Students all over the world look forward to the university life. It is a time for higher education and a period to connect with like-minded peer and engage in various academic and extra-curricular activities. Higher education is a culmination of the previous hard work and preparation to enter the professional role. The study requires concentrated efforts and dedication and has the power to mould your career path. So, choose your university course with care and embark on a journey of specialized education.

There are plenty of options in your preferred field. Yet, lack of knowledge of the advantages in those streams may result in a wrong career choice. So, do a thorough research of all course options before selecting and studying a degree. To simplify your search, we have included Top 10 University Courses which are much in demand in the current and future industries and studying them would ensure a bright career ahead.

1.     Arts (Psychology and Sociology)

Psychology and Sociology constitute of scientific study of people to get a greater insight of human behaviour, relationships, and emotions. While psychology deals with mind and behaviour study, sociology is concerned with society or social behaviour. Interested students would benefit from a satisfying and well-paid career.

Career option: By pursuing Bachelor of Arts in psychology or sociology, you can become a psychologist or sociologist. Today, the society is witnessing a higher level of stress and this has increased the scope of work for psychologist and sociologist. The various career options include substance abuse counsellor, psychiatrist, social worker, marriage counsellor, relation representative, child care worker, career counsellor, behavioural therapist, and admission counsellor. There are vast job opportunities in the subjects that range from corporation to school environment. The demand is expected to increase over the years. NGOs and Red Cross are some popular employers.

Eligibility criteria: The student must have passed 10+2 in any stream with a minimum 45 percent aggregate.

2.     Engineering (B.Tech and B.Arch, M.Tech, ME, BE)

Engineering is termed as the application of mathematics, practical, social, economic, and scientific knowledge combined with empirical evidence to research, maintain, construct, design, innovate, invent, and enhance organizations, processes, materials, components, systems, tools, machines, and structures. Most PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) stream students in India opt for engineering right out of their high school as it is a secure and high paying job option with immense growth prospect.

Career option: Different fields of engineering has different types of career options like IT professional, mechanical engineer, civil engineer, electrical engineer, petroleum engineer, aeronautical engineer, and automobile engineer. The job options are available in both private and public sectors.

Eligibility criteria: Students who have passed or are appearing for their 12^th board can sit for the entrance test to qualify for the course. The minimum Plus Two score should be 60 percent in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The student must be less than or equal to 23 years of age. S/he should clear the specific engineering entrance examinations like JEE, VIT, BIT, MIT, etc.

3.     Law B.A. LLB/LLB

Every country runs by a specified set of laws. Law binds the people in morally right actions so that the people who goes against them are punished in different degrees and forms. Lawyers act as their clients’ consultants and educate them regarding their legal procedures and rights. They also assist them in managing sophisticated legal system.

Career option: A student can choose specialization in either criminal or civil law. The law degree empowers you to practice law in the court premises. You also get a chance to work under top lawyers. The degree allows you to work in diverse sectors like administrative, legal, and corporate management. You could establish your career as an advocate in a courtroom or pursue legal advisory in corporate organizations. Lawyers can also transform into a judge by clearing Public Service Commission examination. You could join BA LLB, a five-year integrated course immediately after 12^th board or complete your graduation and then pursue a three-year LLB course.

Eligibility criteria: General category students must have a minimum score of 40%, while SC/ST students can have a minimum eligibility score of 35%. Post-graduate students receive an extra 2% marks. Most of the Indian universities provide admission to law aspirants through entrance exams like LAWCET (Law Common Entrance Test) and CLAT (Common Law Admission Test).

4.     Management

Management is the wheel that keeps the organizational vehicle running. Managers use business strategies and employee coordination to contribute toward their company’s productivity and are integral in streamlining the returns. If you have good people management skill and feel energized in a dynamic corporate setting, then this job is meant for you. Management study is instrumental in climbing the hierarchical ladder and attaining the top corporate position in an organization.

Career option: Management aspirants typically pursue courses like MPA (Master of Public Administration) and MBA (Master of Business Administration). Entry-level management professionals embark on their career as front-line managers or supervisors and gradually get promoted to Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or President of a company.

Eligibility criteria: General category MBA or MPA aspirants require a minimum of three-year graduation degree or equivalent in any stream with the minimum score of 50 percent. Other students like PWD (person with disability) or SC/ST require a minimum of 45 percent score. Students can also step into the management course right after their 12^th board by opting for subjects like BBA (Bachelors in Business Administration). To get into the management college, you would need to compete in the management entrance exams like CMAT, XAT, CAT, and MAT.

5.     Computer Application-BCA/MCA

With the advent of computer and internet, more and more companies are going digital and using new IT resources to engage in enhanced business practices. Hence, there is a high demand for computer-savvy professionals and this demand is fulfilled through courses like BCA and MCA. Scholars of computer application pursue software programs to learn to operate the system and deliver the appropriate job-related responsibilities in their organization.

Career option: The study prepares you for jobs like programmer, software engineer, and software developer.

Eligibility Criteria: Students must have English as a subject in their 12^th and pass the board with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate. Universities usually grant admissions on the basis of entrance exam results. However, a few also give direct admission on the basis of merit.

6.     Designing – Fashion/Interior/Web

Designing is a field of creativity that intends to deliver a particular creative output. Designing in fashion is about making people beautifully dressed. Interior designers make visually appealing spaces. Web designers develop aesthetically pleasing websites to cater to their clients’ needs to sell a particular product or service. Designers are required to possess a high degree of thought process and modelling. They are also required to be good in researching skill. Few top designing colleges in India are Pearl Academy and National Institute of Fashion Technology.

Career option: Different fields in designing serve different purposes. Students of fashion designing can work as fashion designers as stand-alone brands or a member of a popular designer team or fashion house. Interior designer can similarly work as standalone designers or a part of a team. Graphic designers are mostly employed with corporate houses although they also tend to work alone. To become a professional designer, students are required to pursue courses like Bachelor of Design.

Eligibility criteria: Students need a minimum 50 percent score in their 12^th board to pursue a designing degree. You can study the course by competing and qualifying in an appropriate entrance examination.

7.     Mass-communication/Journalism BJMC

Today the internet and digital media has given a broader platform for mass communication professionals to communicate their messages with the general public. Journalists and mass communication aspirants can find relevant jobs in print and digital media and act as influencers to a large number of publics. The mass-communication course educates on the effective means to persuade or influence the emotions, opinions, attitudes, and behaviour of the masses.

Career option: Mass media and journalism is a lucrative career with job safety, high pay, popularity, and a means to influence large number of people. Today television and internet are the forerunners in recruiting mass media and journalism professionals although the traditional radio and print mass media is still very much popular. The aspirants can find jobs in public relations, journalism, broadcasting, and advertising. Students interested in pursuing this field needs to have great enthusiasm and energy, a well-developed communication skill, creativity, and strong personality. The right degree is BJMC (Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication). It equips you to work as critic, event manager, editor, screenwriter, TV correspondent, public relation officer, film director, photo journalist, video or radio jockey, and other professionals.

Eligibility criteria: To study BJMC you need to have passed the 12^th board with decent scores.

8.     Hospitality and Hotel Management

Hospitality is one of the most lucrative career options for interested Plus Two students as it offers them a chance to work at star hotels in both India and abroad. Hotel Management is concerned with serving the guests and ensuring highest possible favourable experience so that the guest is compelled to visit the facility again and again. The hotel management domain is also quite comprehensive with the option for students to pursue a career as event coordinator, regional manager, hotel manager, housekeeping supervisor, chef, restaurant manager, cabin crew, and catering manager.

Career option: Hospitality graduates can find jobs in varied fields like restaurants, accommodation and catering, fast-food chains, hotels, resorts, and cruise ships.

Eligibility criteria: For a degree in hotel management, the eligibility is 12^th pass certificate with a minimum grade of 50 percent and English as one of the main subjects. While many colleges provide admission on the basis of merit, a few top colleges like Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition selects its candidates on the basis of entrance test, NCHMCT JEE. The entrance examination is conducted in the month of April on a yearly basis. If you wish to pursue a post-graduation in hotel management, then you would require a minim 45 percent in your undergraduate examination.

9.     Finance- B. Com (Bachelors of Commerce), CA (Chartered Accountant), CS (Company Secretary)

Finance is the study of investment and money management. The field is broadly divided into three categories- personal, corporate, and public finance. The study teaches us the best way to manage money with an aim of wealth creation for the proposed client. The job entails planning, fund raising, cost control, and investment. While a normal graduation degree with B. Com would be useful in getting the finance job, for a better career progression, the study of CA (Chartered Accountant) or CS (Company Secretary) is the best. Usually, the study of CA or CS is quite tough and students need to put in huge hours of focused education to qualify for either of the examinations. But, once qualified, the rewards are quite sweet and involves high pay and a prestigious position.

Career option: Finance aspirants mostly dream of Chartered Accountancy as the perfect career option. However, they can also work in fields like financial management, taxation, audit, finance, and business. Students who qualify for the post of CA are required to acquire the membership of ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India). Job prospects include investment company, mutual fund organization, stock broking firm, attorney, copyright registers and trademarks, legal firm, auditing firm, and public and private banks.

 
Eligibility criteria: To pursue a finance degree you need to have passed the 12^th board exam in Commerce and Mathematics subjects. Students who want to study CA need to qualify the Common Proficiency Test (CPT).

10. Medical-BDS (Bachelors in Dental Surgeon) and MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)

Medical profession is the most preferred profession for biology aspirants. The job is both respectable and highly paying. Doctors do a noble job of healing individuals and maintaining the health of people in the society. Students can become a doctor by studying M. B. B. S. (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery), B. D. S. (Bachelor of Dental Sciences), B. H. M. S. (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery) and B. A. M. S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery).

Career option: A medical student can specialize in a particular field of choice like medicine, skin, optician, ENT, liver, heart, lungs, brain, etc., and work in a clinic, hospital, private practice, or science institution.

Eligibility criteria: Aspiring doctors need to clear their 12^th board in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) with minimum 60 percent grade. Admission into medical colleges is ensured through success in medical entrance examination like NEET.