Top Professional Courses In India [2024 Updated]

If you are a student who has recently completed your 12th or just graduated from your college, I would first like to congratulate you on successfully completing a milestone for your final destination towards building a successful career.

What should I do next?, Which field should I pursue?  Such questions must be running in your mind at the speed of 1000 miles per hour. It’s very normal to feel confused at such a stage especially when there are a diverse number of courses available to pursue.

Students coming from diverse backgrounds have different interests, skills, and beliefs. This has a strong influence when it comes to deciding the field that you want to pursue your career in.

It has become really important to select the right course especially when it’s 2023, the era in which the method we use to learn, develop, and implement skills is changing rapidly.

In this blog, I will provide a list of top professional courses in India in 2023 as well as explain the courses that are suitable for a specific set of skills and interests. This will help you get clarity on which course suits your needs and interests best.

What is a Professional Course?

Professional courses are the courses that learners enroll in so that they can equip themselves with practical knowledge and skills with respect to the industry they intend to work in.

While pursuing a professional course you can learn from experienced professors who provide the valuable insights they have gained from years of experience in a specific industry.

For instance, when you want to pursue digital marketing, there are various colleges offering masters in digital marketing. The knowledge and experience of the faculty in the digital marketing industry serve as a deciding factor for you taking admission in a specific college or not.

These courses help you to enhance your knowledge and skills so that you can stand out in this competitive market and increase the chances of you being employed.

By pursuing a professional course you can benefit in the following ways:

•  Boost your CV – Pursuing a professional course helps you to build an extra set of skills that makes you more capable of a role you are hunting for. These skills and certificates help you to provide a boost to your CV and secure a spot in your desired company.

• Stand out from the crowd – Every student who passes out from college possesses the same skills and knowledge provided by the education system. Professional courses help you to develop unique skills which gives you an upper hand over those who belong to the same industry. Recruiters want people who know more than just what they have learned from the education system.

• Provides a boost to your creativity – Developing and implementing new skills in your workplace can help you showcase how these new skills can be used to improve the quality of your work as well as gain a reputation in front of your superiors. They will admire your hunger to learn and hone more skills as well as appreciate your efforts to improve the work performance of the company.

• Network with People – While pursuing a professional course you will come across individuals who come from different industries. This will help you to expand your network and build a good professional relationship with them. These networks can come in help when you might have not even expected, say they may provide you with a reference for a company or remove you from a difficult situation.

• Improves your Salary Potential – Acquiring new skills through professional courses can help you negotiate a higher salary. The recruiters are interested in hiring people that possess additional skills and so won’t mind paying more for the unique skills you own.

 

Who should do a professional course?

There is never any barrier when it comes to learning, yet according to me there are a few prominent categories who are exactly at the right age to pursue a professional course:

1. Undergraduates

If you are a student who has just completed your 12th grade and then pursuing a professional course will help you find a field of interest in which you want to make a career.

It’s never too early especially when it comes to deciding your future career. Pursuing a new course will make you learn and explore new skills that may spark your interest in that respective field. 

This will assist you in deciding your future path in advance and you will have a definite goal in place.

2. Graduates

If you are a graduate then pursuing a professional course will definitely help you learn an additional set of skills in the industry you are interested to make a career with. 

This will help you stay updated with the latest trends that are prevailing in the industry as well as give you an advantage over your competitors.

Hence, it is essential for both Graduate and 12th-grade students to pursue a professional course.

 

How to select the best professional course for you?

Below mentioned are the steps, if followed correctly will help you select the right professional course:

• Find your Niche

The first and most important thing you need to do is to list down the topics that interest you the most when it comes to making a career out of that interests. Identifying your interests will help to develop the path in which you want to make a career and earn a living.

• Conduct a research

Start researching about the courses that offer the skills you are interested in learning. Find out the courses selected by your classmates who belong to the same industry. Check which institution offers these courses and if possible speak with people who have already pursued them. They will tell you the pros and cons of the course you wish to pursue.

