20+ Professional Courses After 12th 2024 [Science, Commerce & Arts]

As we move into the modern era, there are more career options available after finishing 12th grade than ever before. Nowadays, students from all streams – Science, Commerce, and Arts – have many exciting and trendy courses to choose from.

Now that you have completed your 12th and are about to start your higher education journey but wondering how to start.

The traditional paths of becoming a doctor, engineer, or lawyer are no longer the only popular choices.

Continue reading the article you will get complete knowledge about the trending courses after the 12th.

Science Stream

There are many interesting science courses to choose from after high school. These courses can shape your future job possibilities and provide a strong foundation for later studies and research. If you enjoy pure science, you can focus on Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Mathematics.

For your clarity, we have divided each stream separately into degree courses, diploma courses, and distance education.

Some of the popular science courses after 12th 2024 are:

• B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) 
• B.E (Bachelor of Engineering)
• B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture)
• BSc. (Bachelor of Science)
• BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application)
• B.Stat (Bachelor of Statistics)

Degree Courses in Engineering

When we talk about science, engineering is often seen as one of the best career choices with a bright future ahead. The most popular engineering courses after 12th are:

Entrance Exams in Engineering 2024

Some universities also conduct an entrance exam to examine the aptitude of the students for the chosen courses. Some of the top entrance exams to get admission to engineering courses are mentioned below:

• JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)
• CUET UG (Common Universities Entrance Test)
• NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture)
• IMU CET (Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test)
• BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test) 
• VITEEE (Vellore Institute of Technology Engineering Entrance Exam) 

Check the latest entrance exam news here!

Diploma Courses in Engineering

A diploma in the field of engineering has become very popular. Most of the branches that provide degree programmes also offer diploma programmes in engineering. IT and Information Technology Branch are one of the most popular fields of diploma courses after 12th.

Here is a list of trending IT diploma courses in 2024:

• Mobile Application Development
• Graphic Designing
• Digital Marketing
• Software Engineering
• Animation & VFX
• Web Designing & Development
• Diploma in Nautical Science

Entrance Exams for Diploma Courses

Below are the important entrance exams for admission to the diploma courses:

• CET Delhi
• Uttarakhand JEEP
• JEECUP
• CG PPT
• Bihar DCECE
• Assam PAT
• HP PAT
• Haryana DET
• Odisha DET
• TS Polycet
• AP Polycet

Degree Courses in Medicine

You can start your successful career in medicine by choosing Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in class 12. Here are different courses through which you can build a future in medicine.

MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)

In order to pursue an MBBS course in India, students need to qualify for the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) which is conducted every year. Almost all the medical colleges in India accept the NEET scores to grant admission to students in MBBS courses.

Check Medical Courses After 12th without NEET here!

Paramedical Science/Allied Sciences

If you are interested in medicine but don’t want to pursue MBBS you can choose paramedical courses after the 12th:

• BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery): NEET score is accepted in Dental colleges in India. Although, an MDS degree would require a separate entrance exam for a bachelor’s student
• B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy): NEET score is accepted for B.Pharm as well. However, GPAT or Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test is conducted for a master’s degree.
• B.Sc. Nursing: NEET/CUET UG scores are widely accepted for the B.Sc Nursing course as well. 
• BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy): NEET/CUET UG scores are widely accepted for BPT courses as well.

Check popular diploma courses after 12th science here!

Other B.Sc. Programs Under Paramedical Sciences

Below is the list of B.Sc. courses that come under paramedical science:

• BSc Radiology
• BSc Audiology and Speech Therapy
• BSc Ophthalmic Technology
• BSc Operation Theater Technology 
• BSc Respiratory Therapy Technology
• BSc Dialysis Therapy
• BSc Cardiac/Cardiovascular Technology
• BSc Physician Assistant
• BSc Medical Imaging Technology
• BSc Medical Lab Technology
• BSc Anaesthesia
• BSc Optometry

Diploma Courses in Medicine

Diploma courses are popular for their short duration and practical knowledge that is needed for jobs. Check the following paramedical diploma courses after 12th:

• Nursing Care Assistant
• Physiotherapy
• Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery (ANM)
• Radiology
• Gynecology and Obstetrics
• Child Health
• Rural Health Care
• Community Health Care
• Orthopaedics
• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Dermatology 
• Clinical Research
• Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy
• Medical Record Technology
• Medical Imaging Technology
• Medical Lab Technology 
• Hearing Language and Speech
• Operation Theatre Technology

Degree Courses in Agriculture/Agro Science

A degree in Agriculture course after 12th grade can be a perfect choice, as remarkable growth and technological advancement are seen in the field of agroscience. If you want to pursue a career in agriculture after 12th, the following list will surely help you:

• BSc Agriculture
• BSc Horticulture
• BSc Plant Pathology
• BSc Food Science
• BSc Dairy Science
• BSc Plant Science
• BSc Agricultural Biotechnology
• BSc Fisheries Science
• BSc Forestry
• BE/B.Tech Agricultural and Food Engineering
• BE/ B.Tech Agricultural Information Technology
• B.E/ B.Tech Agricultural Engineering
• BE/B.Tech Agricultural Engineering
• BE/B.Tech Dairy Technology
• BE/B.Tech Agriculture and Dairy Technology

Entrance Exam for Agriculture Degree Courses

There are several entrance exams to take admission to agriculture colleges in India, the top 2 are mentioned below:

1. ICAR AIEEA (Indian Council of Agricultural Research All India Entrance Examination for Admission): For various undergraduate and postgraduate programs under agriculture and allied sciences.
2. CUET UG (Common Universities Entrance Test): As per recent developments, ICAR has declared that admission will be offered to candidates in various agricultural courses through CUET scores.

