So, you’ve completed your 12th grade in a Science Stream, or you simply love the idea of healing and assisting people… now what?
Well, if that is the question you are asking yourself, you have found the right blog for you. You dream of entering the realm of medical and healthcare professions - a place where you won’t only be doing a job, but actually contributing to the lives of many people. Whether you help people, cure animals, or work behind the scenes in a laboratory, there are plenty of opportunities waiting for you after 12th.
This article is for you if you:
- Have studied, or are thinking of studying, PCB (or PCMB) in your 12th Grade.
- Are interested in having a career in the fields of medicine, life sciences or healthcare.
- Want to know more about your prospects beyond the singular dream of becoming a doctor.
Let’s face it - Medicine is more than MBBS. The scope in this field is immense. There are professional opportunities in physiotherapy, nursing, radiology, lab technology, and even alternate systems of medicine like Ayurveda or Homeopathy. If you wish to work in hospitals, labs, pharma organizations, or even start your own practice - this blog will tell you everything you need to know.
Top 10 Medical Colleges in India
Eligibility Criteria
Before we proceed to talking about all medical field courses, let’s first run through what all you’ll require to get started:
- Subjects Required: You need to have studied Biology in your 12th grade. This is a non-negotiable requirement for most medical and allied health science courses.
- Minimum Marks: Most medical field courses require a minimum of 50% in PCB, or 45% for reserved categories. Some prestigious institutions may have a marginally higher cut-off.
- Entrance Exam: To enroll in medical field courses like MBBS, BDS, BAMS or BHMS, you need to attempt and crack NEET.
- State-Level Exams: A few states, like West Bengal, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, have their own entrance exams for some medical courses.
- Non-NEET Medical Courses: There are a few non-NEET medical courses, like B.Pharm and BOT, in which admissions are usually merit based OR through a college level entrance exam.
- Age Requirements: Candidates should be at least 17 years old at the time of application.
Medical Courses after 12th with NEET
If you’re appearing for NEET, you open the gates to number of top-notch options:
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
- Duration: 5.5 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Eligibility: NEET + 50% in PCB
- Career: Hospital Doctor, Private Clinic Doctor, or pursue specialization (MD/MS)
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
- Duration: 5 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Eligibility: NEET + 50% in PCB
- Career: Dentist, Oral Surgeon, Orthodontist, Dental Officer in Government/Private Sectors
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)
- Duration: 5.5 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Eligibility: NEET + 50% in PCB
- Career: Ayurvedic Doctor, Wellness Centers, Alternative Medicine Clinics
Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)
- Duration: 5.5 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Eligibility: NEET + 50% in PCB
- Career: Homeopathy Practitioner, Researcher, or establish your own clinic.
MBBA, BAMS, BDS and BHMS: Which Medical Course to Choose From?
Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS)
- Duration: 5.5 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Eligibility: NEET + 50% in PCB
- Career: Unani Doctor, Wellness Consultant
Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH)
- Duration: 5 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Eligibility: NEET + 50% in PCB
- Career: Veterinarian in Clinics, Animal Research Units, or Zoos.
Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS)
- Duration: 5.5 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Eligibility: NEET + 50% in PCB
- Career: Work in Wellness Clinics, Hospitals or set up Independent Practice.
Medical Courses without NEET
Don’t want to take NEET, or didn’t score well? Don’t worry - you can still get admission to plenty of medical courses without NEET. Some of these are:
B.Sc. Nursing
- Duration: 4 Years (including a 6 month internship)
- Career: Deals with Patient Care, Medication, and Health Promotion.
B.Sc. Radiology/Imaging Technology
- Duration: 3 Years (followed by a 1 year internship)
- Career: Training in X-Rays, MRI, CT Scans - Super Critical in Diagnostics.
B.Sc. Optometry
- Duration: 4 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Career: Eye Care, Prescribing Lens, Identifying Vision Issues.
B.Sc. Anesthesia Technology
- Duration: 4 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Career: Helps in giving Anesthesia during Operations.
B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Duration: 3 Years (includes a mandatory internship with no fixed duration)
- Career: Assists in Diet Planning for Patients with Medical Requirements
B.Sc. in Medical Microbiology/Biotechnology
- Duration: 3 Years (includes a mandatory internship with no fixed duration)
- Career: Perfect if you love research, disease management, or lab sciences.
B.Sc. Blood Banking Technology
- Duration: 4 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Career: Blood Bank Technicians, Laboratory Managers, Quality Control Specialist
B.Sc. Cardiac Technology
- Duration: 4 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Career: Can work in hospitals, cardiac care units, diagnostic labs, and other healthcare settings.
