How to Become a Data Scientist After 12th: Top 10 Data Science Courses

Data Science is a field that deals with collecting, analyzing, and interpreting large sets of information, known as data, to uncover valuable insights and knowledge. It combines various techniques from mathematics, statistics, computer science, and domain expertise to extract meaningful patterns and trends from data.

In simple terms, think of data as pieces of information like numbers, words, or images collected from various sources such as websites, sensors, or surveys. Data scientists' skills are used to organize and process this raw data into a structured format. They then apply mathematical and statistical methods to find meaningful patterns and relationships within the data.

Data Science helps businesses, researchers, and organizations make better choices and predictions based on evidence from the data. For instance, it can help companies understand their customer's preferences, optimize processes to save costs or predict future trends. It has many applications in industries like finance, healthcare, marketing, and more.

In summary, Data Science is all about using data to uncover valuable insights and knowledge that can lead to better decision-making and understanding of the world around us. It's a powerful tool that helps us harness the potential of data to solve problems and make informed choices in our everyday lives.

BSc Data Science

Duration: 3 Years

BSc Data Science is a Bachelor of Science degree program you can pursue after completing your 12th-grade education. In this program, you'll learn about various aspects of data science, such as statistics, mathematics skills, programming languages like R and Python, machine learning, data visualization, and database management. The curriculum will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to handle complicated data sets and get valuable insights from them.

BCA Data Science

Duration: 4 Years

BCA Data Science, or Bachelor of Computer Applications in Data Science, is an undergraduate program you can pursue after completing 12th grade. It's a course that combines computer applications and data science, which is all about analyzing and interpreting large sets of data to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions.

This course teaches you how to use computer programming and software tools to collect, organize, and analyze data. You'll also be introduced to various statistical and mathematical techniques that help you understand patterns and trends in the data. This knowledge is valuable in many industries, such as business, healthcare, finance, and technology, where data-driven decision-making is crucial for success.

During the BCA Data Science program, you'll study subjects like programming languages (such as Python or R), database management, data visualization, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. These skills are in high demand as companies seek professionals who can extract meaningful information from the vast amounts of data they generate.

BTech Big Data Analytics

Duration: 4 Years

BTech in Big Data Analytics is a specialized course you can pursue after completing your 12th grade. Big Data Analytics is all about understanding and making sense of vast amounts of data generated daily. This field is essential today as data is crucial in various industries like business, healthcare, finance, and more.

In this BTech program, you will learn about big data, data management, data processing, data visualization, and data analysis. The focus is on using various tools and technologies to extract valuable insights from large datasets. These insights help organizations make informed decisions, improve efficiency, and understand customer preferences better.

The course curriculum typically includes subjects like programming languages (such as Python or R), database management systems, data mining, machine learning, statistics, and data visualization. You'll also learn about data security and ethical considerations for handling sensitive information.

Advanced Certificate Programme in Data Science

Duration: 8-9 Months

The Advanced Certificate Programme in Data Science by IIT Bangalore is a specialized course you can pursue after completing your 12th-grade education. It is designed to introduce you to the fascinating world of data science and equip you with valuable skills for the modern job market.

Data science is all about analyzing large sets of data to uncover valuable insights and make informed decisions. This program will teach you how to collect, process, and interpret data using various techniques and tools. Don't worry if you don't have a background in programming or statistics; the course is beginner-friendly and will start from the basics.

BS Degree in Data Science & Applications

Duration: 3-4 Years

A Bachelor's Degree in Data Science & Applications is a higher education program you can pursue after completing your 12th-grade education. In this course, you will learn about the fascinating world of data science, which involves gathering, studying, and decoding vast amounts of data to make informed decisions and predictions.

The BS Degree in Data Science & Applications program typically spans three to four years, equipping you with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle data-related challenges in various industries. During the course, you will delve into subjects like mathematics, statistics, computer science, and programming. These fundamental topics will help you understand the underlying principles of data science and its applications.

As you progress through the degree, you'll explore data visualization, machine learning, data mining, and analytics. These areas focus on understanding patterns and trends within data, enabling you to draw valuable insights for businesses and organizations.

Diploma in Data Science

Duration: 8 Months - 1 Year

A Diploma in Data Science is a specialized program you can pursue after completing your 12th-grade education. It is developed to provide practical skills and knowledge in the field of data science, which includes using data to make knowledgeable decisions and gain valuable insights.

In this diploma course, you will learn different elements of data science, including data analysis, data visualization, statistical techniques, machine learning, and programming languages like Python or R. These skills are essential for understanding and processing large sets of data, which is becoming increasingly important in today's world.

The course is usually short to medium, typically ranging from a few months to a year, depending on the institute and the curriculum. It focuses on practical applications and real-world projects, giving you hands-on experience dealing with data challenges.

