Top 8 Professional Degrees to Pursue After 12th in 2025

It has been some time since the 12th results were declared, but I have seen our Indian parents wanting their children to become engineers or doctors; this still seems to be true to a large extent.

A lot of people who graduated from high school in 12th grade are in this scenario, always wondering what comes next. There are numerous professional courses available these days that can lead to good jobs around the world. But first, let’s learn a few facts regarding courses for professionals.
Picking the correct professional degree after the 12th might make a big difference in your career. Students now have more interesting, skill-based courses to choose from since new fields like AI, media, gaming, and design are growing.

This blog outlines the top 8 professional degrees to get after 12th grade, apart from B.Tech CSE, MBBS, or CA, that will give you a bright future and a wide range of job options, whether you’re a tech lover, an artist at heart, or someone who loves to be creative.

1. B.Sc in Data Science

B.Sc in Data Science is a three-year interdisciplinary program that integrates computational, statistical, and mathematical techniques to derive insights from data. Studying for a BSc in Data Science abroad provides a transformative experience with its numerous options and foreign exposure.

Aspect	Details
Current Market Insight	The job market for B.Sc Data Science graduates is currently competitive. Many companies prefer candidates with B.E. / B.Tech or Master’s degrees.
Graduate Experience	B.Sc graduates may face challenges during job hunting, as recruiters often prioritize technical degrees over a general science background.
Future Prospects	The Data Science field is growing and expected to boom in the coming years. Now is a good time to enter and build skills for future demand.
Suggested Path	Opt for B.E. / B.Tech if available. Otherwise, pursue B.Sc + Master’s (M.Sc/M.Tech/MBA in Data Science) for better career prospects.

Career Outlook for B.Sc Data Science Graduates

Job Role	Expected Salary Range	Description
Data Scientist	₹8–20 LPA	Analyze complex data to support strategic decisions using algorithms, AI, and modeling techniques.
Machine Learning Engineer	₹10–22 LPA	Build and deploy ML models for automation and intelligent systems.
Business Analyst	₹6–12 LPA	Interpret data to improve business operations and decision-making.
Data Architect	₹12–25 LPA	Design scalable data systems and frameworks for enterprise-level use.

2. B.Sc in Animation & VFX

The B.Sc in Animation and VFX is designed to enable students to flourish in the fields of animation, gaming, and visual effects (VFX). The curriculum is structured to cultivate expertise in storytelling, sophisticated animation, and VFX techniques, empowering students to excel in VFX, digital creation, and immersive world-building.

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Growth & Career Scope in India’s Animation, VFX & Gaming Industry

Aspect	Details
Market Size (2023)	Animation & VFX: $1.3 billionOnline Gaming: $2.62 billion
Projected Market Size (2026)	Animation & VFX: $2.2 billionOnline Gaming: $4.6 billion
Contribution to M&E Industry	AVGC-XR sector currently contributes ~20% of India’s Media & Entertainment industry.
Growth Insight	Animation & VFX to grow from 5% to 6% of M&E industry share.Online Gaming to grow from 10% to 13% by 2026.
Source	CII-Grant Thornton Report: “FX & Beyond: Shaping India’s AVGC Landscape”, CII Summit FX 2024.

Career Scope & Salary Insights in AVGC-XR Sector

Job Role	Expected Salary Range	Brief Description
2D/3D Animator	₹3–10 LPA	Create lifelike motion using drawing or modeling software for entertainment/media.
VFX Artist	₹4–12 LPA	Design realistic visual effects for films, TV, and games.
Motion Graphics Designer	₹4–9 LPA	Craft animated graphic content for digital platforms and broadcast.
Video Editor	₹3–8 LPA	Edit raw footage to produce cohesive and polished final videos for content creators.

3. B.Sc in Fashion Design

The Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design is an undergraduate program in Fashion Design. It encompasses the examination of developing innovative designs in apparel, footwear, jewelry, luggage, and other accessories, as well as an analysis of the continually evolving trends within the fashion business and market.

Career Aspects in Detail

Aspect	Details
Industry Insight	The global fashion industry is recovering post-pandemic, offering new opportunities amid India’s rich textile and design heritage.
Who is a Fashion Designer?	A creative professional designing apparel, accessories, or footwear. Works with brands, boutiques, or independently.
Educational Pathway	UG Courses: B.Sc in Fashion Designing, B.Des in Fashion Design, B.F.Tech, etc. Certification Courses: Fashion Styling, Illustration, Draping.
Key Skills Required	– Creativity: Ability to design original ideas – Authenticity: Genuine and unique design sensibility – Forethought: Predicting trends
Certification Options	– Fashion Illustration and Design (3 months) – Creative Fashion Styling (6 months) – Fashion Draping, Merchandising, Pattern Design (6 months)

Best Institutes for B.Sc in Fashion Design

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College Name	Location	Courses Offered	Admission Criteria	Key Highlights
Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD)	Okhla Phase-1, Delhi	UG & PG programs in Interior Design	Based on aptitude test & interview	Approved by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI); Established in 2015
Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT)	Film City, Noida	UG & PG programs, 1-Year Diploma in Interior Design	Direct/Entrance-based	Offers practical exposure with industry tie-ups
Jagannath Institute of Management Sciences (JIMS)	Vasant Kunj, Delhi	3-Year UG course in Interior Design	Minimum 50% in Class 12	Focuses on creativity & innovation; Skill-based learning
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)	Hauz Khas, Delhi	4-Year Bachelor’s in Design (Interior Design Specialisation available)	National-level entrance examination	Govt.. institute; Established in 1986 under the Ministry of Textiles; Top industry connections

4. Bachelor’s in Journalism & Mass Communication (BJMC)

BJMC full form is Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication,  A three-year undergraduate program aimed at imparting knowledge on diverse facets of journalism and mass communication. It additionally emphasizes fundamental media topics such as media communication, media journalism, media issues, and media research, among others. These days it is also known as BA Mass Comm.

