What Options Are There for Courses After a BA?

According to the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) results, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is the most commonly awarded degree in India [1]. For those who graduate, it can be an excellent stepping stone. 

Higher education in India has struggled in the past, with issues such as funding, bureaucracy, and the system's structural barriers all contributing to the slow growth of the country's universities and colleges. However, the Indian government’s adoption of its National Education Policy (NEP) and the Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme (EQUIP) has boosted the percentage of learners engaging in higher education, including postgraduate courses. 

Whether you use it to launch your career or as a springboard for further study depends on various factors. When deciding whether to pursue additional courses after a degree, it helps to understand what options are available and what potential employers may require of you. 

Possible options for courses following a BA 

You’ve graduated. Now what? 

Earning your BA is an excellent way to build a strong foundation in your field of study while developing valuable skills such as communication and critical thinking. Depending on your goals, your BA may be the beginning of your educational journey. Course options for graduates include online courses in specific practices or skills, completing a second bachelor’s degree, entering a master’s degree programme, earning a postgraduate diploma, completing a certification programme, or getting a PhD.

How many graduates opt for further study after a BA? 

According to the latest statistics from the AISHE, roughly 5,22,000 students were enrolled in postgraduate courses in India, which is about 12 percent of the total higher education enrollment. That is a 6 percent annual growth rate from 2017 [1]. More so, India's higher education sector has expanded significantly since 2001, and the government aims to increase higher education nationwide. 

Investment in postgraduate education remains an ongoing priority in India, and there is a growing focus on providing a diverse learning experience. In 2022, the Indian government announced allowing 900 universities and institutions to offer online degree programmes. With the increased options and accessibility for students to take postgraduate courses, the number of graduates who will continue to study further may also increase. 

Consider what you want from your career

To choose the ideal postgraduate courses, consider what employers may expect of you in your career path. For example, with a BA, you can pursue many careers, including marketing, graphic design, and human resources roles. Others, including business management and finance, may require further study with a master’s degree, diploma, or other course options. 

Postgraduate degree courses 

Universities, colleges, and other academic institutions across India offer various postgraduate courses, with options including postgraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. With the increasing availability of these programmes, it's essential to understand your options and the potential benefits that accompany pursuing postgraduate courses, including:

• Increased job prospects

• Opportunities to advance your existing career or change professions

• Postgraduate courses allow you to focus on specific subjects for skills development

• Potential for commanding higher salaries

Some popular postgraduate courses to consider include the following:

MA 

A Master of Arts (MA) can be a natural continuation of your studies, allowing you to build on a subject that caught your interest during your BA programme. Popular postgraduate degree programmes allow you to pursue multiple subjects, including languages such as Hindi or English, Journalism, Political Science, History, Fine Art, Media, and Philosophy. 

MSc

Are you considering pursuing a different field, such as data science, software development, or web design? Pursuing a Master of Science (MSc) can open up additional career possibilities for anyone who wants to switch career paths or gain expertise in other areas. MSc degree programmes are popular in subjects such as construction engineering and management, data science, and computer science.

MBA

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) has been in high demand across India since the first programme was launched in the 1950s. This postgraduate course of study helps prepare you with advanced leadership skills, a strong foundation in business principles, and the ability to specialise in areas such as marketing, finance, or human resources. 

LLB 

A Bachelor of Law (LLB) is a three-year programme that covers subjects such as the Consumer Protection Act and jurisprudence. It offers the option to specialise in areas such as insurance, business, or environmental law and prepares you for working within the law field, including positions like a legal manager. While this is an undergraduate degree, once you get your LLB, you can get a Master of Law (LLM) and register to practice law in India.

PhD 

If you obtain a master’s degree and want to continue with further study, you may choose to pursue your doctorate. Indian universities offer numerous PhD opportunities in business management, biochemistry, electrical engineering, chemistry, architecture, management, and law. 

Consider diplomas 

Time and finances are less of a barrier with postgraduate diploma programmes. Because these options require less time to complete and have a schedule that's typically more flexible, many diploma students can work while studying, which helps fund their education. The shorter completion time makes a diploma a more affordable option, even for those who study full-time without working. 

Diplomas take one to two years to complete and include less coursework with no significant research, providing increased focus on career-related practical skills. A few popular diploma programmes in India include:

• Finance: This two-year diploma teaches analytical tools and quantitative methodologies to prepare learners for jobs such as financial analyst or accountant.

• Operations management: This two-year programme focuses on resource management, supply chain, and company operations to prepare learners for careers such as supply chain managers or strategic planners.

• Management: This two-year course prepares students for working in the complex environment of corporate businesses at a management level.

• Health management: This programme typically takes one to two years to complete and focuses on helping students develop administration skills to apply within the health sector for jobs such as health administrator or clinical manager.

Consider vocational courses 

Vocational courses are shorter than diploma programmes and offer training in a specific field to help learners sharpen their skills to become job-ready. These course options for graduates typically include practical skills that combine classroom theory with hands-on experience to increase learners’ skill sets for optimal employment opportunities. A few popular vocational programmes include:

• Graphics design: Learners gain a foundation in desktop publishing and graphic design.

• Culinary adminstration: This vocational programme is very hands-on with a combination of art and science to prepare learners to work with food in various settings. You’ll also learn about the hospitality industry and managing a kitchen.

• Fine arts: A vocational programme in fine arts teaches students about painting, literature, music, and theatre and applies them in a practical learning environment. 

• Robotics: Some learners may choose this vocational programme to enhance their artificial intelligence skills and better prepare themselves for a hands-on career in computer systems.

Specialise 

You may also pursue shorter postgraduate courses, such as online classes, certificate programmes, or certifications. These options allow you to gain a credential and qualification to use on your CV while honing your skills in a specific area, practice, or technology. 

Various professional organisations, universities, and other institutions offer specialisation courses. For example, if you want to learn Python, you could choose to get an introduction to Python on Coursera by:

• Taking a Course like Google’s Crash Course on Python

• Completing a Specialisation such as Python for Everybody offered by the University of Michigan

• Earning a Professional Certificate like Google IT Automation with Python

Explore your options for courses after BA on Coursera 

The course options for graduates with a BA are nearly endless. Consider what you’re passionate about and the direction in which you’d like to steer your career. Additionally, think about the amount of time and money you have to put towards postgraduate courses to help narrow down the best options for further study that will help you meet your goals. 

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