Top 10 Professional Courses After 12th: 2025 Edition

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Kamaldeep

03 February, 2025

Top 10 Professional Courses After 12th: 2025 Edition

Completed your 12th? And now you stand at a crossroads to find the best professional course after the 12th, isn’t it? Many 12th graduates are in this situation, constantly questioning what comes next. Nowadays, many professional courses are available, leading to lucrative career paths globally. This blog discusses the top 10 professional courses after the 12th to build your future. But first, let’s understand a few things about professional courses.

Professional courses provide you with a chance to gain specialised knowledge and job-oriented skills. One key benefit is learning from experienced professionals and enhancing your practical skills. Here are the types of professional courses that you could consider after the 12th.


  • Certificate Courses: These are short-term programmes offering domain-specific coursework. They are beneficial for skill enhancement but not for starting your career after the 12th. Once you start pursuing your undergraduate course, you could sign up for a certificate programme.

  • Diploma Programme: They are usually one or two-year courses and are very popular among students after the 12th. Diploma courses develop your basic skills and provide you with a base for the professional field in a shorter duration than a degree. Some students go further to pursue a more specialised professional course.

  • Degree Course: These are full-time courses that cover the basics of the field and provide training in a particular domain. Professional degree courses are the most valued and credible programmes for securing a high-paying job globally.

  • Training Courses: As the name suggests, practical-based courses focus on a particular skill. However, they could only complement your main degree or help you transition into a new domain.

Difference Between Professional & Regular Courses: Key Points to Consider

Most people often misinterpret the concepts of professional and regular courses. There are several career pathways to follow after the 12th, so the line between a professional course and a regular academic degree is blurred. However, before highlighting the best professional course after the 12th, let’s understand the difference between professional courses and others.

Regular CourseProfessional Course
It is a more theoretical course and emphasises conceptual knowledge.It is more practically oriented and aims to train you with real-time skills in the profession.
Regular courses cover the broader area of the subject.Highly domain-specific and covers more niche-oriented skills and topics of the field.
The scope is wider since they cover broader areas.Limited scope compared to regular courses.
As it is less practical-oriented, career opportunities in niche roles are limited.Since you get fully trained in your respective niche, the chances of getting hired at a lucrative package increase.

Top 10 Professional Courses After 12th

Depending on your stream and area of interest, you have various professional courses. Here is the best professional courses list after the 12th based on their popularity. You could choose your desired professional courses based on your interests or 12th background.

1. Medicine/MBBS

Medicine is the most popular and widely chosen course among 12th graders in India. Every year, lakhs of students take the NEET entrance exam to pursue MBBS. This professional course involves studying the human body, its functions, diseases, diagnosis and treatment. It has numerous specialisations, such as cardiology, neurology, oncology, etc. The course structure of this programme involves clinical training in medicine and surgery.


  • Eligibility: You must have completed 10+2 in the PCB stream and qualified the NEET-UG entrance exam.

  • Selection Process: Based on entrance exam scores and counselling rounds.

  • Duration: 5 years theory + 12 months internship.

  • Average Salary Range: INR 0.5 LPA – INR 13.3 LPA.

  • Total Fees: INR 7,00,000 to INR 50,00,000 for the complete course, based on institution.

  • Job Role: General physician, medical assistant, MBBS doctors, etc. (Please note that after MBBS, you need to go for further specialization to qualify for niche roles as a doctor.)

2. Engineering (B.Tech/B.E.)

As a whole, engineering involves designing, testing, and building machines and structures. Students pursue professional courses like B.Tech and B.E. after 12th to enter this field. These professional courses are a combination of mathematics, science and technology. The programme covers all the branches of engineering in the initial semesters and gradually shifts the focus to your chosen specialisation. You can pursue a BTech or BE in different domains such as IT, civil, electronics & communication, etc. As an engineering enthusiast, BE is the perfect course. However, if you are a tech-savvy individual, pursuing a BTech might be the most ideal fit.


  • Eligibility: You must have completed 10+2 in the PCB stream and qualified the NEET-UG entrance exam.

  • Selection Process: Based on entrance exam scores and counselling rounds.

  • Duration: 5 years theory + 12 months internship.

  • Average Salary Range: INR 0.5 LPA – INR 13.3 LPA.

  • Total Fees: INR 7,00,000 to INR 50,00,000 for the complete course, based on institution.

