Courses in Biology After 12th except M.B.B.S - Duration, Salary, Top Colleges
Biology after Class 12 offers many career opportunities beyond MBBS. Students with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) can choose fields such as Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Nursing, Agriculture, and Physiotherapy. Most courses require at least 50 per cent marks in Class 12 with PCB, though the criteria may differ across institutions. Students should check the admission rules of their preferred universities. Entry is usually through national, state, or university-level entrance exams, leading to rewarding careers in healthcare and life sciences.
Read more - Careers Beyond MBBS for PCB Students
Courses in Biology after 12th, Except MBBS
In India, there are many biology courses after 12th, except MBBS, that students can choose for a strong career in healthcare and life sciences. Options range from medicine-related fields to allied sciences and research programmes. Below are some of the top courses.
| Courses | Duration |
|---|---|
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) | 5 years |
Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences (B.V.Sc) | 5.5 years |
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) | 5.5 years |
5.5 years | |
BSc Nursing | 4 years |
3 years | |
BSc Environmental Science | 3 years |
BSc Nutrition & Dietetics | 3 years |
4 years |
Overview of Biology Courses after 12th except MBBS
The biology courses after 12th, except for MBBS mentioned above, provide diverse opportunities in healthcare, life sciences, and allied fields. Each course offers unique learning and career prospects. In the following sections, we will discuss some of these programmes in brief, covering their duration, eligibility, and top colleges.
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
The BDS course is one of the most sought-after courses in biology after 12th, apart from MBBS. The programme focuses on the study of oral health, dental anatomy, prosthodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, oral pathology, and oral surgery. Students also learn about human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, and dental pharmacology, combining theory with clinical training.
Duration: The course is 5 years, including 4 years of academic study and 1 year of compulsory internship.
Eligibility: Candidates must have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) and scored at least 50 per cent marks. Admission is based on performance in the NEET entrance exam.
Top Colleges: GDCH Ahmedabad, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, ACDS Secunderabad, and Manipal College of Dental Sciences.
Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences (B.VSc.)
B.V.Sc. is a popular choice for students exploring biology courses after 12th, except MBBS. This programme is ideal for those who are passionate about animals and wish to build a medical career in veterinary science. The course trains students in animal anatomy, physiology, pathology, surgery, nutrition, and public health. It also focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases in animals, along with research and livestock management.
Duration: The course is 5.5 years, which includes 4.5 years of academic study and 1 year of compulsory internship.
Eligibility: Class 12 with PCB and secured at least 50 per cent marks. Admission is generally through entrance exams such as NEET or AIPVT (as per state or university guidelines).
Top Colleges: IVRI Bareilly, National Dairy Research Institute Karnal, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner, Maharashtra Animal & Fisheries Sciences University, Nagpur.
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)
The BAMS course is a professional degree in Ayurveda, offering students a strong foundation in traditional medicine alongside modern medical sciences. The course covers anatomy, physiology, pathology, toxicology, pharmacology, Ayurvedic principles, and the history of Ayurveda. It focuses on natural healing methods, herbal treatments, and holistic healthcare. With growing global interest in alternative medicine, becoming an Ayurvedic doctor is one of the popular career options in biology apart from MBBS.
Duration: The course lasts 5.5 years, which includes 4.5 years of academic study and 1 year of mandatory internship.
Eligibility: Class 12 with PCB with a minimum of 50 per cent marks. Admission is based on NEET scores as per government and university guidelines.
Top Colleges: BHU Varanasi, DY Patil University. Navi Mumbai, KLE University, Belgaum, BVUCOE Pune.
BSc Nursing
BSc Nursing is a popular career option in biology after 12th, apart from MBBS, for students who wish to build a career in healthcare and serve the community. The course provides knowledge of anatomy, physiology, nursing foundations, pharmacology, community health, medical–surgical nursing, and child health. Students also gain hands-on experience through hospital training and clinical practice.
Duration: The course is 4 years, including academic learning and practical training.
Eligibility: Passed class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Top Colleges: AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh, CMC Vellore, Bharat Institute of Nursing Training, Jalandhar.
Also Read: Career Options After 12th Science PCB
BSc Nutrition & Dietetics
BSc Nutrition & Dietetics is a well-recognised career option in biology after 12th, apart from MBBS, for students interested in food science and health management. The course trains students in nutrition and dietetics, diet therapy, food microbiology, biochemistry, public health, and clinical dietetics. It focuses on assessing dietary habits, planning balanced diets, and managing lifestyle-related health conditions through proper nutrition.
Duration: The course is 3 years, combining theoretical learning with practical training and internships.
Eligibility: Class 12 with at least 50 per cent marks. Some universities may also accept students with PCB/PCMB backgrounds through entrance exams or merit-based admission.
Top Colleges: Lady Irwin College, Women’s Christian College Chennai, Institute of Home Economics New Delhi, All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science, Mumbai.
Read More - Career Options after 12th Science PCM
Medical Career Opportunities Without MBBS
The career opportunities you can explore largely depend on the specific course you choose after Class 12. Graduates from these programmes can work in different sectors of healthcare, life sciences, and allied fields. Below are some of the popular job roles, along with their average salary ranges.
| Job Roles | Average Salary (LPA) |
|---|---|
Rs. 3.5 LPA | |
Rs. 6.5 LPA | |
Ayurvedic Doctor | Rs. 4.3 LPA |
Homoeopathic Doctor | Rs. 3.8 LPA |
Rs. 2.6 LPA | |
Rs. 10 LPA | |
Rs. 2.9 LPA | |
Rs. 6 LPA |
Source: AmbitionBox and Payscale
The study of Biology opens up many possibilities for students and provides them with a unique way to discover new aspects of life. It also offers various chances to conduct research, examine, and explore the many facets of the subject. They just make an informed choice and choose their career option based on their interests and aptitudes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are numerous options available after studying PCB in class 12 except for M.B.B.S. You can opt for fields like Veterinary sciences, Dentistry, Food Technology, and Marine Biology.
Allied Medicine also known as paramedical services includes a wide range of areas like Optometry, Medical Lab Technology, Radiology, Occupational Therapy, and Clinical Research.
Marine biology is the study of marine life and organisms. After pursuing a three-year degree programme you can get into research and can be employed as a fishery biologist, Aquaculturist, or Marine Biologist.
Biology is a fascinating field and offers a multitude of career opportunities. Some of the courses in biology except M.B.B.S with a high salary are Clinical Research, Bio-Technology, Genetics research, and Environmental Sciences.
The average starting salary after BDS can range from INR 25,000 - INR 30,000 per month. With experience and a Master's degree, the salary can go up to approx. INR. 60,000 per month.