Top Career Options In Arts That You Should Know in 2025
By Kamal Jacob
Updated on Sep 11, 2025 | 11 min read | 584.82K+ views
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By Kamal Jacob
Updated on Sep 11, 2025 | 11 min read | 584.82K+ views
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Did You Know? The employability of Indian graduates has jumped from 33.95% to 54.81% a rise of nearly 61% over the past decade. |
Deciding what to do after the 12th arts is a very important decision in life which can be quite overwhelming sometimes as there are a lot of options for you to choose from. But you can simplify your choice by aligning your career path with your interests and preferences.
The most popular career options after 12th arts are in law, psychology, journalism, digital marketing, design, teaching, fashion, management, social work, civil services, animation and more.
In this article, we shall take a look at the highest-paying career options after 12th arts, so that you have a range of options to assess and choose your desired path. So, if you too are wondering “what to do after 12th arts”, keep reading!
Take charge of your career early on! Explore industry-relevant courses like Digital Marketing and gain relevant skills to secure your career!
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Students coming from the arts or humanities stream can venture into multiple career opportunities. With its vast applicability across streams, an arts background can offer you employment opportunities in some of the most sought-after professions in India.
But before going ahead look at our popular digital marketing courses that teach you industry-aligned skills:
Let’s take a deeper look at the 15 best career options after 12th arts in India:
Fashion design is a creative and dynamic field where you design clothing, accessories, and footwear. It’s a great career for those passionate about style and innovation, offering opportunities in both the domestic and international fashion markets.
Career Options
Job Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Fashion Designer | ₹1.5 L – ₹8 L |
Textile Designer | ₹1.8 L – ₹9 L |
Fashion Stylist | ₹1.8 L – ₹7.1 L |
Fashion Consultant | ₹1.6 L – ₹4.5 L |
Costume Designer | ₹1.2 L – ₹8 L |
Courses
Digital marketing involves promoting products or services using digital channels like social media, SEO, SEM, email marketing, and content creation. This rapidly growing field offers immense career opportunities due to the rise of online businesses and e-commerce.
Career Options
Job Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Digital Marketing Manager | ₹5 L - ₹13 L |
SEO Specialist | ₹2.4 L - ₹4.8 L |
Social Media Manager | ₹2.4 L - ₹4.8 L |
Content Marketing Manager | ₹7 L - ₹16 L |
PPC Expert / PPC Specialist | ₹4 L - ₹8 L |
Courses
Law offers a range of career opportunities for students after 12th. As a lawyer, you can specialize in criminal, corporate, or civil law. Legal professionals are in high demand, offering a rewarding career in terms of both prestige and financial compensation.
Career Options
Job Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Lawyer | ₹98,000 – ₹20 L |
Associate Attorney | ₹2.38 L – ₹20 L |
Legal Counsel | ₹3.69 L – ₹30 L |
Legal Manager | ₹4.34 L – ₹20 |
Courses
Fine arts is a broad field encompassing various forms of artistic expression such as painting, sculpture, and photography. It’s an excellent career for creative individuals who want to pursue their passion in art while also finding ways to make a living.
Career Options
Job Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Artist | ₹1.1 L - ₹10 L |
Sculptor | ₹1.92 L – ₹9.6 L |
Illustrator | ₹1.5 L – ₹24 L |
Art Curator | ₹1.3 L – ₹9.6 L |
Art Teacher | ₹1.1 L – ₹6.0 L |
Courses
Interior design focuses on enhancing the interiors of residential, commercial, or industrial spaces. It combines aesthetics with functionality to create comfortable, visually appealing environments. Interior designers can work in various sectors, from homes to hotels.
Career Options
Job Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Interior Designer | ₹1.4 L – ₹7 L |
Furniture Designer | ₹1.5 L – ₹10.0 L |
Lighting Designer | ₹2 L – ₹8.6 L |
Interior Architect | ₹2.0 L – ₹10.0 L |
Design Consultant | ₹2.5 L – ₹20.0 L |
Courses
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Business Administration focuses on managing and overseeing business operations and processes. It’s an excellent choice for those interested in leadership, organizational management, and running companies or departments.
Career Options
Job Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Business Analyst | ₹3 L – ₹18 L |
Project Manager | ₹4.7 L – ₹31 L |
Entrepreneur | ₹7.4 L– ₹19 L |
Marketing Manager | ₹3 L – ₹26.2 L |
Courses
Event management involves planning, organizing, and executing events such as weddings, corporate events, conferences, and exhibitions. It requires excellent organizational skills and creativity, as well as the ability to manage teams and budgets.
