27 August 2025
8 minutes read
How to Study Abroad for Free After 12th With Scholarships in Universities as an Indian Student (Best Study Abroad After 12th From India)?

Key Takeaways
- How to study abroad for free after 12th includes applying for fully funded scholarships and choosing tuition-free public universities in countries like Germany.
- How to study abroad for free after 12th depends on meeting GPA, transcripts, and exam requirements such as IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT.
- How to study abroad for free after 12th is possible as many countries offer free or low-cost education and allow students to work part-time while studying.
For many Indian students, studying overseas after 12th-grade is an exciting yet daunting experience. The thought of studying abroad in international institutions located in countries such as the USA, UK, Germany, or Canada usually comes with thoughts of fees as an international student.
But luckily there are numerous fully funded scholarships for international students to help Indian students study abroad free of cost or at minimal fees. Public universities in many of these countries often provide free or low cost education too.
So, with the right preparation, students who want to study abroad can enjoy free tuition, living allowances, and the opportunity to work while studying abroad in a new united nation.
This article outlines how Indian students may apply for scholarships, what admission requirements might look like such as GPA, transcripts, and whether standardized examinations including IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, SAT, ACT, and GMAT are necessary, and the next big step in higher education, to study at a reduced cost or free cost with full subsidized funds.
Why Dream of Studying Abroad as an Indian Student?
Did you know that there are over 1.3 million Indian university students studying abroad? Studying abroad exposes students to new cultures and helps students attain livings skills to become competitive worldwide.

Here are a few reasons why many Indian students dream of studying abroad after completing 12th:
- Access to Quality Education: Universities overseas have superior infrastructure, research opportunities, and best faculty.
- Cultural Exposure: Studying abroad provides students the opportunity for international exposure and adaptability.
- Career Opportunities: Students looking to study abroad can access global career networks and internships, making them more employable.
Before we get into the scholarships to study abroad, here is a quick comparison of ushers of international education in attracting Indian students:
Factor | Indian Universities | Universities-Abroad |
---|---|---|
Tuition Fees | Private College fees are high | Public universities tuition-free education is available |
Global Exposure | Very limited | Strong cultural and professional exposure |
Job Opportunities | Most are local | Students can work legally very part-time while studying |
Why Do Indian Students Pursue Education Abroad at Top Study Abroad Destinations?
You may think it’s impossible to study abroad because you don’t have enough money. If you know about some European countries’ free higher education programs then your dreams may not be as impossible as you think!
Countries such as Germany and Norway have excellent educational systems which offer tuition-free (including non-EU) international students who have normal financial backgrounds. There are a variety of reasons why many Indian students are now opting for higher education in countries such as the USA, UK, Germany and Canada, including:
- Tuition-Free Education: Higher learning in European countries such as Germany is tuition-free for international students. Therefore, many can study tuition-free, outright.
- Scholarships: A great number of countries offer many scholarships for international students which converts to lower or no fees for international students.
- Work: Countries typically allow students to work while studying abroad. Therefore, International students are able to enjoy international work experience while earning income in additional to their education.
How to Study Abroad for Free After 12th as an International Student?
Surprising fact: There are countries like Germany, Finland, and Norway that provide tuition-free education in public universities or colleges, even for international students irrespective of their nationality who want a quality education-abroad without worrying about fees.
Indian students studying abroad after the 12th could safely plan for zero-cost study, following these three steps:
- Apply for Scholarships: The students will have to apply scholarships to study in the USA, Canada or the UK where fully funded scholarships for education abroad are readily available.
- Select Public Universities/Colleges that offer Tuition-Free Price (Zero Fees): Most countries in Europe provide free higher-education to international students in public universities.
- Part-time Jobs and Internships: Some countries allow students to work on a part-time basis while studying abroad, thus making it easier for students to manage their living expenses.
Do Top Universities Provide Free Scholarships for Indian Students After 12th?
Did you know that top-tier universities in countries such as USA, UK, and Canada – including institutions such as Harvard, Oxford, and MIT – actually provide fully funded scholarships for undergraduate or postgraduate students from an international background who have demonstrated high academic standards and also require financial assistance?

