Top Alternatives to BTech: Shiksha Poll Reveals Students' Backup Plans
BTech or Bachelor of Technology remains one of the most sought-after course options for Science students after Class 12, as it opens doorways to innovation, research, and high-paying career opportunities. A BTech degree is considered a symbol of prestige, opportunity, and growth in India’s rapidly growing tech-driven economy.
However, the story does not end there. Students today are not just limited to this traditional engineering path but rather also have other promising backup plans in mind that align closely with their passions. A recent poll conducted by Shiksha.com asked students about their backup plan besides BTech that they are considering pursuing after Class 12. Out of the 908 students who participated, 27% voted for a BSc and a Diploma in Engineering each, 14% voted for BCA, 6% responded in favor of BBA, and the remaining 26% are considering other options. Read the article below for more information.
This article provides some interesting insights about a few popular alternate course options to BTech that students can consider, making it easy for them to arrive at a wise decision.
Poll Results: Student Opinion on Backup Plan besides BTech
To assess student opinion, Shiksha.com conducted a poll asking, “What is your backup plan besides BTech?” Out of the 908 students that participated, 27% voted for BSc and Diploma in Engineering each, 14% chose BCA, 6% voted for BBA, and 26% are considering a few other options.
While there are a lot of specializations that extend bright future prospects for BTech graduates after pursuing B Tech to get into different careers, Computer Science Engineering is probably one of the most sought-after courses at present. This is also reflected in the high cut-off entrance exam marks that top engineering colleges including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs), and the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) as well as some of the best central universities demand from the aspirants in order to enroll them for B Tech CSE course. All in all, the BTech degree promises decent earning opportunities for fresh graduates.
You may go through some of the key benefits of pursuing BTech courses mentioned below:
1) BTech graduates are in high demand across different work fields like IT, software development, research, management, automotive, manufacturing, construction, and more.
2) You also have an option to choose from a variety of specializations on the basis of your interests which allows you to follow a career path accordingly.
3) You can expect attractive salaries and benefits with starting annual packages for fresh graduates ranging from 4 to 6 LPA.
4) Fresh BTech graduates are sought after internationally opening doors to careers in other countries as well.
5) The engineering field is constantly evolving offering opportunities for continuous learning and engagement with new advancements in technology happening everyday.
Here are a few tips for success after completing your BTech degree in a relevant specialization:
- Focus on Skill Enhancement: You should give a lot of emphasis to skill enhancement through office internships, workshop sessions, and working on research projects.
- Strong Industry Networks: Make sure to build a strong market profile via social media platforms like LinkedIn, where you can connect with industrial professionals in your desired field, learn from their experiences, and get referrals from them, if possible, to significantly boost your earning prospects.
- Earn Extra Certifications: Every recruiter today gives more value to skillset than academic performance. So, you can take up in-demand certificate courses, learn new skills, and become technically proficient to stand out in the crowd.
- Eye-Catching Resume and Interview Preparation: You should focus on building your resume profile that is eye-catching enough for the recruiter to hire you with a good pay scale. Devote time to interview preparation that includes a basic communication round, a technical round, and an HR round.
- Exploring Backup Options for BTech Aspirants
- BSc (Bachelor of Science)
- Diploma in Engineering
- BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
- Conclusion
Exploring Backup Options for BTech Aspirants
The entire phase of exploring multiple courses and colleges after the completion of Class 12 is full of anxiety and confusion as to which direction to head towards. Students often grapple with questions like which degree would give them a better salary, how do they know if the degree is the right fit for them, or which colleges are the best for the course they have shortlisted? Even the BTech aspirants keep a few choices in hand until the final admission at a top college.
This section gives a brief overview of the top 4 backup options that students can consider other than BTech based on their market demand, career prospects, earning potential, and scope of skill development.
Useful Links for BTech Courses:
BSc (Bachelor of Science)
BSc full form is Bachelor of Science, which is a 3 to 4-year degree that dives deep into the core concepts of science and technology, offering a strong academic foundation for students passionate about scientific principles and research. BSc serves as a gateway for opportunities in research, academia, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, among others.
If you are more interested in a conceptual way of studying Science subjects, then you should go for a BSc; it will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of your chosen specialization, and if you pair that up with the MSc degree, you can go into research and academia.
On the other hand, if you find the practical and technical approach to studying Science concepts more appealing, then you should go for a BTech. Many consider B.Tech to be a more extensive as well as a more challenging degree as compared to B.Sc., but it totally depends on the individual capabilities if you have real interest in the chosen field of specialization.
