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Every person aspires to pursue their higher education overseas. It is a difficult endeavor that demands meticulous preparation and execution to dream, plan, and then prepare oneself to study abroad after 12th. However, only a few students are able to live their dreams, as studying abroad is a big financial commitment, and not everyone is able to meet the expenses of studying abroad. This is why these questions arise in a student’s mind, how to study abroad after the 12th for free? Or can you study abroad after the 12th from India for free? Well, yes you can. Many Indian students go to study abroad for free or at an affordable cost. But how? Read on to know how to study abroad after the 12th for free from India.
This Blog Includes:
Benefits of Studying Abroad After 12th for Indians
As you know, studying abroad after 12th can be a life-changing opportunity for an Indian student. It not only offers academic excellence, but also provides global exposure, career growth, and financial advantages. Many universities provide fully funded scholarships, making international education accessible to deserving students. Here are the key benefits of studying abroad after 12th:
1. Access to World-Class Education: Top universities in countries like the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, and Australia offer advanced curriculum, modern research facilities, and globally recognised degrees.
2. Fully Funded Scholarships and Financial Aid: Many universities and organizations offer 100% tuition waivers, living stipends, and travel allowances, reducing the financial burden on students.
3. Better Career Opportunities and Higher Salaries: Graduates from prestigious international universities have better job prospects, higher salary potential, and opportunities to work in top multinational companies.
4. Global Networking and Cultural Exposure: Interacting with students from different countries enhances cross-cultural communication skills, which is valuable for professional and personal growth.
5. Opportunity for Permanent Residency (PR) and Work Permits: Countries like Canada, Australia, and Germany offer post-study work visas and pathways to permanent residency after completing studies.
Do Check Out: Future Courses To Study Abroad After 12th Science
Where to Study Abroad after 12th for Free from India?
Studying abroad is a huge financial responsibility as the cost of education continues to grow high. But there are actually some countries where the cost of studying is totally free or at an affordable range. It is possible to study abroad for free from India but there are several things to consider such as living costs, student services fees, and more. Here are some of the best countries to study abroad after the 12th for free from India:
1. Germany
Germany is one of the few countries in the world where you can study for free, regardless of your nationality. Indian students can opt for public universities in Germany to avail of free tuition fees, as there are a lot of public universities in Germany that offer free education with no tuition fees, but only student administration fees for every semester for enrolling, confirmation, and administration. This fee varies for different universities but the average student administration fee in German universities is EUR 200 – EUR 500 (INR 16-41K).
General UG Admission Requirements to Study in Germany for Indians
Proficiency in German and/or English is one of the major requirements to Study in Germany for Indian Students after the 12th. Other requirements include GMAT or GRE scores.
| Degree Level | Undergraduate/Bachelor’s Degree |
| General Requirements | Higher Secondary Education Class XII certificate with a minimum of 50% |
| German Language Requirements | B1 Level |
| English Language Requirements | IELTS– 6.0 Overall TOEFL iBT– 80 Overall |
Universities Offering Free Education in Germany
Listed below are some of the best public universities in Germany offering free tuition or low student administration fees:
| Name of the University | QS World University Ranking 2025 |
| University of Cologne | 285 |
| Ludwig Maximilians University Munich | 59 |
| Goethe University Frankfurt | 309 |
| University Hamburg | 191 |
| Technical University of Munich | 28 |
| University of Munster | 367 |
| University of Duisburg-Essen | 801-850 |
| Free University of Berlin | 97 |
| University of Stuttgart | 314 |
| Technical University of Berlin | 147 |
| Albert Ludwig University | 212 |
| Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | 102 |
| Dresden University of Technology | 234 |
| University of Bonn | 227 |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | 126 |
Check Out: Study in Germany Guide for Indian Students
2. Austria
Bordered by nations like Germany and Hungary, Austria is well known for providing quality education for free or even affordable tuition fees to international students. Public universities in Austria offer minimum to no charges to study there. But your tuition fees will depend on your nationality as students from the EU and EEA are provided free education but students from other countries need to pay around EUR 1,400 – EUR 1,500 (Around INR 1-2 Lakh) annually. However, if you belong to one of the developing countries such as India. You will be eligible for free tuition at an Austrian University.
Admission Requirements to Study in Austria for Indian students
Entry requirements may vary for different courses and universities, but a general criterion for admission to Austrian universities for Indian students after 12th is having a Secondary School Examination or any other equivalent. Other requirements include English/German Language Test Scores. If you are going to study a course in German, you will need to provide German language proficiency certifications like Deutsch für Zuwanderer A2/B1.
The following table provides a clear overview of the general admission requirements for Indian students applying for undergraduate (UG) programs in Austria:
| Degree Level | Bachelor’s (UG) Degree | Specialised UG Programs (Medicine, Engineering, Law, etc.) |
| General Requirements | 12th-grade completion with a recognised board (CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards) | Entrance exam may be required (depending on the university) |
| German Language Requirements | German proficiency (A2 to C1 level) | Some universities offer English-taught courses |
| English Language Requirement | IELTS (6.0+), TOEFL (80+), or equivalent for English-taught programs | IELTS (6.5+) or TOEFL (90+) for competitive programs |
Universities Offering Free Education in Austria
Listed are some of the public universities in Austria offering free education to domestic and Indian students:
- Universität Wien Vienna
- Technische Universität Wien
- Universität Innsbruck
- Technische Universität Graz
- Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz
- Johannes Kepler Universität Linz
- Wirtschaftsuniversität Wein
- Universität für Bodenkultur Wein
- Medizinische Universität Wein
- Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt
- Universität Salzburg
- Medizinische Universität Graz
- Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wein
- Donau-Universität Krems
- FH Oberösterreich
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria
- Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wein
- Montanuniversität Leoben
Check out: Study in Austria Guide for Indian Students
3. Norway
Norway not only provides excellent education facilities, but the cherry on the top, it offers free education across disciplines as well. Public universities in Norway don’t impose tuition fees but semester fees and student service fees that can vary between EUR 30- EUR 60 (INR 2-4K) per semester.