Diploma Courses in Agriculture/Agro Science

A diploma course in agriculture and allied science after 12th can enhance the practical knowledge of students and make them ready for future perspectives and jobs:

• Food Processing
• Seed Technology
• Horticulture
• Organic Farming
• Animal Husbandry
• Agro Products Processing
• Post Harvest Technology

Other Interesting Degree Courses in Science

There are a lot of degree courses in the science stream that are not only interesting but have a great scope for future growth. Some of these are:

• Astronomy
• Bioinformatics
• Earth Science
• Forensic Science
• Genetics
• GeoInformatics
• Geophysics
• Microbiology
• Oceanography
• Sericulture
• Nautical Science
• Veterinary Science

Commerce Stream

After completing the 12th standard in the commerce stream, students have a wide array of courses to choose from. There are two specific distinctions, commerce with mathematics and commerce without mathematics. Let us have a look at some of the courses which you can pursue:

Courses after 12th Commerce With Maths

If you are a student of commerce stream with maths, there are many promising career options waiting for you after the 12th.

You can pursue:

• B.Com Hons.
• C.A. (Chartered Accountancy)
• B.E (Bachelor of Economics)
• B.F.A  (Bachelor of Finance and Accounting)
• BIBF (Bachelor of International Business and Finance)

Courses after 12th Commerce Without Maths

Here are some courses mentioned below that a commerce student can pursue even without maths:

• B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce)
• BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
• BMS (Bachelor of Management Studies)
• Company Secretary
• BA LLB
• Bachelor of Foreign Trade
• BBS (Bachelor of Business Studies)

Check 6 Best Commerce Courses After 12th with High Salary here!

Diploma Courses After 12th Commerce

There are several diploma courses available for students after 12 commerce. Here is a long list of them:

• Banking and Finance
• Advanced Accounting
• Certified Management Accountant
• Financial Accounting
• Retail Management
• Business Management
• Industrial Safety
• Accounting and Finance
• Management

Entrance Exam for Commerce

As per the previous trends, class 12th board examination marks would be the basis of admission to various commerce courses, but now the trend has changed. Students need to qualify for the entrance examination to get admission. Here are a few of the important ones:

• CUET UG (Common Universities Entrance Test): The most widely accepted score that would grant you admission to various commerce courses 
• CA Common Proficiency Test (CPT): For the foundation CA level, students must belong to a commerce background with math as one of their primary subjects.
• Company Secretary Executive Entrance Exam (CSEET): The examination is conducted four times a year and has in recent times, replaced the CS Foundation level
• IPMAT: The prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Indore, offers an integrated program of Management which is a five-year course. Students who qualify for the IPMAT entrance examination will be granted admission to this course.
• ACET: The exam is conducted by the Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI), to grant admission to students under Actuarial Sciences. Students need to have mathematics as their primary subject during 12th standard in order to be eligible for the entrance examination.

Humanities/Arts Stream

Not to mention the fact that passing 12th standard with humanities/arts accounts for a very low number of students each year would be a miss. 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.

Is the scope limited to this only? Well, absolutely not. There are many arts courses after 12th, so let’s explore them below.

Fine Arts/Performing Arts Degrees 

Fine Arts and Performing Arts degrees offer a world of creativity and self-expression. These courses let you explore your artistic talents in visual arts, music, dance, and theatre. It’s a chance to turn your passion into a professional journey.

• Applied Arts
• Pottery & Ceramics
• Plastic Arts
• Painting
• Textile Design
• Drama & Theatre
• Music
• Digital Arts
• Cartooning
• Calligraphy
• Graphic Designing
• Dance
• Illustration
• Printmaking
• Photography
• Sculpture

Specialized Courses Under Humanities/Arts

Specialized courses in Humanities/Arts offer unique subjects like law, design, and hotel management. Law studies rules, design makes things look good and work well, and hotel management teaches how to run hotels. These courses help you focus on what you like and can lead to good jobs.

Students might find this section the most informative and lucrative since it mostly contains the most promising courses. Have a look:

Law

Pursuing a degree in law is a big dream for many students but want some clarity about the courses available, entrance exams, etc. Here’s how you can make that dream come true:

Degree Courses in Law

Here are some popular degree courses that students often choose to pursue law after 12th:

• LLB 
• BA. LLB 
• BLS. LLB 
• BBA. LLB

Entrance Exam for Law

Students will have to qualify for the national/state-level entrance examination in order to get admission to undergraduate law programs.

