Subject combos to stay on top

Gauri Chhabra

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The CBSE Class XII results declared last week saw students of the humanities stream scoring almost 100 per cent marks. With Meghna Srivastava from a Noida school scoring  499 marks out of 500, the supremacy of humanities stream students has been established once again this year.  Humanities, is today on a level playing field with STEM courses as it offers excellent career opportunities to students. 

So, if you have scored well in your Class XII in humanities stream, the next step now is to take a winning subject combination in your graduation degree. The options available are so diverse and the information overload makes the choice all the more confusing. For bright students from the region University of Delhi and the courses offered there are the most coveted ones. So, if you are vying for admissions in any of the DU colleges, BA programme is perhaps the most dependable course. Unlike any other course, the BA programme gives you an opportunity to study various combinations of subjects. It is quite popular among those interested in the civil services. It can also be a good option for those who can’t get through an Honours course of their choice because of high cut-offs. In such a case, they can take up BA to study that course as a part of the combination of subjects. Different colleges offer application papers in the third year, giving students a competitive edge.

Eligibility: Students from all streams can apply for this course. The cut-off for BA programme is usually as high as that for any honours programme from the arts stream, such as history and political science. It is even higher than philosophy and Sanskrit.

The University of Delhi offers a number of courses for candidates seeking admission to its affiliated colleges. There are as many as 75 different courses being offered under the three-year UG offered by the university. Candidates seeking admission in different colleges under the University of Delhi should go through the eligibility criteria for the course of their choice before applying. The application process for DU admission is already on. 

Each college will provide three-subject combinations during the admission process. Some combinations (like economics, statistics and maths; political science, philosophy and economics) require higher percentage. Every college has a different subject combination for BA programme. One can visit college site for detailed information. As admission starts, good combination slots are generally filled in the first and second cut-off. Further colleges release vacant seats of respective combination in subsequent cut-offs.

Here are a few courses/combinations that will hold you in good stead:

BA Economics (Hons)

This course allows students  to understand any economy in the world and, more specifically, an economy like India. It gives a good grounding in economics and one is not restricted to a particular stream of higher studies later. A good grounding in mathematics helps along with general analytical skills and some degree of competence in English. The course content  includes statistical methods, economic history, econometrics, Indian economic development, development theory etc. Students may opt for further studies; and may also go in for MBA or join media organisation. The proportion of students heading abroad after graduating is also increasing.

Numerous job opportunities are available for students after graduation in economics. On the successful completion of BA Economics, students can seek  jobs in public as well as private sector. They can even take UPSC exam, IAF account exams and Combined Defence Services exam among others.

On top of this, with more experience one can also  set up own consultancy or business. Those with more experience can apply for jobs with institutes of management or with MNCs. 

Educational institutions and the finance sector also provide good job prospects for students of economics. One can also take up teaching as a career after a master’s degree and clearing NET. Students can also opt for non-profit establishments like NGOs and economic consulting etc.

Political science, philosophy, economics

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics  is an elite programme that combines broad and rigorous cross-disciplinary training in politics, philosophy and economics. Complex social problems require generalists, i.e. researchers, policy makers and professionals who are able to examine an issue from different angles, who can combine different perspectives in a constructive way, and who are aware of the broader social and historical context of problems. PPE provides students with the necessary tools and knowledge to be leaders in the 21st century.

The programme prepares  graduates for careers in public policy and public service, political and economic consulting, journalism, law, and international affairs. It offers an integrated, cross-disciplinary perspective, able to shape a way of thinking critically and flexibly. Students are provided a foundation in the relevant disciplines by emphasizing the synergies and differences between their approaches.

Journalism, psychology and elective English

This combination introduces various facets of  journalism to the students with theoretical knowledge and on-the-job training. Psychology introduces students to various psychological processes with a view to develop a holistic outlook towards life and prepares them for a great career ahead. The programme offers papers from different disciplines of psychology along with laboratory and field experience, elementary statistics and research. The major objective of this course is to impart core knowledge in primary disciplines of psychology and its relevance in the current context.

This course provides a firm foundation for students to either get directly into media or go in for higher studies. They can apply for jobs in news and media companies. They can become teachers in government and private schools both on private and regular basis. HR, health associated professions, hospitals etc. offer an exciting and amazing career path for students of psychology. Some of the options include writing for national, regional and local newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, online publications and companies involved in public relations, corporate communications, content writing and marketing. Students can pursue post-graduation and expand it with further studies.

Therefore, take a look at the road that you wish to take, the career path you have carved out for yourself and then opt for a winning subject combination.

The ideal combination would take you places.

Economics, statistics and mathematics

This is one combination that can script a glorious career for a student and is one of the most coveted ones in DU. The combination of economics with statistics sets the stage for research. Following the recent global economic crisis, economics is more important and relevant than ever. Decisions on money, banking, interest rates, taxation and government spending affect us all, and have global consequences. Economics aims to understand the activities of different agents in an economy — consumers, producers and the government — and how they all fit together. 

The combination would give students essential mathematical, statistical and problem-solving skills. Mathematics and statistics make up at least half of the course, and it gives students the ability to explain complex data in simple terms to different audience.