Career Options and Jobs After BSc

Earning your Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in India qualifies you for various possible careers. Depending on what field your degree emphasises, a bachelor’s is enough for many entry-level jobs, which can later lead to promotions and advancements as you gain experience and additional qualifications. Below is a list of jobs requiring only a BSc, separated into categories based on BSc specialisations. 

*All salaries sourced from Payscale as of May 2024.

Jobs after BSc chemistry

While earning your BSc in chemistry, you’ll study organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. The exact course list will vary, but all programmes include core classes that provide the standard knowledge every BSc chemistry graduate should have. You will also have additional courses that allow you to explore different areas or select a specialisation, such as analytical methodologies or polymer chemistry. Three possible careers for people with a bachelor’s degree include chemist, pharmaceutical sales executive, and junior research associate. 

1. Chemist

Average annual salary: Chemists in India make an average of ₹2,89,482. The lowest 10 percent of reported salaries earn an average of ₹1,46,000 a year, while the highest 10 percent make an average of ₹6,16,000 per year [1]. 

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, although sometimes requires a more advanced degree

Chemists work with chemical compounds, often conducting research, developing new products, creating medications or cosmetics, and teaching others. Some fields that a chemist may choose to work in include organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, and forensic chemistry. 

2. Pharmaceutical sales executive

Average annual salary: Pharmaceutical sales executives in India earn an average of ₹3,04,209. The lowest 10 percent of reported salaries earn an average of ₹1,83,000 per year, while the highest 10 percent earn a reported ₹4,89,000 per year [2]. 

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical business management or a relevant field 

A Pharmaceutical sales executive supplies physicians with drugs and other treatments. Although pharmaceutical sales executives often study business, marketing, or another field, science can be helpful because part of the job is explaining and educating the public about medications. Familiarity with human anatomy and physiology, drugs and diseases, and the sales process can be instrumental in this role.

3. Junior research associate

Average annual salary: The average chemistry researcher in India earns ₹3,09,670. A junior research associate is an entry-level job starting at a lower pay scale. The lowest 10 percent of salaries reported for research chemists is ₹1,56,000, while the highest 10 percent averages ₹9,50,000 [3].

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

A junior research associate is a member of a research team who completes various tasks along with research associates, including researching products, sifting through market information, and aiding in analysis to support business decisions. A junior research associate has often completed a bachelor’s degree and plans to complete a master’s or PhD. 

Options for further education

After completing your BSc chemistry, you have many options for continuing your education. You could earn your master’s degree in chemistry or a complementary field. Some choices include a master's in molecular chemistry, a master's in oil and gas chemistry, and a master’s in theoretical chemistry. However, a master’s is only one option. 

Depending on your career aspirations, you could pursue a postgraduate diploma in biotechnology, analytical chemistry, or nanobiotechnology or pivot to earn a PG diploma in management, journalism, or data science. 

Jobs after BSc maths

People who have graduated with their Bachelor of Science in mathematics study a core knowledge base of math skills like algebra, calculus, differential equations, vector analysis, and probability theory. You could also choose to specialise in applied mathematics or maths as it applies to a specific industry, like engineering or finance. Three possible careers for individuals with a BSc in mathematics include bank manager, teacher, and data analyst. 

1. Bank manager

Average annual salary: The bank manager in India makes an average of ₹8,31,183. The lowest 10 percent of reported bank manager salaries is ₹3,05,000, which is more typical for entry-level positions, while the highest 10 percent of reported salaries earn ₹10,00,000 [4].

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

A bank manager is in charge of the day-to-day operations of a bank, including managing staff, creating reports, monitoring sales targets and customer service, and more. While you need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, a postgraduate degree can also help you gain the necessary education and possibly become more competitive in the job market. 

2. Teacher

Average annual salary: Teachers in India make an average of ₹2,98,747. The lowest 10 percent of reported teacher salaries average ₹1,15,000. The highest 10 percent of salaries reported average earnings of ₹6,46,000 [5]. 

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in education, or any bachelor’s degree in addition to a postgraduate degree

Becoming a teacher in India requires additional education beyond a Bachelor of Science. One path is to become a teacher after earning a bachelor’s degree in education. However, with a BSc in maths, you can still pursue this career after completing a postgraduate diploma programme in education. Some schools may require you to have a master’s. 

3. Data analyst

Average annual salary: In India, data analysts average ₹5,09,417. The lowest 10 percent of reported salaries average ₹2,48,000, while the highest 10 percent of wages reported average ₹10,00,000 a year [6].

