If you have completed your 12th grade and have a deep interest in coding and software development, then software engineering might be the right career option for you.
However, selecting the right course or training program might be overwhelming as there are hundreds of options available.
So, I spent hours researching the best software engineering courses including, course fees, duration, and eligibility.
In fact, I asked our expert team members to know their preferences for the best courses (online and offline) available in India.
Here are the top software engineering courses after 12th grade:
| Course | Duration | Fees (approx.) | Eligibility | Key highlights |
| B.Tech in Computer Science | 4 years | ₹40,000 – ₹1.5L | 10+2 with 55%, PCM in 12th grade | Covers programming, algorithm design, IIT Madras, NIELIT, etc. |
| B.Tech in Software Engineering | 4 years | ₹62,000 – ₹20.32L | 10+2 with PCM | Focus on software design and development, IIT Delhi, VIT, etc. |
| Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) | 3 years | ₹70,000 – ₹2L | 10+2 | IT-focused degree, entrance exams, BVIMR, ACET, etc. |
| BSc Computer Science | 3 years | ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 | 10+2 with 45% marks | Theory of computing, no entrance exams, AGAC, CVRU, etc. |
| Diploma in Software Engineering | 3 years | ₹1L – ₹3L | 12th with Science subjects | Focus on software development, JEE Main, IIT Madras, etc. |
| Diploma in Information Technology | 3 years | ₹20,000 – ₹2L | 10th or 12th | Certification program, entrance exams, IT job roles |
1. B.Tech in Computer Science
Course Duration: 4 years
Course fees: ₹40,000 – ₹1,50,000
Eligibility:
- At least 55% in 10+2 examination
- Completed 10th and 12th grade from a recognized board
- Completed 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as main subjects.
The course mainly covers subjects like Engineering Physics, Lab and Data Structures.
The basic skills required to pursue a B.Tech in computer science are good knowledge of programming languages, effective communication skills, basic Knowledge of algorithm designing and logical reasoning.
| College Name | Location |
| IIT Madras | Chennai |
| National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) | Aurangabad |
| National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) | Calicut |
| Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University | Ahmedabad |
| Techno India | Kolkata |
2. B.Tech in software engineering
Course duration: 4 Years
Course fees:
- ₹62,000 – ₹20.32 Lakhs (Private Colleges)
- ₹80,000 – ₹7.81 Lakhs (Government Colleges)
Eligibility: 10+2 with PCM
B. Tech in software engineering revolves around designing, developing and maintenance of software. This course basically allows the students to critically understand the aspects of software and solve any internal tasks related to software design and development.
The course outline majorly focuses on subjects like Engineering Mathematics, Physics, Engineering graphics, English and Data structures with C.
The average salary offered to a B. Tech software developer starts with an average of Rs 9,92,000 PA.
Here are some of the top colleges in India offering B. Tech certification in software engineering:
| College Name | Location |
| IIT Delhi | Delhi |
| VIT Vellore | Vellore |
| NIT Jalandhar | Jalandhar |
| Delhi Technological University | Delhi |
3. Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)
- Course fees: ₹70,000 – ₹2 lakh.
- Course duration: 3 Years.
- Eligibility: 10+2 from a recognised board.
The bachelor of computer applications course basically covers the field of computer science and information technology. This course allows students to gain deeper experience and expertise to acquire a job in the IT industry.
Students need to clear any one of the AIMA UGAT, IPU CET, SUAT, GSAT, SRMHCAT, and KIITEE BCA entrance exams.
After completion of a BCA degree students get a wide range of career opportunities such as computer developer, programmer Software Developer, Software Tester, Database Administrator, Web Designer, Web Developer, and System Analyst.
