B.Voc (Bachelor of Vocation): Course, Fees, Eligibility, Duration, Admission, Syllabus, Career Options

“Skill-based education should be the foundation of modern education”, with a similar view, the University Grants Commission (UGC), in 2013, introduced the B.Voc degree programme with multiple entry and exit points. B.Voc is a three-year programme that specifically focuses on skill development and makes the students industry-ready. Some trades or disciplines are incorporated under B.Voc degree courses such as Automobile, Marketing, Entertainment, Construction, and Information Technology.

Today, there are more than 100 disciplines/trades for which the B.Voc degree courses are available. Some of the most popular courses include B.Voc in Retail Marketing, Food Processing, Healthcare, Technology, and Renewable Energy.

What is B.Voc Full Form?

B.Voc stands for Bachelor of Vocation and it is quite different from a common degree programme. The curriculum of Bachelor of Vocation degrees involves 60 per cent practical and 40 per cent theoretical learning. The emphasis given to the practical and training aspects ensures that the students become more skilled and trained in their disciplines. Keep reading to know more about B.Voc course details like careers, scope, colleges, admission procedure, and B.Voc salary in India.

B.Voc Course Details

B Voc Fees

The B.Voc course fees vary from college to college, whether private or public. Candidates are required to pay the fees at the start of the academic year or at the beginning of each semester. The B.Voc fees at private colleges will be comparatively more than public colleges, although there can be exceptions.

Also, facilities provided by the college play an important role in determining the course fees. The average B.Voc fees range from Rs. 4,580 to Rs. 11 lakhs, depending on the college.

Why Choose Bachelor of Vocation?

Better Learning- It is very similar to training courses where the focus is more on the ideas taught in the classroom. Therefore, when a student passes he has more work experience than other applicants, he is trained on-site and thus be a better investment for the employer as he will have to spend less resources training a new boy.

Practical Learning- Vocational courses often have a course module that allows students on-site training opportunities that include the best loads of practical experience in the field upon completion of their studies. Such lessons have small classroom presentations that allow students to learn a skill first by seeing it or applying it to situations or fields themselves.

B.Voc Eligibility Criteria

The UGC has approved 162 universities/institutions for providing vocational courses that are related to different sectors. Most UGC-approved institutions have similar B.Voc course eligibility criteria, however, there can be differences in private institutions. Below, we have listed common BVoc eligibility criteria followed by top universities in India.

• For studying B.Voc, the candidates must have completed Class 12 from a recognised board or institution with a minimum aggregate of 55 per cent marks.
• However, the universities may also prescribe some additional eligibility criteria that the candidates must fulfill before applying for admission.

Skills Required for Bachelor of Vocation Degree

To excel in any course, possessing specific skills can greatly aid students throughout the curriculum. While not obligatory, these Bachelor of Vocation skills facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of course concepts. Below, we have outlined some common B.Voc skills that prove beneficial for students.

B.Voc Application Process

Annually, many colleges and universities publish Bachelor of Vocation admission notifications through their official websites. In general, admission to B Voc courses is offered either based on entrance test scores or through the direct admission process.

Based on the Entrance Test

Many universities administer their entrance examinations for Bachelor of Vocation admissions. Candidates need to clear the cutoff of these entrance exams to gain admission. Priority is given to candidates with higher marks, and seat allocation is determined based on their chosen course preferences.

Direct Admission

In the case of direct admission, the candidates need to apply for admission to the B.Voc course by filling out the admission application form of the concerned university. The institute releases the merit list which is prepared after considering the marks scored by the candidates in their qualifying exam (Class 12). Candidates coming within the merit list are given admission provided they fulfill the eligibility criteria.

Top B.Voc Entrance Exams

Several university-level entrance tests are organised to shortlist the candidates for admission to the course. Candidates need to submit the application form and appear in the entrance test. Marks obtained in the entrance test are used for preparing the merit. Those, shortlisted through the entrance examination are offered admission to the B Voc courses. Some of the most popular B.Voc entrance exams are mentioned below.

IPU CET: Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test (IPU CET) is an entrance exam conducted by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) in Delhi, India. This exam is held for admission to various undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered by the university.

AMUEE: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) conducts entrance exams for admission to various undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programmes offered by the university. Its application forms are generally released in February.

JMIEE: Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Exam (JMIEE) is a university-level exam conducted annually between March and April. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) is a central university located in New Delhi, India.

B.Voc Cut Off

The Bachelor of Vocation cutoff is annually released by the respective colleges that offer these courses. This cutoff is determined by the entrance exam scorecard, which is accepted by the university. The BVoc cutoff is subject to annual changes, influenced by factors such as the number of available seats and the total number of applications received.

BVoc Subjects/Syllabus

There are two components of the Bachelor of Vocation curriculum namely, general education and skill development. The details of the syllabus are determined either after considering the National Occupational Standards (NOSs) or if the NOS is not available for a specified trade, the Bachelor of Vocation syllabus is determined after consulting the industry experts.

The syllabus of the B.Voc degree remains specific to the trade or discipline. In the table below, we have compiled the B.Voc course subjects of the Information Technology branch taught at Sikkim University.

B.Voc Specialisations

Generally, the vocational sectors offer a lot of B Voc course scope for specialised workers, hence, having field-specific knowledge and skillset is very important. B.Voc degree course is available for various specialisations which provide in-depth knowledge and training of a particular work.

For example, the automobile sector is huge and requires specialised labour in the work fields like engine testing, vehicle testing, vehicle quality, and others. These specific works are covered under B.Voc specialisation. Some of the Bachelor of Vocation specialisations are listed below.

What After B.Voc?

Though B.Voc is a vocational degree course, it is still considered a full-fledged degree. The higher education options always remain open after completing B.Voc. Traditionally, for higher education after B.Voc, there is an M.Voc (Master of Vocation) degree which is generally a two-year post-graduation degree course. Similarly, there are various PG diploma courses for skill enhancement that can be taken up after completing the B.Voc degree.

Some other options are also available for higher education for B.Voc graduates. For example, If a student completes a B.Voc. in Tourism and Travel Management, he/she can pursue an MBA course in Hospitality and Management. Similarly, if the student completes a B.Voc in Information and Technology, the higher education options will always remain open just like any other IT degree.

Careers Opportunities after B.Voc

Enhancing the employability of the graduates and meeting the industry requirements was one of the many objectives behind introducing a Bachelor of Vocation degree course. Bachelor of Vocation course not only prepares the students for employment but also provides them with entrepreneurship skills. The career options after completing a B.Voc degree are trade-specific and vast. Some of the job profiles available after completing a B.Voc degree are mentioned below.

Electric Maintenance Engineers - Electric maintenance engineers work in the power sector, supervising the electric work, and others. Their role is critical in ensuring the reliability and safety of electrical systems, contributing to the overall operational success of the organisations they work for.

Computer Operators - Computer operators are prominently seen looking after the software and hardware of computers, laptops even mobiles. Their work includes maintenance of the computer programmes, and files, repair, and maintenance of equipment, software development, and web designing.

Food Processing Executives - Food processing executives supervise the work related to food processing, maintenance of food standards, and others. The job also includes the preservation of food on a large scale by cold storage technology, managing food production, and some others.

Business Development Managers - Business development managers contact clients for business development and identify new prospectus for development. They are also responsible for managing different business opportunities.

Accountants - Accountants are financial professionals responsible for managing and analysing financial records, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulations. They play a vital role in financial reporting and decision-making within organisations.

Retail Managers - Retail managers are generally the head of a retail store who oversees all the work. They also manage different administrative activities related to the store.

Top Recruiters for B.Voc

Almost all labour-intensive sectors such as retail, automobile, manufacturing, and construction are open for B.Voc graduates. The companies that recruit B.Voc graduates range from multinational companies to small-scale businesses. The names of some top recruiters for B.Voc degree graduates are given below.

Salary After B.Voc Degree

The Bachelor of Vocation graduates earn handsome salaries when recruited by top recruiters. Generally, the salary of B.Voc graduates depends on what trade or discipline they have mastered. The average Bachelor of Vocation salary package offered at the entry-level starts from around Rs. 3 lakhs per year to Rs. 4 lakhs per year.

It should be noted that completing a B.Voc degree means a person is eligible for a job of NSQF level 7, which means, the salary can go as high as Rs. 5.64 lakhs per year. The average BVoc salary for various job roles is provided in the table below.

Source: Payscale and Ambition Box

Employment Areas

After completing a Bachelor of Vocation course, graduates have diverse employment opportunities across various industries. These specialised vocational degrees are designed to provide practical skills and knowledge, making graduates well-suited for roles in sectors such as healthcare, technology, hospitality, and more.

The expertise of graduates is often sought in areas specific to their B.Voc specialisation, enhancing their employability in fields where hands-on skills and practical experience are highly valued. Below are some of the Bachelor of Vocation employment areas.

• Automobiles
• Entertainment
• Information Technology
• Agriculture
• Tourism
• Construction
• Marketing

Top Private B.Voc Colleges in India

B.Voc is a relatively new and innovative approach to higher education in India. There are numerous private colleges and universities in India that have shifted their focus to vocational training in various fields. In the table below, we have compiled a list of the top private Bachelor of Vocation colleges.

Top Government B.Voc Colleges in India

Among the top providers of Bachelor of Vocation courses, several government colleges rank at the top of the list due to their excellent academic records and facilities. The table below includes some of these top government Bachelor of Vocation colleges.

The Bachelor of Vocation degree has proven to be highly valuable in recent years due to its emphasis on skill development. The degree opens up diverse career opportunities in both the private and public sectors. Individuals can choose a specialised branch aligned with their interests and acquire a skill set that enhances their employability, facilitating quicker job placement.