Professional Courses After 12th – Full Details for Science, Arts & Commerce

Choosing professional courses after 12th is about matching your strengths with market demand, entrance pathways, fees/ROI, and placement ecosystems. Essentially they are programs that lead directly to industry roles via hands-on training, internships, studios/labs, certifications and capstones—e.g., B.Tech, B.Des, BBA, integrated law (BA/BBA LLB), BCA, B.Pharm, B.Sc (Data Science/Biotech), Hospitality/Media, and 3-yr LL.B (after graduation).

In the contemporary higher education landscape, professional courses after 12th have become the preferred route for students who wish to combine academic learning with practical training and assured placement opportunities. These courses are designed with industry input, include internships or capstone projects, and are frequently updated to align with market demand.

The following sections detail professional courses available to Science, Commerce, and Arts students, accompanied by information on eligibility, salary scope, and typical hiring partners.
 

Professional Courses After 12th for Science Students

For Science students, particularly those from Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) or Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) backgrounds, the spectrum of professional opportunities is the widest. Professional courses integrate scientific foundations with applied training, opening doors to both domestic and international careers.

1. Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)

• Eligibility: 10+2 with PCM; admission via JEE Main/Advanced or university entrance tests (UPES also accepts its own test/board merit).
• Salary Scope: ₹6–12 LPA for freshers in fields such as AI/ML, Cybersecurity, Petroleum, Aerospace, and Mechanical Engineering.
• Hiring Partners: Infosys, Accenture, TCS, Reliance, Schlumberger, Microsoft, Amazon.

2. B.Sc Computer Science / Data Science / Artificial Intelligence

• Eligibility: 10+2 with Mathematics; admission based on merit or institute test.
• Salary Scope: ₹5–10 LPA, with rapid growth for roles in Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, and Software Development.
• Hiring Partners: IBM, Wipro, Cognizant, Deloitte, Google, Flipkart.

In the tussle between BTech Vs BSc in Computer Science, Choose B.Tech if: You want a more practical, hands-on approach and are eager to start working in the tech industry immediately. B.Tech is ideal for those looking to land engineering, development, or IT roles in tech companies or startups. Choose B.Sc if: You are interested in theoretical aspects of computer science, with a focus on research, academia, or data science. If you plan to pursue postgraduate studies or dive into niche fields like computational biology or AI research, B.Sc is the right choice.

3. Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)

• Eligibility: 10+2 with PCB or PCM; merit/entrance test depending on state/university.
• Salary Scope: ₹4–8 LPA for roles in quality control, drug development, and regulatory affairs.
• Hiring Partners: Cipla, Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Biocon, Glenmark.

Many a time student are confused between BPharm Vs DPharm and what each course constitutes, and which one should they choose. B.Pharm is more suitable for individuals aiming for higher positions in pharmaceutical research, development, and management. It opens doors to a broad range of career opportunities and higher studies. D.Pharm is ideal for those seeking quicker entry into the workforce, especially in retail and community pharmacies, with the option to upskill later

4. Allied Health Sciences (B.Sc Radiology, Optometry, Physiotherapy, Medical Laboratory Technology)

• Eligibility: 10+2 with PCB; direct admission or university entrance.
• Salary Scope: ₹3–6 LPA initially, higher with postgraduate specialization or international placements.
• Hiring Partners: Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, AIIMS, Narayana Health.

5. Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)

• Eligibility: 10+2 with PCM and aptitude in design; NATA or institute test.
• Salary Scope: ₹4–9 LPA at entry level, rising significantly with experience.

Hiring Partners: L&T Realty, DLF, Atkins, Gensler, Hiranandani, AECOM.

Professional Courses After 12th for Commerce Students (Business)

Commerce students are uniquely positioned to pursue careers that combine business acumen, analytical thinking, and legal or financial expertise. These courses are highly valued in corporate and financial markets.

1. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

• Eligibility: 10+2 in any stream; admission through merit or institute entrance.
• Salary Scope: ₹4–8 LPA, with higher packages after MBA.
• Hiring Partners: KPMG, EY, Deloitte, ICICI Bank, HDFC, Aditya Birla Group.

2. Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com Hons)

• Eligibility: 10+2 in Commerce/any stream with Mathematics preferred.
• Salary Scope: ₹3–6 LPA for roles in finance, accounting, and taxation.
• Hiring Partners: PwC, Grant Thornton, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra, Infosys BPM.

BCom and BBA remain popular choice among students, although there’s also a tug-of-war between the two. Both BBA Vs BCom degrees have many similarities and differences between the two. If you’re drawn to leadership, management, and business operations, BBA would be a great fit. On the other hand, if you love technology, programming, and working in the IT field, BCA is the way to go.

3. Chartered Accountancy (CA)

• Eligibility: 10+2 followed by CA Foundation exam; progression through Intermediate and Final stages.
• Salary Scope: ₹8–20 LPA for fresh CAs; global placements even higher.
• Hiring Partners: Big 4 firms (EY, PwC, Deloitte, KPMG), ICICI, SBI, HUL.