For more in-depth discussion on the same, you can refer to this article by Shiksha:
BTech vs BSc: Differences, Eligibility, Admission, Jobs, Salary
The BCA (full form Bachelor of Computer Applications) course is popular amongst students who have completed Class 12th and have studied Computer Science or Information Technology as a main subject or elective in 10+2. If you are interested in pursuing a career in IT, a BCA course is a great option for you. It is a relatively affordable degree that can lead to a good job with a higher salary package.
BCA course includes database management systems, operating systems, software engineering, web technology, and languages such as C, C+, HTML, Java, etc.. It is a highly popular course amongst students aspiring to establish a career in established IT companies like HP, Accenture, Capgemini, and Cognizant, as well as new-age technology startups like Flipkart. Professionals skilled in computer Science are in huge demand since a lot of manpower-based jobs are being digitised.
BBA Full Form is Bachelor of Business Administration. Students from all three fields, i.e. Science, Commerce, and Arts can pursue BBA Courses. BBA Subjects are designed by industry experts to assist students in learning the various aspects of business administration and management through classroom lectures and practical projects like internships
BBA courses focus on essential business management knowledge and key insights in Finance, Sales and Marketing, Human Resources, and Business Operations to help students develop managerial, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills. There are several integrated BBA programs, BBA LLB and BBA6 MBA being the most popular. The course duration is 3 years, and admission to the integrated BBA Courses can be made through merit as well as entrance exams.
Students can check the table given below for a detailed understanding of the BSc course, basic curriculum focus, eligibility, top colleges, course fees, career opportunities, and salary packages:
| BSc Course Particulars |
BSc Course Details |
|---|---|
| BSc Full Form |
Bachelor of Science |
| BSc Course Duration |
3 to 4 years |
| BSc Eligibility Criteria |
Class 12 in the Science stream with a minimum of 50% aggregate. |
| Popular BSc Specializations |
Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Agriculture, Nursing, etc. |
| Top BSc Colleges |
Banaras Hindu University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Hindu College, Indian Institute of Science, Hansraj College, Miranda House, PSG College of Arts and Science, etc. |
| BSc Coursework Structure |
Core subject modules, professional electives, project work, guest lectures, and internships. |
| Average BSc Course Fees |
INR 50,000 – INR 6 lakh |
| BSc Job Scope |
Scientist, Research Associate, Professor, Lab Chemist, Statistician, Biostatistician, Agriculture Officer, Pharmacologist, Biochemist, etc. |
| Top BSc Recruiters |
TCS, HCL Tech, Wipro, Amazon, Accenture, Cipla, Deloitte, National Agro-Industry, Google, Cognizant, etc. |
| Average BSc Salary |
INR 4 LPA - INR 8 LPA |
Note: This information is sourced from external sources and may vary.
Relevant Links for BSc Courses:
Diploma in Engineering
A Diploma in Engineering is one of the most popular course options for engineering aspirants right after Class 10 or 12, which provides them with excellent practical knowledge and industry-oriented skills. Since the Engineering diploma course has a shorter duration than the BTech course, it allows students to kickstart their professional journey early and become financially independent. In addition, the diploma programs are more pocket-friendly and accessible, acting as favorable options for students from all backgrounds.
Students can have a look at the table given below for a brief overview of the course, basic eligibility criteria, top colleges, course fees, career options, and salary potential:
| Diploma in Engineering Course Particulars |
Diploma in Engineering Course Details |
|---|---|
| Diploma in Engineering Course Duration |
After Class 10: 3 years (6 semesters) After Class 12: 2 years (4 semesters) – Lateral Entry Option |
| Diploma in Engineering Eligibility Criteria |
Completion of Class 10 or 12, along with entrance exams like JEECUP, AP POLYCET, etc. |
| Popular Diploma in Engineering Specializations |
Computer Science Engineering, ECE, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Information Technology, etc. |
| Top Diploma in Engineering Colleges |
Jamia Millia Islamia, LPU, Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Galgotias University, NITTE Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Parul University, etc. |
| Diploma in Engineering Coursework Structure |
Core subjects, program electives, project work, hands-on training via lab work and field visits. |
| Average Diploma in Engineering Course Fees |
INR 50,000 – INR 3 lakh |
| Diploma in Engineering Job Scope |
Junior Engineer, Technician, CAD Designer, Assistant Engineer, Site Supervisor, IT Support Engineer, etc. |
| Top Diploma in Engineering Recruiters |
L&T, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, BHEL, Ashok Leyland, and other options like Railways and PSU Recruitment. |
| Average Diploma in Engineering Salary |
INR 3 LPA – INR 5 LPA |
Note: This information is sourced from external sources and may vary.
