What Is a Bachelor’s Degree? Requirements, Costs, and More
A bachelor’s degree can set you on a path to break into a field you’ve always been interested in or to enhance a career you’re already in. Learn more about bachelor’s degrees and how you can pursue one.
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India is home to the second-largest higher educational system in the world [1]. India Ministry of Education’s latest release of its All India Survey on Higher Education reveals that the country has added roughly 340 universities and university-level institutions since 2014, bringing the total to 1,168 registered universities and 45,473 colleges. Data also shows significant increases in the number of learners enrolling in higher education [2].
Bachelor’s degrees are among the popular options in the country’s undergraduate structure, allowing learners to study subjects like social sciences, the arts, commerce, and more. Explore some key things about bachelor’s degrees in India, including their cost, the requirements to apply, and whether an online or in-person experience is better for you.
What is a bachelor’s degree?
A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate course in which you study a subject of your choice at an academic institution. A bachelor’s degree can enhance your access to job opportunities, expose you to new ideas, and boost your earning potential.
Fast facts about bachelor's degrees:
A bachelor’s degree course typically takes about three years to complete, although many specialised degree courses may take between four and five years.
Degree courses can include several subjects, such as psychology, computer science, business, nursing, or English.
Traditionally obtained in person at a college campus, bachelor’s degrees have become increasingly easier to earn online.
Though many learners pursue a bachelor’s degree immediately after secondary school, it is not uncommon to seek one later in life.
Types of bachelor’s degrees
Myriad types of bachelor’s degrees exist. Check out three popular types of bachelor’s degrees in India:
Bachelor of Arts (BA): You earn a Bachelor of Arts when you take degree courses in the humanities or social sciences, such as history, psychology, English, or communications. The degree typically emphasises critical thinking and communication skills, and it is broad enough in subject matter for you to pursue an array of careers after graduation, like teaching, human resources, advertising, or government work.
Bachelor of Science (BSc): You earn a Bachelor of Science when you study technology, maths, or one of the natural sciences, such as biology or chemistry. You might also choose to study finance or computer science during your BSc. BSc degrees typically emphasise quantitative skills and can be a good way to launch a career in STEM.
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com): You can earn a Bachelor of Commerce in about three years. During your B.Com, you will take coursework in marketing, accounting, entrepreneurship, and taxation laws. This degree is intended to help you learn to solve economic problems and develop theoretical aspects of commerce.
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Bachelor’s degree requirements
Although each university is different, you must meet many requirements when you apply to and graduate from a bachelor's degree programme. Discover some of the common prerequisites you’ll likely need to meet.
Application requirements for bachelor’s degrees
Application requirements may vary from programme to programme. Explore some of the general requirements you may be expected to provide in your application for a bachelor’s degree programme:
Senior school certificate: Bachelor’s degree programmes typically require completing and passing your secondary school exam.
Minimum marks: In addition to completing 10+2, you may need to pass additional qualifying exams depending on the specific programme or university that you’re pursuing. Bachelor’s degree programmes in engineering, medicine, and pharmacy, for instance, may require you to achieve certain marks on a qualifying exam, often requiring scores of 50 percent or higher.
Standardised test scores: Secondary school students typically take standardised tests in their 11 or 12 classes before applying to university, and almost all students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree will be expected to sit for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). The Joint Entrance Exam (JEE Main) is conducted for admission to bachelor’s of engineering degree programmes, and the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) exam is required if you want to enroll in a bachelor’s programme in architecture. If you’re interested in studying medicine, you’ll need to sit for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET).
Letters of recommendation: You can request letters of recommendation from your secondary school instructors who know you well and can speak to your good qualities. If you’ve been out of school for some time, a manager from a past or current job, a leader at your place of worship, or a volunteer coordinator can all provide letters of recommendation.
Statement of purpose: Universities could request a statement of purpose to understand better your personal story and why you’re interested in a particular programme. A course on essay writing on Coursera or elsewhere can help build your writing skills if you need additional support.
Personal interviews: Many universities will ask to conduct a personal interview with you to assess your interest in the school and to get to know you better as a learner and a person. Personal interviews can also help boost your acceptance rate.
Can’t meet all of the requirements? You'll find several performance-based admission degree programmes on Coursera. These typically require you to pass three pathway courses in the subject you're interested in studying to gain full admittance to the programme. Learn more.
Requirements for graduating from a bachelor’s degree programme
The required credits for completing a bachelor’s degree programme range from 120 to 160, depending on the type of programme you choose [3]. You may also need to meet a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA), as outlined by the university or degree programme, or meet academic performance standards, which many institutions measure using a 10-point scale, and meet attendance requirements, which many universities set at 75 percent.
Bachelor’s degrees generally take about three years to complete when you're enrolled full-time, but specialised courses in engineering, mathematics, architecture, law, or medicine may take between four and five years. The time you take to graduate will depend on the number of courses you take each year and whether you take any breaks from your studies.
Cost of a bachelor’s degree programme
Higher education costs depend on several factors, such as attending a public or private institution or opting for an online or in-person experience. Financial aid can also lower your costs. It’s essential to remember that tuition is separate from other living expenses, like housing and transportation.
Private vs. public: Government-subsidised learning institutions are considerably less expensive than private institutions. Government colleges may also offer scholarships and financial aid programs to reduce learners’ costs. In fact, according to the All India Survey on Higher Education, almost 74 percent of learners enroll in government universities [2].
Online versus in-person: Online learning is becoming increasingly popular in India. Distance learning allows learners living in remote areas or students employed to pursue their higher education by offering a more flexible approach to coursework. However, the instruction may differ between institutions. According to the All India Survey on Higher Education [2], more than 30 lakh undergraduate students enrolled in distance learning in the 2021-2022 academic year.
Scholarships and financial aid: You may qualify for financial assistance and scholarships through the Indian government, even if you decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree abroad. The AICTE Saksham Scholarship, for instance, is available for students with disabilities who are studying technical subjects. Likewise, the AICTE Pragati Scholarship offers financial support for female students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, as do the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS) and the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS).
Online vs on-campus bachelor’s degrees
Both online and on-campus degrees offer compelling benefits to consider before enrolling. When deciding which option best suits you, consider the following factors.
Flexibility
Distance enrolment in undergraduate programmes has increased in recent years. In fact, over five years, between the 2017 to 2018 academic year and the 2021 to 2022 academic year, distance enrolment increased by 13.42 percent [2]. That’s likely because online degrees are more flexible. Accessing classes from home, and sometimes asynchronously, makes higher education more accessible to students who work full-time, care for their families, or live in remote areas.
In-person interaction
Face-to-face interaction is essential to some people but may be less of a priority to others. How important it is might depend on factors like your major and what sort of experience you want from a bachelor’s degree programme. While specific majors like computer science may be more conducive to online courses, others, like theatre, might be more suitable for in-person learning. Additionally, spending time on campus can give you many extracurricular options, while online schools can expose you to a community of people across the country and around the globe.
Some good news
Online programmes constantly evolve. Many create opportunities to interact with other students, professors, and alumni. Online degrees allow learners to work on group projects, join study groups, or network with alumni, all from behind the computer screen.
Affordability
Because of lower overhead costs, online bachelor’s degrees tend to be more affordable than those on traditional campuses. Of course, factors like whether or not the college is public or private and how much financial aid you receive will affect the price of a school, whether it’s online or in-person. The good news is that you may qualify for financial assistance in either case.
Is a bachelor’s degree worth it?
Several benefits to getting a bachelor’s degree include a higher potential income, increased job prospects, and new, enriching life experiences. If you have some work experience already, a bachelor’s degree may also help you launch a new career or advance in your current one. Obtaining a bachelor’s can be the first step to getting a higher academic degree, like a master’s or a doctorate.
The financial benefits of a bachelor's degree
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in India is much more cost-effective than pursuing a bachelor’s degree abroad, as the tuition and living costs are generally more affordable. Additionally, a bachelor’s degree can help you find a higher paying job than if you only have your Class 12th Certificate. The average salary for a new college graduate is ₹17,602 per month in India [4]. However, your earning potential will depend on many factors, including your job title, industry, and location.
Jobs you can get with a bachelor's degree
Many high-paying jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, so having this degree can make you more competitive for various roles. Explore some of the top-paying jobs that typically require a bachelor’s degree in India and the average annual salary of each:*
Data scientists: ₹11,57,093
Investment bankers: ₹4,18,858
Software engineers: ₹7,45,531
Management consultants: ₹19,21,971
Blockchain engineers: ₹12,87,139
IT managers: ₹4,69,203
Architects: 3,60,648
Business analysts: ₹8,25,720
*The above salary information was sourced from Indeed in January 2025; it represents the average salary.
Other types of education
Bachelor’s degrees aren’t the only type of degree you can get. You might also consider pursuing the following options.
Associate degree
You can earn an associate degree at a community college or a four-year university, although the associate degree should only take two years to complete. Associate degrees typically offer lower costs and less competitive requirements than bachelor’s degrees.
You might earn a professional associate degree in fields like nursing or applied sciences. Still, these types of associate degrees will likely take more than two years as they require additional coursework and clinical hours. You could alternatively pursue a shorter bachelor’s degree, like a BSc in Computer Science, Information Technology, or Electronics.
Professional credentials
Professional Certificates, certifications, and other credentials can help you advance your career or start a new one in far less time and cost than a traditional degree programme. You can earn certifications and professional credentials to gain expertise, making you a more competitive job candidate. Though not a degree by itself, certificates can be a good option for those who want to acquire new skills quickly, committing less time and money than would be spent on a degree.
Master’s degree
A master’s degree is a postgraduate degree—meaning it’s a degree you get after completing both a secondary and a bachelor's degree, and it demonstrates that you have a high level of expertise in your field. Those who have completed their bachelor’s and want to advance in their current field or pivot to a new one might consider getting a master’s. Master’s degrees generally take one to three years for full-time students, depending on the programme and field. They can open up paths to careers like clinical social work or psychiatry.
Explore bachelor’s degree options and more
Getting a bachelor’s degree can open you up to new career opportunities. If you’re still figuring out your professional goals, online classes can help you explore various subjects to determine your path while building skills and knowledge. For example, you can take a course like Cybersecurity for Everyone from the University of Maryland to immerse yourself in information security or complete the beginner-friendly Google Project Management Professional Certificate to gain in-demand skills needed to enter the field.
Ready to start exploring? Take a look at some degree options on Coursera.
course
Cybersecurity for Everyone
Cybersecurity affects everyone, including in the delivery of basic products and services. If you or your organization want to better understand how to ...
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 21 hour(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Cyberattacks, Human Computer Interaction, Network Security, Security Engineering, Leadership and Management, Risk Management, Computer Networking
professional certificate
Google Project Management:
Get on the fast track to a career in project management. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Project Management, Change Management, Strategic Thinking, Career Development, Organizational Culture, Risk Management, Quality Management, Project Execution, Agile Management, Problem Solving, Coaching, Scrum, Influencing, Effective Communication, Stakeholder Management, Business Writing, Project Charter, Procurement, Task Estimation, Project Planning
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Article sources
Ministry of Education. “India Higher Education, https://studyinindia.gov.in/about-indian-higher-education-#:~:text=India%20has%20one,Ministry%20of%20Education.” Accessed 14 January 2025.
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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.
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