The opportunity to study abroad is a dream comes true for many Indian students. There are several countries and courses to choose from, and with the right preparation and qualifications, students can apply to any course and university to study abroad.
The most important thing to keep in mind when you wish to study abroad after your 12th is the fact that you need to score high marks in many standardized tests. These tests include TOEFL, GMAT, GRE and SAT. Of course, many students also opt for scholarships and grants to study at these universities, as it can be really expensive to study and live abroad.
Some of the best countries where you can study abroad after completing your 12th include:
Read More: Best Country to Study Abroad for Indian Students
Here, you will find that many Indian students often opt for STEM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Medical). However, there are several other courses which you can choose from. Some of these courses are:
- Design
- Social and life sciences
- Journalism
- Management
- Business administration
- Finance and accounting
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How to Study Abroad after 12th Class?
All international students are required to have a certain degree of English language skills, which will allow them to study overseas. Indians are non-native speakers, which is why they need to sit for an English language test to qualify for studying abroad.
Here are some of the language tests that you need to know about (and should be eligible for if you wish to study abroad).
IELTS
The IELTS or International English Language Testing System is thought to be the most trusted validation of a student’s English skills. This is a worldwide accepted test and a must for Indian students who wish to study abroad in any country.
Students are required to take this test as a part of the admission program by most universities abroad. However, academic IELTS has three different variants; American English, British English and Australian English.
Read More: Exams for Studying Abroad

TOEFL
TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is a test that is taken by students who wish to take up undergraduate or postgraduate studies in the United States of America. Students can opt for online as well as paper-based TOEFL tests. Once a student secures good marks in TOEFL, their chances of getting into a right college or university in the USA will increase.
PTE
The Pearson Test of English is different from IETLS and TOEFL in the sense that this test is based more on the everyday English language. The results of the PTE are often declared much faster than other English tests and the scoring, and test patterns are also very different. PTE is a popular choice for students who wish to get their results quicker and send over their applications to international universities abroad.

Students also need to sit for standardized tests depending upon the college or university you choose, and the course you select there. It is essential to score well in these standardized tests as it is an eligibility criterion for universities abroad for their students:
GMAT
When admitting international students into B-schools abroad, most of these colleges and universities will look for good GMAT scores. GMAT refers to the Graduate Management Admission Test. This is a computer-based exam that will test the students’ critical thinking ability, the logical skills and the mathematical skills of the individual students.
GRE
Graduate Record Examination is taken by those students who wish to study business programs or graduate programs in the USA or Canada. The GRE is a measure of the students’ mathematical skills, analytical skills as well as verbal skills.
SAT
The Scholastic Admission Test is a very common test that is taken by students who wish to study undergraduate courses in the US or Canada. However, many universities in the UK also accept students’ SAT scores. The SAT analyses the student’s analytical, verbal and written skills.
Read More: How to Get SAT Scores?

