Dilemma of a commerce student

Class XII Boards are just a few weeks away and students are burning their midnight oil to excel. But this is not the only thing which is bothering them. The question of what after Class XII is giving them sleepless nights. It is very easy for students of medical or non-medical subjects to decide their future course. But commerce and arts students are in a dilemma as there are many options before them to choose from a long list of undergraduate courses.

Commerce is a subject that offers a large number of good career prospects in India and even abroad. It has comprehensive courses and also good scope of higher studies in this field. Courses like BBA and BCom can be the stepping stones to a career in management or other fields. The choice is not at all easy to make as it is highly debatable as to which course is better for them. Therefore, a detailed analysis of similarities and differences is to be made in order to know which course will have better future prospects for them.

BBA – Developing managerial skills

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is a three-year undergraduate programme which focuses on the fields of business and management. It is a professional course that prepares the students for a career in management with the necessary skills such as managerial skills, operational and marketing knowledge and related expertise.

Students also get practical training, soft skill training and attend workshops so that they become employable and join workforce after the course. BBA can be a good foundation for students interested in pursuing the Masters in Business Administration (MBA). Several B-schools and universities in India and abroad offer the BBA degree.

Students from almost all streams are eligible for the BBA after Class XII. Some of the institutes may require students to have mathematics in their Class XII. The best part — there are multiple streams to pursue in BBA itself like family business, business analytics.

Students pursuing BBA can pursue MBA or postgraduate diploma in management for better career prospects. A major advantage of a BBA graduate pursuing an MBA is that they will be studying subjects they are already familiar with, only in details.

To be eligible for an MBA course, students can appear for different management entrance examinations conducted in India like CAT, XAT, NMAT, MAT, CMAT, SNAP, etc, or can pursue an international MBA by clearing GMAT. Students can opt for one among the two types of MBA courses – Generalised and Specialised MBA.

BCom – Learning the art of accounting

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) is a three-year undergraduate course and is offered by many universities across the country. It can be studied as an honours course, too. The curriculum covers the fundamentals of the field like accountancy, finance, industrial policy, economics, etc. The course offers comprehensive knowledge of the field, focusing more on the theoretical aspects.

After graduation, students may choose to pursue Masters of Commerce (MCom) or pursue different fields like MBA, chartered accountancy, cost accountancy, etc. Few students may also pursue postgraduate courses in law, international studies and other varied fields. A large number of students pursue MCom after BCom as it involves providing more detailed knowledge of the subjects like business administration, accounting, economics, etc.

BBA or BCom

Both BBA and BCom have several similarities in the course structure. However, BCom focuses on the theoretical aspects more than the professional and real-world applications of the subjects. On the other hand, BBA involves practical applications and students may learn with the help of projects and case studies. Here we have presented the course structure of both BBA and BCom for students to compare.

Make your choice safely

A good career is based on how much effort you put in rather than your field of study. Both courses can be good career choices depending on your aptitude, skill and interests. However, as seen from the comparisons, a student can choose BCom, if he/she is interested in mathematics and willing to learn the nitty-gritty of accountancy, economics and other related subjects that are needed to run an organisation. On the other hand, a student pursuing BBA may find it easier to pursue an MBA degree and enter the management profession equipped with required skills.

So, before you start choosing an undergraduate course after Class XII, you should determine your interests and career goals. Only after a successful assessment of your skills, you can make your choice safely. All the best!

BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) 
Top areas of specialisation

• Hospital and Healthcare Management
• Sports Management
• Hospitality and Hotel Management
• Travel and Tourism Management
• International Business
• Integrated Marketing Communication
• Event Management
• Finance
• Aviation Management
• Communication and Media Management

Top colleges

• Govt. College of Commerce and Business Administration, Sector 50, Chandigarh
• GianJyoti Institute of Management and Technology, Mohali
• GGDSD College, Sector 10, Chandigarh
• DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh
• MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36, Chandigarh

BCom (Bachelor of Commerce)
Top areas of specialisation

• Economics
• Law
• Accounts and Finance
• Marketing
• Tourism and Travel Management

Top colleges

• MCM DAV College for Women, Sector 36, Chandigarh
• GGDSD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh
• Govt. College of Commerce and Business Administration, Sector 50, Chandigarh
• DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh
• PGGC, Sector 11, Chandigarh

The writer is an Assistant Professor (Commerce) at Government College, Barwala