Psychology Courses After 12th: Eligibility, Colleges & Career Scope

Himani Daryani

Updated On: March 31, 2025 01:02 PM

Interested in pursuing psychology after 12th? Discover the best psychology courses after 12th, including BA, BSc, and diploma options. Learn about eligibility, salaries, and entrance exams. Also, check out the top colleges in India and explore possible career opportunities.
Psychology Courses After 12th

Psychology Courses After 12th: Did you know that over 15% of Indian students now opt for psychology-related courses after 12th ? With mental health awareness rising and industries recognizing the importance of psychological expertise, pursuing psychology has become a lucrative and fulfilling career choice. Whether you're from science, commerce, or arts, there’s a psychology course tailored for you, with no NEET required!

India is home to 500+ colleges offering psychology programs, ranging from 3-year bachelor’s degrees to specialized diplomas. The demand for psychologists is growing at 12% annually, with opportunities in counseling, HR, research, and clinical psychology. If you're curious about Psychology courses after 12th in India, their duration, salary prospects, or entrance exams, this article covers everything. Keep reading!

Types of Psychology Courses After 12th

After completing 12th, students interested in psychology have a variety of courses to choose from, catering to different interests and career paths. Psychology courses can be pursued at the undergraduate level, and diploma and certificate courses. These programs are designed to equip students with the necessary skills for careers in mental health, education, corporate sectors, and more.

Course

Duration

Specializations

Description

BA Psychology

3 Years

Clinical, Counselling, Organizational

Focuses on humanities-based psychology studies.

BSc Psychology

3 Years

Neuropsychology, Child Psychology

Science-oriented, includes research & statistics.

Diploma/Certificate

6-12 Months

Forensic, Industrial Psychology

Short-term skill-based programs.

Which Stream is Best for Psychology After 12th?

In the case of psychology, no stream is a barrier. Psychology courses after 12th commerce are also popular!

  • Science (PCB/PCM): Best for BSc Psychology & research roles.
  • Commerce: Can pursue BA Psychology (many colleges accept Commerce students).
  • Arts: Ideal for BA Psychology, Counseling, HR roles.

Top Diploma/Certificate Psychology Courses After 12th

For students with an interest in psychology, pursuing a diploma or certificate in psychology after 12th is an excellent way to gain foundational knowledge without committing to a full-degree program. These short-term courses not only provide the required practical insights into mental health, counseling, and behavioral sciences but are also available in multiple colleges & online platforms. This makes them quite a flexible option for students. Given below is a list of top colleges offering psychology diplomas and certificates:

College/Institute

Eligibility

Annual Fees (Rs.)

TISS, Mumbai

Must have passed class 12th with any stream

15,000 - 30,000

NIMHANS, Bangalore

Must have passed class 12th with any stream (Science preferred)

10,000 - 25,000

IGNOU (Online)

Must have passed class 12th with any stream

3,000 - 6,000

Annamalai University

Must have passed class 12th with any stream

8,000 - 12,000

Bharathiar University

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 50%+ aggregate marks

5,000 - 10,000

Aligarh Muslim University

Must have passed class 12th with any stream (Merit-based)

7,000 - 15,000

SNDT Women’s University

Must have passed class 12th with any stream (Female candidates)

10,000 - 20,000

Osmania University

Must have passed class 12th with any stream

5,000 - 12,000

Mumbai University (IDOL)

Must have passed class 12th with any stream (Distance learning)

8,000 - 15,000

UPES Dehradun

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 50%+ aggregate marks

30,000 - 50,000

Psychology Courses after 12th Online

Online psychology courses are increasingly popular among students wishing to explore the field after completing their 12th grade. These courses provide a flexible and accessible way to learn about human behavior, mental processes, and various psychological theories and practices. With the rise of digital education platforms, learners can choose from a wide range of programs according to their different interests. Many online courses are designed to fit various schedules, making them ideal for both full-time students and working professionals.

Some of the popular psychology courses after 12th online are given below:

Course Name

Platform

Duration

Cost

Certification

Foundations of Positive Psychology Specialization

Coursera

5 months

Free to enroll

Yes, with subscription

Introduction to Clinical Psychology

edX

6 weeks

Free to audit

Yes, paid certificate

Diploma in Educational Psychology

Alison

3-6 months

Free

Yes, with completion

Introduction to Psychology

MIT

Self-paced

Free

No

Positive Psychology

University of North Carolina (Coursera)

3 weeks

Free to audit

Yes, with subscription

Top Colleges for BA Psychology in India

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is a popular undergraduate program. Many prestigious Indian universities and colleges offer this course with a strong academic curriculum, research opportunities, and experienced faculty. When choosing a college, factors like accreditation, faculty expertise, infrastructure, and placement opportunities should be considered. Below is a table providing some of the top colleges for BA Psychology in India:

College

Eligibility

Annual Fees (Rs.)

Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 90%+ aggregate marks

15,000 - 20,000

Christ University, Bangalore

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 60%+ aggregate marks | Entrance exam

60,000 - 80,000

St. Xavier’s, Mumbai

Must have passed class 12th in Arts | Minimum 75%

25,000 - 35,000

Delhi University

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | CUET required

10,000 - 30,000

Fergusson College, Pune

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 50%+ aggregate marks

12,000 - 18,000

Madras Christian College

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 60%+ aggregate marks

20,000 - 30,000

Amity University

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 50%+ aggregate marks

80,000 - 1,20,000

Banaras Hindu University

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | CUET

8,000 - 15,000

Mount Carmel College, Bangalore

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 60%+ aggregate marks

35,000 - 50,000

Jadavpur University, Kolkata

Must have passed class 12th with any stream (Merit-based)

5,000 - 10,000

Top Colleges for BSc Psychology in India

India offers many top universities for pursuing a BSc in Psychology. Top colleges provide a strong foundation in cognitive, clinical, and applied psychology, along with research opportunities, experienced faculty, and modern infrastructure. Below is a table providing some of the top colleges for BSc Psychology in India:

College

Eligibility

Annual Fees (Rs.)

University of Delhi

Must have passed class 12th with Science stream | Minimum 80%+ aggregate marks | CUET score

12,000 - 25,000

Ashoka University

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | SAT/ACT

4,00,000+

Jamia Millia Islamia

Must have passed class 12th with Science stream | Entrance exam

10,000 - 20,000

NMIMS Mumbai

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 60%+ aggregate marks | NPAT

1,50,000 - 2,00,000

Loyola College, Chennai

Must have passed class 12th with Science stream | Minimum 90%+ aggregate marks

30,000 - 50,000

Manipal University

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 50%+ aggregate marks

1,50,000 - 2,00,000

Presidency University, Kolkata

Must have passed class 12th with Science stream | Entrance exam

10,000 - 20,000

Symbiosis, Pune

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | SET Exam

1,00,000 - 1,50,000

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 60%+ aggregate marks

70,000 - 1,00,000

Banasthali Vidyapith

Must have passed class 12th with any stream | Minimum 50%+ aggregate marks

50,000 - 80,000

Psychology Courses after 12th Salary & Job Opportunities

After completing the 12th in India, students interested in pursuing a career in psychology have various educational pathways and salary expectations. Graduates with a BA in Psychology can expect an average annual salary of approximately Rs. 3.1 lakh, with salaries ranging from Rs. 3 lakh to 7 lakh per annum, depending on experience and job role. Given below are some of the popular job roles along with their average annual salaries:

Job Role

Average Salary (Rs.)

Clinical Psychologist

4 - 10 LPA

Counseling Psychologist

3 - 8 LPA

HR Specialist

3.5 - 9 LPA

Child Psychologist

3 - 7 LPA

Forensic Psychologist

5 - 12 LPA

Industrial Psychologist

4 - 10 LPA

Educational Psychologist

3.5 - 8 LPA

Sports Psychologist

4 - 9 LPA

Market Research Analyst

3 - 6 LPA

Neuropsychologist

6 - 15 LPA

Check Out: BSc Psychology Career Opportunities

Entrance Exam for Psychology After 12th

Most psychology colleges in India admit based on CUET, IPU CET, or state-level tests. There are numerous national-level, state-level, and college-specific entrance exams for psychology courses after 12th in India, Some top entrance exams are given below:

Entrance Exam

Conducted By

Mode of Exam

CUET UG

National Testing Agency

Online (CBT)

JMI Entrance Exam

Jamia Millia Islamia

Online/Offline

BHU UET

Banaras Hindu University

Online

DUET

Delhi University

Online (CBT)

NPAT

Participating Universities (National Level)

Online

TISS BAT

Tata Institute of Social Sciences

Online

IPU CET

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU)

Online

NIMSEE

National Institute of Management Studies (NIMS)

Online/Offline

LPU NEST

Lovely Professional University

Online

AP PGCET

Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education

Online

Orissa SAMS

Odisha Higher Education Department

Online

TS CPGET

Osmania University (For Telangana)

Online

MH CET (For BA/BSc Psychology)

