Vocational Courses After 12th: Online, Courses, Top Colleges, Jobs, Salary 2025

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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

Vocational courses are short-term courses that are meant to teach skills in a particular trade. They are hands-on courses that concentrate on teaching the practical aspect that is needed to work in a specific job role. These courses are highly specialized and are often economical in terms of the course fee. They are short-term and completed within a few months to a year.

Admissions to vocational courses are on a merit basis and entrance tests, depending on the course. For example, for certificate and diploma courses, admissions are primarily on the merit basis of class 12th. On the other hand, bachelor of vocational studies courses admit students on both a merit basis and entrance examinations.

Some popular vocational course specializations include beautician, physiotherapy, laboratory technician, linguistics, photography, programming languages, bakery, interior design, etc. The average course fee for vocational courses is in the range of INR 5,000 to INR 1,50,000 across all course levels.

Upon finishing the course, students can either go for higher education or for a job. The job profiles, pay grades, career graphs and advancement options are different depending on the specialization chosen for the vocational course. Additionally, the average salary will be dependent on the job profile. However, one can expect the pay to be in the range of INR 2,00,000 to INR 7,00,000 per annum.

What are Vocational Courses After 12th?

  • Vocational courses are courses dedicated to providing students with job-ready employable skills.
  • These courses have a more practical-based learning curriculum and less theory-based learning.
  • This is different from a regular program where classes are a mix of both theory and practical classes.
  • Students can choose from the type of vocational courses after the 12th to earn like certificate courses, diploma courses, and also bachelor’s degrees.
  • Admissions to vocational courses after the 12th take place on a merit basis and also on an entrance examination basis.
  • However, entrance examinations could be asked for depending on the course specialization and for the bachelor of vocational studies program.

Why Study Vocational Courses After 12th?

Vocational courses serve various purposes. While students can choose them if they wish to start working quickly, there are also various added benefits to earning a vocational course degree. Some benefits to pursuing vocational courses after the 12th are as follows.

  • Pre-university courses: For candidates who wish to work in the Medical or Engineering fields, enrolling in a pre-university course is a good choice. One can get to understand what the regular program would be like. It is a good way to wet their feet in their chosen specialization.
  • Short term: Vocational courses are wrapped up quickly. The curriculum is designed to be taught and completed within a short time. Students upon graduation can be picked up for jobs immediately in their chosen field.
  • Lean learning: Vocational courses concentrate on only one area of study. In regular programs, there are many subjects that one does not need or use later. However, vocational degrees include only those subjects that are used.
  • Flexible learning: The pandemic has forced everyone to retreat to their homes. Jobs and schools have moved online. Earning a vocational degree while staying at home safely is a great option. Also, learning at one’s own pace while also working is a great benefit.

Types of Vocational Courses After 12th

Vocational degrees and vocational studies concentrations are taught at certificate, diploma, and undergraduate levels. Stated below is a brief description of all course levels.

Certificate Vocational Courses

Certificate courses are of a few months to 1 year in duration. Admissions are mainly on a merit basis. Students need to have at least a 50% aggregate score in class 12th for admissions.

Diploma Vocational Courses

The diploma vocational courses can be pursued by a class 12th pass out from a recognized educational board. Admissions take place on a merit basis. Also, one must have a minimum aggregate score of 55%.

Undergraduate Vocational Courses

Undergraduate courses are full-time bachelor’s degree programs of 3 to 4 years. Admissions are on both a merit basis and through entrance examinations. The minimum aggregate score to have for admissions is 60%.

Certificate Vocational Courses

The following table lists the top certificate vocational courses. Also, the course duration and course fee are stated.

Course Name Duration Average Fee
Certificate in Fashion Design 1 year INR 5,000
Certificate in Real Estate Management 4 months INR 35,000
Certificate in Plumber 3 months INR 20,000
Certificate Course in Yoga 1 month to 1 year INR 5,000 to INR 1,00,000
Certificate Course in French 1 Year INR 20,000
Certificate Course in Journalism 1 year INR 1,500
Certificate in Computer Operation 3 months INR 8,000
Certificate in Interior Design 6 months INR 15,00
Certificate in Medical Lab Technology 1 year INR 3,000

Diploma Vocational Courses

The table below lists various diploma vocational courses provided in India. Also stated are the course fees and duration.

