Degree courses after 12th
Adarsh Mishra
By Adarsh Mishra
8 min read
June 7, 2025

Degree Courses After 12th | Career Options & Colleges

Degree courses after 12th offer specialization in fields like engineering, medicine, arts, commerce, etc. for diverse career paths.

Table of Contents

Degree Courses After 12th, choosing the right degree for students is a very complicated thing. Students who want to pursue a degree after 12th will depend on their skills & career goals. Those students who completed their 12th from the science stream can pursue these courses such as Engineering (B.Tech/B.E.), Medicine (MBBS), Pharmacy (B.Pharm) & B.Sc. in Nursing. For Arts students, these courses are the best options, such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), Law (BA LLB), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), and Fashion Design. Commerce students can pursue courses like Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), Chartered Accountancy (CA), BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) & Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM). Admissions for the session 2025-26 started in March 2025 and ended in June 2025. To be eligible for these degree courses, students need to complete their 12th with a minimum aggregate often around 50-60% from a recognized board. Some specific subjects are required to pursue a degree, depending on the course. Top university options for pursuing degree courses include IIsc, JMI, JNU, and DU. Degree courses after the 12th usually take 3-4 years to complete. Fees of these degree courses range from INR 60,000 to INR 60 Lakh.

Latest Update Regarding Degree Courses After 12th

  • Delhi University is inviting applicants to appear for the CUET-UG 2025. Candidates must fill out the application form by 15 June 2025*. For further information, kindly visit the official website.

  • Most universities will use a combination of the CUET (Common University Entrance Test) and merit-based criteria for degree course admission. The admission application deadline is extending into June/July, and Entrance exams like CUET are conducted between April/June.

  • The DU (Delhi University) admission process for the 2025-26 academic year is expected to start in mid-June 2025. Specifically, it is open for DU UG (Undergraduate) program for phase 1.

  • The IGNOU admission process for the July 2025 session is expected to start on the 5 June 2025*, with the last date to apply is July 31, 2025*.

Degree Courses After 12th Admission 2025

The admission of session 2025-26 for degree courses after the 12th starts in March 2025 and ends in June 2025. Students who completed their 12th grade recently from these streams, science, arts & commerce, can pursue these courses such as B.Tech/B.E., MBBS, B.Pharm, BA, BA LLB, BBA, B.Com, CA & BHM. Before getting admitted, students should know the eligibility criteria for these courses. Students must pass their 12th from a recognized board, also have a minimum aggregate of around 50-60% & some specific subjects are required to pursue some degree courses. For admission, these universities are top options such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), the University of Delhi (DU), & Banaras Hindu University. Those students who want to pursue a degree course from any of these universities can fill out an application form from their official portals. The fees for the application form start from INR 100 to INR 1500 or more.

Degree Courses After 12th Without An Entrance Exam

After the 12th, there are several degree programs available without requiring any Entrance exam. Some popular courses include B.Sc in fields like biotechnology, Microbiology, Forensic Science, B.Pharmacy, and BA LLB. Some other courses like BSc Nursing and BSc Physiotherapy also don't require any entrance exam.

Degree Courses After 12th for Science Students 

There are many degree courses after 12th for science students who can pursue and build their future. These are some best options after the 12th for science students, such as:

B.Tech/B.E. (Bachelor of Technology/Bachelor of Engineering): This is an undergraduate degree course that equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to become engineers and technologists. This course takes 4 years to complete. To be eligible for this course, students must complete their 12th grade with science and also have PCM as core subjects. Minimum marks needed: 50-60%. After completing this course, students can do jobs in sectors like software engineering, data science, AI, & cybersecurity. The average fees for a B.Tech course can range from INR 5 lakh to INR 22 lakh or even higher, depending on the University type (government or private), location, and specialization.

MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery): MBBS is an undergraduate medical degree that stands for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. It is a 5.5-year course that includes coursework and clinical training. Eligibility criteria for this course are that students need to complete their 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as core subjects and have a minimum score of around 50-60%. Before getting admitted, students will take the NEET entrance exam of NEET. It is mandatory for an MBBS course. After completing an MBBS, students can pursue various career paths, including general practitioner, specializing in a medical field like surgery or internal medicine, or exploring non-clinical options like hospital administration or medical writing. This course charges INR 6,000 to INR 1 crore.

B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy): This is a 4-year undergraduate degree course that focuses on the science of drugs and medicines, preparing students for careers in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare. To be eligible for this course, students generally need to have passed their 12th class with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Mathematics, securing a minimum of 50-60% aggregate marks. After completion of the course, students can continue their careers in sectors such as Pharmacist, Medical Representative, Clinical Research Associate, and Quality Assurance Specialist. B.Pharma course fees usually range from INR 40,000 to INR 1 lakh per annum.

Degree Courses After 12th Non-Medical

After the 12th non-medical, students can pursue various degree programs including Engineering (B.Tech/B.E), Business Administration (BBA/B.Com), Computer Applications (BCA), Architecture (B.Arch), and Design (B.Des). Additionally, options like:

  • Law

  • Commercial Pilot Training

  • Merchant Navy

  • Bachelor of Science (BSc.)

  • Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)

  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

  • Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC)

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Degree Courses After 12th Science Without Maths

If you are a science student still you can pursue degree courses without math after 12th. There are some popular courses mentioned in areas like Business, Health, and Arts. BBA in sports management, BBA in Hospital and Healthcare, BA in Hotel Management, BA in Languages, BA in Journalism, and Mass Communication, and BSc in Fashion Design, Interior Design, or Cosmetic Science.