Some of the top colleges offering BCA degrees:
| College Name | Location |
| BVIMR New Delhi | Delhi |
| ACET Aligarh | Uttar Pradesh |
| ABBS – Acharya Bangalore B-School | Bangalore |
| ANS Barh – Anugrah Narayan Singh College | Patna |
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4. BSC computer science
Course duration: 3 Years
Course fees: Rs 10,000 – Rs 25,000 per year
Eligibility: Pass in 10+2 with at least 45% marks
BSC computer science degree covers the theory of computing, programming languages, database systems and artificial intelligence. BSC is probably the only course that does not require clearing any entrance examination. Students can easily get admission on the basis of their merit in the 10+2 examination.
Students need to pass their interviews conducted by the university they are applying for the course and based on their performance in the interview their admission is finalized.
Upon completion of a BSC computer science degree candidates are exposed to a lot of career opportunities such as Game development, IT consultant, Web design, Lecturer and so on with an average salary of 2.2 LPA.
Some top colleges offering BSC computer science degree in India:
| College Name | Location |
| Alagappa Government Arts College – [AGAC] | Tamil Nadu |
| Dr. C.V. Raman University – [CVRU] | Chhattisgarh |
| Christ University Bangalore | Banglore |
| Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology – [KIIT] | Orissa |
If you’re interested in learning about the latest software engineering or computer science trends, follow these computer science podcasts.
5. Diploma in Software Engineering:
Course duration: 3 Years
Course fees: ₹1Lakh – ₹3Lakh
Eligibility: Passed with 50% marks in 12th with Science subjects.
In order to pursue a career in software engineering, students must complete a B. Tech in Computer Science or a BCA degree. For pursuing this course students must clear the JEE Main exam.
This course covers main subjects like Engineering, Computer Science, Programming, Machine Learning, Big Data, and Mathematics.
With a fresher base salary of 2.7 LPA to as high as 10.1 LPA for experienced software engineers, candidates have a scope of applying for jobs of software tester, Game developer, Android developer, and Java developer.
Some top colleges to pursue a diploma in software engineering in 2023:
| College Name | Location |
| IIT Madras | Chennai |
| National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) | Aurangabad |
6. Diploma in Information Technology
- Course fees: ₹20,000 to ₹2,00,000
- Course duration: 3 Years
- Eligibility: Passed 10th or 12th from a recognized board
Diploma in Information Technology is a certification program focused on information technology and computer systems that covers major subjects of English, Mathematics, Physics and computer programming with C.
AP POLYCET, HP PAT and APJEE are three entrance exams, and students need to pass at least one of these entrance exams.
Candidates after graduation can opt for various job roles such as IT program, IT specialist, IT programmer, technical consultant, web developer, ICT system administrator, a computer network professional.
Here are some of the top colleges for diploma in information technology:
| College Name | Location |
| Dayananda Sagar Institute of Technology | Bangalore |
| Balasaheb Mhatre Polytechnic | Thane |
| Surya College of Technical Studies | Lucknow |
| Aditya Institute of Technology | Delhi |
7. Paid software engineering certification courses online
1/ Software Engineering 101: Plan and Execute Better Software
Duration: 8h 39m
Current fees: ₹3,199
Eligibility: Basic Knowledge of Computers
Modules covered in this Course:
- Software lifecycle
- Requirements & Specifications
- Design Architecture and Modularity
- Implementation & deployment
- Software development models
Learn the fundamentals of Software Engineering with this comprehensive course in Udemy.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced programmer, you’ll learn essential Software Engineering principles, including requirements definitions, software architecture planning, modularity, computer science models, and Agile methodology.
This course offers 8 hours of on-demand video, assignments, and a certificate of completion.
2/ Full Stack Developer – MEAN Stack
Course duration: 11 months
Current fees: ₹53,999
Eligibility:
- B.tech
- M.tech
- A bachelor’s or master’s in computer science
- Basic programming knowledge
Modules covered in this Course:
- Induction for Full Stack Web Developer – MEAN Stack
- Building a strong MEAN foundation
- Develop a rich frontend with Angular
- Complete MEAN backend with NodeJS and MongoDB
- Integrate and Deploy your MEAN app on the Cloud
- Full Stack Web Developer – MEAN Stack: Capstone Project
This 11-month online bootcamp by Simplilearn covers MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, Node.js, GIT, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
It includes 150 hours of training, real-world projects, and job assistance. Ideal for those looking to excel as a MEAN stack developer.
