If you are someone who has studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in Class 12, you have probably been asked this question a hundred times: “So, trying for MBBS?”
And if you are, that’s really great!
But the reality is that there are several other possibilities to explore, other than becoming a medical practitioner.
There was a time when courses after 12th PCB meant MBBS and BDS and nothing more. However, the scenario is different now. Students of PCB have now stepped into fields such as data science, psychology, biotech, public health, and even management. If you want to know the best courses for PCB students, then you are at the right place!
Let’s find out the best courses for PCB students that can contribute to dynamic and high-growth careers.
- MBBS – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
MBBS is one of the frequent choices made by students after 12th with PCB subjects. This is the basic qualification needed to become a doctor in India. Though it is a challenging course, it is also the most respectable and rewarding one.
- Duration: 5.5 Years (1 Year compulsory internship)
- Aptitude test: NEET- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test
- Career opportunities: General Physician, Surgeon, Medical Specialist, or even higher education (MD/MS)
- Average Salary: INR 6-20 LPA (increases with specialization and experience)
If you are dedicated to the field of medicine and are willing to commit many years of study and service to your community, an MBBS could be the right option for you.
- BDS – Bachelor of Dental Surgery
If dealing with oral health, teeth, and facial appearance interests you, BDS is a very good course after 12th PCB. It is a well-designed and fulfilling course that integrates medical science along with surgical training, focusing solely on dental and oral care. You will study right from dental anatomy and oral pathology to radiology and surgery! BDS gives you a wonderful foundation in the field of dentistry.
- Course Duration: 5 years (includes 1-year mandatory internship)
- Entrance Exam: NEET
- Prospective Career Paths: Dentist, Orthodontist, Cosmetic Dentist, Oral Surgeon, Dental Researcher
- Average Salary: INR 4 LPA-15 LPA (can be way higher with own practice / with specialization)
The increasing need for dental treatment in India as well as abroad, along with the opportunity to either have your own clinic or be employed by a renowned Hospital, makes BDS a desirable course of study.
- BAMS – Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
With the recent upsurge in holistic health and wellness programs, Ayurveda is coming into the limelight again. If you want to get equipped with natural treatment skills post 12th PCB, then choosing BAMS could be your ultimate option. BAMS syllabus also combines the Ayurvedic traditional practices with the modern knowledge and skills in the fields of medicine to provide you with a complete medical education.
- Duration: 5.5 years (plus a 1-year compulsory internship period)
- Admission Test: NEET (compulsory for most colleges)
- Career Paths: Ayurvedic Doctor, Wellness Consultant, Panchakarma Therapist, Ayurvedic Pharmacist, practitioners – Spa/Retreats
- Salary Range: INR 3 – 8 LPA (has the potential to increase due to private practice/referral or overseas jobs).
If you are interested in preventive medicine, herbal medicine, and the principle of eliminating the root cause, not just the symptoms, a BAMS degree should be a good career choice in both India and abroad.
- BHMS – Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery
You can opt for BHMS after 12th-grade science if you intend to work with soft and natural approaches to treatment. Encompassing the holistic approach to healing, the program allows for treating the person and not just the ailment. The sector of homeopathy is expanding not just in India but globally as people are increasingly looking for options for natural healing.
- Duration: 5.5 years (internship included 1 year)
- Entrance Exam: NEET (will be required in most colleges)
- Career Choices: Become a Homeopathic Doctor, Clinical Researcher, Medical Officer (AYUSH), or Wellness Consultant
- Salary Range: INR 3-7 LPA (Your earnings will go up by a huge margin should you undertake work in private practice or work overseas)
Whether you need to open your personal clinic or work in wellness clinics, a BHMS will be an excellent choice for a successful career, with the increasing number of patients who seek alternative treatment and a personal approach.
- B.Sc. Life Sciences & Specializations
If you are interested in the functioning of life from cells to ecosystems, then a B.Sc. Life Sciences is the best course for PCB students. With this all-purpose course, you would still have choices to make based on your preference, while opening up multiple career opportunities.
- Trendy Specializations You Can Select:
- Biotechnology: Explore genetic engineering, molecular biology, and new biotech startups.
- Microbiology: Work in vaccine manufacturing, diagnostics, or management of diseases using specialised microbes.
- Environmental Science / Zoology / Botany: The courses focus on people with a heart of passion towards wildlife and conservation.
- Nutrition & Dietetics: Research clinical nutrition and food science, or be a wellness consultant.
- Psychology: The overall human behavior studies, specializing in mental health care, or a career in UX research.
- Duration: 3 years of full-time undergraduate study
- Entrance Requirements: Admission is done on merit based on marks of class 12, a set of prescribed admission tests, or on the national / state entrance tests, such as:
- CUET (Common University Entrance Test)
- NEST (for Integrated MSc courses at NISER and UM-DAE CEBS)
- IISER Aptitude Test (for BS-MS dual degree at IISERs)
- Institute-level tests or direct admissions
- Occupations: Be a Quality Control Analyst or Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Conservation Officer or Clinical Dietitian, or Mental Health Assistant (depending on specialization)
- Salary Range: INR 3–8 LPA (can go higher with postgraduation or research roles)
Such courses provide entry to various careers in health care, research, environment, psychology, and bio-technology, and possible further studies such as an M.Sc. or MBA in Healthcare, and global research programs.
- B. Pharm – Bachelor of Pharmacy
Not every health hero wears a white coat. There are individuals who are in the background ensuring the medicines are safe, effective, and available. The B. Pharm program could be your choice in case you are interested in the science of medicines and their production. It is one of the most popular professional courses after the 12th PCB for students wanting to enter the breadth of the healthcare profession without being a doctor.
- Duration: 4 Years (8 Semesters)
- Entrance Test: Admission is done through State-level entrance exams or NEET, or specific university entrance tests.
- Job Titles: Analyst in Quality Control, Associate in Research, Regulatory Affairs Executive, Sales Representative for Medicine, Inspector of Drugs, and Pharmacist
- Salary Expectation: INR 3-7 LPA (higher with industry experience or specialization)
With a B. Pharm degree, you can pursue a rewarding career in healthcare in a hospital, pharmaceutical company, or research lab. You will support the patient’s wellbeing behind the scenes!
- BPT – Bachelor of Physiotherapy
If you wish to help people, get to walk, alleviate pain, or heal through physical activities, then you should consider a career in BPT. Physiotherapy is a realistic discipline that requires emotional intelligence and personal contact with patients, so that it can be recommended even as a profession to those who want to work with patients personally and see the real outcome of their work as a therapist.
- Duration: 4 years (with a 6-month internship)
- Entrance Exam: varies by state/institute (some take NEET or have their own)
- Careers: Physiotherapist, Sports Rehab Physiotherapist, Consultant Physiotherapist in an Orthopaedic Clinic, Neuro-Physiotherapist
- Salary: INR 3 – 7 LPA (with specialization and experience, it can certainly increase)
- B.Sc. Nursing
Your interest in hands-on patient care can be taken care of by this degree. A B.Sc. nursing degree can offer you a fulfilling and steady career direction in the healthcare industry. Nurses are members of the healthcare team who not only physically support the patient for recovery and wellness but are the backbone of any hospital system.
- Duration: 4 years with real-life experience
- Entrance Test: NEET / State-level entrance tests / Tests by institutions
- Job Options: Registered Nurse, ICU Nurse, Nurse Educator, Clinical Coordinator
- Salary: INR 3-7 LPA (more with specialized practice)
With consistent demand from public and private health care services, a Nursing degree can ensure stable employment and provide an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, with values and care.
- B.Sc. Agriculture
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.Sc. Agriculture) is a fantastic option if you are interested in agricultural science concerning food security, food sustainability, or food production. It involves the study of various biological sciences with the application of technology and economics.
- Duration: 4 years
- Entry Test: ICAR AIEEA/State-level agriculture entrance/test, University-level examination
- Career Options: Agricultural officer, farm manager, agronomist, agri-entrepreneur, research assistant
- Salary: INR 3–6 LPA (may be more in Private agribusiness companies, or government level)
India, as one of the world’s agriculture-based economies, provides a B.Sc. in Agriculture degree that offers sustainable employment opportunities as well as rural development and sustainable food systems for the country.