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

A data analyst collects and interprets data. Given the deluge of data produced daily, this career is essential across multiple industries, from the government to retail to health care and more. Data analysts have the skills to organise numbers, understand patterns, draw conclusions from the information gathered, and communicate those findings to decision-makers.  

Options for further education 

After earning your BSc degree in mathematics, you have the qualifications to pursue more advanced degrees, such as a Master of Science in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial maths. You could also choose a master’s degree in a complementary area, such as computer applications, or a Master of Business Administration specialising in finance, marketing, etc. 

Jobs after BSc physics

A bachelor's degree in physics usually takes six semesters to complete. The core subjects you study in a BSc physics programme include areas like waves, optics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and more. You could also choose to specialise in statistical physics or nuclear physics. Two possible careers for a person with a BSc in physics include subject matter experts and physicists. 

1. Subject matter experts

Average annual salary: In India, subject matter experts make an average of ₹10,68,671. Out of all the salaries reported for this data, the lowest 10 percent averaged ₹3,10,000, while the highest 10 percent averaged ₹20,00,000 [7]. 

Requirements: Varies

Subject matter experts provide consulting for various projects to ensure accuracy. For example, a film production company might hire a subject matter expert to consult on space physics to create a realistic space opera. Education requirements depend on the subject. However, it’s essential to remember that you must have in-depth knowledge, education, training, experience, and credentials to establish yourself. The education requirements will vary depending on the subject you plan to study. 

2. Physicist

Average annual salary: The average reported salary for a physicist in India is ₹7,00,000. The lowest 10 percent of reported salaries averaged ₹2,03,000, while the highest 10 percent averaged ₹30,00,000 [8]. 

Requirements: Entry-level positions require a bachelor’s degree, while more advanced positions require a doctorate. 

Physicists study matter in all its forms, from astronomy to meteorology and metallurgy to nanotechnology, in addition to research labs and teaching positions. Use your expertise to research new technologies, develop theories, or solve physics-related problems. You can specialise in specific branches such as astrophysics, physical chemistry, geophysics, or nuclear physics.

Options for further education

If you’d like to further your physics education or study a complementary field, you can choose to earn your master’s or doctorate. You can also earn many postgraduate diplomas to further specialise in areas that interest you, such as data science, nanotechnology, or acoustics. One example includes the Spacecraft Dynamics and Control Specialisation offered by the University of Colorado Boulder on Coursera. 

Jobs after BSc computer science

A Bachelor of Science degree in computer science teaches computer science fundamentals, including programming languages and introductions to subjects like databases, networks, web technology, and more. With a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, you may be qualified for two jobs: mobile app designer and full-stack developer. 

1. Mobile app designer

Average annual salary: Mobile app designers make an average of ₹5,11,445. The lowest 10 percent of earners make an average of ₹2,01,000, while the highest 10 percent of mobile app designers earn an average of ₹10,00,000 [11].

Requirements: No formal requirements, although a bachelor’s is common

Mobile app designers create and deploy apps for mobile devices. To pursue this career, you’ll need a base set of skills you can learn through certificate programmes, a bachelor’s degree, or postgraduate diploma courses. 

2. Full stack developer 

Average annual salary: The average salary for a full stack developer in India is ₹7,97,728, with the lowest 10 percent of reported salaries averaging ₹3,45,000 and the highest 10 percent averaging ₹20,00,000 [12].  

Requirements: No formal requirements, although a bachelor’s degree is common

Full-stack developers work on websites, mobile apps, and other projects that require coding and design work on both the “front” and “back” ends. They have the necessary skills to work on the design (front end) or the technical (back end) end. A bachelor’s degree is one pathway to becoming a full-stack developer. However, you can earn many certificates and postgraduate degrees to help fill your education gaps. 

Options for further education

After earning your bachelor’s in computer science, you can begin a master's or postgraduate diploma programme. If you specialise in computer science, you can choose from many options, such as a master’s degree in computer application, computer management, or certifications in machine learning. Postgraduate diplomas and Professional Certificates such as the Data Analytics Professional Certificate offered by Google on Coursera can also help you narrow down your specialisation. 

Next steps

In 2013, India held 14 percent of the world’s degree holders. By 2030, that number is estimated to reach 23 percent. China is the only country projected to have a higher share of the world's university graduates, with 27 percent [13]. 

India is clearly on track to become one of the most formally educated countries in the world. If you’re ready to expand your education, consider earning additional credentials on Coursera. For example, you can explore data science with programmes like the Master of Science in Machine Learning and Data Science from Imperial College London or the Drug Development Product Management Specialisation from the University of California San Diego Health.