Studying abroad is a dream for many Indian students (and yes, your parents too whether or not they admit it) – but the process feels so vague that we fixate on scoring well in the highly competitive Indian exams, like the JEE, UPSC, etc which often has low scope (in terms of opportunities) and are frankly not fair for everyone.
But whether you're in Science, Arts, or Commerce, there are numerous opportunities awaiting you in international universities. It gives a fair chance to everyone – and with the right guidance, is very achievable! This guide will help you navigate the process, from choosing the right course and university to understanding admission requirements and financial aid options.
(Disclaimer, this guide is meant for someone new to the whole process, so we’ll go over the basics of the process. We’ll include helpful resources along the way for the curious people!)
Why Study Abroad After 12th?
Studying abroad offers numerous benefits over the standard Undergraduate courses offered in India:
Global Exposure:
A joyride for business majors wanting to build connections, but also for every other discipline. International collaboration allows one to incorporate ideas into their work that they had never been previously exposed to, and also widens their scope for future international ventures!
Quality Education:
World-class education and cutting-edge research facilities. Imagine having access the world’s largest libraries, and most gifted professors from all round the world!
Internship opportunities are not only more common and prestigious; they also provide stipends to international students to help them ease in to the entirely new financial system. Check out how you can access these opportunities in our guide on scholarships!
Career Opportunities:
Enhanced job prospects with an international degree. Like imagine a company seeing “MIT graduate” on your profile, there will be no stopping you! If you’re curious about how brilliant minds like Chirag Falor and Sahil Akhtar reached MIT, this blog is for you!
How to Leverage my stream to go Abroad?
This is often the part most students get very wrong. While choosing the course in which you want to pursue your further studies, it’s not about which course you LIKE, or which offers the cheapest terms.
If you want to go more in depth as to which University and course is right for you, we have you covered with specific universities to add to your list!
Considering that most students are from a middle class background, take into account essential aspects like living expenses in different states, health insurance (don’t take this lightly! Read up on why it is so messed up) and accessibility options for international students. Here’s how you plan specifically if you’re a science, arts or commerce student!
Can I go Abroad After 12th Science?
Science and STEM students have a wide range of options, including engineering, medicine, biotechnology, and computer science. Countries like the USA, Canada, and Germany are known for their strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs.
Popular Courses: Engineering, Medicine, Computer Science, Biotechnology, Quantum Mechanics.
Top Destinations: USA, Canada, Germany, Australia.
Top Universities:
MIT – The dream institute for almost all STEM aspirants! MIT holds the record for having produced more than 100 Nobel Laureates, compared to IITs that have produced none. Known for its excellent faculty, keep this University in your REACH list if you have what it takes!
Stanford University – Known for its groundbreaking research, and beautiful campus, Stanford is truly a dream University which also belongs on your REACH list!
Williams College – One of the oldest Liberal Arts colleges in the USA, it fosters both academic and extracurricular excellence. It has a similar tutorial structure to that of Oxford, with which it has internship tie-ups. With one of the oldest Alumni groups, this college can truly become a new home.
Scholarships for Science Students
There are a bunch of scholarships you can opt for as a STEM student, especially merit-based ones. MIT organises camps known as outreach programs, which can often help international students too! Aside from test-based funds such as the NSE Olympiads, some institutional scholarships include:
Cornell University Tata Scholarship - For those pursuing an undergraduate course at the prestigious Cornell University
National Overseas Scholarships - Providing funds for students going abroad.
Can I go Abroad After 12th Arts?
Arts students can pursue courses in Law, humanities, social sciences, fine arts, and design. While often neglected in India, these professions are invaluable abroad, and are also a significant contributor to the economy (with over a 49% increase in people employed in the last 5 years). The UK, France, and Italy are renowned for their arts and humanities programs.
Popular Courses: Literature, Law, Psychology, History, Fine Arts, Design.
Top Destinations: UK, France, Italy, Australia.
Top Universities:
The Cooper Union - The best undergraduate art school with affordable tuition, a stellar location at the heart of New York City, and the most complete arts course. Students get to display their works at Cooper Gallery and are exposed to exceptional exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art, The Guggenheim, The Brooklyn Museum, etc.
Harvard University – Harvard’s law School isn’t a stranger to anyone, offering LLM. JD and SJD programs. There are more than 400 courses, seminars, and reading groups available – some with as few as 25 people making it a truly personal learning experience.
Yale University – It has been the center of the American literary scene, known for its intensely analytical yet world-renowned figure creating literature courses. With its extensive knowledge base, the only thing limiting you is time.
Scholarships for Arts/Humanities Students
Certain scholarships are specifically for humanities and arts students. It is provided by the arts and humanities department of the university/college.
For example, the scholarship program by the Division of Arts and Humanities supports undergraduate research and creative projects. For these scholarships, students need to submit a project narrative, personal statement, timeline, CV, and a support letter from a faculty.
Other scholarship opportunities include international Essay writing competitions, where Literature students can really leverage their talents
Can I go Abroad After 12th Commerce?
Commerce students can explore degrees in business, finance, economics, and international relations. Also, another massive industry, e-commerce has become a multi-trillion dollar venture, often neglected in India. The USA, UK, and Singapore are excellent choices for business and commerce-related studies.
Popular Courses: Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Accounting.
Top Destinations: USA, UK, Singapore, Australia.
Top Universities:
Texas A&M University – Here you can find varied commerce courses to truly develop a great fundamental foundation. It offers several Undergraduate specializations such as BBA, MBA, PGDM, etc.
University of California – It’s known worldwide for its modern approach to Business studies. With courses in Marketing, Global Business and Administration – it has caught traction for utilizing the new emerging era of online business management and teaching how to effectively capitalize on it in its courses.
University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School of UPenn, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, is best known for its rigorous finance program. It also boasts the largest alumni network of any business school in America with nearly 100,000 members, and has been known for producing a steady stream of top candidates for Wall Street firms.
Scholarships for Commerce Students:
Commerce students can opt for any of the scholarship courses we mentioned for science students. But for those more business-minded, there are several scholarships for young entrepreneurs in India like the Make in India Scheme.
For more international sources, check out this list by IDP!
What are the Admission Requirements for Studying Abroad?
Can I go abroad with 50% marks?
Admission requirements vary depending on the country, course, and university. However, some common elements include:
Academic Qualifications:
Good scores in 12th grade, preferably with distinction. Often Universities abroad require a full transcript of your grades, and in the process of conversion to their grading system, you may even lose points! So make sure you don’t stress out too much about this and complement your profile with more demonstrable achievements. If you’re still concerned about your percentage, check out our blog on marks and their value in going abroad!
English Proficiency Tests:
Most universities require scores from tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. You could also opt for DET (Duolingo English Test) which is more affordable for international students and is accepted by most colleges. Make sure to check out the college’s official requirements first though!
Entrance Exams:
For certain courses, especially in the USA, you may need to take exams like the SAT or ACT. Many colleges, however, are test-optional. But we still recommend you submit your scores if they improve your current profile. NOTE: The SAT or ACT is not just for science students, and are standardized tests for all students looking to apply abroad.
Statement of Purpose (SOP):
A well-written SOP explaining your academic and career goals. This is probably the one document that’ll take you the longest to write, so take your time and start as soon as possible, like RIGHT NOW!
Letters of Recommendation (LORs):
Recommendations from your teachers or mentors, which help validate your achievements. Here’s a guide to help you secure a solid Letter of Recommendation!
Portfolio: For arts and design courses, a portfolio showcasing your work might be required.
Apart from these, the process of admissions itself is not that complicated! You must create a Common App account, which is a universal portal to apply to any and all US universities. Then use their helpful tools to sort through and create your college list, and know about their specific requirements. (Pro-tip, NEVER skip an optional essay, include as much as you possibly can!)
Financial Planning and Scholarships
Studying abroad can be expensive, but various scholarships and financial aid options are available. In fact, the big-name colleges often offer up to 100% scholarships (on tuition) and full rides!
But you can’t access any of these without creating a CSS profile which demonstrated your need for aid. For a full guide on all of these, we have a guide for the curious
Merit-Based Scholarships: Offered based on academic excellence. These include the Olympiads, Hackathons, sporting events and other scholarship tests offered by individual universities.
Need-Based Scholarships: Provided to students with financial constraints. Again, to demonstrate your need, create a CSS profile!
Country-Specific Scholarships: Scholarships provided by the host country or institutions. Read up on FAFSA for more details on this!
Student Loans: Loans from banks and financial institutions in India.
Visa Process
The visa application process is a crucial step in studying abroad. Do your due diligence and research “F1 visas” to know about the nitty gritty! The process generally includes:
Offer Letter: Secure an offer letter from the university.
Financial Proof: Show proof of funds to cover tuition and living expenses.
Medical Examination: Some countries require a medical examination.
Visa Interview: You may need to attend a visa interview at the embassy.
Preparing for Your Departure
Before you leave, ensure you have completed all necessary preparations:
Accommodation: Arrange for accommodation either on-campus or off-campus. Finding the right housing and/or student community is essential for surviving abroad, and we have a guide just for that!
Health Insurance: Purchase international health insurance. Don’t go for the cheap travel insurance, thinking nothing will happen to you. Health insurance, in reality, is extremely complicated – so read up on it!
Travel Arrangements: Book your flight tickets and arrange airport transfers.
Orientation Programs: Attend pre-departure orientation programs offered by your university or educational consultants.
One more thing, some universities charge you an initial non-refundable amount to fix your spot. This could go from $750 to even $2000. Beware of that.
How should I go Abroad after the 12th?
Studying abroad after the 12th is a transformative experience that can set the stage for a successful career. Whether you're from Science, Arts, or Commerce, the key to a successful application is thorough research and preparation.
Start early, seek guidance, and take advantage of scholarships and financial aid to make your dream a reality. And hey, for everyone who needs a skimmable version, here is a quick summary 😊
Start by creating a Common App account, where you create your college list
Apply for standardized tests such as the SAT/ACT and the IELTS/TOEFL
Find the best scholarship opportunities based on your stream
Complete the admission process by writing an SOP, the mandatory and supplemental essays, and securing LORs.
FAQ Section, Most Asked Questions!
1. What are the most popular courses for Indian students studying abroad after 12th?
The most popular courses include engineering, medicine, business administration, economics, and fine arts, depending on the student's stream (Science, Arts, or Commerce).
2. How important is the IELTS/TOEFL score for studying abroad?
An IELTS or TOEFL score is crucial as it demonstrates your proficiency in English, which is a requirement for most universities in English-speaking countries.
3. Can I study abroad without taking the SAT/ACT?
Yes, many universities in countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia do not require SAT/ACT scores, especially for non-STEM courses.
4. What are the financial aid options available for Indian students?
Financial aid options include merit-based and need-based scholarships, country-specific scholarships, and student loans.
5. When should I start the application process for studying abroad?
It's advisable to start the application process at least a year in advance, as it involves multiple steps including entrance exams, SOPs, LORs, and visa applications.
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