How to choose the right course

Most youngsters who are at the threshold of higher education are not sure which course to opt for or how to choose the right course for them to study abroad. It can be a bit easy for some, who were focused on their ambitions right from the beginning. I had a schoolmate who always wanted to be a doctor, worked towards her goal with unflinching focus and ended up in medical school. Some others might have elders to guide them and help them make the choices. For those who are struggling to find the right direction or just looking for more options – you have come to the right place.

Engineering, Medicine, Life Sciences, Humanities, Performing Arts - the options are many. Let us help you figure out which is the right course to study abroad.

Tips to help you decide what course to study abroad

Several factors need to be considered before you decide on the course to study abroad. It is not as simple as choosing the subject in which you scored the maximum marks for your 12th-grade exam.

1. Listen to your Heart

We do understand peer pressure. Try your best not to succumb to it. Do not follow your friends blindly or simply leave it to your parents or guardians to make the decision for you. Remember that college life is an important part of your life and the course you choose matters the most in making it memorable and successful.

• Pause and think about what you would like to learn. Pick subjects that genuinely interest you.
• Select topics in which you are academically strong.
• List out the pros and cons for each of the choices you made.

2. Do your research

Now it's time to do some research. Students of this generation are lucky that they have access to high-speed internet and have information readily available at their fingertips. Do your research.

• Research course options: Now that you have the list of subjects you are interested in and strong in, research the course options available under each subject.
• Research destinations: Some countries excel in certain subjects. For example, the USA is popular for technology. You can also look into the safety aspects of studying at a destination, the post-study visa rules and employment opportunities before finalising a few destinations.
• Research insitutions: The next step would be to gather the list of institutions that offer these courses in each of these destinations. In the following step, you can narrow down the list by considering your academic qualifications, test scores and other requirements.
• Research university reputation and rankings: Look at the rankings of universities. Some universities are considered and ranked the best for specific subjects. 
• Check affordability: The tuition fees and cost of living are definitely aspects to be considered. Several universities abroad offer scholarships that can considerably ease the financial burden. You can explore these as well when shortlisting universities.
• Check entry requirements: Each course has a specific set of entry requirements. This includes expertise and knowledge in the subject that you plan to study and your English language skills. Visit institution websites to verify the latest entry requirements and ensure that you meet all of those.

Keep the following in mind as you narrow down the list:

Have more than a couple of course options and institutions on your list. Be careful not to narrow down your list too much, leaving yourself with only a couple of courses and institutions. It is always a safer and wiser option to apply to at least three different institutions to avoid last-minute disappointments. There are possibilities of applications getting rejected or you might be offered an alternative course instead of the one you originally chose. Remember ‘there is safety in numbers’.

3. Explore course content and structure

Once you shortlist courses, review the course curriculum. Look for programmes that offer electives in topics that interest you. Courses with internships and placements are a great way to improve your career prospects. 

4. Explore career prospects

Eventually, the course that you study should help you secure a relevant job. Try your best to find a course that suits your tastes and skills and also assures you a job upon graduation. Explore the career options of opting for a particular course. It will give you a clear idea of what you are working towards. In the meantime, cultivating your hobbies, learning a new language and working on soft skills will add value to your resume and also prove beneficial in the long run.

Be optimistic. The times are definitely changing. there was a time when an engineering degree was sure to secure students a well-paying job. Today, with cut-throat competition and the growth of the IT and BPO industry, some degrees have become just degrees for namesake. A mechanical engineer may lead a project management team as efficiently as an MBA-graduate. An IT engineer and an English Literature graduate may both end up doing technical writing. Therefore, don’t limit yourself to just regular study-options. 

Now that you have gone through the various points that are crucial in selecting the right course, let’s see which are some of the different course options you have in countries abroad, after completing 12th-grade in India.

Courses to study abroad after 12^th Science

An advantage of choosing science stream for your 11^th and 12th-grades is that you can shift to a different stream, be it arts or commerce related. After your 12th-grade, you can go for life science courses, engineering courses or computer science courses based on the subjects you learnt. For a medical or B Tech degree, a student should have completed +2 science with Physics, Chemistry and Maths.

For your undergraduate course, you can opt for a degree in the core subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Microbiology, and Mathematics. Alternatively, you can go for unique, new-age courses abroad, after completing 12^th Science. Here are some examples:

• Physics with Astrophysics
• Chemistry with Forensic investigation
• Financial Mathematics
• Food and Nutrition
• Food Science and Culinary Innovation
• Ecology and Conservation Biology
• Computer Science with Game Design
• Computer Science with Industrial Placement
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Cyber Security
• Mechatronics and Robotics
• Data Analytics etc.

Now you know that there are a plethora of options. You just need to know where your interest lies and meet the requirements for the course.

If you opted for a specialised course for your undergraduate degree, your options to study postgraduate courses abroad will be mostly limited.

Courses to study abroad after 12th arts/humanities

Until the recent past, arts courses were looked down upon in the Indian households. But the scenario is changing for the good. This stream offers some interesting course options and careers. Based on the subjects you study for your higher secondary classes, you can do your undergraduate course in history, language and literature, psychology, philosophy, economics, political science, law, music etc. There is umpteen number of BA courses that you can try.  Here are some of the specialised courses that you can study overseas, after completing 12^th arts/humanities.

• Creative and Professional Writing
• Creative arts
• Music – Classical Voice
• Music Composition
• Fine Arts
• Performing Arts
• Visual Arts
• Applied and Contemporary Theatre
• International Development
• Politics and International Relations
• Leisure and Tourism Management
• International Hospitality and Tourism Management etc.

The topics itself sound quite interesting, don't they? If you choose these focused courses, give it your all so that you become the subject matter experts in those fields. Let’s explore the options for commerce students, next.

Courses to study abroad after 12th commerce

Commerce field is always popular and the go-to course for to-be entrepreneurs. You will gain knowledge about business, accounts and finances. The most common courses that commerce students opt for their undergraduate course is B. Com. Commerce students with a knack for numbers might be interested in becoming Chartered Accountants. Business Management courses are also quite popular. Here are some of the less popular, yet unique courses offered by universities abroad, for commerce students:

• Hospitality Business Management
• Business Economics
• Business Analytics with Financial Technology
• Business Entrepreneurship
• International Business Management
• Sports Management
• International Business and Strategy
• Event Management etc.

We have simply tried to give you a sneak-peak of the world of opportunities and options that are awaiting you. Take some time to explore the course matcher tool and find the best course for you. If at any point you need help or advice, do not hesitate to reach out to our experts. All the best!

Editor's note: This article was originally published in January 2015 by our content writer, Mahesh Ramani. We have since revised it to include up-to-date information and ensure its comprehensiveness.