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Career Pathways After Journalism

Field	Why It Fits Journalists	Opportunities
PR & Communications	Strong writing skills, media understanding, and industry contacts make journalists a natural fit.	Better pay, more job security
Corporate Communication	Companies seek professionals who can craft clear, impactful messages — a journalist’s core strength.	Internal communications, branding, leadership roles
Social Media & Content	Journalists excel in storytelling and presence — valuable in digital content, strategy, and creation.	Content creators, social media strategists, influencers
Advertising	Creativity, audience insight, and strong scripts make journalists ideal for ad agencies and brand storytelling.	Copywriters, brand storytellers, ad campaign managers

Different Job roles after BJMC or BA Mass COMM

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Role	What They Do	Average Salary Range (₹ per annum)
News Anchor	Presents news stories on television or radio, moderates debates, and conducts interviews.	₹4–10 LPA
Content Writer	Writes blogs, articles, web content, and marketing copy for various industries and digital platforms.	₹3–8 LPA
PR Executive	Builds a company’s media presence, organizes events, and communicates with journalists and stakeholders.	₹4–9 LPA
Digital Journalist	Covers stories for online platforms, creates multimedia news content, and uses SEO & social tools for reach.	₹3–7 LPA

5. Bachelor’s in Music Production

Bachelor’s Degree in Music Production is a very specific program related to musical learning. This curriculum will equip you with the necessary skills to pursue a professional career in the music, media, and entertainment sectors.A Bachelor’s degree in Music Production gives students a lot of understanding about sound, music technology, recording methods, and digital audio workstations. It’s great for anyone who loves music and sound design.

Career Role	Role Explanation	Average Salary Range (₹ per annum)
Music Producer	Oversees the recording process, arranges music, and brings artistic vision to life.	₹6–15 LPA
Sound Engineer	Manages the technical aspects of recording, mixing, and mastering audio.	₹5–12 LPA
Audio Technician	Sets up and operates sound equipment during events or recording sessions.	₹4–8 LPA
Composer	Creates original music for films, games, ads, or personal albums.	₹4–10 LPA

6. B.A in Film Direction

A B.A. in Film Direction, or Bachelor of Arts in Film Direction, is not just a film program; it’s actually more than just learning how to direct a film. It’s a 3-year holistic journey into the art, craft, and business of storytelling through moving images. This program is ideal for aspiring filmmakers who are passionate about cinema and want to explore the creative and technical aspects of direction.

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Career Role	Role Explanation	Average Salary Range (₹ per annum)
Film Director	Controls the artistic and dramatic aspects of a film, guides the crew and cast.	₹10–20 LPA (project-based)
Assistant Director	Supports the director, manages shoot schedules, coordinates between departments.	₹4–8 LPA
Scriptwriter	Writes screenplays and dialogues for films, TV, or OTT platforms.	₹5–12 LPA
Creative Director	Shapes the visual and conceptual direction of a film or content project.	₹7–15 LPA

7. B.A in Photography

The Bachelor of Arts in Photography is a degree program that is completed over the course of three years.

Students who are interested in establishing a profession in this sector are required to begin their education by earning a bachelor’s degree in photography.

Career Role	Role Explanation	Average Salary Range (₹ per annum)
Photographer	Captures still images for events, publications, or artistic projects.	₹2.5–6 LPA
Photojournalist	Documents news and current events through photography for media houses.	₹3–7 LPA
Fashion Photographer	Shoots models, apparel, and campaigns for magazines and brands.	₹4–8 LPA
Content Creator	Uses visual storytelling to build a personal brand or create content for others.	₹3–7 LPA

8. Bachelor’s in Event Management

A bachelor’s degree in Event Management is an undergraduate degree program in the field of management that prepares students to plan events. This program also provides a comprehensive education in how to plan, organize, and run all kinds of events, from business events to social events to entertainment events.

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Career Role	Role Explanation	Average Salary Range (₹ per annum)
Event Planner	Plans and executes events like conferences, concerts, and weddings.	₹4–9 LPA
Brand Manager	Manages a company’s event image and brand engagement through activations.	₹5–10 LPA
Wedding Planner	Organizes and coordinates all aspects of weddings, from decor to logistics.	₹3–7 LPA
Corporate Comms Executive	Handles internal and external communications, including company events.	₹4–8 LPA

Conclusion

This blog was about the top 8 professional courses you can take after 12th grade to help you construct your future. I have seen many parents force their child to pursue engineering, especially in CSE; a rat race is going on.

I believe a student should primarily focus on experiential learning, from which he is able to learn much more than a degree itself. All 8 courses/degrees/programs can’t be replaced by AI. Recently, a lot of traditional jobs have been replaced by AI, like HR. IBM took this step to lay off 8000 employees. This also means a lack of job security in traditional jobs. A lot of digital jobs are growing, and freelancing opportunities are also growing in many domains like Game Design & Development, Event Management, Photography, Music Production, Citizen Journalism, Interior Design, fashion design, Animation, VFX, the gaming industry, and many more. Many students get confused even after completing class 12th, and a lot of students do have a creative mind, but nobody is there to guide them. If you know you have a creative mindset, then AAFT is the right place for you. They do provide a free career counseling session where students can learn about various careers which can be game changer for them. They also have industry deans like Rina Dhaka, Sunita Kohli, Rohit Chawla, Swara Bhaskar & many more which bridge the gap between industry and academia. They can pursue degree like Bachelor’s in Music Production, B.A in Film Direction, B.A in Photography, Bachelor’s in Event Management and  B.A in Game Design & Development many more .