Can Commerce Students Pursue B.Sc. Courses for a Career in Healthcare? Everything You Need to Know

Every year, thousands of Commerce students in India ask the same question after Class 12: Is it possible to make a career in healthcare without studying PCB (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)?

Yes, but there are some conditions. Although not all healthcare-related courses will accept Commerce students, there are a number of allied healthcare courses and healthcare management courses that do.

The healthcare sector in India is growing, with the rise in hospitals, diagnostics, health insurance, digital health, and healthcare administration, the need for professionals with expertise in healthcare operations, management, technology, and patient services is also on the rise.

If you are a Commerce student who is interested in the healthcare sector, here's everything you need to know.

Is it possible for Commerce students to do B.Sc. Healthcare courses?

Yes, Commerce students can take admission in some of the B.Sc. courses, but it will depend on the university and the course. There are numerous traditional B.Sc. medical courses like:

• B.Sc. Nursing
• B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Technology
• B.Sc. Radiology
• B.Sc. Operation Theatre Technology
• B.Sc. Dialysis Technology

For these, Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) is a compulsory subject. But there are also a number of universities that provide undergraduate courses in healthcare that will accept students from Commerce backgrounds. These programs emphasize more on healthcare management, administration, public health, digital health, nutrition, hospital operations, and allied healthcare services, than on clinical treatment. Students are advised to always review the University's eligibility requirements prior to applying.

Why Healthcare is the No. 1 Career Choice for Commerce Students?

In today's hospitals, there are many jobs that need to be done that involve finance, administration, operations, insurance, digital systems, medical records, supply chains, and patient services. This is why commerce students are actively choosing jobs in the healthcare sector.

The rapid growth of:

• Corporate hospitals
• Health-tech companies
• Medical insurance
• Telemedicine
• Digital healthcare
• Hospital chains

has developed a need for graduates who have business, management and analytical skills and also knowledge of healthcare. This is a great reason for Commerce students to consider a career in healthcare.

Best Healthcare Courses For Commerce students

Commerce students may be eligible for the following programmes:

• B.Sc. Healthcare Management
• B.Sc. Hospital Administration
• B.Sc. Health Information Management
• B.Sc. Public Health
• Bachelor of Hospital Management (BHM)
• Bachelor of Healthcare Management
• BBA in Healthcare Management
• BBA in Hospital Administration
• Health Insurance and Medical Coding programmes

The courses are designed for students who are interested in non-clinical careers in the health care field.

Career scope after Healthcare Courses

Today's healthcare graduates can be found in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic centres, insurance companies, healthcare startups, NGOs and government health organisations.

Some popular career options include:

• Hospital Administrator
• Healthcare Manager
• Medical Records Manager
• Health Information Executive
• Healthcare Operations Executive
• Patient Relationship Manager
• Health Insurance Executive
• Medical Coding Specialist
• Healthcare Quality Executive
• Public Health Coordinator
• Healthcare Consultant

These positions are likely to increase with the growth of India's healthcare system.

Are These Jobs High Paying?

Salaries vary by course, employer, geographic location and experience. Hospital administration and healthcare management entry-level jobs pay a competitive salary, while experienced professionals in corporate hospitals, multinational healthcare firms, health-tech companies, and insurance companies tend to have higher packages.

Those who pursue postgraduate courses in management or public health will have the opportunity to further enhance their career prospects.

Skills required for a successful career in healthcare

• Communication skills
• Problem-solving ability
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Data management skills
• Basic computer knowledge
• Analytical thinking
• Customer service skills
• Time management

Interpersonal skills are as critical as technical skills in the healthcare industry, which is a people-centric business.

How to Get Admission After Class 12 Commerce

The requirements for admission to a university vary from one to another. There are institutes that accept students on the basis of class 12 marks and others that have their own entrance process or accept marks from the national level entrance exams.

Is Healthcare a good career for Commerce Students?

Yes, if students select a course that is appropriate for their eligibility and career plans. The health care field requires workers with a variety of educational backgrounds, not just doctors and nurses. The importance of management, administration, digital health, hospital operations, insurance and healthcare technology in delivering quality healthcare services is growing to be equally important.

Healthcare can be a stable career path, with ample opportunities for growth and the chance to make a difference in one of India's fastest-growing industries, for students with an interest in working with people, solving problems, and managing organisations.

What Must Students Note?

If you thought that Commerce students couldn't make a career in the healthcare industry, you should think again. Most clinical courses will require a Science background with Biology, but there are numerous allied healthcare and healthcare management courses that can pave the way to a successful career in hospitals, healthcare firms, insurance companies, and health-tech startups.

Make sure to read the requirements for your university of choice, the course structure and select a course that you are interested in and have future career aspirations. With the healthcare industry expanding in India, skilled and educated professionals will continue to be in demand for years to come.