Top Universities in countries such as these have propagated Indian students wanting to study abroad through many opportunities for funding. These opportunities include:
- Merit-Based Scholarships: Students that achieve the minimum GPA requirement, have an exemplary transcript, and/or have other accomplishments may earn a scholarship to study-abroad or at a major institution.
- Need-Based Scholarships: Most universities abroad can fund a free or partially funded education for international students which still require some financial means.
- Government-Funded Scholarships: Countries including Germany or Canada will provide free scholarships for students studying abroad – and many of them are government funded to enable Indian (and other international) students study abroad for free or at a lower rate, than if they had to pay for their tuition fee.
Foreign University Scholarships for Studying Abroad After 12th Grade
Fact: There are various countries that offer fully funded scholarships with tuition fees, living expenses, and even travelling expenses provided for international-students.
Indian students looking to study in another country after 12th have the advantage of scholarship opportunities for international-students provided by top universities. These scholarships cover free tuition and enables Indian-students to study in another country with minimal financial stress.
The popular types of scholarships include:
- Fully-Funded Scholarships: Cover tuition fees, living allowance and travelling expense.
- Partial Scholarships: Covering fees for international students with providing either tuition of accommodation fees.
- Subject-Specific Scholarships: Pertains to students taking courses in particular fields such as STEM, Arts, or Business.
Here is a list of 15 top scholarships to study abroad provided by a university:
University | Scholarship Name | Benefits | Eligibility Criteria |
Harvard University | Harvard College Scholarship | Full tuition + living expenses | Merit + Need |
Oxford University | Reach Oxford Scholarship | Fully-funded scholarship | Indian students who wish to study abroad without financial aid |
MIT | MIT Scholarships | Free-tuition + allowances | GPA, transcripts, SOP |
University of Toronto | Lester B. Pearson Scholarship | Fully-funded scholarship | Academic excellence |
Stanford University | Knight-Hennessy Scholarship | Tuition + stipend + allowances | Strong SOP, LOR |
Yale University | Yale Need-Based Aid | Covers tuition and living costs | Need-based |
Cambridge University | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | Full funding + research opportunities | Academic merit |
University of Melbourne | Melbourne International Scholarship | Full tuition coverage | International students |
DAAD (Germany) | DAAD Scholarship | Free-tuition + stipend | German universities |
ETH Zurich | Excellence Scholarship | Tuition + allowance | Merit-based |
University of British Columbia | UBC International Leader Scholarship | Fully funded | High school excellence |
Australian National University | ANU Global Diversity Scholarship | Tuition support | International students |
University of Edinburgh | Edinburgh Global Research Scholarship | Tuition waiver | Postgraduate eligibility |
Monash University | Monash International Scholarship | Full or partial tuition coverage | Academic excellence |
National University of Singapore | NUS Global Merit Scholarship | Tuition + stipend | Merit-based |
How to Avail Opportunities to Study Abroad for Free or at Low Cost After 12th for Indian Students?
Did you know that a lot of Indian students planning to study abroad are often unaware of how much financial assistance they could potentially receive? Studying abroad opens the doors for Indian-students to study abroad if they wouldnt incur major costs.
There are ways to gain access to those possibilities:
- Apply for Scholarships Well In Advance: You must be on top of applying scholarships ahead of time with supporting documents (i.e., transcripts, GPA records, letter of recommendation, resume, personal statement, statement of purpose).
- Focus on Public Universities: In countries such as Germany, Norway, and Finland, public universities allow international students to attend tuition-free.
- Be Aware of Inexpensive Locations: Many countries will allow international students to attend education free, or cost-effective locations, making it easier for students with average financial backgrounds to have the chance to study abroad.