Apart from the theory and practical solutions given in the course, you will be given additional knowledge of 20+ in-demand tools and skills, along with a completion certificate. With 150 hours of instruction, hands-on projects, and industry-aligned capstones, graduates earn a valuable certification.
3/ IIT Roorkee Full Stack Software Development
Course duration: 10 months
Current fees: ₹2,00,000 + GST
Eligibility:
- Basic programming knowledge
Modules covered in this Course:
- Back-end software development
- Front-end software development
- MERN stack
The E&ICT IIT Roorkee offers an Advanced Certificate Program in Full Stack Software Development, allowing learners to specialize in cloud computing or data science. The program includes hands-on projects such as Department Information Systems, Stock Screeners, and Competitive Programming.
Designed for both working professionals and students, it features live interactive virtual classes, structured guidance, and career support through GL Excelerate.
4/ Master Software Engineering in C#
Course duration: 2.5 Hours
Current fees: ₹1,499
Eligibility:
- Basic programming knowledge
Modules covered in this Course:
- Sorting algorithms
- Data structures
- Problem-solving Techniques
- Complex Problems
This course is the best starting point for beginners in this field. You will learn about the basics of problem sorting, identifying the various sorts and their codings.
This course serves to be a complete package for you to learn more about algorithms and analytical thinking.
Upon completion of this course, you will be entitled to a certificate and lifetime access to all the resources with downloadable files.
5/ Fundamentals of Computer Science
Course duration: 8 months
Current fees: ₹55,786
Eligibility:
- Basic programming knowledge
Modules covered in this Course:
- Programming Basics
- Object-oriented programming
- Foundations of data structures
- Implementation of Data structures
- Algorithms
In this computer science course, get a detailed explanation and knowledge of programming skills, data structures, and algorithm principles with real-life problem-solving examples.
Right from basic programming language to high-end writing of C++ language, you will learn everything.
8. Free software engineering courses online after 12th class
Explore the free courses that you can start with to understand the basics of software development and engineering.
1/ Software Engineering (YouTube playlist)
Course duration: 17 hours
Modules covered:
- Introduction to software products & process
- The rational unified process
- Agile software development
- Requirements engineering and management
- System Modeling
- Architectural designs
- Design implementation
- User software testing
- Software evolution & maintenance
- System engineering
- Security and dependability
This free YouTube playlist by SECourses offers a comprehensive overview of the Software Engineering course.
It covers various key topics, including software development ethics, software processes (such as the Rational Unified Process and Agile methods), requirements engineering, system modelling (including UML diagrams), and architectural design.
2/ Delft University of Technology: Global Software Development
Course duration: 06 Weeks
Modules covered:
- Globally Distributed Software Engineering
- Distributed Agile
- The Software Engineer and GDSE
- Boardroom: C-level Decision-Making
- Offshoring and GDSE Research
- Time and Cultural Differences
This is a 6-week online course offered by DelftX. It focuses on developing the technical and organizational skills required for software engineering in a globally distributed setting.
The course is self-paced, requiring 4-6 hours of study per week and is free to enroll in, with an optional paid upgrade available.
The course covers various topics related to Global Software Development, including distributed agile, decision-making, offshoring, and more. Learners will also have access to guest lectures from industry experts.
3/ Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose
Course duration: 88 Hours
Modules covered:
- Basic Programming concepts
- Conditionals & Loops
- Arrays
- Inputs & Outputs
- Functions & libraries
- Recursion
- Performance
- Abstract Data Types
- Creating Data Types
- Programming Languages
The course starts with providing basic knowledge of variables, conditionals, loops, arrays, and I/O, further moving ahead to introducing key concepts such as recursion, modular programming, and code reuse.
