About Vocational Courses
As the demand for skilled professionals increased, vocational courses became more popular. Until the end of the 20th century, vocational courses referred to certain professions like a welder or automotive mechanic. Now vocational courses are defined as a discipline designed to train the students in certain skills for a particular profession or field. It is in contrast to theoretical and academic courses. Vocational courses were developed with the help of the respective industries to increase skill-specific & vocational learning opportunities. Vocational courses are offered in different fields like healthcare, office management, skilled trades, computer technology, and others. Vocational degree courses usually equip the students with technical and artistic knowledge. The courses focus more on on-field training in a particular skill rather than the theoretical subjects. The course curriculum is designed in such a way that on completing the courses, students can take up professional roles in the desired field. For example, designers, mass media, makeup artists, and more. Vocational training courses prepare students for work in the required areas for employment or self-employment related to the skill learned. With the growing popularity of vocational courses, it has now become easier to learn specific skills.
...Who can Opt for a Vocational course?
Students who want to make a career in a particular skill can opt for vocational courses. The students who have completed 10 + 2 in any stream can apply for these courses. They can choose any particular field to learn the required skill. Students interested in practising their chosen skill can also take up these vocational courses. Vocational training programs offer the required knowledge and skills to start employment. These courses focus on on-field training and the students are trained in their required skill areas. By completing the course, students can make a rewarding career in their chosen field.
Vocational Course Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the vocational courses differ as per the institute. However, the general eligibility criteria are as follows:
Eligibility for UG course
Students can take up undergraduate vocational courses after 12th in any discipline. The duration of this (Bachelor of Vocation) B. Voc course is 3-years full-time. Students can take up employment in the skill chosen after completing the course. The B. Voc course offers an education that prepares students to take up employment immediately after completing the course. Vocational training courses provide on-field training in the branch chosen.
Students can make a career once they have learned the required skill. There are different branches offered under vocational courses. Such courses are best for students who have an interest in making a career in the industry. Students can make a career as makeup artists, hair stylists, fashion designers, nutritionists and dieticians and more.
Vocational degree courses are specially designed to provide education to the students so that they can take up work on completing the course. Students taking up vocational courses need to have creativity, dedication, communication skills, interpersonal skills and decision-making skills. They should be committed to the field, hardworking and should be able to work in a team.
**Note: The eligibility for different courses under vocational fields differs across institutes. Therefore, students should check the eligibility requirements at the time of applying.
Vocational Courses
Vocational courses are offered at the undergraduate level.
UG level
Students can opt for undergraduate vocational courses after 12th standard in any stream. The duration of the course is 3-years full-time. There are different branches offered and the students can choose their branch of study. These courses provide theoretical as well as on-field education. The focus is on on-field vocational training programs offered to the students. Once students complete the course, they can get employed or self-employed in the skill learned and make a rewarding career in the industry. The curriculum of these courses is specially designed to train students so that they can take up professional roles in their concerned field.
Vocational Branches
There are different branches offered in vocational courses. Students can choose their branch based on their interests. These courses are best suited to students who are committed to making a career in the specified field based on the skill learned. These courses are designed to teach the students the skill required in the field and concentrate more on on-field training rather than the theoretical subjects. Students are trained in the chosen skill in such a way that they can take up employment after completing the course. They can make a rewarding career after learning the required skill through a B. Voc course. A list of different vocational courses is as follows:
Retail Management | Beauty Therapy or Aesthetics | Garment Designing |
Vocational Subjects & Syllabus