Course Name Duration Average Fee
Diploma in Physiotherapy 2 years INR 20,000
Diploma in Multimedia and Animation 1 year INR 38,000
Diploma in Linguistics 2 years NA
Diploma in Food Production NA INR 60,000
Beauty Culture Course 4 months INR 10,000
Diploma in Photography 3 months INR 12,000
Diploma in Computer Applications 1 year INR 2,500
Diploma Course in E-Commerce & Financial Accounting Management 4 months INR 44,898
Diploma in Civil Engineering 3 years INR 8,970
Diploma in Education 2 Years INR 25,800

Undergraduate Vocational Courses

At the bachelor’s level, one can enroll in a Bachelor of Vocational Studies degree. These degrees are available in several concentrations to be chosen in the final year of education. A list of top colleges providing this degree is as below.

Course Name Duration Average Fee
B.Voc 3 years INR 15,000 to INR 70,000
BVoc Retail Management 3 years INR 30,000 to INR 1,00,000
BVoc Automobile 3 years INR 50,000 to INR 1,50,000

Top Colleges Offering Vocational Courses After 12th

The top colleges that provide both certificate and diploma vocational courses for class 12th pass out are as below.

Course Name Average Fee
CMJ University INR 20,000
St. Xavier’s College INR 38,000
Gujarat University INR 48,000
IHM Mumbai INR 60,000
Jamia Millia Islamia INR 8,970
Raviraj Institute for Art and Culture INR 12,000
IGNOU INR 5,000
iLead INR 35,000
Mewar University INR 50,000
NIMS University INR 25,000

Top Online Vocational Courses After 12th

  • Recently, online learning has become popular with the pandemic and people being stuck at home.
  • Most online courses are economical and often free, provided by top universities, and a certificate of completion is issued at the end.
  • There are also several vocational subject courses that one can choose from Photography, Makeup and Beauty, Programming, etc.

The top online courses at some of the top online course providers are as below.

Coursera

Course Name Duration Fee
Google IT Support Professional Certificate by Google 6 months INR 2,900
Facebook Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate by Facebook 7 months Free Enrolment
IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate by IBM 11 months Free Enrolment
Salesforce Sales Development Representative Professional Certificate by Salesforce SV Academy 6 months Free Enrolment
Good with Words: Writing and Editing Specialization by University of Michigan 4 months Free

EdX 

Course Name Duration Fee
Retail Fundamentals 4 weeks Free
Python Basics for Data Science 5 weeks Free
Fundamentals of TinyML 5 weeks Free
Academic and Business Writing 6 weeks Free
Marketing Digital: Content & Community Manager 5 weeks Free

Udemy

Course Name Duration Average Fee
Learn Ethical Hacking From Scratch 15 hours 30 mins INR 8,640
Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners 36 hours 36 mins INR 8,640
Photography Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Photography 23 hours 53 mins INR 8,640
The Complete SQL Bootcamp: Go from Zero to Hero 8 hours 51 mins INR 8,640
Makeup Artistry Basic to Masterclass, Professional Make-up 6 hours 14 mins INR 6,080

Vocational Courses After 12th Specializations

Vocational courses are courses that can be taken on to immediately start working. The courses are specialized courses in a specific field or concentration. The top concentrations for vocational courses are as below.

Medical 

  • In the medical industry, there are several job positions that hire students with a vocational degree.
  • Most courses teach students to work as assistants to a doctor to help them with medical procedures and complete some of the more menial tasks.
  • For example, Physiotherapy Technicians, Anaesthesia assistants, Sonography assistants, Medical Laboratory Equipment technicians, etc.
  • Medical writing is a popular and lucrative field.
  • Students can enroll in a short course in Medical Writing and be hired in hospitals and nursing homes to write up reports.
Course Name Admission Process Average Fees
BVoc Medical Laboratory Technology Entrance/Merit Based INR 40,000 to INR 1,50,000

Engineering 

  • For the Engineering industry, the most popular vocational course is in diploma form.
  • Engineering colleges offer diploma degrees in various Engineering concentrations.
  • The duration of these courses is 3 years.
  • When compared to a regular Engineering program, diploma courses are practically based and one is concentrating on learning the essential skills to work in the field.
  • Regular programs are a mix of theory and practical classes.
  • Graduates can be hired into the same positions as a regular degree.
Course Name Admission Process Average Fees
BVoc Automobile Engineering Entrance/Merit Based INR 40,000 to INR 2,00,000

