Picking from the many courses after graduation is a money and time decision as much as a career one. You are older now, your family may expect you to earn, and a wrong postgraduate choice can cost two years. In my counselling sessions I ask graduates one question first: do you want a better job, a government post, or a teaching and research career? The answer narrows the list fast. This page groups the main PG courses, PG diplomas and professional courses by degree, with duration, eligibility and the entrance you need.
Types of courses after graduation
There are four kinds of study after a bachelor's degree. Each serves a different goal.
| Type | Length | Best for | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's degree (PG degree) | 1 to 2 years | Teaching, research, specialist jobs, UGC NET | MA, MSc, MCom, MCA, MTech |
| Professional degree | 2 to 3 years | Management, law, school teaching | MBA, LLB, BEd |
| Post graduate diploma courses | 6 months to 2 years | Job-ready skills in one field | PG diplomas in management, journalism, data analytics |
| Professional membership | 2 to 4 years in stages | Accounts, audit, company law | CA, CS, CMA |
A master's is needed if you want to become a college lecturer, since UGC NET and assistant professor posts ask for a postgraduate degree with minimum marks.
PG courses list: main postgraduate courses and their entrance tests
Here is a practical PG courses list with the usual entrance for each. Many universities also admit on merit, so check the prospectus of the university you want.
| Course | Duration | Who can apply | Entrance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | 2 years | Any graduate | CAT for IIMs, state and university tests for others |
| MCA | 2 years | BCA, or BSc or BCom with maths as per the university | University tests, CUET PG, state tests |
| MSc | 2 years | BSc in a related subject | IIT JAM for IITs and IISc, CUET PG, university tests |
| MA and MCom | 2 years | Graduate in the subject or a related one | CUET PG or merit |
| MTech or ME | 2 years | BTech or BE | GATE |
| LLB (3 year) | 3 years | Any graduate | University tests |
| LLM | 1 year at national law universities | LLB with 50% (45% for SC and ST) | CLAT PG |
| BEd | 2 years | Graduate with minimum marks set by the state | State BEd entrance or merit |
| MD, MS and other medical PG | About 3 years | MBBS with internship | NEET PG |
CUET PG courses, central universities and online PG courses
NTA conducts CUET PG for admission to postgraduate courses in central universities and many other universities that join it. If you are aiming for Delhi University PG courses, JNU postgraduate courses or other central universities, CUET PG is usually the route. Each university lists which subject papers it accepts, so match your paper to the course before you apply.
Some institutes have their own route. For example, IISc Bangalore postgraduate courses take students through GATE, IIT JAM and their own selection, depending on the programme. State universities, such as those in Chennai, Puducherry and Hyderabad, publish their own PG courses list and admission rules every year on their official websites.
Online and distance postgraduate courses: these suit working graduates. Before you pay, check that the university is allowed by UGC to offer that course in open, distance or online mode. A degree without that approval may not be accepted for government jobs or NET. Check the list on the UGC website, not on an advertisement.
After BCom which course is best
This is the most common question I get from commerce graduates. The best course after B Com depends on whether you like accounts, management or a secure job.
| Course | Time needed | Where it leads |
|---|---|---|
| CA | Graduates with 55% can enter at Intermediate directly | Audit, tax, finance head roles |
| CS | Graduates are exempt from the entrance test and start at Executive | Company law and compliance |
| CMA | About 2 to 3 years | Costing, PSU finance, manufacturing |
| MBA in finance or marketing | 2 years | Management roles, banking, corporate finance |
| MCom | 2 years | Teaching, NET, research |
| ACCA or CFA | 2 to 4 years | Global accounting and investment research |
Courses after BCom with high salary are mostly CA and a good MBA, but both demand years of hard work. If you plan on a sarkari job, you do not need any extra course: read jobs after BCom and start preparing for bank or SSC exams.
Banking courses after graduation: no course is required to apply for bank PO or clerk posts. Some banks have run paid PG diploma programmes in banking that lead to a job, with selection through an online test. Only trust such a scheme if it is announced on the bank's own careers page. See bank jobs.
After BSc which course is best
The best course after BSc depends on your subject group.
- MSc in your subject: the standard route to teaching, research, NET and scientist jobs. Aim for IIT JAM if you want an IIT or IISc seat.
- Best course after BSc chemistry: MSc chemistry for pharma and lab careers, or an MSc in analytical or industrial chemistry for quality control jobs.
- Best course after BSc biotechnology: MSc biotechnology or microbiology, then research or industry. See biotechnology career.