Career Options
Job Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Event Planner | ₹4 L – ₹5 L |
Wedding Coordinator | ₹5 L – ₹60 L |
Event Marketing Manager | ₹12 L – ₹56.2 L |
Courses
Hospitality management focuses on managing hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. With the growing tourism industry in India, it offers an exciting career with high growth prospects in customer service and operations.
Career Options
Job Role |
Approx Salary (India per year) |
Hotel Manager | ₹2.4 L - ₹5.4 L |
Restaurant Manager | ₹2.4 L - ₹8.5 L |
Event Coordinator | ₹1.2 L - ₹7 L |
Courses
A career in journalism and mass media allows you to work in news reporting, editing, and producing content for television, print, and digital platforms. With the rise of digital media, this field offers diverse and dynamic opportunities.
Career Options
Job Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Journalist | ₹1.1 L - ₹8 L |
News Anchor | ₹1.9 L - ₹30 L |
Content Writer | ₹1.3 L - ₹7 L |
Media Planner | ₹2.1 L - ₹10.1 L |
Courses
Filmmaking is an exciting career for those interested in creative arts and storytelling. It involves directing, producing, and editing films, documentaries, or web series. The industry is growing rapidly, with diverse roles in production and post-production.
Career Options
Job Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Film Director | ₹1.5 L – ₹16 L |
Cinematographer | ₹1.9 L – ₹9 L |
Film Editor | ₹3 L – ₹11.5 L |
Screenwriter | ₹1.2 L – ₹8 L |
Courses
Psychology is the study of the human mind and behavior. A degree in psychology opens up careers in counseling, therapy, research, or organizational psychology. This field offers rewarding roles that help people improve their mental health and well-being.
Career Options:
Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Clinical Psychologist | ₹1.8 L - ₹10 L |
Counseling Psychologist | ₹1.5 L - ₹7.4 L |
HR Psychologist | ₹4 L – ₹22 L |
Courses
Social work focuses on helping individuals, families, and communities improve their well-being. Social workers can work in various settings, including NGOs, hospitals, schools, and government agencies.
Career Options
Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Social Worker | ₹1 L – ₹8 L |
Community Development Officer | ₹1.5 L - ₹7 L |
Medical Social Worker | ₹1.2 L - ₹5.6 L |
Courses
Photography is a creative and technical career that involves capturing moments through a camera. From photojournalism to fashion or wedding photography, it offers flexibility and the opportunity to work as a freelancer or with big agencies.
Career Options
Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Photographer | ₹1 L – ₹ 7.5 L |
Photojournalist | ₹1.2 L - ₹1.5 L |
Fashion Photographer | ₹1.3 L - ₹8 L |
Courses
Education and training offer rewarding careers for those interested in teaching, mentoring, and guiding others. It spans traditional teaching roles as well as corporate training and educational consultancy.
Career Options
Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Teacher | ₹90,000 - ₹5.4 L |
Educational Consultant | ₹1.5 L - ₹ 11.5 L |
Corporate Trainer | ₹2.2 L - ₹15 L |
Courses
Foreign language experts are in demand in sectors like translation, international business, tourism, and education. Mastery in languages such as French, Spanish, Chinese, or German opens up global career opportunities.
Career Options
Role |
Approx Salary Range (India per year) |
Translator | ₹1.2 L - ₹ 9 L |
Language Trainer | ₹1.5 L - ₹8.5 L |
Content Writer | ₹1.3 L - ₹7 L |
Courses
Right after high school, you are required to make some carefully thought-out decisions and career paths that suit you the best. Choosing the right course after the 12th arts is a serious decision that requires you to consider your aspirations, your dream jobs, and your inclinations towards a particular career field.
You also need to consider external factors of market demand and growth opportunities so that your chosen career path fulfills your long-term goals. Thus, it is recommended that you weigh your options, do your research, and seek expert consultations if need be to make a solid decision in this regard.
Refer to the following list of best courses after 12th arts and their equivalent career options:
Top Courses After 12th Arts |
Top Job Roles |
BA (English) |
|
BA (Psychology) |
|
BA (Sociology) |
|
BA (Political Science) |
|
BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) |
|
BA (History) |
|
BJMC (Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication) |
|
BBA(Bachelor of Business Administration) |
|
B.Des (Fashion Design) |
|
If you are feeling lost in terms of determining the right career path after the arts stream in 12th, you may use the following tips to choose the right course for yourself. By considering these factors, you will be able to have more clarity on your options and aspirations:
Also check out: How to Create a Standout Resume for Freshers
To achieve success and achieve the best career options after 12th Arts, students should concentrate on building the following essential skills:
At upGrad, we offer specialized courses that are specifically designed to help you gain in-depth, practical knowledge in fields like Digital Marketing, Business Administration, and more.
