government is focusing a lot on. Here are a few most sought after vocational courses which have high demand in the industry:
Most popular vocational courses after 12th are:
- SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) Training
- Digital Marketing
- Photography
- Beautician Courses
- Foreign Languages
- Translation
- Soft skills
- Personality development
- Catering Services
- Marketing & Advertising
- Tourism Management
- Communication and IT
- Cinematography
- Boutique Management
- Interior Design & Styling
- Diet & Nutrition
- Sports Nutrition
- Media Programming
- Non-Linear Editing (Final Cut Pro)
- Development Journalism
Conclusion
This article was an exhasutive guide to the multiple arts courses after 12th, offered by the eminent universities in India. It’s important to note that the specific structure, curriculum, and opportunities for specialization may vary between institutions in case of courses after 12th arts.
Prospective students should research different programs, consider faculty expertise, facilities, alumni success, and the overall reputation of the institution before making a decision. You can comment your doubts related to this topic and more and our team shall be happy to help you out.
FAQ’s
Ans) You can choose from a vriety of courses starting from bachelor of arts to performaing/fine arts, hotel amangement, fashion designing, journalism and mass communication to law.
Ans) Depending on your interest area and filed of study, the best job for arts students is a lawyer, journalist, fashion designer, professor etc. apart from pursuing a conventional degree in arts and preparing for UPSC CSE examination.
Ans) Yes, absolutely! There are a plethora of career options to choose from and ample of opportunities both in public as well private sector.
Ans) Lawyer and Professor under government of India. As a lawyer you can start your practise as well.
Ans) As per NIRF ranking, Top universities offering undergraduate courses in arts and humanities are: University of Delhi, JNU, Jadavpur University, Savitribai Phule University, Banaras Hindu University etc.
Ans) Yes, there are many UGC approved and NAAC accredited institutions offerring degree, diploma and short term courses in arts in an online/distance mode. The most preferred among them is IGNOU, DU SOL, Jamia Millia Islamia University etc.
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