• Check the content and shortlist the course accordingly

Check out the topics covered by the course and see what types of assignments, projects, and examinations are involved in this course.

You will have a rough estimation of what steps you will go through when pursuing the course. For instance, if you are interested in SEO, SEM, social media, etc., then you can check out the digital marketing courses and the institution that offers these skills and shortlist these courses based on your interests

• Compare the university quality and course duration

Take a look at the topics covered under the same course by different institutes as well as compare the duration of the courses they offer. Attend demo lectures if possible. This will give you a rough idea of what the subjects will feel like. A comparison of these demo lectures and the duration of the course will help you to prioritize the course that will facilitate a balance between your education and professional course.

•  Find out the entry requirements and the cost of study

After finalizing the course and the university that provides this course, the next step is to enquire how easy it is for you to enroll for the course. Some courses are easy whereas some are hard to get in. Always check for alternative courses as a backup plan if you are not confident of being accepted for the course that you prefer. The cost of the course is another aspect will selecting the course you want to pursue.

However, there are many financial options available in the form of student loans, scholarships, etc that can provide you with the financial support you need to enroll for the course.

• Check out opportunities offered post-course completion

You should consider various factors such as income, personal growth, job security, and other factors when selecting your course. Also, check that are the recruiters demanding the skills you are choosing to invest in or not. 

These attributes should be considered when selecting the course of your choice.

• Career Counseling

Sometimes after conducting extensive research, you might still be confused about the perfect course for you. In such a situation you should reach out to a career counselor who will cater to all your doubts regarding your career as well as help you the right course to pursue your career.

• Visit an educational consultant

After finally deciding the course to be pursued, you should now visit an educational consultant who can guide you through the procedure in order to enroll for a particular course. They will guide you through the exams you need to prepare and appear for in order to secure your spot for a particular course.

After following the steps if you find yourself inclined towards pursuing a course in digital marketing but still have a doubt as to which course would be suitable for you then I would strongly recommend you to check out our blog which will provide you with the Tips to Choose the Best Course for You.

List of Top Professional Courses in India After 12th

I have curated a list of top professional courses in India after 12th that you can pursue b so that you have a better idea of the options available:

 

1. Digital Marketing Course

With the world going digital every business is moving online. It becomes essential for you to equip yourself with the skills that are demanded in this digital industry.

Today there is a lot of demand for digital marketers and possessing these skills will just pave the way for a successful career.

You can enroll for short or long-term courses based on the amount of time you can dedicate to learning digital marketing along with your studies.

If you are interested in adding an extra skill while studying in college then you should check out our Professional Certification in Digital Marketing and Strategy and  Advanced Certification on Digital Marketing courses offered by IIDE.

Our 4-month Advanced Certification in Digital Marketing Program is perfectly suitable for college students like you. In this course, you will learn to master all the tools that are required in digital marketing.

Our 6-month Professional Certification in Digital Marketing is suitable for working professionals, agency owners, and freelancers. In this course, you will be focused on learning agency and leadership skills as well as a focus on digital marketing skills.

By the end of this professional course, you will be equipped with all the skills that are required and demanded by the recruiters and will help you to work or intern with your dream company.

Top Institutes

• IIDE – The Digital School
• DMTI
• DIDM

Duration

A digital marketing course is usually 4-6 months long.

Fees

On an average the course fee range between INR 30,000 to INR 40,000. But based on the institutes the course fee can be lifted as high as between INR 1 lakh to INR 1,50,000.

Job Opportunities

After completing this course you can start as a content writer, freelancer, digital marketing manager, web developer, etc.

2. Teaching

It is a very old and respected profession that will always stay in demand because learning never stops. It is one of the best professions you can opt for.

There are long as well as short-term courses and many institutes from where you can pursue this course. Usually, students interested in this position have to invest in pursuing a Bachelor’s in Education and complete teacher training courses in order to become a professional teacher.

Top Institutes:

• Department of Education, University of Delhi
• St Xavier’s College, Kolkata
• Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi.

