Updated on Sep 22, 2022 05:09 IST
Saumya Jain

Saumya JainAssistant Manager- Content

Critical Thinking is a form of judgment and the ability to think clearly, logically and rationally about what to believe. Critical Thinking is a branch of Philosophy and there are various definitions of what Critical Thinking is all about. The subject is complex which includes rational, skeptical and unbiased analysis and evaluation of facts and evidence. It is basically on one’s self which is self-disciplined, self-monitored and self-directed. Through critical thinking, one can improve and excel in providing excellent communication and problem-solving abilities. 

The earliest form of critical thinking was noted in the teachings of great philosophers, Socrates and Plato. Socrates established the importance of asking deep questions that allows one to think deep before answering. Questions that require one to think logically and rationally along with reason. The great Philosopher also set the agenda for the tradition of critical thinking, to reflect question explanations and common beliefs.

A critical thinker is one who is able to deduce consequences and sees various outcomes and eventually solve problems. One also gets to think outside the box, challenging consensus and pursuing less popular approaches. Critical thinking entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities. 

A person with critical thinking can:

  • Solve problems
  • Reflect on the justification of one’s own assumptions, beliefs and values
  • Identify inconsistencies in reasoning
  • Determine the importance and relevance of ideas
  • Think outside the box

The critical thinking course is designed in a way to help the learners define, identify and develop reasoning skills in them. The course helps them take a disciplined and systematic approach to problem-solving and analyze the situation at hand and assess possible solutions and associated risks, and hone their strategic decision-making skills by following a methodology based on tested actions and sound approaches.

Critical Thinking Courses Offered and Eligibility Criteria

To pursue Critical Thinking as a career one can opt for long-term professional courses available. Some of the top critical thinking courses along with the eligibility criteria are mentioned in the table below:

Course

Duration

Eligibility Criteria

BA in Philosophy

3-Years

The candidate should have completed their Class 12 from a recognised board and should have secured a minimum of 45 per cent aggregate.

MA in Philosophy

2-Years

The candidate should have completed their graduation in a BA Programme or BA (Hons) in any discipline and should have secured a minimum of 55% aggregate.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

2-Years

The candidate should have secured a minimum of 60% aggregate in their Master’s in any field from a recognised university.

PhD

2-Years

The candidate should have done their MA in Philosophy or MPhil from a recognised university.

Skillsets Required for Critical Thinking

To be successful in this profession, one must possess the following skillsets:

Skillsets Required for Critical Thinking Course

Evaluation

Observation

Interpretation

Reflection

Inference

Explanation

Problem Solving

Decision Making

Questioning Evidence

Skepticism 

Excellent Communication

Flexibility

Emotional Intelligence

Attention to Detail

Open-Mindedness

Adaptability

Business Intelligence

Identifying Patterns

Admission Process for Courses in Critical Thinking

The following are the steps for admission to Critical Thinking courses:

  • Choose University/College: The first step is to search for colleges or universities which are offering courses in Philosophy. Check the fees, the seats offered, eligibility criteria which is set for the course, etc.
  • Apply for the Course: Proceed to apply for admission after getting to know the university offering the programme. Fill up the details as required and pay the application fee. The application forms are available for a limited period of time so the candidate is advised to know the details way in advance.
  • Mode of Admission: Universities and colleges will either conduct entrance exams for admission or offer admission through merit. For postgraduate courses, the candidate will have to appear for an entrance exam.
  • Results: Selected and qualified candidates make the merit list. The student has to get the desired rank and percentage, to be eligible for admission.
  • Counselling: The candidate will have to appear for the counselling session conducted at the university to book their seat, submit their documents and pay the fees to seal admission.

Critical Thinking: Career Prospects and Job Profiles

For people who enjoy analysing information and overcoming challenges, problem-solving and critical thinking jobs can be a good career choice for them. Check out the table below to know the top critical thinking job pro

Job Profiles

Average Salary Package (in INR)

Professor

1.02 LPA

Advisor

3.9 LPA

Consultant

11.9 LPA

Psychiatrist

9.8 LPA

Lecturer

3.53 LPA

Philosopher

3 LPA

Analyst

4.5 LPA

Researcher

6.9 LPA

Critical Thinking: Top Recruiters

Check out the table below to know the top recruiters:

Top Recruiters for Critical Thinkers

Boston Consulting Group

Goldman Sachs

Cisco

S&P Global

Barclays

Deloitte

IBM

JP Morgan

Edward Jones

Morgan Stanley

Deutsch Bank

KPMG

Citi

Accenture

Capgemini

Flex

eClerx

Ernest & Young

American Express

TCS

FAQs Related to Critical Thinking

Q: What is critical thinking?