- MCA or a data science PG: good if you had maths and like coding. See data scientist.
- BEd: for a stable school teaching career with TET.
- MBA: for management roles in pharma, agri and tech firms.
More options are on jobs after BSc.
Courses after BA
Arts graduates have more choices than they think. The useful courses after BA are:
- MA in your subject for teaching, NET and research.
- LLB (3 years), a strong law course after graduation for court practice and judiciary exams.
- BEd for school teaching, followed by CTET or state TET.
- MBA or a PG diploma in HR or marketing for corporate roles.
- Journalism and mass communication PG diploma or MA.
- Master of Social Work for NGO and government welfare projects.
Many BA graduates also prepare for UPSC and state PCS, where a well chosen optional subject from your BA can help. See jobs after BA.
PG courses after MBBS and BAMS
PG courses after MBBS are MD (medicine branches like general medicine, paediatrics, radiology) and MS (surgical branches like general surgery, orthopaedics, ENT), plus DNB seats. Admission is through NEET PG, conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences. Other options are a Master of Public Health or hospital administration. See MBBS doctor.
BAMS PG courses are MD and MS (Ayurveda) in branches like Kayachikitsa and Panchakarma. Admission to AYUSH PG seats is through AIAPGET, conducted by NTA. Courses after BAMS also include public health, hospital management and clinical research. See BAMS and AYUSH.
Short and job oriented courses after graduation
If you cannot spend two more years, look at short, job oriented courses after graduation. Most 6 month courses after graduation are certificates. They add a skill to your degree; they do not replace a PG degree.
- Data analytics and spreadsheets: for analyst and MIS roles. See data analyst.
- Digital marketing: for marketing and content roles.
- Accounting software and GST practice: for accounts jobs.
- Teaching courses after graduation: BEd is the main one. Early childhood courses like NTT suit pre-primary teaching.
- Diploma courses after graduation: PG diplomas in journalism, HR, logistics, or computer applications at government institutes.
Best courses after graduation for high salary, and how to choose
The courses after graduation for high salary are usually an MBA from a top institute, CA, an MTech or MSc from an IIT, and medical PG. Entry to all of these is tough. Fees also differ hugely: a PG seat in a government university or IIT usually costs far less than the same course at a private college, where the full course can run into many lakhs. Look at the total cost and the actual placement record before you decide.
Three checks before you join any postgraduate course:
- Is the institute recognised by the right body, such as UGC for universities and AICTE for MBA and MCA?
- Does the course help your chosen job, or is it only adding a year?
- Can you prepare for a government exam alongside it, if that is your goal?
If a job is your priority right now, read jobs after graduation first. If you are still in class 12, start with courses after 12th.
Questions students ask
Which are the best courses after graduation?
MBA, CA, LLB, BEd, MCA, MSc and MTech are the most useful, depending on your degree. Choose MBA for management, LLB for law, BEd for teaching, and a master's in your subject for research or college teaching. Medical graduates move to NEET PG courses.
What is the best course after B Com?
CA and MBA in finance give the highest earning potential. CS and CMA are good for company law and costing. MCom suits teaching and research. If you want a government job, you can write bank, SSC and LIC exams without any extra course.
After BSc which course is best?
An MSc in your subject is the standard choice for research and teaching. MCA or a data science PG suits students with maths. BEd leads to school teaching and MBA to management roles. IIT JAM opens MSc seats at IITs and IISc.
What are CUET PG courses?
CUET PG is conducted by NTA for admission to postgraduate courses like MA, MSc, MCom and MCA in central universities and other participating universities. Each university decides which CUET PG paper it accepts for each course, so check its prospectus.
What are the PG courses after MBBS?
The main ones are MD, MS and DNB in clinical and non-clinical branches, through NEET PG conducted by NBEMS. Other choices include public health, hospital administration and diploma courses. Medical PG usually takes about three years.
Are online postgraduate courses valid for government jobs?
They are valid only if the university is approved by UGC to run that course in online or distance mode. Check the UGC website before taking admission. Such approved degrees are generally treated like regular degrees for eligibility.
Sources and official websites
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources. Rules change with each notification, so always read the latest one before you apply.
- NLSIU information brochure (LLM duration and CLAT PG eligibility)
- ICAI FAQs on the CA course (direct entry for graduates)
- ICSI announcement on CSEET exemptions for graduates
- NTA: CUET information bulletin page
Last checked on 11 October. Spot an error? Tell us on the contact page.