Minimum Grade 12 Scores for Scholarships Abroad 2026-27

Getting an international education is a transformative dream for many students, but the financial aspect can often seem daunting. Scholarships for studying abroad are the golden ticket, offering the chance to pursue world-class undergraduate programs at prestigious institutions for the 2026-2027 academic year. For Grade 12 students, your academic record is your strongest asset, and meeting the minimum score requirement is the crucial first step. International scholarships come in various forms, including merit-based university scholarships and external governmental or private foundation awards, with coverage ranging from partial tuition fee waivers to fully funded opportunities that cover tuition, living expenses, flights, and more. The core benefit isn’t just financial relief; it’s gaining global exposure, accessing specialized resources, and joining an exclusive network of high achievers. Competition is stiff, and the minimum academic eligibility often starts around 75% to 85% in your Grade 12 exams (or equivalent like A-Level ABB/IB 33 points), with top full scholarships requiring even higher scores.

In this comprehensive guide, we provide a detailed breakdown of the minimum Grade 12 scores needed for important international scholarships, along with specific program offerings, their coverage, and the life-changing benefits you can expect.

What are Minimum Grade 12 Scores for Scholarships abroad?

The minimum Grade 12 scores required for scholarships abroad vary widely, but generally fall within the range of 75% to 85% for merit-based awards and partial tuition waivers offered by universities. However, to be a strong candidate for highly competitive scholarships, particularly fully-funded or prestigious external awards, students should aim for a significantly higher academic achievement, often 90% or above (or an equivalent outstanding GPA), combined with exceptional performance on standardized tests (like the SAT/ACT, if required) and a compelling extracurricular profile, as most top international scholarships use a holistic review process that looks beyond just the academic percentage.

List of Scholarships to study abroad after class 12th for Indian Students

Securing an undergraduate scholarship (after Class 12) to study abroad as an Indian student often involves applying for a mix of university-specific merit-based aid, country-specific grants, and prestigious external foundation scholarships.

Here is a list of notable scholarships for undergraduate studies abroad:

Scholarship Name	Study Level	Country/Region	Coverage	Eligibility
Chevening Scholarship	1-Year Master’s	UK	Fully Funded: Tuition, Living Stipend, Airfare	Requires 2 years of work experience and demonstrated leadership potential.
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships	Master’s, PhD, Research	USA	Fully Funded: Tuition, Airfare, Living Stipend, Health Insurance	Focus on academic excellence, leadership, and public service. Must return to India upon completion.
MEXT (Monbukagakusho)	UG, Master’s, PhD, Research	Japan	Fully Funded: Tuition, Stipend, Airfare	Government-to-Government scholarship. Includes Japanese language training.
Rhodes Scholarship	Postgraduate (2 years)	UK (University of Oxford)	Fully Funded: All fees, Maintenance Stipend, Airfare	Requires exceptional academic distinction, leadership, and commitment to public good.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	Master’s, PhD	UK (University of Cambridge)	Fully Funded: Full cost of study, Maintenance Allowance	Exceptional academic merit and commitment to improving others’ lives.
Commonwealth Scholarships	Master’s, PhD	UK	Fully Funded: Tuition, Stipend, Airfare	For students from Commonwealth countries who can contribute to global development.
Lester B. Pearson Scholarship	Undergraduate	Canada (University of Toronto)	Fully Funded: Tuition, Books, Residence, Fees (4 years)	Requires school nomination. Focuses on exceptional creativity and leadership.
DAAD Scholarships	Master’s, PhD (Focus on PG)	Germany	Full/Partial Funding: Tuition waiver (often), Monthly Stipend	Highly diverse programs; covers all fields. Often requires a minimum work experience for certain courses.
Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship	Master’s, PhD	UK, USA, Europe	Fully Funded (up to $100,000)	Primarily for non-STEM fields at top global institutions; maximum age limit is typically 30.
Tata Scholarship (Cornell)	Undergraduate	USA (Cornell University)	Need-Based Grant: Waives 100% of demonstrated need (up to full tuition/fees)	Must be an Indian citizen and demonstrate significant financial need.
National Overseas Scholarship	Master’s, PhD	Abroad (Select Countries)	Fully Funded: Tuition, Maintenance Allowance, Travel	Government of India Scheme for SC, ST, DNT, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans. (Income-based eligibility).
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)	Master’s	Europe (Multiple Countries)	Fully Funded: Tuition, Travel, Installation, Monthly Stipend	High-quality, integrated study programmes delivered by international consortia of universities.