4. Company Secretary (CS)

• Eligibility: 10+2; pursue CS Foundation and Executive/Professional programmes.
• Salary Scope: ₹5–12 LPA depending on corporate profile.
• Hiring Partners: Reliance Industries, Tata Sons, Infosys, Wipro, Adani Group.

5. BBA LLB (Hons)

• Eligibility: 10+2 in any stream; admission through CLAT, LSAT, or institute test.
• Salary Scope: ₹6–12 LPA; higher in top law firms and multinational corporations.

Hiring Partners: AZB & Partners, Amarchand Mangaldas, Luthra & Luthra, Infosys Legal, ICICI Legal.

Professional Courses After 12th for Humanities & Arts Students

Arts students, contrary to popular belief, have equally rewarding professional options after class 12. Institutions such as UPES integrate political science, sociology, and history with contemporary legal practice, ensuring that Arts graduates are well prepared for litigation, corporate counsel, judiciary, or policy roles. These fields are highly dynamic and often lead to global careers.

1. BA LLB (Hons)

• Eligibility: 10+2 in Arts/any stream; admission via CLAT, LSAT, or university test.
• Salary Scope: ₹5–10 LPA at entry level; corporate law packages higher.
• Hiring Partners: Supreme Court chambers, law firms, corporate legal teams, NGOs, government services.

2. Bachelor of Design (B.Des)

• Eligibility: 10+2 in any stream with aptitude test/portfolio evaluation.
• Salary Scope: ₹4–8 LPA initially, with rapid growth for strong portfolios.
• Hiring Partners: Ogilvy, Titan, Future Group, Accenture Interactive, Myntra, Disney India.

3. Journalism and Mass Communication

• Eligibility: 10+2 in Arts/any stream; merit or institute test.
• Salary Scope: ₹3–6 LPA at entry level, rising in media houses and digital firms.
• Hiring Partners: Times Group, NDTV, Zee Media, The Hindu, Netflix, Amazon Prime.

4. Psychology (BA/B.Sc Psychology)

• Eligibility: 10+2 in any stream, PCB preferred for B.Sc.
• Salary Scope: ₹4–7 LPA initially, higher in clinical or organizational psychology.
• Hiring Partners: Hospitals, schools, counselling centres, HR consultancies, WHO/UN projects.

5. Event Management

• Eligibility: 10+2 in any stream.
• Salary Scope: ₹3–6 LPA; higher for independent event entrepreneurs.

Hiring Partners: Wizcraft, Percept, DNA Entertainment, MICE companies, corporate event teams.

Gender and Professional Course Selection

Professional education after 12th is fundamentally gender-neutral. Both girls and boys have access to the same range of opportunities across streams. However, trends in student preference show that girls frequently pursue professional pathways in Design, Law, Nutrition, and Psychology, while boys often gravitate toward Engineering, Computer Science, Aviation, and Business Management. These distinctions, however, are influenced more by perception than by inherent aptitude, and leading institutions like UPES have demonstrated that both female and male students succeed equally across all domains.

Fees and Salary Scope of Professional Courses After 12th

The financial dimension of higher education is often a decisive factor for families. Professional courses after 12th in government institutions typically cost between ₹30,000 and ₹2,00,000 for the entire programme, depending on the course and the college. In private universities with advanced facilities, global tie-ups, and placement support, the cost is higher, generally ranging between ₹8 and ₹16 lakhs for the full degree. At UPES, the fee structure for law, design, engineering, and management programmes is publicly available and includes additional provisions for laboratory usage, field tours, and professional development activities.

Salary outcomes vary depending on the discipline. Fresh graduates in management or allied health sciences may start at ₹3–6 LPA, while engineers in high-demand fields like Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, or Data Science often secure packages in the range of ₹6–12 LPA. Design graduates start around ₹4–7 LPA but can quickly scale to double-digit packages with a strong portfolio. Law graduates from reputed institutions, particularly those specialising in corporate law or intellectual property, can achieve salaries of ₹8–15 LPA at leading firms. Commerce professionals such as Chartered Accountants or Company Secretaries frequently command salaries in excess of ₹10 LPA immediately after qualification. (Sources: Naurkri, Indeed, PayScale)

The Role of UPES in Professional Education

UPES has emerged as one of India’s leading institutions in professional education. Its School of Law is consistently ranked among the top law schools in India by NIRF, while its Schools of Engineering, Computer Science, and Design have developed strong reputations for industry-integrated curricula. By offering specialisations in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Law, Energy Law, Game Design, and Sustainable Engineering, UPES ensures that students are not only academically trained but also professionally prepared. The university’s placement record further validates its position as a preferred choice for students seeking career-ready professional degrees.

Conclusion

The landscape of higher education in India has moved decisively towards professionalisation. Today, students across Science, Commerce, and Arts streams can access a wide range of professional courses after 12th that combine rigorous academics with industry relevance. From B.Tech in emerging technologies and BBA LLB for corporate law, to B.Des in communication design and B.Sc in allied sciences, these programmes provide the foundation for meaningful, sustainable careers. Fees vary significantly between government and private institutions, but the salary potential, particularly in specialised domains, demonstrates strong returns on investment.