Here’s a quick table for more clarity:
Opportunity | Advantage |
Public Universities | Tuition-free education at public-universities |
Fully-Funded Scholarships | Covers tuition + living |
Part-Time Work | Aids Indian students with expenses |
Top Countries for Indian Students to Study Abroad After Completing 12th Grade
Interesting point: Countries such as Germany, France, and Norway give international students tuition-free education, including Indian students studying abroad after completing their 12th-grade.
Below are 10 best countries offering free or low-cost education:
Country | Popular Universities Overseas |
Germany | University of Munich, Heidelberg University |
Canada | University of Toronto, University of British Columbia |
USA | Harvard University, MIT, Stanford University |
UK | Oxford University, University of Cambridge |
Australia | University of Melbourne, ANU |
France | Sorbonne University, PSL Research University |
Norway | University of Oslo, NTNU |
Singapore | National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University |
Switzerland | ETH Zurich, University of Geneva |
New Zealand | University of Auckland, University of Otago |
What are the Exams to Study Abroad Available for Indian Students?
Here’s a quick fact: In fact, over 70% of foreign education programs require students to submit standardized test scores such as: IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, SAT or GMAT.
Examinations students will need to plan for when preparing to study abroad:
- Language Proficiency Tests: IELTS or TOEFL are required for students studying in the USA, UK or Canada.
- Standardized Assessments: ACT and SAT tests are for undergraduate admissions. GRE and GMAT tests are for postgraduate programs.
- Academic Requirements: Students need to meet GPA expectations, transcripts and sometimes a personal statement or statement of purpose.
Table of exams:
Exam | Purpose | Level |
IELTS | English language proficiency | UG/PG |
TOEFL | English language proficiency | UG/PG |
SAT | Undergraduate admissions | UG |
ACT | Undergraduate admissions | UG |
GRE | Graduate admissions | PG |
GMAT | Business schools admissions | PG |
Pro Tips for Indian Students to Pursue Education in the Best Countries to Study Abroad
Did you know that students who apply early for scholarships have a 40% greater chance of getting funding? Unfortunately, many students, especially from India applying to study-abroad miss out because of applying late or inadequate documentation.

The following pro-tips can help Indian-students wishing to study-abroad after 12th:
- Prepare Strong Documents: Students require the following documentation: transcripts, GPA, letter of recommendation, personal statement, resume, and statement of purpose that provide their achievements and reflect their collative skills.
- Research Your Universities: Students must research universities to study-abroad to find the understanding of the scholarship to study availability and admission requirements.
- Work Potential: Choose countries which let students to work on a part time basis while studying abroad after 12th to support living costs.
Conclusion
The prospect of studying in a foreign country after completing 12th grade is no longer a far-fetched dream for Indian students. With no tuition fee at public universities, various scholarships available for international students, and countries like Germany, Canada, and Norway making education free or relatively inexpensive; students can possibly study for free with reasonable preparation.
To gain expert advice on the application process to universities abroad and obtaining scholarships, students need to connect with Ambitio today and commence their international education journey.
FAQs
How to study abroad for free after 12th in countries like Germany?
To understand how to study abroad for free after 12th in countries like Germany, Indian students must target public universities offering tuition-free education. With scholarships and work options, how to study abroad for free after 12th becomes a practical reality for motivated applicants.
How to study abroad for free after 12th through scholarships?
Knowing how to study abroad for free after 12th involves applying early for fully funded scholarships covering tuition and living costs. Universities abroad provide multiple options, making how to study abroad for free after 12th achievable for deserving Indian students.
How to study abroad for free after 12th without a high GPA?
For students wondering how to study abroad for free after 12th without a strong GPA, countries like Germany and Norway still offer free tuition at public universities. By applying for scholarships and choosing the right programs, how to study abroad for free after 12th is still possible.
How to study abroad for free after 12th with part-time work?
Learning how to study abroad for free after 12th includes choosing countries that allow students to work part-time while studying. With extra income and tuition-free education, how to study abroad for free after 12th becomes easier for financially conscious students.
How to study abroad for free after 12th with English language tests?
Many wonder how to study abroad for free after 12th when IELTS or TOEFL scores are required. By preparing well and securing scholarships, how to study abroad for free after 12th is possible in universities abroad that value strong applications.
How to study abroad for free after 12th in public universities?
The best answer to how to study abroad for free after 12th is applying to public universities in European countries offering tuition-free education. With proper documents and scholarships, how to study abroad for free after 12th becomes realistic and attainable.
How to study abroad for free after 12th if I am from India?
For Indian students, how to study abroad for free after 12th means targeting countries like Germany, France, or Norway offering tuition-free education. With scholarships tailored to Indian students, how to study abroad for free after 12th becomes a clear pathway to higher education abroad.

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