A: To be put in simple words, critical thinking is an intellectually disciplined process of actively analysing, conceptualising and evaluating information gather from or by experience, reasoning and/or communication.

Q: Which courses can I pursue to study critical thinking?

A: Students who wish to study critical thinking can pursue various undergraduate and postgraduate courses such as BA in Philosophy, MA in Philosophy, MPhil, PhD, etc. 

Q: Why is critical thinking important?

A: Critical thinking is a core academic skill that is essential for undergraduate and postgraduate students to work on assignments and perform research. It is an invaluable skill in many workplace scenarios.

Q: What is the eligibility criteria for MA in Philosophy? What is the course duration?

A: Candidates who wish to study MA in Philosophy must have completed BA (H) or BA Programme in any disipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 55% aggregate. The duration of the course is two years.

Q: Is it necessary to appear for an entrance exam to study critical thinking?

A: Some universities and colleges offer admissions in various critical thinkng courses based on the scores obtained by students in their previous qualifying examinations while some conduct entrance exams to provide admissions.

Q: Which are the career prospects for students who wish to pursue critical thinking as their career?

A: Students who wish to study critical thinking can pursue careers such as Professor, Advisor, Consultant, Psychiatrist, Analyst, Researcher, etc.

Q: What is the average salary of a Consultant in India?

A: The average salary of a consultant in India begins at INR 11.9 LPA. As a person moves forward in the career, their compensation may increase.

Q: Which are the top recruiters who hire students with a critical thinking specialisation?

A: Top recrutiers such as BCG, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, Cisco, Deloitte, JP Morgan, Mogran Stanley, Accenture, KPMG, Capgemini, eClerx, Ernest & Young, etc. hire students with critical thinking specialisations.

Q: Which are the skillsets required to pursue critical thinking course?

A: The skillsets required for critical thinking course are analysis, interpretation, inference, explanation, self-regulation, open-mindedness, probelm-solving, etc. 

Q: Which academic stream should I choose for Critical thinking?

A: Philosophy is the most appropriate academic stream for pursuing a career in Critical Thinking as one needs to have a strong base in Statistics, Researching and related subjects.

Q: What is the role of a consultant?

A: A Consultant offers advice and and expertise on various matters of an organisation such as business performance, profitability, management, structure, etc.

Popular Critical Thinking Colleges in India

Following are the most popular Critical Thinking Colleges in India. Learn more about these Critical Thinking colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
174 Courses
0 - 30 K
8 LPA
60 Courses
120 - 12 L
8 - 9.5 LPA
22 Courses
48.5 K - 75.9 K
7.88 - 8.4 LPA

#1 India Today

1 Course
25 L
19.2 LPA

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open till Oct 14, 2024. Apply Now

78 Courses
7.2 K - 60 K
4.8 - 8.66 LPA
83 Courses
240 - 10.89 K
5 - 15.5 LPA

Popular Private Critical Thinking Colleges in India

84 K - 13.2 L
3.4

#45 The Week

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

75 K - 4.81 L
4.1
1.48 L - 6.04 L
2.8 - 3.7 LPA

#85 India Today

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

57 K - 2.76 L
3.3 - 3.6 LPA

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

21 Courses
70 K - 10.5 L
3.0

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

2 L - 4.8 L
4.4

Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for Critical Thinking. Students interested in pursuing a career on Critical Thinking, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Counselling Start

TENTATIVE

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Result

TENTATIVE

20 Sep ' 24

Reporting to Respective Colleges

21 Sep ' 24

Second Phase of Counselling Begins

13 Feb ' 24 - 14 Mar ' 24

YCMOU March 2024 Exam

9 Apr ' 23 - 13 Apr ' 23

YCMOU June application form 2023 submission with ...

20 Sep ' 24

SAT Registration Deadline for October Test

24 Sep ' 24

SAT Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, a...

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