Interior Design

  • Interior Design vocational courses are a popular choice among students.
  • Students are taught the best practices and methods of interior design.
  • Course curriculums also include basics of financial management, marketing, customer service, etc.
  • As a result, graduates can establish their own interior design firms.
  • To start out one can work under an established interior designer.
  • They work with clients to understand their budgets and wants. Plans are then created and executed with the approval of the client.
Course Name Admission Process Average Fees
BVoc Interior Design Entrance/Merit Based INR 20,000 to INR 3,00,000

Graphic Design and Animation 

  • Graphic Design and Animation have several vocational courses in institutes.
  • These are short-term and are focused on teaching a specific graphic design software like Maya.
  • Students get to learn the best design principles and practices.
  • They can be hired by any organization with an online presence that needs graphics made for themselves.
Course Name Admission Process Average Fees
BVoc Graphic Design Entrance/Merit Based INR 35,000 to INR 1,20,000

Hospitality

  • The hospitality industry has various vocational courses.
  • One can choose to enroll in a baking, front desk, tourism and travel, and more.
  • These are short-term courses and students are trained intensively to work in the field.
  • Graduates are able to be hired in resorts, hotel chains, travel agencies, food chains, and more.
  • Jobs are abundant for the right candidate as with experience, one can move up the chain to a more managerial position too.
Course Name Admission Process Average Fees
BVoc in Hotel Management Entrance/Merit Based INR 50,000 to INR 4,00,000

Beautician

  • Graduates who can wish to work in the beauty industry can enroll in a vocational course for the same.
  • There are courses for specific services like manicures, pedicures, face care, hair care, etc, and also courses covering all beauty services.
  • Graduates are hired to spas, resorts, and beauty parlors to give service to customers.
  • It is advisable for graduates to work under an existing beauty chain and gain experience.
  • This experience can be used to build one’s own beauty parlor and provide the same services.
Course Name Admission Process Average Fees
BVoc Beauty Therapy Merit-Based INR 15,000

Aviation

  • For the Aviation industry, there are various moving wheels to make the industry run effectively. From pilots, on-ground staff, cabin crew, and more.
  • There are vocational courses in each of these roles and regular degree programs.
  • The most popular choice among them is the cabin crew course.
  • Air Hostess training institutes hire students who have finished their class 12. Thereafter the course is finished up in a year or more.
  • After graduating, students are hired by various airlines across India and abroad.
Course Name Admission Process Average Fees
BVoc in Airport and Aviation Management Entrance/Merit Based INR 30,000 to INR 2,20,000

Fashion Design

  • The Fashion Design industry also hires students with a vocational degree.
  • There are certifications, diplomas, and also bachelor's degrees in fashion design.
  • Graduates are hired for grass root level job positions in fashion houses. Here they work in assisting the in-house fashion designers in carrying out all assigned tasks.
  • Work is done on specific fashion lines released every season. With experience, one can start launching their own fashion lines.
Course Name Admission Process Average Fee
BVoc Fashion Design Entrance/Merit Based INR 30,000 to INR 2,20,000

Financial Management

  • Financial institutes across India, have several short-term courses in different financial concentrations.
  • While most courses will admit students who are already working in the field to supplement their resumes, fresh graduates can also enroll.
  • With a certificate, diploma or bachelor's degree in any finance concentration jobs are available in banks and other institutions.
  • Here one can increase their learning and experience and progress to higher positions.
Course Name Admission Process Average Fees
BVoc Banking and Finance Entrance/Merit Based INR 34,300 to INR 180,000

Stream Comparisons 

Vocational courses are often compared with regular full-time programs. Both education courses are similar in some aspects and different in others. To understand the difference both vocational courses and a regular program are as below.

Basis of comparison Vocational Course Regular Program
Objective Vocational courses are focused on equipping students with immediately employable skills. The focus is on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Eligibility criteria Class 12th from any stream. For the Science and Engineering vocational course, the stream must be Science. Class 12th for a bachelor’s degree program. For master’s course admission, a bachelor’s degree is a must.
Type of Degree Certificate, Diploma, and Bachelor Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degree
Future Scope Higher education or a job Job or higher education
Average Salary INR 2,00,000 to INR 7,50,000 per annum INR 3,00,000 and upwards
Top College CMJ University, St. Xavier’s College, Gujarat University, IHM Mumbai, Ahimsa Women’s Polytechnic Mumbai University, Delhi University, Gujarat University, Guwahati University, etc.