Vocational degree courses deal with practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge. The curriculum of the undergraduate courses is as follows:
UG Level:
The main subjects covered in these undergraduate courses are as follows:
- Principles of Vocational Course
- Web Design
- Consumer Behaviour and Brand Management
- Programming
- Lab Technician
Admission process for Vocational courses in India
Students aspiring to make a career in the vocational field can pursue these courses across three disciplines by applying. The step-by-step process to apply is:
First, the students need to fill out the registration form. Following the registration, students are provided with login credentials that they need to save for future reference.
Once registration is complete, students will have to fill out the Study in India Application which is divided into three parts: Basic Information, Academic Information and Choice Filling.
Although the students have to fill all three sections carefully, it is the Choice Filling that is the most important part. They are required to give and rank a minimum of three preferences for vocational courses and Indian institutes they are interested in taking admission to.
Lastly, they are required to fill out the declaration form and submit their respective applications.
Students can find a detailed explanation for filling out the Application here.
Most Popular Courses in the Vocational field
Some of the most popular vocational courses are as follows:
A. Retail Management
This field covers the tasks of supervising, selling and distributing products to the consumers in the retail set-up like shops, supermarkets, logistic firms, chain stores and more. The course covers topics like merchandising, financing, buying, inventory control, marketing and operations. In the courses, the students are taught how to identify problems and find solutions to improve the overall retail process and details of the retail industry.
B. Beauty Therapy or Aesthetics
The field of beauty therapy is dynamic and covers hairstyling, grooming, nail & skin care, aesthetics, and makeup. Students opting for a beauty therapy/ aesthetics course are taught about cosmetics, styling, skincare, how to do makeup/hairstyle and how to achieve overall well-being. Students are also trained in marketing and ways to manage beauty outlets like salons or spas.
C. Garment Designing
This field deals with ideating and making clothing items. The course is a combination of creative skills and technical proficiency. Students are taught to create, design, conceptualise and develop different types of outfits. Through theoretical classes and hands-on training, students learn about colour, pattern designing, types of fabric, cutting, and decoration of fashion outfits.
Popular Vocational UG courses in India
The popular UG vocational courses are available after students complete the 12th standard. Students will get a graduate degree by doing the vocational course. These courses provide on-field training to the students in the branch chosen and train the students in the required skills. The students can get employed or self-employed after completing the courses in the desired skill. These courses are for students who want to make a career in the industry by learning the required skill. Students with an interest in the field, creative skills, communication skills, decision-making skills, dedication, and motivation can make rewarding careers. The popular UG vocational courses are as follows:
Retail Management | Beauty Therapy & Aesthetics | Garment Designing |
**Note: Before applying for these courses, students must confirm if the concerned vocational course of their choice is offered in the current academic year or not.
Career Options in the Vocational field
Students taking up vocational courses can make careers depending on the branch chosen. The career options are as follows:
Make-up Artist | Fashion Designer | Retail Manager |
Textile Designer | Game Designer | Hair Stylist |
Beauty Advisor | Spa/Salon Manager | Fashion Stylist |
Photographer | Nutritionist and Dietician | Character Animator |
Vocational Course: Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is B.Voc.?
B.Voc stands for Bachelors of Vocational Studies and it is a three-year duration undergraduate course that students can pursue in a range of fields such as retail management, beauty and wellness, garment designing, food technology, etc. The vocational courses focuses on application-based studies and not only on the theoretical aspect of the subjects.
2. What is the eligibility of B.Voc. courses?
The Study in India partner institutes offer Vocational courses at the undergraduate level and to pursue the same you must have completed your 10+2 (in any stream). However, you are advised to check the specific eligibility criteria for different vocational courses at the time of applying.
3. What are Vocational Courses?
Vocational courses refer to the field of study that is designed to train students with practical skills for a particular profession or field. These vocational courses are offered in diverse fields like healthcare, office management, skilled trades computer technology, etc and they equip students with technical and artistic knowledge.
4. How useful is vocational education from a job’s perspective?
Vocational education focuses on the skill development of the students, ultimately, increasing the potential for jobs. However, some short-term skill training courses may not be sufficient and students need to pursue proper practical training for being able to take up a job.
5. How do I decide which is the best vocational course for me?
To decide which vocational degree may be the best option, you may:
- Decide on a few subjects/fields that you are interested in and then look for the long-term vocational courses provided by a recognised institute (in the subjects/fields of your choice).
- Try to talk to students studying the same subject or people working in the field of your choice.
Finally, make an informed decision!
6. What are the career prospects of this course?
Some of the popular career prospects of vocational courses include:
- Fashion Designer
- Make-up Artist
- Retail Manager
- Textile Designer
- Game Designer
- Computer Operator
- Photography
- Beauty Advisor
- Nutritionist and Dietician
7. What is Retail Management?
Retail Management involves the work of handling the selling and distribution of products/services to the consumers in various retail set-ups like supermarkets, shops, chain stores, etc. It involves financing, marketing, operations, merchandising, inventory control, etc.
8. What is the scope of retail management abroad?
Retail management is a growing field and it significantly contributes to a country’s economy. Also, in the past few years, the demand for skilled professionals has surged in this field. So, students who are interested in campaigning, marketing, sales, advertising, merchandise can opt for a retail management course.
9. Careers in retail management?
Career options available in the retail management field include:
- Assistant Store Manager
- Merchandise Manager
- Customer Service Executive
- Food or Product department Manager
- Sales Manager
- Store or warehouse Manager
10. What are the skills required for doing a job in the retail management field?
Some of the skills required for a job in retail management include:
- Good communication skills to interact with the team and also with the consumers.
- Patience to understand the requirements or demands of the customers and deal with the complaints as well.
- Good listening skills are also very helpful.
- Confidence and fluency of speech.
- Problem-solving skills to handle the working of retail set-ups efficiently.
11. What is the Garment Designing course all about?
In the Garment Designing course, students learn about designing, planning and creating original garments or clothes from scratch. They are trained to
- visualize the garment designs,
- make a sketch of the visualised designs
- selecting the right fabric
- choose patterns and colours to make the end product (garments)
12. What is the difference between Fashion Designing and Garment Designing?
Fashion Designing is an umbrella term that incorporates designing apparel, fashion accessories, footwear etc. On the other hand, Garment Designing refers to the process of ideating and making clothing items. It involves sketching garment designs, selecting the right fabrics, colours and textures and finally deciding the quality and fit to deliver the end product.
13. What jobs can I get with a Garment Designing degree?
After completing a Garment Designing course, you can look for the following job profiles:
- Apparel designer
- Retail Merchandise
- Quality Controller
- Stylist
- Fashion Marketer, etc
14. What is Beauty Therapy and Aesthetics course all about?
Beauty therapy and Aesthetics is a diverse field that includes hairstyling, grooming, nail and skin-care, aesthetics and expertise in make-up. Students pursuing a course of beauty therapy and aesthetics are taught about styling, cosmetics, process/techniques to do skincare and are trained to do make-up, hair styling, and ways to achieve overall well-being.
Study in India Partner Institute for VOCATIONAL COURSES.
No. of Institute :


Banaras Hindu University, Uttar Pradesh
Location: ,Uttar Pradesh
Type: Public
NIRF Ranking: Yes
NAAC Rating:
No.of Seats: 941


LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY
Location: Phagwara ,Punjab
Type: Private
NIRF Ranking: Yes
NAAC Rating:
No.of Seats: 73784


M E S College Marampally
Location: Kochi ,Kerala
Type: Private
NIRF Ranking: NO
NAAC Rating: 3.38
No.of Seats: 30


M. E. S. Keveeyam College
Location: Valanchery ,Kerala
Type: Private
NIRF Ranking: Yes
NAAC Rating: 3.44
No.of Seats: 28


Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
Location: Manipal ,Karnataka
Type: Private
NIRF Ranking: Yes
NAAC Rating: 3.30
No.of Seats: 187


PSGR Krishnammal College for Women
Location: Coimbatore ,Tamil Nadu
Type: Private
NIRF Ranking: Yes
NAAC Rating:
No.of Seats: 489


Tuljaram Chaturchand College of Arts Science and Commerce Baramati
Location: Baramati ,Maharashtra
Type: Private
NIRF Ranking: NO
NAAC Rating: 3.55
No.of Seats: 130

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