College and career routes

What each route needs in Class 12

The subjects you choose in Class 11 decide which entrance exams and degrees you can apply for. Red means required, amber means many colleges ask for it.

Media, Design & Arts

Journalism & Mass Communication

IIMC, CUET UG, university tests

Any stream

Helpful: Mass Media Studies, English Elective, Political Science

Open to any stream.

Media, Design & Arts

Design (B.Des: product, UX, communication)

UCEED, NID DAT, NIFT, CEED later

Any stream

Helpful: Painting, Applied / Commercial Art, Design, Design Thinking & Innovation, Computer Science

Open to any stream. IIT B.Des via UCEED is open to all streams.

Media, Design & Arts

Fashion & Textile Design

NIFT, NID, Pearl

Any stream

Helpful: Fashion Studies, Textile Design, Painting

Open to any stream.

Media, Design & Arts

Animation, VFX & Game Design

University and institute tests

Any stream

Helpful: Multi-Media, Painting, Computer Science, Design

Open to any stream. A portfolio matters more than marks.

Media, Design & Arts

Fine & Performing Arts (BFA, BPA)

University entrance and auditions

Often askedPainting (049) / Graphics (050) / Sculpture (051) / Applied / Commercial Art (052) / Carnatic Music (Vocal) (031) / Carnatic Music (Melodic Instruments) (032) / Carnatic Music (Percussion - Mridangam) (033) / Hindustani Music (Vocal) (034) / Hindustani Music (Melodic Instruments) (035) / Hindustani Music (Percussion) (036) / Kathak (056) / Bharatanatyam (057) / Kuchipudi (058) / Odissi (059) / Manipuri (060) / Kathakali (061)

Some universities require the art form in Class 12; most take a portfolio or audition.

Eligibility shown is the common national pattern. Universities and exam bodies revise rules every year, and CUET subject mapping differs by university. Check the official information bulletin before finalising your Class 12 subjects.