Here are some of our popular courses you may like:
If you’re unsure about career options after 12th arts, you may book a free 1:1 counseling session with us, and we will help you out. You can also visit your nearest upGrad center for in-person guidance and support in selecting the right course to achieve your career goals.
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No, you can’t directly pursue traditional engineering after 12th Arts because engineering requires a strong foundation in science and math. However, you can explore creative technical fields like animation, graphic design, or web design. These arts career options after 12th combine creativity with technology and offer good growth opportunities.
To become a journalist, you can pursue a Bachelor's degree in Journalism (BJMC). Journalism offers roles in print, digital, and broadcast media, letting you cover news, stories, and events. For students looking at career options after 12th Arts, journalism is one of the best career options after 12th Arts for creative and analytical thinkers.
After 12th Arts, you can aim for careers in civil services (IAS, IPS), Indian Foreign Services, police services, teaching, and administrative roles. Government roles in ministries or public sector undertakings (PSUs) also offer stable careers.
You can pursue a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) to become a social worker, counselor, NGO professional, or policy researcher. Both government and private organizations hire social work graduates.
The best career depends on your interest. Popular options include journalism, teaching, law, social work, digital marketing, and civil services. Each of these arts career options after 12th offers opportunities to grow, earn well, and pursue your passion.
High-paying courses after 12th Arts include law, digital marketing, foreign languages, and political science. Specializations in international relations, managerial roles, or marketing consultancy can further increase earnings. These are some of the career options after 12th Arts with high salary.
You can become a teacher by pursuing a B.Ed after graduation or enroll in the 4-year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP). Teaching careers are available in schools, colleges, or private tutoring. This is one of the best career options after 12th Arts for students who love mentoring and education.
Yes, Arts offers diverse and growing opportunities. Careers in journalism, law, civil services, digital marketing, and foreign languages are in demand. Arts students gain creativity and critical thinking.
Absolutely! You can take animation courses or degrees in multimedia and digital arts. This opens up careers in 3D animation, visual effects, and gaming. Animation is among the career options after 12th Arts with high salary for creative students.
You can pursue diplomas or degrees in event management. Roles include event planner, coordinator, wedding planner, or corporate event manager. Event management is one of the arts career options after 12th that combines creativity and organization.
Studying political science can lead to careers in government, public relations, international relations, consultancy, and civil services. A BA in Political Science with specializations in foreign affairs or public policy provides higher growth opportunities.
The best career in art depends on your interests. Popular choices include UI/UX design, animation, and creative direction in advertising. These arts career options after 12th combine creativity with good income potential.
The traditional seven types of art are painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, music, performing arts, and cinema. These fields now include digital and interactive media, offering modern arts stream career options after 12th.
Some colleges allow Arts students to pursue BCA without a math background. BSc CS usually requires math. Always check eligibility before applying. BCA is a flexible after 12th Arts career option in tech for creative thinkers.
High-paying careers include creative directors, top animators, and film directors. Experienced product designers and successful artists can also earn significantly. These are the career options after 12th Arts with high salary in the creative field.
Courses like BBA → MBA or law through CLAT lead to high-paying careers. Hotel management, digital design, and UX are also lucrative arts career options after 12th.
There is no single “best” course. Psychology, design, law, BBA, journalism, and education are strong choices. These arts stream career options after 12th let girls grow professionally and personally.
Careers in digital marketing, design, tech support, content writing, psychology, and law are future-proof. They are among the best career options after 12th Arts as they combine creativity, skill growth, and stability.
Yes, psychology is ideal if you’re curious about human behavior. It leads to careers in counseling, HR, mental health, and research.
Arts offers diverse opportunities like civil services, law, media, and design. While science and commerce focus on technical or business roles, arts allow creativity to drive success. These arts career options after 12th are equally rewarding if you choose the right path.
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184 articles published
Kamal Jacob is a seasoned Online Marketing Consultant with deep expertise in SEO, Web Analytics, and Content/Technical Strategy. With over 184 published articles, Kamal has played a key role in educat...
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