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Dear sir,
I have just finished my second PUC. I like history a lot, and so I am thinking of taking up archaeology or symbology. I wanted to know what is the exact procedure. Should I do any graduation course first and then go for these courses or are they available in bachelors? Please tell me in which countries are these courses available, and what is the procedure for admission to the same. I have written JEE - 2009 and I’m expecting a rank. Can I do a course in an IIT and then take up these courses?
Nitin
Dear Nitin,
It is not clear in your question whether your interest is in technology or archaeology as you have also written JEE for engineering. First of all be clear about your career goal. Being interested in history and archaeology is one thing but taking it up as a career is a totally different thing. The skills required and nature of work for archaeology is different from that of technology. Do a thorough search and identify your passion before taking any decision. The route to become an archaeologist is by following a foundation course involving history. Most universities all over the world offer archaeology at Master’s level. If you are sure of picking up archaeology as your career then I suggest you take up history at undergraduate level and go on to do a graduate degree in India or abroad and follow it up with a PhD in archaeology. Most universities in all countries abroad offer this subject and good research facility is also available at doctoral and post doctoral level. If you are planning to go for undergraduate program abroad you need to take TOEFL or IELTS examination. Countries such as UK, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore do not need any other entrance. Your academic records are enough. If you plan to go to USA then you need to take SAT 1 and 2. For Masters and doctoral studies you also need to take GRE. Archaeology as a hobby can be pursued even after you do a course in IIT, where you can combine your technological knowledge and interest in archaeology.
Dear sir,
I’m a 2nd year student of chemical engineering and wish to know the scope of this field, job scenario abroad and its scope and especially for girls. Is it better in India?
A student
Dear Student,
You seem to be quite interested in chemical engineering as you have already chosen this specialised stream of engineering. This stream has always had good prospects as more and more chemical engineering products are emerging. Whether in India or abroad there is always place for you if you are really good at your subject and passionate about it. Be aware that some areas of chemical engineering involve strenuous outdoor work and equal number of areas of indoor and laboratory work is also there. Aim at doing a masters program in countries such as USA, UK or Australia after your basic degree in India.
Dear sir,
I have finished my first PU and am about to begin my second PU. I have no idea what to do after PUC. After a lot of thinking I have decided that I should do BBM and then an MBA. I got 82% in my first PU. I am sure that I will work hard and score well this year. I want to do my graduation abroad. But I do not know what examinations to take to qualify. Please tell me if there are any coaching centres to improve myself.
Ben
Dear Ben,
I appreciate your forethought and planning right at this stage. Seeing your marks you appear to be an intelligent student. Also your willingness to work hard this year and perform better will give you the push needed to lay a good foundation. Keep it up and stick to your determination. Though you have thought a lot about your career options you do not seem to have given due importance to your aptitude. Since you plan to embark on education abroad even at undergraduate level I suggest you have your aptitude tested by a competent person. Based on your aptitude you can take up undergraduate program and then plan for your MBA. The foundation undergraduate degree done based on your aptitude gives you the exposure and maturity needed to move towards management studies. Compared to education cost in India both undergraduate course and MBA education is quite expensive anywhere abroad.
Do the necessary home work before firming up on your plans. Most countries need only your proficiency in English language through TOEFL or IELTS examinations in addition to academic performance. Universities in USA require you take SAT 1 and if you are more focused on a specific subject then SAT 2 as well. Most students prepare for these examinations themselves through online resource material and mock tests. Should you still need more coaching, browse through newspaper advertisements and take feed back from peers who have enrolled there.
Dear sir,
Is NIOS intermediate [higher education] useful for studying abroad and will this be help me at the time of immigration?
Sandeep
Dear Sandeep,
NIOS intermediate is recognised and considered equivalent to +2 or PUC and hence it is valid for admission in to undergraduate programmes abroad. At times NIOS is definitely an advantage for studying abroad if the choice was made to follow any skill or talent-based avocations such as sports. If you are planning to migrate to a country abroad, at minimal level you need to have done your undergraduate course. It does not matter whether it is through NIOS or regular schooling that you have done your intermediate course your chance to study abroad does not diminish.
Dear sir,
I am 28 years old but I still want to study. I have managed to complete my second PUC examinations in arts in 2007. I could not study further due to health problems. Now, I intend pursuing a degree or a diploma course in some interesting subject which will have good career prospects later for me. I am also employed full time in an auditor’s office. I want to pursue a course through distance education. Please, let me know the details of such courses and universities offering them.
Arvind
Dear Arvind,
I highly appreciate your zest for learning. No age is too old for further education. You definitely have distinct advantage having completed PUC. You have the choice of pursuing either degree or diploma courses whether in India or abroad. In addition to your determination and interest, what is required is for you to narrow down your career option to any one field. Since you have studied arts at PUC level there still many fields that are open for you to pursue.
Some of the fields are business management (general) and in specialised areas like marketing, finance, HR, systems, and various other niche specialisation like rural, plantation, developmental, NGO, hospital, and retail management. Once you are clear about it then you can decide whether to go in for a diploma or degree. Even planning to study abroad at a later date is not ruled out. Depending on how much you like the nature of work you are doing in an auditor’s office and your exposure to other allied fields you may be able to narrow down your option. It is not too late even to take the help of a career counsellor to identify your aptitude and choose accordingly. There are many open universities offering certificate, diploma, and degree courses. Some of them are IGNOU: www.ignou.edu, which has courses in almost all subjects. Karnataka State Open University: www.ksoumysore.com. Annamalai University: www.annamalaiuniversity.ac.in
Dear sir,
I am presently appearing for my 2nd year BCOM exam in Coimbatore. After my graduation, I am interested in doing International Law in Human rights from USA. Since I would have already completed my third year BCom by then, my question is:
1) Should I do my graduation again in LLB? Or does LLB follow after graduation?
2) Indian three-year LLB is not accepted in the States as they need four years. Does Indian LLB cover (JD) doctorate of Judiciary as they need it? Please advise.
Lata
Dear Lata,
As you have rightly understood, USA needs a four year basic degree to pursue graduate education. Primarily you have to write SAT 1 and TOEFL and get admitted to an undergraduate program in subjects related to humanities. There are a number of universities that offer a course that specialises in some aspects of law such as comparative law, international law and human rights law.
The time required to complete the undergraduate course depends on the course credits awarded for your BCom. It may take one year or more. While you are doing this undergraduate course you can write the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). Web site of LSAT is www.lsat.org. Details about the universities that offer these subjects can be found through The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) web site www.lsac.org.
Alternatively you may pursue the basic LLB after your BCom degree for three years in India and write GRE and TOEFL to seek admission to a master’s course in International Law in human rights. This master’s course may even be of shorter duration depending upon the course credits awarded by the university for the LLB course done here. The Juris Doctor or JD is equivalent to LLB though it is called a doctorate. LLM comes after the JD. For more information you may browse through the web site of American Bar Association: www.abanet.org and www.llm-guide.com.
The author is the Director of Banjara Academy and Coordinator of Helping Hand, a free counselling centre.
‘Study Abroad’ is a tri-weekly column. Email your queries to dheducation@deccanhearld.co.in with ‘Study Abroad’ as the subject line.