- B.Sc. in Forensic Science
Forensic science can be a thrilling profession for your future if you like to solve puzzles, work in, and conduct investigations in crime labs. This program brings together biology, chemistry, and law to shape your knowledge about how science plays a crucial role in the investigations of crime and enables the justice system to function effectively.
- Duration: 3 years
- Exam: CUET / state-level entrance exam / university-level exam
- Career: Forensic Chemist, Crime Scene Investigator, Forensic Toxicologist, Criminalist, Forensic Consultant
- Salary Scale: INR 3–6 LPA (better pay for experts or positions with government organizations such as CBI and IB)
With an ever-increasing need for scientific assistance in criminal investigations, this career has a wonderful mix of science, technology, and social service.
These are some fascinating careers after 12th PCB. To ensure you learn the most out of these, it is important that you get into a good institute offering these courses. ISBR is one of those schools that offers an amazing management journey even to science students.
What courses does ISBR offer after the 12th PCB?
When most students think of PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), they typically move toward medicine or research. But if you are a science student who has a passion for management, data, healthcare, or entrepreneurship, ISBR (International School of Business & Research) offers some different and purposeful options for you outside that traditional path.
Here are some of the ISBR programs that are great for PCB students:
- BBA in Healthcare Management: It is an ideal degree to pursue if you want to combine the study of both biology and management to pursue a career in a health-tech company, a healthcare start-up, or a hospital setting.
- BBA+ CMA (Certified Management Accountant): This is the ultimate combination if you are interested in the business side of biotech, pharmaceutical, or hospital management.
- BCA in Data Analytics: For students who love solving problems and working with numbers. You will learn to analyze data, work with tools like Python, and apply what you’ve learned to real-world logic, all with healthcare analytics.
- B. Com with Finance & Accounting Certifications: For students who straddle that line of business and finance in health-related companies, or working in the family business of medical providers.
Why ISBR after 12th PCB?
- Industry-relevant Curriculum: The ISBR programs blend science, business, and technology, and thus, you will be set to live in a world with a focus on cross-disciplinary practice.
- Placement-Oriented Learning: With a high placement rate at ISBR, you have nothing to worry about, as some of the best recruiters like Deloitte, Biocon, Apollo HealthTech, HDFC, and Infosys visit the campus every year.
- Global Exposure & Certifications: ISBR incorporates global certifications, from CMA to AI and Data Analytics, so that you can add certifications to your resume and have more career opportunities available to you.
- Professional Faculty Base and Industry Mentorship: You will be taught by experts, work on real projects, and build connections, which makes the learning more fruitful.
- Learning Agility: ISBR does not push you into one particular discipline. You can start in healthcare, swing into entrepreneurship, or want to keep the sky open by crunching the numbers and AI potential in the life sciences.
ISBR would be the right place for PCB students searching for hidden career opportunities with a focus on science, business, and innovation. Whether you aspire to be a healthcare workplace leader, dive into biotech, analytics, or be responsible for operations management of a wellness startup, ISBR will prepare you for the real world, not simply for the classroom.
FAQs
- Is ISBR for business students only, or can science students apply?
ISBR offers interdisciplinary graduate courses such as Data Science, Healthcare Management, and Business Analytics, which form excellent entry points for science students who are interested in exploring non-traditional and high-demand careers.
- Why should I select ISBR instead of a science-oriented college?
ISBR combines the best of science, business, and technology as it gears you up for the future. In case you have a PCB background (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and need to make sure that your career path is flexible, and learning experiences are practical-oriented, ISBR has a proactive ecosystem, which is dynamic, interacting, and future-ready. This is what makes ISBR apart from most of the colleges.
- I have a PCB background. Can I apply to the management undergrad courses at ISBR?
Definitely yes! The basic admission requirements of the majority of undergrad programs, such as BBA, BCA, BCOM, give the condition that you must have passed the 12th examination or equivalent from a recognized board and any stream.