  • Job Role: General physician, medical assistant, MBBS doctors, etc. (Please note that after MBBS, you need to go for further specialization to qualify for niche roles as a doctor.)

3. Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)

BArch is a professional course that trains you to plan, design, and administer infrastructure construction. Architecture as a whole is a broader field; it includes various specialisation areas such as landscape architecture, interior design, etc. After medicine and engineering, architecture is one of the top professional courses after the 12th. Not only are you are trained with technical skills, but they also make you capable enough to start your ventures after this course.


  • Eligibility: You must have completed 10+2 in the PCM stream with a minimum of 50% marks.

  • Selection Process: Based on entrance exam scores or direct admission based on institutions.

  • Duration: 5 years.

  • Average Salary: INR 0.2 LPA – INR 14 LPA (varies as per skill set and city).

  • Fees: INR 10,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 for the complete course.

  • Job Role: Project manager, architect, interior designer, urban planner, landscape architect, etc.

4. BSc Nursing

A large section of 12th graders choose BSc nursing as their career path. As a NEET aspirant, it could be your second-best option. Nursing deals with immediate patient care, promotes healthcare awareness, and prevents illness. It is a practical-based programme offered in various specialisations like pediatric nursing, critical care nursing, etc. BSc in nursing is among the most in-demand professional courses after 12th in India.


  • Eligibility: You must have completed 10+2 in the PCB stream with a minimum of 50% marks.

  • Selection Process: Based on entrance exam scores or direct admission based on institutions.

  • Duration: 4 years.

  • Average Salary: INR 0.2 LPA – INR 6.7 LPA (varies by role and location).

  • Fees: INR 1,00,000 to INR 4,00,000 for the complete course.

  • Job Role: Registered nurse, nurse practitioner, geriatric nurse, pediatric nurse, clinical nurse, etc.

5. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

BBA is the most commonly pursued professional course after the 12th, irrespective of the stream. This course is designed to build a strong foundation in business principles and develop management aptitude. A typical BBA programme comprises course modules such as accounting, finance, economics, human resources, operations management, and others. After pursuing this, you could pursue an MBA degree to hone your skills.


  • Eligibility: You must have completed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks.

  • Selection Process: Merit-based or based on CUET (depends upon the college).

  • Duration: 3 years.

  • Average Salary: INR 4 LPA – INR 7 LPA.

  • Fees: INR 90,000 to INR 10,00,000 for the complete course.

  • Job Role: Business development manager, sales executive, human resource manager, operations manager, etc.

6. Law (LLB)

A professional law degree can be taken in different combinations. You must complete a 3-year UG-level degree programme first and then go for LLB. Or pursue a BA LLB/BBA LLB integrated programme. It is essential to choose the right course to reap the most benefits. If you are sure to follow the law field, then BA LLB or BBA LLB is an ideal choice.


  • Eligibility: You must have completed 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks and qualify for the law entrance exam if required.

  • Selection Process: Based on entrance exam scores or direct admission depending on institutions.

  • Duration: LLB – 3 years after graduation and BA LLB/BBA LLB – 5 years after 12th.

  • Average Salary: INR 1.2 LPA – INR 12 LPA.

  • Fees: INR 4,00,000 to INR 15,00,000 based on course and institution.

  • Job Role: Lawyer, legal advisor, judge, law officer, legal consultant, etc.

7. Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication

In the arts stream, the Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication is a widely chosen professional course after 12th grade. It comprises modules like media ethics, reporting and journalism, media management, advertising, PR and marketing, radio and TV production, and communication theory. If you have a flair for journalism, public speaking, and a robust career in media and communication, this could be your ideal course.


  • Eligibility: You must have completed 10+2 in any stream with a minimum of 50% marks.

  • Selection Process: Based on entrance exam scores or direct admission depending on institutions.

  • Duration: 3 years.

  • Average Salary Range: INR 0.5 LPA – INR 8.5 LPA.

  • Fees: INR 80,000 to INR 7,00,000 for the complete course.

  • Job Role: Reporter, content writer, news anchor, social media manager, public relations officer, advertising executive, radio jockey, etc.

8. Biotechnology

Biotechnology is another prospective professional course after the 12th for science background students. This field harnesses the power of biological processes to create new products or improve existing ones. It covers topics like genetic engineering, bioprocessing, organic chemistry, and others. It is delivered in two-degree formats: BSc in biotechnology and BTech in biotechnology. The eligibility, fee structure, and curriculum for both are different. However, a professional course involves a combination of theoretical sessions and rigorous lab sessions.


