What’s next?

I am in Class 12 (Commerce with Maths). I want to study abroad but also do CA. How should I approach this? Which universities in Europe should I consider? Garima

Dear Garima,

Pursuing CA and studying abroad simultaneously can be challenging due to mandatory articleship requirements. Align your overseas studies with ACCA or CPA. ACCA covers International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), used in Europe and by global MNCs in India. Some universities offer accredited degrees with exemptions from ACCA papers. Alternatively, clear the CA Foundation in India before leaving for Europe and prepare for CA Inter during your undergraduate degree. You will need to take the exams in India or at overseas centres such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait or Doha, as there are currently none in Europe. After graduation, you must complete articleship at an approved Indian CA firm before attempting CA Final.

For Commerce with Maths students, Europe offers English-taught B.Sc. programmes in Finance, Accounting and Economics, often at lower costs than in the U.K. or U.S.. Options include Bocconi University in Italy, Erasmus University and Tilburg University in the Netherlands; WHU and the University of Mannheim in Germany; KU Leuven in Belgium; and SGH Warsaw School of Economics and the University of Warsaw in Poland.

I am in the final year of B.Sc. Food Science and Nutrition. I am interested in food engineering and sports nutrition. I did not have Physics and Maths in Class 12 but am taking online classes. Will I be eligible for an M.Tech in Food Engineering or Food Technology? Niharika

Dear Niharika,

Most IITs, NITs, Central Universities and state technical universities require a four-year B.Tech/B.E. rather than a three-year B.Sc. Some also require Physics and Maths in Class 12. A few private universities may accept B.Sc. graduates, so check individual admission criteria.

You can pursue industrial food processing or sports nutrition without an M.Tech. For food processing, consider an M.Sc. in Food Technology or Processing Technology. Explore CFTRI, NIFTEM, Punjab Agricultural University and ICT Mumbai. A PG Diploma in Food Processing and Plant Management is another route into manufacturing, quality operations and FMCG plant management.

If sports nutrition interests you more, consider an M.Sc. in Sports Nutrition, Exercise Biochemistry, or Food Chemistry. Explore the National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, and other universities offering relevant programmes. Your B.Sc. background is a suitable foundation for this.

Combining food technology with sports nutrition could lead to the development of sports products, including functional foods, isotonic drinks, protein hydrolysates, and endurance gels. Potential employers include Glanbia, Optimum Nutrition, Fast&Up and Tata Consumer Products.

I am a Class 12 Humanities student aspiring to study Political Science at Delhi University. What are the career opportunities in this field? How can I build a strong profile during college? Name withheld

A B.A. (Hons.) Political Science from Delhi University provides a strong foundation for careers in geopolitics, national security and strategic studies, as the proximity to government bodies, embassies, and think tanks offers valuable networking opportunities. You can write the UPSC exam to join the IFS or IAS. Other options include the Intelligence Bureau, the Research and Analysis Wing, think tanks such as Observer Research Foundation, MP-IDSA, the Carnegie India and so on.

During your UG, develop a specialisation such as the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, maritime security, cybersecurity or energy diplomacy. Build a portfolio by writing analytical articles and submitting them to student journals and platforms such as South Asian Voices and E-International Relations. Learning a foreign language will strengthen your profile. Apply for internships at think tanks and look for research opportunities with professors specialising in international relations or Indian foreign policy.

I am in the final year of B.A. History and Political Science. I am interested in Law after graduation but don’t know how to pursue that. Ankit

Dear Ankit,

Your background in History and Political Science provides a strong foundation for a career in law. You can opt for a three-year LL.B. after graduation. Admission requirements and entrance examinations vary by institution, with minimum graduation marks typically required. Research each institution’s eligibility criteria, entrance examination and admission process properly before applying.

Institutions such as Delhi University’s Faculty of Law and Banaras Hindu University accept CUET-PG. NLSAT is the entrance test for NLSIU, Bengaluru, while MH-CET Law is used by Government Law College, Mumbai, and ILS Law College, Pune. Other options include Symbiosis Law School’s entrance process and the relevant entrance tests for NLU Delhi and NLU Odisha.

Most three-year LL.B. entrance exams assess aptitude rather than prior legal knowledge. Prepare for reading and verbal ability, analytical and logical reasoning, general awareness, current affairs and, where applicable, legal aptitude and essay writing.

A law degree opens diverse career paths, including corporate law, litigation, advocacy, judicial services, public policy and think tanks. You could also explore in-house legal roles in companies, public sector undertakings and regulatory organisations. Some specialist legal officer positions are offered through recruitment examinations conducted by institutions such as SEBI and public sector organisations.