ACT
The American College Testing is a test required for undergraduate courses in the United States of America. This test will evaluate the students’ written, verbal, mathematical as well as scientific skills of the students.
These are the most important tests that a student must sit for and score very well if they wish to study abroad. Along with this, a few other requirements are there which the students need to secure when they are thinking of applying elsewhere for studies. Here are the other essential things to keep in mind:
- Academic records- A student must have excellent academic records throughout the school year to apply for any undergraduate or other courses abroad for studies.
- Standardized tests– The standardized tests mentioned above are also important for students who wish to study abroad. Depending upon your choice of course and choice of university, you will have to sit for the different kinds of standardized tests and score well in them.
- Language tests– As mentioned above, you will also need to sit for language tests and score well enough in them to apply for courses in colleges and universities abroad.
- Letter of recommendation- It is essential to have good letters of recommendations from your coaches, teachers, and professors to apply to colleges and universities online.
- Statement of Purpose- Having a well-written statement of purpose (SOP) will give you a higher chance of getting accepted into universities abroad.
- Financial support- Of course, to study and live abroad, you must have adequate financial support from your family. However, many students do not come from a strong financial background. These students can apply for grants and scholarships, which, if accepted by the university, will give the student a chance to study and live abroad with financial aid.
- Interview- Many colleges require you to sit for interviews before being accepted as a student. It would help if you made a good impression on your interviews.
- Essay- You will also be required to submit an article that you will attach along with your resume and cover letter to your universities.
Best Undergraduate Scholarships for Abroad Studies
Apply for the scholarships to study at one of the most famous universities in the world. These scholarships are fully-funded and provided by the Government of the respective countries whereas, some are offered by universities.
International Fashion Academy Fully-funded Scholarships in France, 2020
International Fashion Academy is delighted to announce the Fully-funded Scholarships for the high-potential applicants in France. These are available for pursuing the undergraduate and postgraduate program. The award will be distributed in the following manner: full Scholarship (100% free tuition), Excellence Scholarship (40% tuition fee reduction) and Distinction Scholarship (20% tuition fee reduction).
Provider: International Fashion Academy
Course: Undergraduate and postgraduate
Award: Fully-funded
Deadline: March 15, 2020
Apply Now
Sanctuary Scholarship for International Students
The Sanctuary Scholarship scheme enables individuals seeking asylum and refugees who are not able to access student finance to study at the University of Exeter. The scholarship is open for full-time undergraduate degree programmes. The grant will provide a full tuition fee waiver plus annual living cost grant (per year).
Provider: University of Exeter
Course: Undergraduate
Award: Full tuition fee waiver plus annual living
Deadline: 18 May 2020
Apply Now
Trent-United World Colleges International Awards in Canada, 2020
Trent University is awarding Trent-United World Colleges Scholarships for International Students in Canada. The fun is available for those outstanding candidates who wish to undertake undergraduate degree coursework for the academic year 2019-20. The award covers international tuition and ancillary fees of approximately $24,000 per academic year (housing excluded).
Provider: Trent University
Course: Undergraduate
Award: $24,000
Deadline: March 1, 2020
Apply Now
International Accommodation Scholarship 2020
The International Accommodation Scholarship recognises the cost of living in Australia in relation to other countries. The scholarship offers a 30% reduction in accommodation fees for a 22 week contract at the Mount Lawley campus accommodation at ECU. The scholarship will be awarded to the first 100 eligible applicants.
Provider: Edith Cowan University
Course: Undergraduate and postgraduate
Award: 30% reduction in accommodation fees
Deadline: July 31, 2020
Apply Now
IBS Starter Scholarships for International Students in Hungary
Apply for the IBS Starter funding for International Students offered by the IBS International Business School Budapest in Hungary. he studentship is available for those brilliant aspirants who will commence in the undergraduate degree coursework for the academic year 2020-2021. The IBS Starter Scholarship covers 50% of the first-year tuition fee for your course.
Provider: IBS International Business School Budapest
Course: Undergraduate
Award: 50% of the first-year tuition fee
Deadline: 30 November 2019 and 30 April 2020
Apply Now
UCM Tuition Fee Waiver International Scholarship
For covering your tuition fee, the Maastricht University is providing you with an opportunity to apply for the UCM Tuition Fee Waiver International Scholarship in the Netherlands. To be eligible for this grant, you need to hold an EU/EEA passport and apply for the bachelor degree coursework at UM. The UCM Tuition fee waiver is awarded for the duration of the Bachelor’s programme, with a maximum of 36 months.
Provider: Maastricht University
Course: Undergraduate
Award: Tuition fee
Deadline: 1 March 2020
Apply Now
St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship, 2020
The University of St Andrews is glad to offer the St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship for talented scholars wishing to enrol in the UK. The bursary is open for the students holding a high school certificate with excellent academic merit. The endowment will provide a stipend of up to £7,500 maintenance per year plus full tuition fees to the deserving candidates.
Provided By: University of St Andrews
Course: Undergraduate Degree
Award: Up to £7,500 per year + full tuition fees
Application Deadline: May 31, 2020
Apply Now
Top Ten Universities for Study Abroad
Ranking | University Name | Tuition fee |
1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 48,452 USD |
2 | Stanford University | 47,940 USD |
3 | Harvard University | 47,074 USD |
4 | University of Oxford | 9,250 GBP |
5 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 47,577 USD |
6 | ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) | 1,229 CHF, International tuition 1,229 CHF |
7 | University of Cambridge | 9,250 GBP, International tuition 21,732 GBP |
8 | UCL (University College London) | Domestic tuition 9,250 GBP, International tuition 17,710 GBP |
9 | Imperial College London | Local tuition 9,250 GBP |
10 | University of Chicago | 53,649 US |