Top Colleges for Vocational Courses After 12th

In India, colleges and universities provide certificates, diplomas, and also bachelor’s level courses in Vocational studies. The top colleges in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru for class 12th pass students are as below.

Vocational Courses in Delhi

Here are some of the vocational courses in Delhi with course fees ranging between INR 5000 – INR 90,000. 

College Name Course Name Course Fee
Jamia Millia Islamia Diploma in Civil Engineering INR 8,970
IHM New Delhi Certificate in Craftsmanship INR 89,850
Delhi University Diploma in German INR 18,400
Jesus and Mary College B.Voc in Healthcare Management INR 16,610
IGNOU Certificate in Fashion Design INR 5,000

Vocational Courses in Mumbai

Here are some of the vocational courses in Mumbai with course fees ranging between INR 6000 – INR 1,30,000.

College Name Course Name Course Fee
National Institute of Fashion Technology Mumbai Certificate course in Fashion Retail Management INR 1,29,800
FX School Mumbai Certificate in Graphic Designing NA
Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College B.Voc. INR 6,265
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University B.Voc. INR 14,500

Vocational Courses in Kolkata 

Here are some of the vocational courses in Kolkata with course fees ranging between INR 2000 – INR 1,15,000.

College Name Course Name Course Fee
St. Xavier’s College Diploma in Multimedia and Animation INR 38,000
Jadavpur University Diploma in Library and Information Science INR 2,750
Scott Hotel Management Institute Certificate in Hotel and Hospitality Management INR 50,000
NSHM B.Voc in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning INR 2,13,500
JIS University Diploma in Food Production and Bakery INR 1,15,000

Vocational Courses in Chennai

Here are some of the vocational courses in Chennai with course fees ranging between INR 22000 – INR 1,25,000.

College Name Course Name Course Fee
University of Madras Certificate in NGO Management NA
Madras Christian College Certificate Course in French NA
Madras Medical College Diploma in Physiotherapy NA
Loyola College B.Voc. 3d Animation INR 22,120
Vels Institute of Science, Technology, and Advanced Studies Diploma in Cabin Crew INR 1,25,068

Vocational Courses in Bangalore

Here are some of the vocational courses in Bangalore with course fees ranging between INR 30000 – INR 54,000.

College Name Course Name Course Fee
National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Diploma in Physiotherapy INR 54,000
Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute Diploma in Medical Radio Diagnosis INR 20,000
K.L.E. Society's Law College Certificate Course in Intellectual Property Rights INR 9,000
Jyoti Nivas College B.Voc INR 30,000
Aditya Institute of Management Studies and Research Certificate in Tally NA

Vocational Courses in Pune 

Here are some of the vocational courses in Pune with course fees ranging between INR 7000 – INR 2,65,000.

College Name Course Name Course Fee
Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth Certificate in CAD INR 8,000
Symbiosis Law School Certificate Course in Intellectual Property Rights INR 7,500
ILS Law College Diploma in Taxation Law INR 17,600
MIT World Peace University Diploma in Photography INR 2,60,000
Symbiosis International University Certificate in Embedded Programming INR 16,500

Skills Required to do Vocational Courses After 12th

For vocational courses, the skills needed to work in a certain job will be different from specialization to specialization. However, there are certain skills that are beneficial for all candidates, irrespective of the job profile, course specialization, job industry, etc. The table below lists the top general job skills to have to stand out from the competition.

Good written and spoken communication skills Customer service skills
Teamwork ability Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Time management skill Proactive
Leadership skills Research skills

Scope of Vocational Courses After 12th 

  • After completing a vocational course in any specialization, students can either choose to enroll in a higher education program or start working.
  • Look for the best job using the help of the college’s placement cell.
  • For fresh graduates, the salary ranges from INR 1,50,000 to INR 7,60,000 per annum depending on the course specializations.
  • Higher education options would include master’s or other postgraduate level courses.

Top Job Profiles for Vocational Courses

The top job profiles that one can work with a vocational degree after the 12th are as below.