Here are some important ones:

• CLAT (Common Law Admission Test): It is the primary, All India level entrance examination that a student needs to qualify 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 to 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.

Designing

Bachelor of Design (B.Des) has always been a trending course because of the exciting career opportunities and different creative fields with amazing jobs. Here are some of the top designing courses after 12th:

• 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 as diploma courses in most Indian institutions. As per the trend, in the case of additional design courses, students mostly go for either diploma or certificate 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

The following list has top management degree courses after the 12th:

• 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

Entrance Exam for Management

Students will have to qualify for the national/state-level entrance examination in order to get admission to undergraduate management programs. Here are a few of the important ones:

• IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test): Qualifying for 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, the 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 courses. 
• 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

Diploma courses in management are practical learning paths for understanding how to lead and run businesses effectively. These courses cover essential topics like organization, teamwork, and problem-solving, giving you practical skills for a successful career.

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 well-paid career options is pursuing a course in hotel management. Hotel management teaches you how to manage hotels and make guests happy. It’s about learning how hotels work and making sure everything runs smoothly for people staying there. The sector is already blooming with a lot of opportunities and is only set to rise.

Here’s a comprehensive list of degree courses that 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 for the national/state-level entrance examination in order to get admission to 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 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 in hotel management which offer immense practical knowledge and are 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 trend of social media and digital platforms, Mass Communication and journalism have become more important than ever. These courses teach you how to share information, tell stories, and communicate with people through TV, newspapers, radio, and the Internet. It’s about becoming a skilled communicator in our modern world.

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 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), and the 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 that 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 practical training programs designed to help you learn specific skills for a particular job. Unlike traditional academic courses, vocational courses focus on hands-on learning that prepares you directly for the workforce.

These courses cover various fields such as healthcare, technology, arts, and more. They are often shorter in duration and provide a faster route to gaining the skills needed for employment.

Whether you’re interested in becoming a nurse, a web designer, a chef, or pursuing any other career, vocational courses offer a practical and efficient way to achieve your goals.

Here are some best vocational courses that have high demand in the industry:

Popular Vocational Courses After 12th

The most popular vocational courses after 12th are:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
• 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

Distance Learning Program/Online Courses

The Ministry of Education, under the aegis of the Government of India, has implemented policies like NEP 2020 and taken a number of initiatives to make education accessible and viable for every student in India. There is no age to learn, hence, a number of Open Schools and Universities at the National and State levels offer quality education in distance and online mode, so that students can learn at their own pace. Some of the initiatives are:

• SWAYAM: Swayam is a platform that facilitates hosting of all the courses, taught in classrooms from Class 9 till post-graduation to be accessed by anyone, anywhere at any time. All the courses are interactive, prepared by the best teachers in the country, and are available, free of cost to any learner. 

Students can enrol in multiple of these short-term courses and learn at their own pace. An optional examination is also conducted to test the students on their learning, apart from the assignments, to grant a certificate to the learners. The certificate holds immense value as well as the knowledge gained shall help students from many walks of life.

For more details regarding the SWAYAM course, you can go through our article on SWAYAM Courses List

Open Universities/Schools

A number of accredited national open learning universities are established in India, exclusively for the said purpose. Apart from the exclusive open universities, almost every eminent university in the country has a separate analogous branch that offers distance/online learning. Here is a list of the most important ones:

• IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University): One of the oldest and most prestigious institutions for distance learning, IGNOU has a plethora of courses to choose from. Starting from bachelor to master, diploma, postgraduate diploma to PhD. The entire process is centrally coordinated and the examinations are conducted in all India regional centres.
• DU SOL (Delhi University School of Open Learning): One of the most sought-after institutions for higher education, Delhi University offers distance learning programs under its DU SOL branch. Students must check the eligibility and courses offered.
• Netaji Subhas Open University: It is a state-open university imparting quality education to learners in Eastern India. There are a lot of courses to choose from and the admission procedure happens annually for the students.
• Dr. B.R Ambedkar Open University: It is a state open university in Telangana also known as Telangana Open University, which offers quality education to students and has a functionality like any other regular university.

UGC Initiative: No matter whichever state you belong in India, UGC’s initiative to know the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) near you that offer online/distance learning programs will be beneficial for you. Starting from the central to state universities, along with the option of downloading the PDF of the list, you can view and select the most feasible option for you. 

Conclusion

Choosing the right career path and taking the necessary steps towards it is a crucial aspect of one’s life. It can be a deal-breaker if you’re unsure of your capabilities, but to be sure and not know which career option would suit you the best, is a bummer.

We sincerely hope that our comprehensive guide has assisted you in making a decision about your next big move toward your career journey. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below on how helpful you found this article, and kindly inform us of any courses we may have overlooked for pursuing after completing class 12th.

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