Degree Courses After 12th For Arts Students 

Some of the best degree courses after 12th for Arts students include:

BA (Bachelor of Arts): It is a bachelor's degree generally offered in humanities and social sciences. This course duration is around 3 years. A Bachelor of Arts degree opens doors to various careers, including journalism, content writing, digital marketing, human resources, and more. To pursue this degree, students need to complete their 12th with a minimum score of around 50-60%. The average fees for this degree range from INR 10,000 to INR 25,000.

BA LLB (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Legislative Law): A five-year integrated undergraduate law course that combines legal studies with arts subjects, offering a broad foundation in law and related disciplines. Students need to have completed their 12th education, securing a minimum percentage of around 45-55%, and potentially clear a law entrance exam like CLAT, LSAT, or AILET. With a BA LLB degree, students can pursue various legal careers such as a lawyer (litigation or corporate), a legal consultant, a legal officer, or even a company secretary. The average BA LLB course fee in top law universities in India ranges from INR 1.5 to 2.8 lakh per year.

BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration): A common undergraduate degree focusing on business management and administration principles, equipping students with foundational skills for careers in various business sectors, such as bank branch manager, commercial lender, financial analyst, and financial planner. The duration of this course is around 3 years. To be eligible for a BBA course, students generally need to have completed their 12th grade from a recognized board and achieve a minimum aggregate score of around 50%. The fees for this course are INR 1 lakh to INR 2.5 lakhs.

Degree Courses After 12th For Commerce Students 

These are the best degree options after 12th for commerce students:

B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce): A three-year undergraduate degree focusing on commerce, accounting, and business administration, providing a foundation for careers in finance, business, and related fields. To be eligible for a B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) course, students generally need to have completed their 12th examination with a minimum of 50% marks. The average fees for a B.Com course usually range from INR 10,000 to INR 50,000 per year.

CA (Chartered Accountant): A professional qualification in accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial management, offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). It's a highly respected designation that opens up diverse career opportunities in various sectors such as corporate finance, financial management, investment banking, entrepreneurship, or academia. This course duration is around 3 years. To become a CA, students must complete their 12th from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of around 55%. To get admitted to a CA degree course, students need to clear the entrance exam of the CA Foundation exam. This course costs INR 70,000 to INR 1,50,000.

BHM (Bachelor of Hotel Management): A 3-4 year undergraduate degree program that prepares students for careers in the hospitality industry, covering areas like hotel operations, event management, food and beverage, and tourism. To be eligible for a BHM course, students generally need to have passed their Class 12th examination from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 45-50%. The fees for this course are around INR 3 to 10 lakhs per year.

Degree Courses After 12th Eligibility Criteria 

This eligibility criterion will depend on the course that students choose to pursue. To pursue a degree after the 12th, students need to have passed their 12th grade from a recognized board in their specific stream, with a minimum aggregate of 50% for the general category and 45% for SC/ST for most universities. Some subjects are required for some specific courses. Many universities, especially for popular courses like engineering and medicine, require entrance exams such as CUET, JEE Main, NEET, etc.

Degree Courses After 12th: High Salary

After completing the 12th grade, students can choose high-paying degree courses. Here is a list of high-paying degree courses for students to consider for their career growth:

  • Medical field (MBBS/BDS)

  • Engineering (B.Tech/BE)

  • Computer Science (B.Sc/B.Tech)

  • Business Administration (BBA)

  • Law (LLB/B.A.-LL.B.)

    There are other courses also available that provide high salaries, like Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Architecture, and Aviation are potential avenues for high-salary careers. For more information students can fill out the query form.

Degree Courses After 12th: Top Universities 

There are many top universities for pursuing a degree course after the 12th. Here are some best universities: Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the University of Delhi (DU), & Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Students should also know the fees of these universities. Students can check out the fee structure of these universities given below:

Degree Courses After 12th Fee Structure of Universities

Name of the University 

Average Fees

Indian Institute of Science (IISc)

INR 18,000 to 8 lakhs approx

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)

INR 5,050 to INR 12 lakhs approx

University of Delhi (DU)

INR 4,055 to INR 4.3 lakhs approx

Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

INR 2,000 to INR 10 lakhs approx

Students can also read:

Engineering courses after 12th

Law courses after 12th

Frequently Asked Questions

After the 12th, both Undergraduate(UG) degrees and Honours programs offer diverse opportunities for higher education, with Honours programs providing more specialization in a chosen field. Some popular programs like Engineering, Medical fields, Law, Business administration, and various Science programs.

Yes, many universities in India offer an Undergraduate course completed in 4 years. The UGC directs universities to offer 4-year UG programs. These 4-year programs are designed to lead to an Honours degree, requiring students to complete a research project in their fourth year. Students can also do a 3-year UG degree. UGC recommends that a 4-year program is needed for an Honours degree.

After completing 12th grade, several degree courses provide excellent career growth. For science students, Engineering (B.Tech and B.E), Medicine (M.B.B.S and BDS), and Pharmacy (B.Pharma). Commerce students can consider a Chartered Accountant, Finance, and Business Management (BBA and BMS), and for Arts students, Journalism, Mass Communication, and Teaching are the best options.

Yes, a non-medical student (who studies the Arts and Commerce stream) can pursue a degree course after 12th. Here are some popular courses for non-medical students:

  • Engineering

  • Law

  • Business and Management

  • Computer Science & IT

  • Design & Architecture

  • Visual Communication

  • Journalism & Mass Communication