Courses After 12th Arts
March 11th, 2025: 15 min
Choosing the right undergraduate program after completing 12th in the arts stream is the most important decision in a student’s higher education life, as it will determine his career prospectus. There are different options for a bachelor’s degree, including the classical four-year undergraduate programs in humanities, fine arts, performing arts, or professional courses.
Students should choose from the best courses after 12th arts, considering their interests, career goals and job opportunities.
List of Courses After 12th Arts
Students who have completed the 12th grade with arts subjects can consider the following courses for their undergraduate studies.
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
This is perhaps the most common program of study for art students at the undergraduate level. This three—or four-year course enables learners to develop a strong foundation in humanities and social science subjects. The BA program provides many specializations as follows:
- English Literature
This course explores ancient and modern literary works, such as poetry, prose, and drama. It delves into the themes, historical contexts, cultural significance, and stylistic elements of various popular literary works from different parts of the world. Students can learn from classical texts and contemporary writings.
- History
It is the study of past societies, cultures, and events to understand how they have shaped the present. The subject is categorized into ancient, medieval and modern history to organize and study the distinct periods of human civilization. Students can learn the political, social, economic, and cultural developments of different civilizations.
- Political Science
This subject deals with the study of government systems, political ideologies, and diplomatic relationships between nations. Students can learn how governments function at local, national, and global levels, how policies are formulated, and how international political dynamics work.
- Sociology
It studies society, social organizations, human behavior, and interactions within society. It covers a wide range of topics, such as the structure of a society, family dynamics, social inequality, gender, and ethnicity. This helps students analyze social issues and learn the impact of social changes.
- Psychology
It is the scientific study of human behavior and mental activity. It explores human emotions and addresses various psychological challenges to devise ways to improve mental health.
- Economics
It is an academic discipline that deals with the study of markets, resources, and economic policies. Students can attain problem-solving skills to analyze financial structures and forecast the future of businesses.
- Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC)
The program teaches about media, communication, and reporting. It equips students with skills in digital media, broadcasting, report writing, and editing. It produces graduates who are industry-ready in the fields of journalism, advertising, public relations, and digital marketing.
- Film and Television Production
It deals with the creation, production, and distribution of films and television content. Some areas it covers are script writing, direction, cinematography, editing, lighting, sound and recording, post-production, digital narrative and performance, etc. Graduates can work for digital platforms and the entertainment industry.
- Social Work (BSW)
This course helps students understand human behavior, social policies, and community development to promote social justice and empowerment. It prepares them for social service, helping individuals, families, and communities address social, emotional, and financial challenges. This is one of the best courses after 12th arts in the BA specialization to get a lucrative career.
- Public Relations and Corporate Communication
This course teaches about managing an organization’s image and public relations processes to enhance its reach in the society. It entails learning how to court the media and the public, establish a brand image, and handle crises with effective communication.
Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA)
BPA is an undergraduate program that encompasses the study of music, dance and drama. This is one of the best courses after 12th arts for students who aspire to join the performing arts industry. It provides technical education in different fields of art, like.
- Theatre
Theatre courses educate students on acting, directing, and scriptwriting. They can learn to perform in front of an audience, interpret scripts, and manage stage productions. This specialization is particularly good for students who plan to work in drama, films, or television productions.
- Dance
Dance programs provide in-depth training in dance styles, the creation of dance pieces, and methods of stage presentation. Students learn to align body movements according to rhythm and tell stories through dance.
- Music
This specialization offers training in vocal performance, playing instruments, and sound creation. Students are trained in various music genres, from classical to contemporary styles and musical instruments.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
BFA is one of the most in-demand professional courses after 12th arts for learners aspiring to cultivate creative ability and excel in visual, fine or performing arts. It focuses on intensive studio practice and coursework consisting of hands-on artistic training. Some of the specializations under BFA are:
- Painting
Painting courses help students foster artistic skills in painting, including conventional, innovative and contemporary works. The syllabus includes drawing, art history and other related subjects. Students learn how to implement various ways painting techniques.
- Sculpture
This course teaches the art of carving and moulding three-dimensional objects using materials such as clay, stone, metals, etc. Students will also learn the materials and methods, installation and new genres in sculpting.
- Applied Arts
Applied Arts is centered on the design and decoration of objects to make them aesthetically appealing for commercial purposes. It comprises industrial design, architecture, crafts, interior design, graphic design, etc.