You will understand the structures of programming especially OOP and become proficient in Java language which is a must for every computer engineer.
While no certificate is offered upon completion, it provides valuable knowledge in programming principles and computer science.
4/ IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate
Course duration: 04 Months
Modules covered:
- Basics of cloud computing
- Web development
- Git & GitHub
- Developing Front-End Apps
- Developing Back-End Apps
- Python for data science, AI and development
- Developing AI applications
- Containers w/Dockers, Kubernetes & OpenShift
- Full stack cloud development project and assessment
This course will allow you to gain expertise in computer programming, web development, cloud computing, SQL, Data analysis, and software engineering.
It equips learners with essential skills and hands-on experience in less than four months, making it accessible to beginners with no prior experience. The course covers a wide range of topics, including Cloud Native development, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Git, and more.
After completing this course, you’ll be able to develop software with front-end development languages and tools using HTML, CSS, Javascript and more.
5/ Java Programming and Software Engineering Fundamentals Specialization
Course duration: 06 Months
Modules covered:
- Programming Foundations with JavaScript, HTML and CSS
- Solving Problems with Software
- Arrays, Lists, and Structured Data
- Principles of Software Design
- Build a Recommendation System
This course will help you polish and gain full control of skills such as computer programming, Programming principles, Algorithms, Problem-solving, Data analytics & structures, HTML & CSS, Web development and more.
6/ Introduction to Software Engineering
Course duration: 14 Hours
Modules covered:
- SDLC – The software development cycle
- Basics of software development
- Basics of Programming
- Software Architecture, Design and Patterns
- Job opportunities and skill sets in software engineering
- Final activity & Quiz
This course is already trusted by 38,000+ students and designed for beginners and covers topics like the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), programming in Python, application architecture, and more.
It’s suitable for aspiring software engineers and professionals in related fields. The course offers hands-on labs.
If you want to start learning Python, check out the detailed guide on how to learn Python in a step-by-step process.
7/ Introduction to Programming and Computer Science – Full Course
Course duration: 02 Hours
Modules covered:
- Introduction to Programming for Beginners
- Basic Programming Concepts (Variables, arrays, loops, errors, import functions, etc.)
This course is offered by freeCodeCamp, which is a solid foundation in computer programming and computer science. It’s designed for beginners (especially 12th-grade passed students) who are interested in coding but have little to no prior knowledge.
This free YouTube course covers various topics, including programming basics, variables, conditional statements, loops, debugging, functions, data structures, recursion, and more.
If you’re a complete beginner, this course might be a good start as this covers the basics like:
- What is Programming?
- How do we write Code?
- How do we get information from computers?
- What can Computers Do?
Why Choose Software Engineering After the 12th in 2023?
To understand the scope of software engineering career path in 2023, I studied three factors such as:
- Salary scope
- Jobs availability
- Global demand
- Tech industry trends
Here are my findings:
1/Job availability
When I searched for software engineering jobs on LinkedIn, I found there are currently more than 140,000 jobs available across India.
2/ Global demand
To understand the global demand in the software engineering field, I used Google Trends to understand the global trend over the past 5 years worldwide.
The global search demand for ‘software engineers’ has increased by 61% over the past years worldwide.
3/ Salary scope for software engineers
The salary range for fresh software engineers in India is between ₹3 lakhs to ₹5 lakhs per year. On average, these engineers earn ₹3 lakhs as a base pay.
Some receive lower salaries, around ₹3 lakhs, while others earn more, up to ₹5 lakhs— which is a good starting salary range for a beginner in this field
4/ Software engineering market size growth
The global software market was valued at $51.08 billion, projected to reach $117.64 billion by 2030, according to the Skyquest report— highlighting the strong potential and opportunities in the field of software engineering.