Links useful for Engineering Courses:
Engineering Courses after 12th
BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)
BCA or Bachelor of Computer Applications is a 3-year course at the undergraduate level that revolves around computer applications and software development. It is a highly popular course amongst students planning to establish a career in established IT companies like HP, Accenture, Capgemini, and Cognizant, as well as new-age technology startups like Flipkart.
Students can have a look at the table given below for a brief overview of the BCA course, basic eligibility criteria, top colleges, course fees, career options, and salary potential:
| BCA Course Particulars |
BCA Course Details |
|---|---|
| BCA Full Form |
Bachelor of Computer Applications |
| BCA Curriculum Focus |
Focus on C++, Java, Python, database management systems (DBMS), cyber security, operating systems, computer networks, and software development methodologies. |
| BCA Course Duration |
3 years |
| BCA Coursework Structure |
Core theoretical subjects, practical subjects, projects, assignments, and internships. |
| Top BCA Colleges |
Christ University, Galgotias University, Loyola College, Amity University, St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad, St. Joseph's University, etc. |
| Average BCA Course Fees |
INR 2 lakh – INR 15 lakh |
| BCA Job Scope |
Software Developer, Web Developer, System Analyst, Network Administrator, Database Administrator, or IT Project Manager. |
| Top BCA Recruiters |
HCL, HP, Infosys, TCS, Capgemini, Cognizant, Flipkart, Amazon and others. |
| Average BCA Salary |
INR 3 LPA – INR 5 LPA |
Note: This information is sourced from external sources and may vary.
Helpful Links:
BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
BBA full form is Bachelor of Business Administration, a UG-level program for students who wish to build a career in management, business, and entrepreneurship. A BBA degree equips the students with the right set of skills and academic knowledge required to excel in corporate and managerial careers. The course perfectly blends theory and practical learning in management, marketing, finance, operations, and human resources, also offering specifically focused BBA specializations.
Students can have a look at the table given below for a brief overview of the BBA course, basic eligibility criteria, top colleges, course fees, career options, and salary potential:
| BBA Course Particulars |
BBA Course Details |
|---|---|
| BBA Full Form |
Bachelor of Business Administration |
| BBA Course Duration |
3-4 years |
| BBA Eligibility Criteria |
Class 12 in any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) with an aggregate of 50% or more. |
| Popular BBA Specializations |
Sales and Marketing, Finance, HR, International Business, and Entrepreneurship, etc. |
| Top BBA Colleges |
Amity University, Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, IMS Noida, Shaheed Sukhdev College, etc. |
| BBA Coursework Structure |
Core subject modules, professional electives, project work, guest lectures, and internships. |
| Average BBA Course Fees |
INR 20,000 – INR 10 lakh |
| BBA Job Scope |
HR Executive, Marketing Executive, Marketing Manager, Sales Executive, Research and Development Manager, etc. |
| Top BBA Recruiters |
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Microsoft, Deloitte, IBM, ITC, Ernst & Young (EY), McKinsey and Company, etc. |
| Average BBA Salary |
INR 3 LPA – INR 10 LPA |
Note: This information is sourced from external sources and may vary.
Links related to BBA Courses:
Conclusion
While BTech remains the most preferred course option after Class 12 in the Science stream, students have various interesting alternate pathways to explore. The ‘Others’ category in the Shiksha Poll that has received 26% of votes highlights the fact that today’s learners are actively seeking options that match their interests, career goals, and industry trends.
This further signifies the growing awareness among students that their journey cannot be defined by one single degree but rather requires a blend of passion and opportunity, whether inside Engineering or beyond it.
Vidhi Jain is a postgraduate in Literature from DU with a strong foundation in research and education writing. With more than 1 year of experience as a content writer at Shiksha.com, Vidhi specializes in writing abo
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BTech full form is Bachelor of Technology. BTech courses majorly cover the basic principles & applications of engineering disciplines. The BTech syllabus is designed in such a way so as to help you follow your preferred career path in various engineering fields. The vast domains of BTech courses offer a diverse range of specializations. You can also pursue MTech/M.E/MBA degrees after completing BTech courses. You can even go for short-term Diploma courses in Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking, Red Hat Certified Engineer, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Software Testing etc.
From IT firms, and banks to automobile companies, production houses and research and development initiatives, skilled technical engineers are needed in every work domain and industry.