  • Eligibility: You must have completed 10+2 in the PCB (and Maths if you go for BTech) stream with a minimum of 50% marks.

  • Selection Process: Based on entrance exam scores or direct admission depending on institutions.

  • Duration: BSc in Biotechnology – 3 years & BTech in Biotechnology – 4 years.

  • Average Salary Range: INR 0.4 LPA – INR 100 LPA.

  • Fees: INR 2,00,000 to INR 10,00,000 for the complete course.

  • Job Role: Biotechnologist, biochemist, clinical technician, research scientist, bioprocess engineer, etc.

9. BSc IT/ BCA

IT has become a major employment provider today, and this fact is not hidden from anybody. Pursuing a professional course after the 12th in IT or computer applications would definitely open various career avenues for you. BCA and BSc in IT are two professional courses in the IT sector that offer you technical training in various aspects of this field. These courses would help you start your career in the IT sector in a shorter period.


  • Eligibility: You must have completed 10+2 with 50% minimum marks. (Some institutions may require Maths as a subject in Class 12th)

  • Selection Process: Based on entrance exam scores or direct admission depending on institutions.

  • Duration: 3 years.

  • Average Salary Range: INR 8 LPA – INR 12 LPA (depending on your specialisation).

  • Fees: INR 1,50,000 to INR 9,50,000 for the complete course.

  • Job Role: Web developer, software engineer, system analyst, computer programmer, network administrator, etc.

10. Bachelor of Arts (BA) + Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)

Just like law, making a career in the teaching profession has few bumps. To pursue the professional education course, you must complete a three-year undergraduate degree. Only then would you be eligible to enrol in the Bachelor of Education programme. Therefore, many students who aspire to become teachers choose the integrated Bachelor of Arts + Bachelor of Education. This professional course after the 12th is an efficient way to start your career in the education sector.


  • Eligibility: You must have completed 10+2 with 50% minimum marks.

  • Selection Process: Based on entrance exam scores.

  • Duration: 4 years.

  • Average Salary: INR 0.2 to INR 5.5 LPA (depending on your specialisation).

  • Fees: INR 1,50,000 to INR 5,00,000 for the complete course.

  • Job Role: High school teacher, private educator, freelance tutor, etc.

Top 13 Colleges Offering Best Professional Courses After 12th

Almost every college/university offers top professional courses after the 12th, but it depends on the parameters suitable for your profile. Moreover, a college could be good for BTech courses, but it might not be a good choice for BBA. Therefore, thorough research and professional guidance from experts are required here. We have prepared a list to give you a brief idea of top colleges in India offering professional courses after the 12th class in various disciplines. Let’s swiftly take a look at them:

Institute Name
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore
SRM University
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
Amity University Noida
Manipal University
Jain University
Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth University, Pune
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Kasturba Medical College
Institute of Management Technology
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani)
SKVM’s NMIMS

Bottom Line

Finding the right professional course after the 12th is hard, especially when you have many options. Through this blog, we tried to narrow down your research to a few professional courses and areas offering high returns. Since career planning is tricky, you must identify your goals and streamline your research accordingly. If needed, you could also get professional help from a career counsellor. Therefore, you must remember to do your homework and make the best choice that suits your interests and career goals.

Happy studying!

FAQs

Q1. Which professional course after the 12th has the highest salary?

MBBS, BArch, BTech in CSE, and BCA graduates are likely to get the highest salary packages.

Q2. Which is the best course after the 12th?

Based on income and prestige, MBBS, computer science/IT, MBA and other IT-related fields are the most in-demand courses at present.

Q3. Which is the highest professional course?

ACCA, CPA, CMA, and CA are among the highest degree of professional courses.

Q4. How to select a career after the 12th?

Think, research, and understand the course. Then, evaluate the future scope, calculate the ROI, and consult a career counsellor. Besides, ensure that your chosen career aligns with your interests and skills.

Q5. Which job is best for the future?

To become successful and excel in a job, it is not only about the field you have chosen. Your skill set, knowledge, eagerness to learn, and adaptability also matter. According to current industry trends, the IT, medicine, and AI sectors are considered the largest job providers for 2024. Although competition in these fields is fierce, they offer you the best job roles with higher salary packages.

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