B.Sc. Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Duration: 4 Years (including a 1 year internship)
- Career: Can work in hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, research laboratories and other healthcare settings involved in nuclear medicine diagnostics and treatment.
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)
- Duration: 4 Years
- Career: Prepares you to work in drug development, pharma firms or even start your own pharmacy.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT)
- Duration: 4.5 Years (includes an internship from 6 months to 1 year)
- Career: Assists Patients in Recovery with Physical Therapy and Rehab
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOT)
- Duration: 4.5 Years (with 6 months internship)
- Career: Deals with Enhancing Daily Living and Work-Related Functions in Patients.
Bachelor in Medical Lab Technology (BMLT)
- Duration: 3 Years (followed by a 6 months to 1 year internship)
- Career: Behind-the-scenes work examining lab samples for diagnosis.
Allied Health Science Courses
These professions are the backbone of clinics and hospitals. So, if you’re interested in something more tech-related and supportive, you can choose one of the following Allied Health Science Courses:
- B.Sc Cardiovascular Technology: Works with heart-related diagnostics and procedures.
- B.Sc Renal Dialysis Technology: Operates dialysis machines for kidney patients.
- B.Sc Perfusion Technology: Supports open-heart surgery and life-support equipment.
- B.Sc Respiratory Therapy: Supports patients suffering from lung issues such as Asthma or COPD.
- B.Sc Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology: Supports individuals with hearing or speech handicaps.
- B.Sc in Medical Biochemistry: Studies the chemical processes within and related to living organisms.
- B.Sc in Medical Physiology: Focuses on the functions and mechanisms of the human body.
All these professions are much valued, and the requirement is only increasing!
Paramedical Courses
In a hurry to enter the workforce? Paramedical diploma and certificate courses can have you working in as little as 6 months to 2 years. They’re ideal if you need to develop practical skills quickly.
Some of these include:
- Diploma in Medical Lab Technology
- Diploma in Emergency Medical Technician
- Diploma in Operation Theatre Technology
- Diploma in Rural Healthcare
- Certificate in Medical Laboratory Technology
- Certificate in ECG & CT Scan Technician
- Certificate in X-Ray Technician
These medical courses can get you hired at hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centers directly upon finishing.
Post-Medical Course Job Prospects
Whether you pick either of the paths, there’s enough space to grow within the healthcare industry. Here are the prospects that await you:
- Places to Work: Government Hospitals, Private Hospitals, Clinics, Diagnostic Labs, Pharma Organizations, Research Facilities, Rehab Facilities, Non-Government Organizations.
- Job Titles: Doctor, Nurse, Lab Technician, Pharmacist, Physiotherapist, Nutritionist, Medical Officer, Public Health Specialist.
- Postgraduate Studies: Want to specialize? You can do MD, MS, M.Sc, MPT, or even MBA in Hospital Management, depending on your UG course.
Tips to Select the Correct Medical Course for You
Here’s the thing - you have to choose the suit that fits you the best. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when selecting what course to pursue:
- Consider what fascinates you the most - Are you a people person who likes to work hands-on? Or are you inclined to the more research oriented, tech friendly side of the profession?
- Check the demand for the job and salary opportunities within your region or in the country where you wish to work. While chasing your passion is necessary, money is an important factor in living a smooth life as well.
- Think about the duration and the difficulty of the course. Can you manage it? Can you balance it and your personal life? Can you tackle all that stress?
- In relation to the previous point, are you comfortable with giving NEET, or would you rather avoid it?
- What are YOUR long-term ambitions - Clinical Practice? Research? Management?
- Believe in yourself, do some research and don’t hesitate to chat with other students or with professionals, like our counsellors.
FAQs
Q. What is the duration of most paramedical courses after 12th?
Paramedical courses vary in duration - ranging from 6-months certifications to full 2-year medical diplomas depending on specialization.
Q. Are there any medical courses for arts students?
Yep. Courses like paramedical programs, medical transcription and nutrition-based diplomas are among medical courses open to arts students.
Q. What are some 1-year medical courses after 12th?
1-year options include diplomas in Radiology, Medical Lab Technology, and Emergency Medical Technician training.
Q. Are there any medical diploma courses available after graduation?
Yes. Postgraduate medical diplomas in clinical research, hospital administration, and medical coding are popular among graduates from science streams.
Q. What are the Best Medical Courses after 12th?
Some of the best medical courses after 12th include MBBS, BDS, BAMS,BHMS, and BVSc & AH if you’re appearing for NEET. If you’re looking for Non-NEET Medical Courses after 12th, you can pursue B.Sc Nursing, B.Pharm and Allied Health Science Courses. At the end of the day, each course has its own perks - what’s best depends on your interests and career goals.
