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Dermatology is a branch of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, hair, nails, and scalp in both children and adults. With rising awareness of skincare and aesthetics, demand for dermatologists is increasing. Dermatology courses after the 12th include MBBS followed by postgraduate specialisation, which is essential to become a dermatologist. Students may also pursue BSc or Diploma courses in Dermatology to build careers assisting dermatologists in clinical practice. This article explores dermatology courses after 12th and career opportunities.
Pursuing Dermatology courses after the 12th can be challenging; however, it is extremely rewarding. Dermatology is one of the most competitive medical fields, requiring several years of study, including internships and residency programmes. In the table below, we have mentioned some of the popular dermatology courses after 12th, along with the eligibility criteria and top institutes.
| Courses | Eligibility Criteria | Course Duration |
|---|---|---|
MBBS | Minimum 50 per cent marks in class 12 or equivalent with PCB stream and need to appear for NEET UG. | 5.5 years |
BSc in Cosmetology and Dermatology | 10+2 with PCM/PCB from a recognised board | 3 years |
Diploma in Dermatology | 10th or High School Examination or its equivalent of an approved Board | 2 years |
Dermatology courses after the 12th grade offer students various pathways, including MBBS with specialisation, diplomas, and BSc programmes, to develop expertise in the care of skin, hair, and nails. These courses equip students with the essential skills needed to enter the field. Below, we have provided details about the mentioned courses.
Also Read: Medical Courses Without NEET After 12th
MBBS is one of the most sought-after undergraduate medical degrees, lasting five and a half years, including four and a half years of study and one year of mandatory internship. Students gain a strong foundation in medicine and can later specialise in dermatology and skincare treatments.
The course covers pre-clinical, para-clinical, and clinical subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, and paediatrics. The compulsory internship provides real-world exposure in areas like surgery, anaesthesiology, and ophthalmology. After MBBS, students can pursue postgraduate courses such as MD in Dermatology to build expertise in skin and cosmetic healthcare.
Eligibility Criteria:
Duration: 5.5 years
Top Colleges: AIIMS Delhi, CMC Vellore, PGIMER Chandigarh
BSc in Cosmetology and Dermatology is an undergraduate degree programme of three years duration. It focuses on the scientific study of skincare, beauty treatments and dermatological practices. Given the nature of this field, it emphasises health and safety standards, hygiene practices, and the ethical considerations involved in cosmetology and dermatology treatments.
Eligibility Criteria:
Course Duration: 3 years
Top Colleges: School of Allied Health Sciences, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha
A Diploma in Dermatology is a two-year diploma course that provides students with a basic understanding of dermatology. It covers topics such as skin anatomy, common skin conditions, and basic dermatological treatments. These dermatology courses after the 12th prepare students for entry-level positions in dermatology clinics, skin care centres, or related healthcare facilities.
Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must have passed the 10th or High School Examination or its equivalent from an approved board.
Course Duration: 2 years
Top Colleges: BJMC Pune, BJMC Ahmedabad, SVMC Tirupati, PDUMC Rajkot, Dr. DY Patil Medical College, Navi Mumbai
After graduating with Dermatology courses after the 12th, students can apply for various career options. Due to people becoming increasingly aware and conscious of their appearance and skin problems, dermatology courses after 12th are also becoming a popular choice among students.
With rising environmental pollution, skin-related issues have increased, especially among people with sensitive skin, boosting the demand for dermatologists. They find opportunities in hospitals, nursing homes, skincare centres, and dispensaries. Additionally, they can work with pharmaceutical and biomedical companies or choose academic roles as lecturers in universities.
Also Read: MBBS vs MD - What is the Difference?
To become a dermatologist, students must first complete an MBBS degree at the undergraduate level. After this, they can pursue advanced studies such as a PG Diploma in Dermatology, Doctor of Medicine (MD), or Master of Science (MSc) in Dermatology, followed by four years of residency training.
The cost of pursuing a PG Diploma in Dermatology after 12th varies widely. Private colleges charge around Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 2.50 lakhs per year, while government colleges like AIIMS have much lower fees. Key skills required in dermatology courses include patience, empathy, intelligence, interpersonal skills, and strong self-motivation.
Also Read: What After MBBS? Diploma/MD/MS Courses
After completing higher education in dermatology, dermatologists can work in hospitals, research centres, or private clinics, with the option to establish their own practice after gaining experience. Career opportunities include medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology, along with super-specialisations like immunodermatology, dermatopathology, paediatric dermatology, and cosmetic dermatology.
Dermatologists in India earn rewarding salaries, ranging from Rs. 85,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakhs per month, with an average of Rs. 11.8 LPA as per AmbitionBox. Skin courses after the 12th provide strong foundational skills, though the level of specialisation differs across diplomas and postgraduate programmes. Fees vary, with government colleges charging less than private institutes.