Certificate Programme in Data Science & Machine Learning

Duration: 6 Months

IIT Delhi's Certification Programme in Data Science & Machine Learning is a specialized educational course that teaches individuals about the fascinating world of data science and machine learning simply and comprehensively.

In this program, participants will learn how to harness the power of data to extract valuable insights and make informed decisions. This program offered by IIT Delhi is designed to cater to beginners and professionals from diverse backgrounds. It covers the essential concepts of data science and machine learning, providing hands-on experience with widely used tools and programming languages used in the field, such as Python and R.

Advanced Certification in Data Science and Decision Science

Duration: 12 Months

IIT Delhi's Advanced Certificate in Data Science and Decision Science is a specialized and comprehensive program designed to equip participants with valuable skills and knowledge in data science and decision science. It's an advanced course that teaches you how to make sense of large amounts of data and use that information to make informed decisions.

The certification program offered by IIT Delhi goes beyond just theory and provides practical, hands-on training. Participants learn to use various tools and technologies to manipulate data, build predictive models, and extract meaningful information. The curriculum covers data visualization, machine learning, statistical analysis, and data-driven decision-making.

Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science

Duration: 12 Months

IIT Bangalore's Executive Post Graduate Programme in Data Science is a specialized education program designed for individuals who have completed their 12th grade or equivalent. It focuses on providing students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in data science.

This program will cater to the needs of working professionals and students who want to enhance their knowledge and career prospects in the data science domain. It offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers essential topics such as data analysis, machine learning, statistical modeling, data visualization, and programming languages like Python and R.

Advanced Programme in Data Science

Duration: 8-8.5 Months

The Advanced Programme in Data Science offered by IIT Bangalore is a specialized course designed for students who have completed their 12th-grade or equivalent education. In this program, students will be introduced to the exciting world of data science.

The course aims to comprehensively understand data science concepts and techniques through theoretical knowledge and practical applications. Students will learn about data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization. They will also gain expertise in programming languages like Python and R, which are widely used in data science.

Apart from the above-mentioned degree programs and certifications, there are plenty of recognized data science certifications that you can enroll in. 

Below are some of the top institutes that offer Data Science certifications for beginner-level learners.

A Commerce student can become a Data Scientist and build a Data Science career. The field of Data Science is focused on extracting valuable insights from data; it requires a foundation of mathematics and business acumen to get started. And since commerce students specialize in disciplines such as business, management, accounting, and mathematics, they can do data science and pursue Data Science certifications to build a career in Data Science.

A Science student can become a Data Scientist or build a career in Data Science after 12th. Science students with Mathematics as a subject during their 12th, or students with an interest in Mathematics, or any Data Science subjects, can pursue a career in Data Science. They can enroll in beginner-level data science certifications.

Apart from this, even a Biology student can become a Data scientist and have a great career ahead in Data Science if they choose a Data Science career path. Bioinformatics is a sub-field of Data Science where the demand for Data Science professionals with Biology backgrounds is quite high.

Arts students can pursue a career in Data Science right after their 12th. Even though the arts subject doesn’t help much in a Data Science career, the students can put some extra effort to excel in this career. There are several beginner-friendly Data Science certifications that can help anyone build data science skills and concepts to become a Data Scientist and gradually excel in this field. 

You do not have to wait and think how long to be a data scientist? You can become a Data Scientist immediately after your 12th grade, and prepare in two ways - undergraduate preparations and postgraduate preparations. 

Undergraduate Preparations

• Complete your 12th from a recognized board in any stream, preferably with subjects like Statistics, Mathematics, Business, Accounts, Computer Science
• Prepare for entrance exams like JEE Main, BITSAT, and JEE Advanced.
• Choose from undergraduate courses - BSc Data Science, BTech Data Science, B.Tech in Information Management, etc.
• Pursue a Data Science course that offers industry-recognized certification.

Postgraduate Preparations

To excel in the field of data science further, you can pursue postgraduate studies.

• Prepare for entrance exams like GATE.
• Choose specialization depending on your niche, interest, requirements, etc.
• You can attend workshops, intern, and work on entry-level data science jobs as you are studying to build hands-on experience.  

Once you get upgraded to senior level data scientist you will have higher roles and responsibilities with high packages.

Embarking on a data science journey after completing the 12th grade opens up a world of exciting opportunities for students. As data continues to shape industries across the globe, acquiring proficiency in data science can lead to promising careers and make a significant impact on the world. Whether students aspire to become data analysts, machine learning engineers, or data scientists, these courses provide the foundation for success in the data-driven future. By staying committed to continuous learning and hands-on practice, students can build a strong skill set and embrace the exciting challenges that data science offers.