Professional vs Vocational Courses after 12th Class
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After completing 12th grade, many students may often get confused regarding their higher studies. As there are many vocational and professional courses after 12th class, it becomes difficult for the students to make a wise decision about what they should pursue. The quick transition from School to College is a major point in students’ lives, and it is vital for them to make the right choice that aligns with their career goals, personality, and aspirations.
Therefore, it is crucial for students to be well informed about the best courses after 12th standard that can aid them in career enhancement & overall development. This blog will help students in understanding the meaning and difference between professional and vocational courses to assist them in making the right choice for developing a successful career.
Contents
What are Professional Courses?
Professional courses are specialised educational programs intended to impart exclusive knowledge, abilities, and skills to the students needed for a particular industry or profession. In India, there are a lot of career opportunities for students who opt for professional courses after 12th grade.
The curriculum of these programs lead to advanced qualifications by maintaining a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical application with focus on problem solving skills related to the practical world.
Some common professional courses after 12th standard that are popular among the students include Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), Chartered Account (CA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), and so on.
What are Vocational Courses?
Unlike professional courses, vocational programs rely less on theoretical frameworks and more on enhancing the practical skills of the students. These courses focus on providing students with practical exposure and industry related knowledge so that they become competent to attain a professional role.
Vocational courses after 12th class aim to prepare the students to adapt quickly to the job market of their choice. These academic programs also help students develop entrepreneurial skills such as marketing, customer service, financial management, and many more.
There are a lot of vocational courses which students can opt for in several sectors including Technology, Healthcare, Design, Business & Management, Media & Arts, and so on. Vocational courses are usually cost-effective, and are of a shorter duration as compared to professional courses.
Also Check: Best Courses After 12th Arts with High Salary
Difference between Professional and Vocational Courses
Below-given are the major differences between vocational and professional courses after 12th class:
| Category | Professional Courses | Vocational Courses |
| Minimum Eligibility Criteria | Completed 10+2 / 10+3 / Graduation with requisite subject combination depending upon the course. | Completed 10th or 12th class / Diploma. |
| Duration | 3-5 years or more depending on the program. | 1-3 years |
| Focus | Focuses on imparting comprehensive theoretical knowledge along with practical skills & critical thinking. | Focuses on instilling job specific skills which assist in attaining immediate entry in the desired workforce. |
| Career Scope | Wide career scope with higher earning potential and increased employability. | Strong career prospects with high demand in several fields. |
| Payout / Salary / Package | Higher starting packages | Entry level salaries |
| Offered By | Universities / Colleges / Government Institutions & Affiliated Bodies / Online Platforms approved by UGC / AICTE or both. | Polytechnic Institutes / Training Institute / Online Platforms / Vocational Training Centers / Colleges / Institutes / Universities. |
Best Courses to Pursue After 12th Standard
There are several vocational and professional courses after 12th class which students can pursue. These courses range from Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and Advanced Diplomas.
Below-given is a list of the best courses after 12th for career advancement:
For Science Students
- Engineering: B.Tech / B.E in Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or Aerospace Engineering.
- Medical: MBBS, Pharm, BDS, B.Sc Nursing, and Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT).
- Other Fields Include: B.Sc in Biotechnology, Agriculture, and other specialisations.
For Commerce Students
- Business: B.Com, BBA and B.Voc in Retail Management.
- Finance: Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (BAF), Bachelor of Financial Markets (BFM), B.A. / B.Com in Economics, etc.
- Certified Courses: Chartered Accountancy (CA), Company Secretary (CS), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and so on.
For Arts Students
- Hotel & Hospitality: Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM), Voc in Tourism & Hospitality.
- Mass Communication: Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC).
- Design:Des in Interior Design, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, and Animation.
- IT & Digital: Certificate & Diploma courses in Digital Marketing, Web design and Computer Applications.
- Other Courses include: B.A.LL.B, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), and many more.
Also Check: Career Guidance for Students After 12th
Conclusion
To wrap it up, there is a wide range of vocational and professional courses after 12th standard which students can opt for. Vocational courses aim to impart practical skills to the students so that they can become job ready while professional courses provide students with advanced qualifications and theoretical knowledge.
While discussing vocational vs professional courses, there are many things to consider. Vocational courses take less time to complete in comparison to professional courses but the latter delves into deeper understanding of an industry or profession.
Students looking to start their career early can opt for vocational courses while students who are interested in gaining in-depth knowledge and exposure of a particular field can opt for professional courses after 12th class.