Summary: All of these factors led me to the conclusion that— Starting a career in software development is one of the most promising opportunities for students after 12th grade in 2023.
Now, that you know the available courses and training programs, check out our guide on how to become a software engineer after class 12th. This guide will
What are the eligibility criteria for software engineering courses?
The eligibility criteria for software engineering courses is 10+2 education with recognized board and Physics, Chemistry, and mathematics as compulsory subjects.
Any student with a science background with Physics, chemistry and mathematics as their main subject is eligible to enroll themself on the software engineering course.
Not sure what math skills you need to become a successful computer engineer, check out this guide here.
Is software engineering a 4-year course?
Yes, Software engineering is a 4-year course with 8 semesters. Each semester will contain 6-8 subjects which will keep changing semester-wise with the main subjects like Engineering Mathematics, Physics, and English being fixed.
What is the software engineering course duration?
The duration of software engineering varies from 2 to 4 years depending upon the degree you are looking forward to. In order to pursue a bachelor’s software engineering course it will take you up to 3 to 4 years (depending on whether you’ve done a diploma before joining the B.Tech) and for a master’s degree, it will take an additional 2 years.
What are the entrance exams for software engineering after the 12th?
The entrance exams for software engineering after the 12th are JEE (Main and Advanced), BVP CET, and SRM JEE. JEE is not a compulsory entrance exam a candidate must take.
It is one of the exams that can help you gain admission to reliable and top colleges offering software engineering.
What are the top colleges for software engineering after 12th?
The top colleges offering software engineering degrees after 12th in 2023 are
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata.
- VIT Vellore, Vellore.
- Anna University, Chennai.
- National Institute of Technology – [NIT], Rourkela.
- Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology – [TIET], Patiala.
- BITS Pilani, Pilani.
What are the career opportunities after software engineering?
There are a wide range of career opportunities after completing your software engineering degree. You can opt to become an application developer, game developer, computer engineer, software developer, software engineer, computer system administrator, or data administrator.
Here are some career opportunities available for you as a software engineer:
| Career Opportunity | Job Description |
| Application Developer | Design and develop software applications for various purposes. |
| Game Developer | Create, design, and develop video games for various platforms. |
| Software Developer | Design, code, and test software applications and systems. |
| Computer Engineer | Work on computer hardware and software systems. |
| Software Engineer | Design, develop, and maintain software systems and solutions. |
| Computer System Administrator | Manage and maintain an organization’s computer systems. |
| Data Administrator | Oversee and manage databases and data storage systems. |
| Web Developer | Build and maintain websites and web applications. |
| Quality Assurance Tester | Test software applications to identify and report defects. |
| System Analyst | Analyze and improve an organization’s IT systems and processes. |
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Is an entrance exam compulsory for software engineering?
Yes, an entrance exam is compulsory for software engineering. You can not get admission to any college offering a software engineering degree without clearing any one of the JEE (Main and Advanced), BVP CET, or SRM JEE exams. However, the admission process might vary from college to college.
Can I do software engineering after 12th without math?
Yes, you can do software engineering after 12th without math. Finally, an answer that many of the young aspirants were looking forward to. You can pursue a software engineering degree after 12th without having math as your main subject.
What is the salary of a software engineer in India?
The average salary of a software engineer in India ranges from ₹2.8 Lakhs to ₹13.0 Lakhs depending on the experience, according to AmibitonBox data.
Key takeaways
That’s all, students and learners.
I have tried my best to cover the top software engineering courses after 12th grade. This includes academic qualification degrees, free online courses, and even offline training programs with placement assistance.
If you’re looking for only free online resources, check out this guide on the best software engineering courses available for free.
Did I miss anything? Or, want guidance on starting your tech career? Contact us via email.
Mrittika Sengupta is a professional content writer with more than 2 years of experience in writing for some of the popular blogs on marketing and tech fields. She also mentors aspiring writers transitioning from academia to the commercial writing world.