Duration

The average duration of this course is 2 years.

Fees

The fees for this course range from INR 50,000 to INR 1 lakh.

Job opportunities

A graduate from this course can work in the fields of teaching, media, education, government, writing, and counseling, etc.

3. Engineering

This profession is demanded all over the world but requires a long-term commitment of dedication and hard work from you. If you are serious about this course and willing to invest time and effort then only consider pursuing this course.

It is a really challenging course and all the students will have to appear for exams such as JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BISAT, VITEE, etc. that are conducted by colleges.

Top Institutes:

• Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) 
• Vellore Institute of Technology
• Indian Institute of Science (IISC)
  

Duration

Students generally have to invest 4 years in this course.

Fees

The fee for this course ranges between INR 4 lakhs to INR 8 lakhs.

Job Opportunities

After this course you can become a biomedical engineer, petroleum engineer, environmental engineer, etc.

4. Medicine

As you all know medicine is a very respected profession that has been pursued and practiced by people for ages. There are many options in medicine in which you can specialize.

Students can take up Homeopathy, Allopathy, Ayurveda, etc. and they can become a doctor, a nurse, a dentist, a consultant…..basically there are many options. You can select the area of medicine in which you are most inclined to pursue a career.

You as a candidate will have to appear for exams conducted by colleges such as CET, NEET, etc. in order to get admission to the course you are interested in.

Top Institutes:

• AIIMS Delhi
• CMC Vellore
• KMC Manipal

Duration

The average duration of this course is 5 years and 6 months.

Fees

The fee for this course ranges as low as INR 20,000 to INR 7.5 lakhs.

Job Opportunities

After completing this course you can become a medical practitioner, medical researcher, or healthcare consultant.

5. Graphic Designing

As digitalization is being employed everywhere, graphic design is here to stay. With the use of your creative skills, you can create an amazing corporate design that helps to create a unique identity for your company as well as showcase what your company stands for.

Both this course and graphic designers are quite in demand and so you can either secure a good job or maybe even create your own business.

Top Institutes:

• Zee Institute of Creative Arts (Mumbai)
• Arena Animation (All over India)
• Symbiosis Institute of Technical Design (Pune, Maharashtra)

Duration

This course can take 2 years.

Fees

The average fees for a month can range between INR 10,000 to INR 12,000

Job Opportunities

Post completion you can become a graphic designer, web designer, UX designer, etc.

 

6. Journalism

Today information is not just limited to TV or a newspaper. Thanks to digitalization you can access the same information on social media or the internet.

With advancements in technology, this course has become very popular. If you are serious about this course and use hard work and dedication as your weapons then no one can stop you from conquering this industry.

Top Institutes:

• Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
• University of Delhi, Delhi
• Loyola College, Chennai

Duration

The course needs an investment of 3 years.

Fees

The fee of this course ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 5 lakhs.

Job Opportunities

Post completion you can become a journalist, Radio Jockey, content creator, etc.

7. Chartered Accountancy

It is one very popular course that many students wish to pursue but at the same time, it is very difficult to crack. If you clear this course you may end up getting really good roles and offers.

In order to clear the course you will first have to clear an entrance exam called CPT, followed by IPCC which includes two groups, and appear for CA finals which include two groups as well

 

Top Institutes:

• Vista Academy, Dehradun
• ETEN CA, Guwahati
• PIRON School of Business and Finance, Mumbai
• Siddhartha Academy, Thane
  

   

Duration

You will have to invest a minimum of 4-5 years in this course.

Fees

Reputed institutes charge around INR 2 lakhs to INR 2.5 lakhs per year.

Job Opportunities

Graduates from this course can work as an internal auditor, teacher, financial management, etc.

8. Animation

Today people prefer to invest a lot of their time in entertainment and so this industry is experiencing immense growth. Lately, Animation has been adopted as the newest means of expression over the internet.

Animation is not just limited to TV but it has pushed all the boundaries by being present and used everywhere. As this industry is booming, it is a wise choice to make a career in this industry.