Job Profile Job Description
Medical Assistant Medical assistants provide assistance to patients for various ailments and purposes. They help patients exercise and other forms of physical therapy. They also assist doctors with their regular duties.
Electrical Technician The Electrical Technician will work to repair and maintain the health of any electrical equipment. They are responsible for the equipment connected to an electrical system.
Writing Writers and content writers are hired to write pieces for blogs, websites, copy, and more. The Content Writer can write for a specific niche on any type of content.
Graphic Design and Animation Graphic Designers and Animators work on creating graphics, images, and videos with the help of software. Their work is done to tell a specific story for advertisements, magazines, and other forms of reports.
Beautician Beauticians are hired for beauty parlors and spas to provide beauty services. They are trained in giving facials, manicures, pedicures, and more to customers.
Linguistics Linguistics experts are individuals who are experts in a specific language. They can go on to work in translation, writing, sales, marketing, and various other industries.
Air Cabin Crew Air Cabin crew are in-flight hostesses that serve the fliers and passengers. Jobs are available in top airlines across India. After gaining some experience, the air cabin crew can also work in international airlines.
Fashion Design Fashion Designers are hired by fashion houses and clothing brands. They help create new clothing pieces or assist the main fashion designer with their work. Individuals can also go about creating their own labels.
Interior Design Interior Designers are hired to work with clients to design interiors. They work with a particular theme and budget to their work.
Sales Individuals can be hired to promote sales in various industries. They are hired to sell products, services, and also packages. This is a target-based job profile.

Top Recruiters  for Vocational Courses

For the above-mentioned job profiles, recruiters are spread across various industries. The table lists a list of such recruiters.

Airlines Resorts and beauty parlors
IT firms Clothing houses
Boutiques Interior design firms
Electricity repair Language teacher

Salary Post Completing Vocational Courses After 12th 

The salaries of a vocational degree holder will depend on various influencing factors. For example, the skill set of the candidate, industry, specialization of degree holder, etc. All salaries are stated below.

Specialization Wise

Students who pursue vocational courses can get jobs as Physiotherapy Assistants, Electrical Technical, 

Job Profile Average Annual Salary
Physiotherapy Assistant INR 3,50,000
Electrical Technician INR 2,51,482
Graphic Designer INR 3,04,235
Beautician INR 2,08,510
Foreign Language Expert INR 7,32,532
Market Research Analyst INR 3,34,213
Sales Executive INR 2,44,723
Relationship Manager INR 3,88,716

Experience Wise

Experience Average Annual Salary
Fresher INR 2,00,000
Experienced INR 5,80,000

Vocational Courses After 12th: FAQs

Ques. What are the minimum eligibility criteria for vocational courses?

Ans. The minimum eligibility criteria for vocational courses is class 12th from any stream.

Ques. What course types are considered vocational courses?

Ans. Certificate and diploma courses can be counted as vocational courses.

Ques. Are vocational courses recognized in universities and jobs?

Ans. Yes. Vocational courses are UGC-recognized and accepted in universities.

Ques. What specializations can one choice for a vocational course?

Ans. There are several specializations to choose from. Some of them are medical, sales management, digital marketing, linguistics, beautician, electrician, etc.

Ques. What are the advantages of earning a vocational degree?

Ans. Vocational degrees are economical in course fee cost. They are also flexible and can be completed in a short amount of time. Also, students can be hired onto various job profiles immediately after graduating.

Ques. Are online vocational courses free of cost?

Ans. Yes. There are several vocational courses that are free of cost. However, a certificate will be issued at the end.

Ques. What is the salary range for vocational degree holders?

Ans. On average the salary range for vocational degrees is INR 2,00,000 to INR 7,00,000 per annum

Ques. What are some job titles that one can work as with a vocational degree?

Ans. With a vocational degree, some job profiles one can work as are Physiotherapy Assistant, Electrical Technician, Content Writer, Graphic Designer, Beautician, Foreign Language Expert, etc.
Ques. What are some disadvantages of pursuing a vocational course?

Ans. Some possible disadvantage to pursuing a vocational course is the prestige problem where a vocational degree is considered less useful than a regular program. Also, for some jobs, a vocational degree is not recognized.

Ques. What is the difference between a vocational course and a regular program?

Ans. There are multiple aspects of differentiation between a vocational course and a regular program. For example, duration, cost, syllabus, curriculum requirements etc.

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