Best Courses After 12th Arts – Subjects, Universities & More

Updated on 10 November, 2023

Shivangi Mishra

Shivangi Mishra

Sr. Content Editor

High school students who aim to further their career in non-science streams opt for the traditional yet revolutionary fields of arts and humanities. There is immense conjecture about the lack of jobs after humanities courses, along with a constant question that students ask themselves, ‘what can I do after 12th arts’. 

You have a broad career scope when choosing subjects for undergraduate. If you are caught up in the doubt that after 12th in arts which course is better? This article will explore the ins and outs of top courses after 12th in arts. Read on to know more!

Top 10 Subjects

Let us quickly run through the top 10 subjects you can pursue in the broad stream of arts and humanities. We have listed each of them down here for your reference:

History

History, much like its name, is the study of the past. Students will be abreast of historical events, cultures, art, languages, practices, and more.  

Political Science

This is the branch of arts that deals with the systems and states of government and the analysis of political activities all over the globe.

Economics

Economics is the study of consumption, production, and wealth transfer from one place to another. It usually involves other subjects such as finance and accounting in its modules. 

English

English as a subject involves the study of History of English Literature, Modern Era, American Literature, Linguistics, Romantic Age, New Literature, and much more. 

Development Studies

Development studies is a major branch of economics that aims to improve developing countries’ socio-economic state.

Statistics

Statistics is a subject that involves the collection and analysis of numerical data in huge quantities.

Psychology

This field of arts explores the human mind and its functions, which impact human behavior.

Law

Law is the study of the legal systems and connections between business law and policy, technology law, international law, and many other substreams.

Geography

Geography is the branch of humanities that studies places and the link between people and their environments.

Philosophy

Philosophy teaches fundamental questions like reason, existence, mind, values, and knowledge.

Top 10 Universities and Top Courses 

Here are the top 10 universities on the globe for arts and humanities courses as per QS Universities World Ranking. The below-mentioned table has all the renowned universities and top courses after the 12th arts. 

University Name Courses offered Average fees (annual)
University of Oxford Philosophy, Modern languages, geography, English language £27,840 – £39,010
Harvard University International trade, economics, history USD 75,891
University of Cambridge Social Sciences, Economics, Education, Psychology £26,000
University of California, Berkeley Economics, Social Sciences USD 41,528
Yale University International and development Economics, English, Psychology USD 79,370
Stanford University Economics USD 78,218
New York University Economics, Psychology USD 77,632
Princeton University History, Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics and Philosophy and Religious Studies. USD 68,044
University of California, Los Angeles Education, Psychology USD 36,787
Columbia University Social Sciences USD 77,603

Source: University sites

Eligibility for Courses After 12th Arts

The eligibility to enter coveted arts and humanities courses will vary as per programs and the country you choose. Considering fields like sociology, history, art, or even law, every program will have standard eligibility criteria apart from some extra clauses. 

On a general note, you should have an excellent academic record, and a passion for extracurriculars such as theatre, sports, dance, etc. Moreover, you will have to give exams like IELTS and SAT to get admission into the competitive undergraduate arts and humanities programs in the UK, USA, and Canada.

Students will also be required to add a detailed letter of motivation, coupled with at least two letters of recommendation by their schoolteachers.

Application Process for Courses After 12th Arts

If you are aiming for top arts and humanities courses abroad, you must undergo a specific admission process. This process is very different from how the application process works in India, and thus, as an aspirant, you should be wary of its nitty-gritty to ace it and grab your dream admit. 

First, you will have to apply online through the university’s site and fill out the application form. You can apply both after graduating from school or even in the final year of your school education. 

Major universities will ask for your transcripts of the board exams, along with necessary documents like your passport and resume. You will also be asked/ requested to submit a statement of purpose and letters of recommendation. 

All the undergraduate applications are screened and scrutinized fairly, and eligible students will be called for an interview at some schools. Lastly, the selected students will be emailed with their offer letters. 

Scholarships for Courses After 12th Arts

Many scholarships and financial aids are available to Indian students pursuing their undergraduate degree in Arts and Humanities courses after class 12th. We have listed down some of these scholarships for you:

Tata Scholarships

 The basic eligibility is you must be an Indian citizen and must have attended a secondary school in India. The applicant must demonstrate that they are genuinely eligible for a need-based financial grant for any desired university.

Inlaks Scholarships

Indian citizens who have been residents in India for the last six months during the application. Candidates who have finished their undergraduate degree from an institute abroad have to be Indian resident for a two-year period before making an application for the scholarship.

Eligible courses are Mathematics, Sciences, Environment and related subjects along with  Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture and related subjects. 

Career Prospects with Salary

You gain many rewarding jobs after completing a degree in Arts and Humanities. Some of the common sectors include:

The roles could be highly diverse, ranging from data linguists to editors or social workers. Here are some of the top job profiles along with the pay in INR sourced from indeed.com:

Historian: INR 77,000 per month

Art Director: INR 5, 92, 342 per year

Technical Writer: INR 5,36,587 per year

Content Marketing Manager: INR 4,62, 800 per year

Public Relations Manager: INR 35,000 per month

Study Abroad with upGrad Abroad

upGrad Abroad has tied-up with leading universities across the world to bring you cost-effective foreign education. The unique offerings follow a blended approach where students pursue half the course online and the remaining duration on-campus. To know more, get in touch with our counsellors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which course is best after 12th arts?

Many students ask – after 12 arts which course is better? And the answer always lies in where the student has their interests and ambitions set. If you are interested in linguistics, going for literature could be a great idea; on the other hand, if politics excites you, political science is the stream to go for. 


 

Can you pursue management courses after 12th arts?

Generally, you cannot pursue management courses after studying arts in the 12th standard. Some universities might allow you to sit for the admission process if you opted for economics or maths in your schooling. 


 

What are the top courses after 12th arts?

The top courses after 12th arts are History, Pol. Sc., Economics, English, Development Studies, Statistics, Psychology

Did you find this article helpful?

Shivangi Mishra

Sr. Content Editor

She is an experienced writer and journalist who has extensively covered the education sector in India and Abroad. Now helping Indian aspirants realise their foreign education dream by providing them with relevant content and information through upGrad Abroad. Amateur traveller, loves to read Architectural Digest!

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