Become a certified animator by pursuing a course from the top institutions.

Top Institutes:

• Picasso Animation College (Delhi)
• Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay (Mumbai)
• National Institute Of Film And Fine Arts (Kolkata)
• F X School (Mumbai)

Duration 

The average duration of this course is 1 to 2 years.

Fees

An animation course fee can strat from INR 5,000 right to INR 2,00,000.

9. BSc Nutrition and Dietetics

Over the years the consumption of junk and unhealthy food loaded with preservatives has increased exponentially. Also, physical work has decreased due to an increase in desk jobs.

All these attributes contribute to the deterioration of human help which makes the demand for nutritionists even more popular. Hence pursuing a career as Nutritionist is a good decision and there are many courses available to become a certified Nutritionist.

Top Institutions:

• G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
• University of Bombay
• Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackeray University
• Guru Nanak Dev University

Duration

Students have to invest 3 years in order to enroll in this course.

Fees

The average fee for the course ranges from INR 50,000 to INR 2.5 lakhs.

Job Opportunities

A graduate can become a dietician in hospitals and Nutritionists in health clinics, health centers, and MNCs.

10. Fashion Design

If you are someone who has great taste when it comes to style and creativity and has a good for fashion-related things should consider pursuing a career in this field.

Leveraging the knowledge you have of fashion design and elevating it by pursuing a course in this field will make you successful in your career.

Staying updated with the latest trends is key in this industry. Students have to take entrance exams such as NIFT, AAC-CET, etc. to take admission to reputed colleges and become certified Fashion Designer.

Top Institutes:

• National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
• Pearl Academy, New Delhi
• National Institute of Fashion Technology, Hyderabad
• Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune

Duration

The course has an average duration of 2-3 years.

Fees

This course fee ranges from INR 9,000 to INR 3,00,000.

Job Opportunities

Post completion you can become a fashion designer, fashion stylist, retail manager, textile designer, and fashion blogger.

After reading the list if you find yourself interested in pursuing a career in the field of digital marketing and require in-depth knowledge about the institutions that provide these courses, then please check out our blog on Top Institutes to learn Digital Marketing Courses in order to select the institute that meets your requirements

As you are now aware of the courses you should pursue before graduation, now let’s dive into the courses you need to pursue after graduation.

List of Top Professional Courses in India after Graduation

Check out the list of courses below that I have curated for you to pursue post-graduation:

 

1. PG Diploma in Management (PGDM)

PGDM is an alternative to MBA and another popular course that is opted for by many students. It equips students with the essential knowledge of the concepts, such as Business, Marketing, Management, etc.

If you are interested in making a career in digital marketing and wish to conquer the digital marketing industry then check out our MBA Level Post Graduation Programme in Digital Marketing offered by IIDE just for you

Post Graduation in Digital Marketing is a course designed to prepare students for mid to senior-level positions in the digital marketing industry and also offers a 100% placement guarantee. Digital Marketing is a fast-growing industry in India making Post Graduation in Digital Marketing a popular choice for graduates.

What you will learn:

• Inbound Marketing
• Outbound Marketing
• Media Management & Automation
• Managerial Skills & Soft Skills
• Compulsory Internship & Thesis
• Specialization
• Capstone Project

Check out the other institutes where you can enroll for PGDM:

• IIDE
• Symbiosis University
• Osmania University
• IMT Ghaziabad
• Amity Business School
• Chandigarh University

Duration

The average duration of this course is 2 years.

Fees

The fee for the course range fro INR 1 lakh to INR 20 lakhs.

Job Opportunites

Post completion you can become a retail manager, operations manager, supply chain manager, retail manager, accountant, insurance broker, HR consultant, business analyst, logistics manager, etc.

If you are curious to learn more about IIDE, always feel free to visit our Mumbai or Delhi campus. We would love to give you a tour of the campus as well as help you select the right course for you.

2. MBA (Masters In Business Administration)

It is another popular degree that is chosen by students post-graduation. It is a degree that includes theoretical and practical aspects that facilitates understanding business and investment management.

This degree holds the potential to equip you with practical exposure and skills in your area of interest. We have included this course at the top of our list and includes a diverse range of MBA specializations for every domain such as Media Management, Interior Designing, Agribusiness, and Entrepreneurship.

Top Institutes:

• Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
• Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.
• Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata.
• Vinod Gupta School of Management, IIT Kharagpur.
• Indian Institute of Management, Indore.

Duration

You will have to invest 2 years in this course.

Fees

The fee of this course ranges from INR 20,000 to INR 40 lakhs.

Job Opportunities

Post completion you can become a Business consultant, Project manager, Finance manager, SAP consultant, Business intelligence analyst, etc.

3. MTech (Masters of Technology)

Technological advancements have wrapped our world around science and technology. Students who want to explore all the elements that engineering and information technology has to offer should pursue MTech.

Often Mtech is compared with ME(Masters in Engineering), but the only difference between them is that it is more skill oriented, whereas the latter one is more knowledge oriented.

MTech is the right option for those who explore diverse technical specializations such as Mechanical Engeneering, Industrial Engeneering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, etc.

Top Institutes:

• DTU – Delhi Technological University
• Netaji Subhas University of Technology
• SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
• College of Engineering, Pune

Duration

This course is for a duration of 2 years.

Fees

The fee for this course ranges from INR 1.75 lakhs to INR 3.5 lakhs.

Job Opportunities

Post completion you can become a web developer, system designer, etc

4. PGD in Hotel Management

It is usually a 1-2 year program where students are prepared to learn their role in the hospitality industry.

When you will work as a hotel manager, you will have the responsibility of managing the operations of the hotel, resort any other similar establishment that offers lodging and other services to guests.

The hospitality industry is booming and hence pursuing a career in Hotel Management comes with an array of benefits such as getting the opportunity to travel around the world, and work with top hotels, cruise ships, airlines, and much more.

Top Institutes:

• Institute of Hotel Management, Catering & Nutrition, PUSA New Delhi
• Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, Manipal
• Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Mumbai

Duration

This course is for a duration of 1-3 years.

Fees

The fee for the course ranges from INR 15,000 to INR 70,000

Job Opportunities

After completing this course you can become a chef, catering manager, or a catering manager as well.

5. PGPM (Post Graduate Program in Management)

It is a one-year post-graduate program that is most suitable for one who wants to complete a professional course in a short period of time. The main focus of this course is in the field of management studies which helps professionals to dive deeper into this topic.

Here a list of workshops is integrated with interactive learning so that you are equipped with business and management-related skills.

Top Institutes:

• IIM Ahmedabad
• Indian Institute of Management(IIMB), Bangalore
• IIM Calcutta
• Indian Institute of Management(IIML), Lucknow

Duration

This course is usually for a duration of 2 years.

Fees

The fee for this course ranges between INR 10 lakhs to INR 25 lakhs

Job Opportunities

After completing this course you can become a Business Consultant, Marketing Manager, Finance Manager, HR Manager, etc.

6. Certification in Finance and Accounting (CFA)

Students who are interested in Finance and Accounting should pursue CFA and construct the fastest route toward a career in finance.

When pursuing this course you will be required to qualify for multiple levels of tests as well as you will be required to have a minimum of years of industry experience.

Top Institutes:

• Edu Pristine Institute, Mumbai
• Finguru, New Delhi
• Instructor, New Delhi
• Orbit Institutes Pvt Ltd, Chennai

Duration

This course is usually for a duration of 3-4 years.

Fees

The fee for this course ranges between INR 1,90,000 to INR 5,86,000

Job Opportunities

After completing this course you can become a financial analyst, portfolio manager, consultant, etc.

7. Project Management

MBA in Project Management is another course that students pursue after completing their graduation. Project Management plays a very crucial role when it comes to ensuring effective management in order to increase for a specified period of time.

This course is so popular that post-completion you will be hunted by recruiters from Medical, Manufacturing, Finance, and IT firms. So pursuing a career in project management is a wide choice.

Top institutes:

• NITIE Mumbai
• Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune 
• Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth, Faridabad

Duration

This course is usually done for a duration of 6 months.

Fees

The fee for this course ranges between INR 14,000 to INR 1 lakh.

Job Opportunities

Graduates can then work in construction, marketing, information technology, biotechnology, and sustainable energy.

8. Business Accounting and Taxation (BAT)

If you are a student who wants to gain a deeper understanding of concepts such as accounting and taxation, then BAT is the perfect course for you to pursue to make a career in this field.

It is a certified 6-month course that covers advanced accounting concepts, direct taxes, indirect taxes, and financial reporting as well as the disciplines of economics.

Top Institutes:

• IIM SKILLS
• APJ Learning Institute
• EduPristine
• NIFM (National Institute of Financial Markets) 

Duration

This course is for a period of 6 months.

Fees

The fee for this course ranges from INR 25,000 to INR 60,000.

Job Opportunities

After completing the course you can become a taxation Manager, Assistant Manager, Accountant, Revenue Agent, Personal Finance Consultant, Executive Indirect Taxation,

9. Masters In Data Science and Machine Learning

Data science involves studying data and deriving meaningful insights from it. Machine Learning on the other hand involves the use of that data which is used to improve the performance of the task on hand.

Data eclipsing oil has become the most valued resource in the world and so pursuing this course will make you more valuable and demanded by recruiters in this field.

Top Institutes:

• IIM Kolkata
• IIT Madras 
• Loyola College Chennai

Duration

This course is for a duration of 2 years.

Fees 

The fee for this course ranges from INR 2 lakh to INR 4 lakh.

Job Opportunities

After completing this course you can become a Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Applications Architect, Machine Learning Scientist, Enterprise Architect, Data Architect, etc.

As you have now understood the professional courses that should be considered to be pursued post-graduation and you still have some unanswered questions then read the next section to find the answers to your questions.

FAQs

1. Which stream has experienced an increase in the number of students?
Digital Marketing has become very popular over the years. As there are many students who are interested in making a career in digital marketing, there has been an increase in the number of students enrolling in this course.

2. What jobs will be in demand in 2030 in India?
Below mentioned is the list of demanded jobs:

• Digital Marketing
• Data Science
• Engineering
• Machine Learning
• Medicine
• Teaching
• Chartered Accountancy
• Journalism
  

3.  Which course is the most popular in the world?

According to our sources, digital marketing followed by nursing, business administration, and law are the most popular courses around the world.

4. Which professional course has the highest salary?

Given below are the top certifications that pay well.

• Digital Marketing
• Full Stack Web Development
• Data Science
• Engineering
• Business Analytics
• Data Science
• Medicine

5. Which field has a bright future?

With every business moving toward digital transformation. Pursuing a career in the field of digital marketing promises a bright future.

6. Which stream is highly paid?

Some of the highest-paying courses include digital marketing, chartered accountants, medicine, data science, machine learning, journalism, etc.

7. Which course is the toughest in the world?
Here is a list of the toughest courses in the world:

• Medicine
• Engineering
• Chartered Accountancy
• Pharmacy
• Law

 

8. Which is India’s top toughest exam?

List of Top Toughest Exams in India

• IIT – JEE.
• Chartered Accountants (CA)
• NIFT
• ACC-CET
• Indian Engineering Services (IES)

 

Conclusion

I hope that after reading this blog you now have some clarity as to which course matches your interest for you to build a career around it.

I know that being bombarded with so much information must be intimidating and so just following the steps that I have mentioned above will help you to find the perfect course.

If you are interested in making a career in the field of digital marketing and want to dominate this industry then I strongly recommend you to check out our Online Digital Marketing Courses and check the courses that you are most interested in.

So removing some time and investing it in planning your further education will help you find the right course that will lead the path to a successful career.