Your counsellor replies

I’m in class XII (science) and interested in acquiring a law degree. Can I opt for law after graduating in science?
Nalini Sawant, Pune

It is perfectly all right to study law after a Plus Two in science. In particular, a background in science is good for careers related to patent law.

You can enroll in a five-year BA.LLB degree directly after Plus Two. This degree is available in many institutes, the premier one being the National Law School of India University, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore 560 072. You need a minimum of 50 percent aggregate in all subjects to be eligible to write the school’s admission test. Shivaji University of Pune, Ganshkind, Pune 411 007 also offers a law degree.

I’m a second year B.Sc student. I want to become a CID (criminal investigation department) officer. Please advise.
Nikhil Gupta, New Delhi

To become a CID officer, you will need to join the Indian Police Service by topping the civil services examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Graduates who are between 21-28 years are eligible to write this examination.

After completing class X, I would like to pursue a career in finance. Please suggest study programmes in this field.
Sudha Rao, Bangalore

In Plus Two you should opt for commerce and/ or mathematics together with the other compulsory subjects in the commerce or science streams with the objective of pursuing chartered accountancy or an MBA in finance. Alternatively, you could enroll for an engineering programme after Plus Two and then opt for MBA in finance. An engineering degree will enhance your quantitative and analytical skills, useful for a career in finance. Make your choice bearing your own abilities and interests in mind. Chartered accountancy is offered by ICA (www.icai.org) and MBA (finance) by numerous management institutes/ business schools.

The more reputed the business school, the better the chances of campus placement. However arts graduates with strong analytical and quantitative skills can also study for an MBA in finance.

After completing my BA next year I want to do a postgraduate degree in broadcast journalism. Which are the best courses offered in this field?
Naresh Iyer, Chennai

At the postgraduate level, prominent institutions offering broadcast journalism are the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi (www.iimc.nic.in) and Asian College of Journalism, Chennai (www.asiamedia.org). Admission into these institutions is based on a written test/ interview. The written test evaluates general awareness (including knowledge of current affairs) and writing ability.

I’m in final year B.Com and want to specialise in finance. What should I do — CA, CFA, ICWA or MBA (finance)?
Shekhar Patel, Ahmedabad

Any one of these degrees or qualifications is good for a career in finance. Evaluate and understand the demands, suitability and schedule of the particular courses and decide. MBA (finance) from a B-school will give you direct entry into the world of finance provided you also have the right personality attributes. Vital among these are analytical ability, mathematical aptitude, computer and decision-making abilities and excellent communication skills.

I want to pursue a study programme in Indian classical dance. Which universities offer this course and what are their eligibility requirements? I’ll be completing class X next year.
Nalini Rajan, Mumbai

You can enroll in the bachelor of fine arts (dance) programme offered by Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai as soon as you successfully complete class X. This course is recognised by Mumbai University’s faculty of fine arts. Other universities offering similar courses are Visva Bharati Sangita Bhavana (Institute of Indian Music & Dance), P.O. Santiniketan 731 235 and Banasthali Vidyapith, P.O. Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali 304 022.

After graduating in commerce next year, I want to do a full-time postgraduate programme in banking. Please suggest some reputed institutes offering this course and detail their admission procedures.
Dilip Chaterjee, Kolkata

The study programmes available to you are: one-year full-time postgrad diploma in banking and finance at the National Institute of Bank Management, NIBM Post Office, Kondhwe Khurd, Pune 411 048 (www.nibindia.org); two-year residential MBA (banking and insurance management) offered by IBAT School of Management, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (deemed university), Bhubaneshwar 751 024 (www.ibat.ac.in) or a two-year postgrad diploma with super-specialisation in banking/ finance offered by the Asia-Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi 110 076 (www.asiapacific.edu). Eligibility criteria for these three study programmes are a bachelor’s degree and reasonably high Common Admission Test (CAT) scores. Some universities also offer M.Com with banking and finance as a specialisation. Moreover the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400 005 (www.iibf.org.in) also offers part-time study courses.

Alternatively as a first-class graduate you can try for openings as a trainee officer in private and public sector banks, through their competitive examinations (written test and personal interview).

I’m a Plus Two (science) student interested in a career in hotel manage-ment. Please provide information about the entrance test conducted by the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology.
Anne D’Souza, Panjim

The All India Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is held sometime in April. There are more than 20 test centres across the country for admission into the three-year bachelor of science programme in hospitality and hotel administration offered jointly by the National Council of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) and IGNOU. Application forms can be obtained in mid January from the Institute of Hotel Management, Veer Sawarkar Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai 400 028 and Syndicate Bank branches at Sangam Cinema Compound, J.B. Nagar, Andheri (E); Ballabh Bagh Lane, Ghatkopar (E); Nariman Bhavan Building, Nariman Point; PTM Malaviya Road, Near Haji Ali, Tardeo and APMC Market Road, K.U. Bazar, Vashi Turbe Road, Mumbai.

Approximately 3,000 seats in 24 institutes recognised by NCHMCT (www.nchmct.org) are filled via this entrance test. Other hotel management entrance examinations are held around the same time. Keep track of the admission notifications in newspapers around the end of the year.