Maharashtra State CET Cell

Online

AP EAPCET (For BSc Psychology)

Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education

Online

TS EAMCET (For BSc Psychology)

Telangana State Council of Higher Education

Online

Karnataka PUC/DCET (Psychology)

Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA)/Direct Admission

Offline/12th Marks

Benefits of Studying Psychology after 12th

Psychology is not just about counseling, it’s a versatile, high-demand field with applications in HR, marketing, education, and healthcare. Below are the reasons why you should consider it:

  • Diverse Career Paths - Work in HR, counseling, research, clinical psychology, organizational behavior, or even forensic psychology.
  • Lucrative Salaries - Professionals earn 3-10 LPA early on, with higher pay in specialized fields.
  • High Demand - Rising mental health awareness increases job opportunities. India needs over 20,000 more psychologists to meet mental health demands. The country faces a shortage of mental health professionals, with only 0.75 psychologists per 100,000 people.
  • Flexible Eligibility - Available for Science, Commerce, and Arts students.
  • No NEET Required - Unlike medical fields, psychology courses after 12th without NEET are widely available.
  • Online Options - Many online psychology courses after 12th are available for remote learning.

Explore BSc Psychology Syllabus Here!

So, are you ready to explore the fascinating world of psychology? With great salary potential, high demand, and diverse career paths, psychology offers both personal fulfillment and professional growth.

Are you feeling lost and unsure about what career path to take after completing 12th standard?

Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a bright future!

news_cta

FAQs

Can I study psychology after 12th if I am from the commerce stream?

Yes! You don’t need to be from the science stream to study psychology. Many colleges accept commerce and arts students for psychology courses like BA Psychology. While a BSc in Psychology might require a science background, a BA in Psychology is ideal for Commerce and Arts students.

Do I need to clear NEET to study psychology after 12th?

No, NEET is not required for psychology courses. Unlike medical programs, psychology falls under arts, science, and humanities disciplines, so you don’t need to take the NEET exam. Instead, admissions are usually based on merit or entrance exams like CUET, NPAT, or JMI Entrance Test, depending on the university you choose.

What is the salary after completing a psychology course?

Starting salaries can range from ₹3 to ₹10 LPA, depending on your specialization and job role. Clinical psychologists and corporate psychologists usually earn more with experience.

Which entrance exam do I need to take for psychology courses after 12th?

Most universities offer admission through entrance exams like CUET UG, IPU CET, JMI Entrance Exam, NPAT, and DUET. Some private universities, like Christ University and Symbiosis, have their own entrance tests. Some colleges also offer merit-based admissions for their psychology courses. So, always check the specific college requirements.

Can I study psychology online after 12th?

Yes, many universities and platforms offer online psychology courses. Institutions like IGNOU, Coursera, Udemy, and online programs from Indian universities, provide diploma or certificate courses in psychology. While full-fledged BA or BSc degrees in psychology are usually campus-based, online diploma courses in counseling, mental health, and applied psychology can be a great way to start.

Which is better: BA Psychology or BSc Psychology?

BA Psychology focuses more on humanities and counseling, while BSc Psychology includes research and science-based subjects. Choose based on your interest!

How long does it take to complete a psychology degree?

A BA or BSc in Psychology takes 3 years to complete in India. If you opt for a diploma or certificate program, it can range from 6 months to 1 year.

Is psychology a good career in India?

Yes! With increasing mental health awareness, psychology professionals are in demand in fields like counseling, HR, education, and research.

View More
/articles/psychology-courses-after-12th-eligibility-colleges-career-scope/
View All Questions

Related Questions

I want to study EEE at LPU. How is the placement?

-Prateek PritamUpdated on July 10, 2025 09:57 AM
  • 56 Answers
Mansi arora, Student / Alumni

Great

READ MORE...

Is Lpu good enough for me? What are theiur placement stats?

-bhavyaUpdated on July 10, 2025 09:58 AM
  • 44 Answers
Mansi arora, Student / Alumni

Interesting

READ MORE...

Kya ye exam Hindi me nhi hota hai kya

-ankita baghelUpdated on July 10, 2025 10:10 AM
  • 21 Answers
Mansi arora, Student / Alumni

noted

READ MORE...

Do you have a question? Ask us.

  • Typical response between 24-48 hours

  • Get personalized response

  • Free of Cost

  • Access to community

Recent News

Subscribe to CollegeDekho News

By proceeding ahead you expressly agree to the CollegeDekho terms of use and privacy policy

Top 10 Science Colleges in India

View All