Also Read: Careers Beyond MBBS for PCB Students
Those who want to pursue an MD or PG diploma in dermatology after the 12th will have to have an MBBS degree first. Below, we have provided the top Dermatology colleges in India, along with their entire fees. Note that private colleges will have much higher dermatology course fees compared to government colleges.
| Top Colleges | Fees |
|---|---|
Rs. 1,200 | |
Rs. 12,410 | |
Rs. 6.60 lakhs | |
Rs. 43,580 | |
Rs. 85.80 lakhs | |
Rs. 1,200 | |
Rs. 1,200 | |
Rs. 36.53 lakhs | |
Rs. 1,200 | |
Rs. 38,000 |
Note: The above list of colleges is for the MD Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy course.
Dermatologists work in hospitals, clinics, biomedical companies, NGOs, and nursing homes, and even have their private practice further down the line. We hope you now have more clarity about the educational qualifications that you need to have to pursue skin courses after the 12th.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To become a dermatologist, you must first complete the MBBS degree course. Thereafter, enrol in either a PG diploma in dermatology or MD in Dermatology.
Though you can choose between a PG diploma or MD degree in dermatology, try to go for the latter as it is considered of greater value than the former. Having said that, the study is not too different and various dermatologists have had great careers with a PG diploma in dermatology as well. What matters is how well you know the field and your work.
No, you cannot become a dermatologist without MBBS. It is the first step towards becoming a dermatologist which one cannot forego if one wants to pursue a career in dermatology.
Yes, NEET exams are required to gain admission in undergraduate medical and post-graduate dermatology programmes.
Dermatology is one of the most rigorous and competitive medical domains to become good at. It requires years of hard work and study and certain skill sets relevant to the profession of a dermatologist. But if you are passionate about the subject and want to establish a career in it, then that will carry you through.
The scope for dermatologists is immense, especially in this day and age when skin-related problems are on the rise. Furthermore, as people are becoming more conscious of how they look, the need for dermatologists has increased steadily.
The average dermatologist's salary in India is somewhere around Rs. 9.9 LPA, as per the Ambition Box.
Students must pass 10+2 with science stream (PCB) and then after they have to clear NEET-UG to gain admission to dermatology courses.
BSc in dermatology is a three-year-long course at the undergraduate level. But keep in mind that pursuing a BSc can not entitle you to a doctor.
BSc, Nursing, Pharma, and agriculture are some of the courses that you can pursue without appearing for the NEET exam.
On Question asked by student community
Hello
If you did your 12th in Maharashtra but have an OBC certificate from Uttar Pradesh, then you can only use the OBC reservation in UP, not in Maharashtra.
This is because each state accepts only its own state-issued caste certificate for state quota medical seats.
So, in Maharashtra MBBS counselling, you will be considered the General category unless you have a Maharashtra-issued OBC certificate.
But if you apply for MBBS seats through UP state counselling, your UP OBC certificate will be valid.
For All India Quota (AIQ) 15, only a central OBC-NCL certificate is needed.
Hey,
After MBBS you can do PG diploma courses in fields like Anaaesthhesiology Gyjnaecology, Paediatrics, ENT, etc. Here are the some colleges offering PG Diploma courses in India are:
1. CMC Vellore
2. AFMC Pune
3. PGIMS Rohtak
4. Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj
5. Deccan college of Medical Science, Hyderabad
Hello,
For an OBC student, the marks needed for an MBBS seat depend on the state and type of college. But you can keep these general ranges in mind:
The qualifying marks for OBC usually stay around 113–143 . This only makes you eligible for counselling.
For a government MBBS seat , you normally need around 550–600+ marks . In some states with high competition, the cut-off can be even higher.
For private medical colleges , the required score is usually lower than government colleges, but it still depends on the college and the state.
Hope it helps !
If you feel so then you can still build a strong medical career by studying MBBS abroad.
Many countries offer affordable fees, English -medium teaching and good recognition for FMGE?NExT exam in India.
The most preferred options:
Provides structured MBBS programs, reasonable living costs and large Indian student communities.
If you want higher clinical exposure, you can consider Nepal or Bangladesh, fees are relatively higher.
Before choosing a country,check if the universities are listed in the WHO and NMC databases.
Hello, there are scholarships for international students who want to pursue an MBBS degree in Korea. Among them, the most prominent one is The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), that is offered by the Korea Government through NIEED, and it covers full tuition, airfare, insurance, as well as Korean language training. Many Korean Universities, also offer merit-based scholarships for the students, and to choose your preferable one, you need to go through the universities such as Yonsei University, Korea University, and Konyang University which can cover anywhere from 30-100 percent of the costs, dependent on your academic record. Hope this helps and all the best!
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