Admission Requirements to Study in Norway for Indian Students
To get admission to a Norwegian University, you’ll have to fulfil the eligibility criteria set by the University. Indian students need to prove their English Language Proficiency through tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. The best part about studying in Norway, other than the free cost of tuition, is the score requirements for IELTS and TOEFL. A minimum score of 5.0 or a TOEFL score of 60 is required for admission.
Universities Offering Free Education in Norway
Listed below are some of the universities in Norway offering minimal cost of studying for international students:
| Name of the University | QS World University Ranking 2025 |
| Norwegian University of Science and Technology | 264 |
| University of Oslo | 119 |
| University of Nordland | – |
| Oslo Metropolitan University | – |
| University of Bergen | 291 |
| The Arctic University of Tromso, Norway | 621-630 |
| University of Stavanger | 801-850 |
| BI Norweigian Business School | 124 |
Check out: Study in Norway Guide for Indian Students
How to Study Abroad for Free After 12th
Getting a scholarship is considered the best way to study abroad after the 12th for free from India. Scholarships are meant to help deserving students who are incapable of studying abroad due to financial conditions. You do not need to pay tuition fees if you’re offered a scholarship. However, there are some scholarships that offer to bear the cost of living expenses as well.
Scholarships to Study Abroad after 12th
Almost every university provides scholarships to international students for an academic year or more. It varies for different universities though. The eligibility requirements for getting a scholarship will also vary depending on your choice of course/field of study. There are many external Scholarships available too for international students. Here’s a list of scholarships for Indian students who want to study abroad after the 12th for free:
- Inlaks Scholarships
- Tata Scholarships
- The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Scholarship
- Erasmus Scholarship Programs in Germany
- Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships in Germany
- Austrian Government Scholarships
Leverage Edu Scholarship to Study Abroad
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Tips to Follow to Study Abroad after 12th for Free
There are several factors to keep in mind before planning your study abroad journey for free. Here are some of the major factors that may contribute to your study abroad journey after the 12th for free from India:
- Selecting a country with a low cost of living and managing expenses is a difficult task for international students abroad.
- Choose a course relevant to your previous qualifications. It will help you get a student visa and financial aid in your respective field of study.
- Try to score high in tests required for study abroad admissions such as Language Proficiency Tests and Standardized Tests like GMAT or GRE.
- Having good scores can help you get a scholarship in various countries.
Join Leverage Live to score high in IELTS and TOEFL
FAQs
A minimum score of 6.0 is required for admission to Austrian universities.
Universities in Austria offer two major intakes, the Winter and the Summer.
Hamburg is one of the most affordable cities to live in Germany for Indian students.
Indian students can study for free in Germany, Austria, Norway, and Finland, as these countries offer tuition-free or low-cost education at public universities.
To get a 100% scholarship to study abroad after 12th, follow these steps:
1. Research Fully Funded Scholarships – Look for government, university, and private scholarships, such as DAAD (Germany), Erasmus Mundus (Europe), Fulbright (USA), Chevening (UK), and Commonwealth Scholarships.
2. Maintain Excellent Academics – Most scholarships require a high GPA (above 85%).
3. Score Well in Language and Entrance Exams – Achieve high scores in IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, or ACT as required.
4. Build a Strong Profile – Participate in extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and volunteer work.
5. Write an Impressive SOP and LORs – A well-written Statement of Purpose (SOP) and strong Letters of Recommendation (LORs) increase your chances.
6. Apply Early and Follow Deadlines – Apply for multiple scholarships 6–12 months before admission deadlines.
Read more informative blogs here!
Are you planning to study abroad? Our Leverage Edu experts will provide you with end-to-end assistance starting from your university application to the time you reach your university and commence your studies. Call us at 1800 57 2000 to book a FREE 30-minute counselling session today.
Leave a Reply
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Can we go abroad for study
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Yes,Tanushree. You can go abroad for studies. Some of the popular destinations to study abroad are USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Spain. Top universities such as Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, Oxford University, etc accept international students. However, you will have to meet the eligibility requirements of the for admissions. For further information, consult the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu
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I got 48% in 12th with commerce stream can i go abroad for study?
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Hey, Abdur Rahman
Unfortunately, you will not be able to study abroad with 48% marks. The minimum percentage of marks for undergraduate programs in different countries is as follows:
1] UK- 60%.-65%
2]Ireland-60% and above
3] USA-65%
4] Germany-50–60%
5] Australia-60-65%However, you can take admission for an undergraduate program in India, ensure to score well in the Bachelor’s and apply for postgraduate studies abroad. For further information consult the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu.
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4 comments
Can we go abroad for study
Yes,Tanushree. You can go abroad for studies. Some of the popular destinations to study abroad are USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and Spain. Top universities such as Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, Oxford University, etc accept international students. However, you will have to meet the eligibility requirements of the for admissions. For further information, consult the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu
I got 48% in 12th with commerce stream can i go abroad for study?
Hey, Abdur Rahman
Unfortunately, you will not be able to study abroad with 48% marks. The minimum percentage of marks for undergraduate programs in different countries is as follows:
1] UK- 60%.-65%
2]Ireland-60% and above
3] USA-65%
4] Germany-50–60%
5] Australia-60-65%
However, you can take admission for an undergraduate program in India, ensure to score well in the Bachelor’s and apply for postgraduate studies abroad. For further information consult the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu.