Top Medical Courses after 12th

For so many students in the 12th standard, it is a dream to pursue a career in the domain of medicine. This is where choosing the right medical course after 12th can make such a world of difference to them. There are many reasons why a medical career is a viable option in India. First, by working in this field you serve the country and also gain respect. 

The financial gains may be lesser than in many other careers but there is an inherent stability that you would not get in most other careers. For students looking to pursue this path, this article will guide you through the best career options after 12th medical.

Understanding Medical Education in India

• Overview: The standard degree that you need to start practicing as a Doctor in India is the Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine (MBBS). Apart from that, you have alternative systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy. These fields are among the top career options after 12th medical, providing students with a variety of choices to build a rewarding career in the medical industry.
• Core subjects studied in 12th for eligibility: You must have studied subjects such as PCB (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) in the 12th standard to be considered eligible to study Medicine at the Bachelor’s level and higher.
• Entrance examinations and their importance: The most prominent medical entrance exams in India are the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Exam and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

NEET and Non-NEET Pathways for Indian Students

In India, you usually require to pass the NEET exam to get admitted to a Medical degree course. However, NEET is not necessary for emerging and allied medical courses. The table below shows the courses that fall into the respective categories:

Top Medical Courses after 12th

1. MBBS

• Overview: The MBBS course is an undergraduate (UG) program and when you pass it you can start working as a doctor.
• Eligibility criteria: You must have studied PCB subjects in the 12th standard, scored 50% at least to pass the 10+2 exam, and must be 17 years old to pursue the degree program.
• Course structure and duration: The MBBS course covers five and a half years. There are three phases of the program – Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III. Phase I includes two semesters, Phase II three, and Phase III four.
• Career opportunities and scope: Apart from Doctor there are several professions that you can take up after passing the MBBS program – they may be enumerated as below:

1. Hospital Management
2. Medical Teacher or Professor
3. Medical Legal Advisor
4. Researcher
5. Writer

2.  BDS

• Overview: BDS happens to be one of the top medical courses in India and it enjoys immense popularity as well.
• Eligibility criteria: If you wish to enroll in the BDS program you must have studied the PCB subjects in the 12th standard and passed your 10 + 2 exam with a minimum of 50% marks. You also need to be 17 years old when you are starting the course.
• Course structure and duration: This is a five-year-long course that also includes a rotatory internship of a year. For the first four years of the program, you have a definite syllabus but in the fifth and final year, there is no definite syllabus. Such programs are among the most sought-after career options after 12th medical, offering students a comprehensive foundation and practical exposure for a successful career in the medical field.
• Career prospects in dentistry: The following are the top career options that you can pursue after completing a BDS degree program:

1. Dental Hygienist
2. Dentist
3. Dental Technician
4. Academic Researcher
5. Dental Therapist

3. BAMS

• Overview: BAMS includes the Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) courses in India. This is a UG-level medical program that spans five and a half years.
• Eligibility criteria: If you want to study in the BAMS program you must have studied the PCB subjects in 10+2, cleared your 17th standard exams with at least 50% marks, and be 17 years old. The BAMS course is one of the popular career options after 12th medical, offering a pathway into the field of Ayurveda and alternative medicine.
• Course structure and key subjects: Its syllabus includes Ayurveda Surgery and Medicine for treating health disorders among humans. The course includes a year of internship and four years of academic sessions.
• Career opportunities in Ayurveda: After you start working as a registered Ayurvedic practitioner you can work as a Doctor or a Medical Officer in private and governmental hospitals.

4. BHMS

• Overview: The BHMS degree program is a part of the AYUSH courses as well!
• Admission criteria: The minimum percentile required for getting admitted to the course is the 40th percentile for Scheduled Caste (SC), Other Backward Castes (OBC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. For the general candidates, the minimum required percentile is the 50th percentile. This eligibility criterion applies to several prominent career options after 12th medical, ensuring fair access to medical education for students from diverse backgrounds.
• Course structure and duration: There are eight semesters in the program and it spans five and a half years.
• Career prospects in homeopathy: The following are the top career options you have after studying in this program:

1. Homeopathic Practitioner
2. Research Scientist
3. Homeopathic Specialist
4. Homeopathic Pharmacist
5. Homeopathic Product Development Specialist

5. B.V.Sc

• Overview: This particular medical degree program focuses on the study of veterinary medicine.
• Eligibility criteria: You must have scored at least 50% in your 12th standard exam to be deemed eligible for admission to the course.
• Course structure and key subjects: In this course, you learn how to treat and diagnose diseases in all kinds of animals. The five-year course is divided into 10 semesters.
• Career opportunities in veterinary science: After earning your B.V.Sc degree you can start working in any of the following profiles:

1. Animal Physiologist
2. Veterinarian
3. Animal Surgeon
4. Veterinary Epidemiologist
5. Veterinary Dentist

Allied Medical Courses

1. BPT

• Overview: The BPT course, also known as B.Pth covers four and a half years and this is inclusive of a six-month internship. It is easily one of the top medical courses after 12th.
• Eligibility and admission process: If you wish to take up this course at the UG level you must have studied the PCB subjects in the 12th standard. In some cases, colleges accept NEET scores for admission to the course but in most cases, you have to take the entrance test conducted by the respective institute offering the program.
• Course curriculum: The program offers a combination of practical training and theoretical knowledge in important areas like the following:

1. anatomy
2. physiology
3. biomechanics
4. exercise therapy
5. rehabilitation

• Career prospects in physiotherapy: By taking part in the BPT program you can find work in the following sectors:

1. clinical settings
2. sports rehabilitation
3. research
4. academia
5. entrepreneurship

2. B.Sc. Nursing

• Overview: The UG degree program serves as the ideal starting point for students looking for a career in nursing.
• Eligibility and admission criteria: To be deemed eligible for entry into the program you must be medically fit and must have studied the PCB subjects in Class 12. The most important entrance tests for the program are Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET), AIIMS B.Sc. Nursing, Common University Entrance Test (CUET), and Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET). These programs are among the top career options after 12th medical, offering students a pathway to build a successful career in healthcare and allied fields.
• Course structure and duration: This is a four-year-long course with annual exams rather than semesters.
• Career opportunities in Nursing: The B.Sc. Nursing helps you find jobs such as the following:

1. Staff Nurse
2. Supervisor
3. Industrial Nurse
4. Psychiatric Nurse
5. Military Nurse

3. B.Pharm

• Overview: The B.Pharm is a UG degree course in the domain of pharmacy.
• Eligibility criteria and admission process: If you wish to be considered eligible for the program you must have scored between 55 and 60% in your 12th standard exam. You must also have studied the PCB subjects in Class 12. If you have a Diploma in Pharmacy (D Pharma) you will gain lateral entry in the second year of the program. To get admitted to the program you must clear entrance exams such as the following:

1. Panjab University CET (PU CET)
2. Maharashtra CET (MAHA CET)
3. Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT)
4. KCET
5. Manipal Entrance Test (MET)

• Course structure and key subjects: The four-year course is divided into several semesters. It includes important subjects such as the following:

1. Human Anatomy and Physiology
2. Pharmaceutical Analysis
3. Pharmaceutics
4. Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry
5. Remedial Biology

• Career prospects in Pharmacy: Completing the degree program allows you to work in the following positions:

1. Drug Safety Associate
2. Medical Writer
3. Clinical Research Associate
4. Pharmaceutical Scientist
5. Drug Inspector

4. B.Sc. MLT

• Overview: The B.Sc. MLT program is an undergraduate degree course with a duration of three years.
• Eligibility criteria and admission process: You must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology in your 10+2. You must also have cleared your 12th standard exams with at least 50% marks. Admission to the course is granted through entrance exams such as the National Test for Programs After Twelfth (NPAT), CUET, and State Eligibility Test (SET). These programs are excellent career options after 12th medical, offering a solid foundation for a successful career in the healthcare and allied fields.
• Course structure and duration: This is a three-year course and is divided into six semesters which implies a couple of semesters each year.
• Career opportunities in MLT: Following are some job profiles you will find work in after completing the course:

1. Medical Laboratory Technician
2. Clinical Laboratory Technician
3. Phlebotomist
4. Clinical Laboratory Technologist
5. Medical Laboratory Technologist

Emerging Medical Courses

1. B.Optom

• Overview: The four-year UG degree program focuses on vision and eye care.
• Eligibility criteria and admission process: You must have studied the PCB subjects in your 12th standard and cleared your 10+2 exams with a minimum of 40% marks to be considered eligible for the program. Admission to this degree course is granted via entrance exams.
• Course structure and key subjects: There are six semesters in the B.Optom program which means a couple of semesters each year. The course covers a diverse array of subjects concerned with understanding eyes and diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases and illnesses of the organ. As one of the top career options after 12th medical, this program provides students with specialized knowledge and skills to build a successful career in optometry and eye care.
• Career prospects in Optometry: By graduating from this course you can work as an Optometrist, an Ophthalmologist, or an Optician.

2. BOT

• Overview: If you are looking for a medical course after 12th in allied medical care this is one program that you can always try. It teaches students to assist people with physical, cognitive, and sensory issues.
• Admission criteria and process: You get admitted to the course based on your academic performance and the process of admission depends on the specific college or university you are getting admitted to.
• Course structure and duration: The course spans four years and six months, and there are eight semesters in all.
• Career opportunities in Occupational Therapy: Studying in this course enables you to work in the following professions:

1. Physician
2. Doctor
3. Occupational Therapist
4. Pathologist
5. Research Assistant

3. B.Sc. Biotechnology

• Overview: This is a UG degree program that covers four years.
• Eligibility and admission process: In both the Honors and the General programs you need to have scored at least 60% marks or equivalent in your 12th standard exams. You must also have studied Biology and Chemistry in Class 12.
• Course structure and key subjects: The course is divided into a couple of semesters. It includes a wide range of subjects such as the following:

1. Plant Physiology and Biotechnology
2. Mammalian Physiology
3. Biochemistry and Metabolism
4. Molecular Diagnostics
5. Enzymology

• Career prospects in Biotechnology: The following are the top jobs that you can land by studying in this program:

1. Forensic Science Technician
2. Medical Scientists
3. Microbiologists
4. Environmental Biotechnologist
5. Geneticist

Short-Term Courses and Diplomas

These days, a lot of students looking for a medical course after 12th are going for short-term courses and diploma programs to build their career in the domain. The best thing about these courses is that they provide you with the skills you need to make yourself more employable in the industry. Plus, you do not have to spend the number of years you would in a degree or sit through hours of lectures.

Following are the top short-term medical diplomas and courses:

• Medical Laboratory Assistant
• Nursing Assistant
• ECG (Electrocardiogram) Assistant
• Medical Laboratory Technician
• Operation Theatre Technician

Conclusion

So, if you are looking to make a living in the medical industry there is no shortage of options for you. This is why it is so important that you explore all the options that you have in this regard and analyze them as carefully as possible so that you can make the right decision in this regard. Career options after 12th medical are vast and diverse, ranging from traditional roles in medicine to specialized fields like optometry, physiotherapy, and biotechnology.

The quality of education also matters a lot in this case and this is where you would do well to get your education from a leading university such as Amity Online as that way there would be no compromise with the standard of education on offer.

Amity Online is India's first university recognized by the (UGC) University Grant Commission for its online degree and certificate programs. 

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