Also Read: Scholarships for Indians to Study Abroad After 10th

Details of Top Minimum Grade 12 Scores for Scholarships Abroad

The majority of top-tier international scholarships are designed for postgraduate study (Master’s and PhD), which means the minimum academic benchmark for Indian students is typically placed on the Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree result, not the Grade 12 score; however, for the few available undergraduate scholarships, the requirement is generally in the top 1-5% of the graduating high school class.

Lester B. Pearson Scholarship (Undergraduate)

While the University of Toronto does not publish a single minimum Grade 12 percentage, this scholarship is fiercely competitive and is awarded based on exceptional academic achievement, creativity, and leadership, meaning successful Indian applicants must demonstrate marks in the top 1-2% of their final secondary school (Grade 12) graduating class, often correlating to a near-perfect or extremely high score (e.g., 95% or higher in CBSE/ISC/State Boards) to be considered by their school for the necessary single nomination.

Cornell University Tata Scholarship (Undergraduate)

This need-based scholarship for Cornell undergraduate programs officially requires applicants to have secured a minimum of 70% in their 12th grade in the relevant field of study; however, successful applicants have to also secure admission to Cornell, which generally means having an academic profile that places them in the top 1% of the secondary school graduating class with a high degree of rigor in their coursework and competitive standardized test scores (if required), making the 70% mark merely a formal, low-end eligibility threshold.

MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship (Undergraduate)

For the undergraduate (UG) stream, the Japanese government’s MEXT scholarship typically does not specify a minimum percentage cut-off for the Grade 12 equivalent; instead, the selection is based on a comprehensive evaluation including written academic examinations in subjects like Japanese, English, Mathematics, and Science (for science streams) conducted by the Japanese Embassy, where the required academic level is extremely high to qualify for the tests.

Chevening Scholarship (Postgraduate)

As the Chevening Scholarship is exclusively for a one-year Master’s degree, there is no minimum Grade 12 score requirement; the important academic criterion is holding an undergraduate degree that allows entry into a UK Master’s program (typically a First Class or equivalent from a recognized university, often around 60-65% or 7.0/10 CGPA depending on the course and university), and crucially, applicants must also have at least 2,800 hours of post-graduation work experience.

Rhodes Scholarship (Postgraduate)

The Rhodes Scholarship requires the completion of an undergraduate degree and does not specify a Grade 12 score; however, applicants must have an academic background that meets or exceeds the requirements of their chosen course at the University of Oxford, which generally means securing a First Class Honours degree (typically 75% or higher, or CGPA 8.0+ on a 10-point scale) in their Bachelor’s degree, while evidence of Grade 10 and 12 results is required to demonstrate overall scholastic attainment.

Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship (Postgraduate)

This scholarship for postgraduate study abroad requires a strong academic foundation, asking for specific minimum results in the undergraduate degree, typically a minimum of 65% (CGPA 6.8/10) for Social Sciences and Humanities, or 70% (CGPA 7.2/10) for Mathematics and Sciences; while Grade 12 scores are part of the academic transcript submission, the final selection criteria focus heavily on the quality and class of the Bachelor’s degree and the profile of the applicant’s chosen course at a top global university.

Scholarship Action Plan for 2026-27

To maximise your chances for the 2026-27 academic year, an Indian student should follow these steps:

1. Maintain Academic Excellence: For maximum competitiveness, strive for 90% and above in your final Grade 12 exams. This is your non-negotiable foundation.
2. Excel in Standardised Tests: Aim for a high score on the SAT (1400+) or ACT (30+) as these are often the primary filtering criteria for merit scholarships in North America.
3. Build a strong Profile: Don’t just be an all-rounder; demonstrate deep commitment and leadership in 1-2 important extracurricular areas. Quality over quantity.
4. Master the Essays: Start drafting your Statement of Purpose (SOP) early. Use compelling stories that connect your academic journey, extracurriculars, and future goals to the university’s mission.
5. Start Early: Undergraduate scholarship deadlines often align with the university’s main application deadline (e.g., October to January). Begin your research and test preparation at least 12-18 months in advance.

Also Read: Top 10 Scholarships in the World for International Students

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