- Photography
Photography courses teach both the practical and aesthetic elements of photography. They include topics like camera operation, lighting, post-processing, business and marketing, etc. Students can major in photojournalism, fashion, or wildlife photography.
- Visual Communication
This specialization focuses on multimedia design and branding to communicate ideas and information effectively. The course combines design, art, technology, and communication principles to create effective visual information. It is one of the courses after 12th arts that can help graduates find high-paid jobs.
Bachelor of Design (B.Des.)
The B.Des is a professional course that adopts an interdisciplinary approach to developing design skills and knowledge in students. It includes the theoretical and practical aspects of architecture, visual arts, communication and technology. It has numerous areas of specialization and many students nowadays prefer these courses after 12th arts.
- Fashion Design
Fashion design courses include apparel production, textile and surface design, fashion illustration, fashion management and marketing. Students can gain skills and knowledge to succeed in the ever-evolving fashion industry.
- Graphic Design
It is a discipline primarily concerned with creating messages through graphics using both digital and print media. Students can learn skills in typeface, layout, and branding. It is one of the most popular courses after 12th arts.
- Industrial Design
This course prepares students to design aesthetically appealing products. It blends artistic and technical skills. This specialization teaches product design, design principles and digital skills.
- Interior Design
The course concerns space planning, including aesthetic value enhancement and functional arrangement. Students are taught how to design comfortable and attractive spaces inside the premises.
- Product Design
This course teaches the main concepts of usability and product innovation. Students develop the ability to design products that suit consumers' needs. The topics range from concept development and models to functional design.
- Communication Design
This is a multidisciplinary course that includes topics like visual communication, graphic design, and advertising. Students can gain skills and knowledge to create effective and engaging visual content.
- Animation
The course focuses on the principles, techniques, and tools of creating animated content. It teaches students the development of 2D and 3D images for entertainment, games or even educational products. It is also one of the most sought-after undergraduate courses after 12th arts.
- Multimedia Design
The program involves interactive media design, experience design and animation to create engaging, visually appealing, and interactive content across various digital platforms. It combines graphic design, animation, web development and video production.
Other Courses After 12th Arts
Apart from the above programs, students can also explore some professional courses after 12th arts that offer industry-specific training:
- Bachelors in Hotel Management
This program aims to prepare students for the hospitality and tourism industry. It provides education in hotel or resort operation, management, hospitality and customer service.
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
The BBA program equips students with the knowledge and skills for business management. It offers several specializations to prepare learners for various industries. These include marketing, finance, human resources, international business, logistics and supply chain management, etc.
- Bachelor of Event Management
The course is concerned with teaching the art of planning events such as conferences, exhibitions, concerts, business meetings, weddings, etc. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to successfully plan, organize, and execute events.
- Bachelor of Tourism Studies
This program educates students on tourism principles, travel management, marketing, and customer services. It is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in tourism, travel, and hospitality industry.
Career Options for Courses After 12th Arts
The following table summarizes career options based on the courses:
Course |
Career Options |
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) |
Historian, Economist, Journalist |
Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) |
Actor, Musician, Choreographer |
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) |
Artist, Graphic Designer, Photographer |
Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) |
Fashion Designer, Animator, UX Designer |
BBA |
Business Development Executive, Marketing Executive |
Hotel Management |
Hotel Operations Manager, Restaurant Manager |
Event Management |
Event Coordinator, Wedding Planner |
Tourism Studies |
Travel Consultant, Tourism Officer |
Courses After 12th Arts with High Salary
Below is a list of courses that enable graduates to get high-paying jobs. The salaries mentioned are for fresh graduates:
Course |
Average Salary (per annum) |
Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) |
₹5,12,000 |
Bachelor of Journalism (BJMC) |
₹2,95,638 |
Bachelor of Hotel Management |
₹2,94,554 |
Bachelor of Arts |
₹4,84,000 |
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) |
₹5,08,000 |
FAQs
Q1)What are the most popular creative careers for arts graduates?
A: Graphic design, animation, and fashion design are some of the most sought-after careers for arts graduates.
Q2) Can arts students pursue business-oriented courses after 12th arts?
A: Arts students can pursue business management courses like Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
Q3) Can I pursue law courses after 12th arts?
A: Yes, students can enroll for LLB or integrated courses like BA LLB to pursue a career in law after completing 12th Arts.
Q4) Which course is best for creativity-focused students after 12th Arts?
A: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) are best for creative individuals.
Q5) Which courses after 12th arts have the potential to get a lucrative career?
Business management, travel and tourism and design courses offer promising careers with high salary packages.