Study abroad after 12th: IELTS or TOEFL, SAT, Portfolio, fees, salary and scope

You study: A degree, sometimes after a foundation (bridging) year
Open to: Any stream
Total cost: Set mostly by the country, with living costs

What it is really like

It is 11 pm in a Milan design studio. An Indian student glues a model, classmates arguing in three languages. A degree abroad buys teaching, a known name and contacts India may not offer. Prices swing wildly. Italy and Germany charge little or no tuition; the US costs most. Afterwards you may work there on a post-study visa or come home.

How you get in

IELTS or TOEFL
English language tests: nearly every course wants one.
Digital SAT
For some US colleges.
Portfolio
Your best work: for art, design and architecture.
Germany
A JEE Advanced (IIT entrance test) result, a year of an Indian degree, or a preparatory year in German.

Where to study

USA, abroad

RISD, SCAD, Carnegie Mellon

About 1.9 to 3.7 crore for four years

UK, abroad

UAL (University of the Arts London); UCL Bartlett

About 1.8 to 2.2 crore for three years

Europe, abroad

Politecnico di Milano; German public universities; Dutch art academies

About 50 lakh to 1.5 crore

Asia, abroad

NTU (Nanyang Technological University) Singapore

About 1.5 crore for four years

After the degree

About 7.7 lakh
Indians left to study abroad, 2024: About 6 in 10
US student visas refused to Indians, 2025: 18 months
UK post-study work visa, from 2027

Leads to

EngineerDesignerArchitectResearcherAnalystMaster's abroad

Results are hard to judge: few schools publish job figures. Loans with no property pledged are not reliable now. A few top US colleges admit international students regardless of ability to pay, then cover what the family cannot.

Top colleges and what it takes

No ranks. Selection abroad is holistic: school marks, standardised tests where needed (SAT/ACT, IELTS/TOEFL), essays and references. These are the official government or agency pages to start from.

EducationUSA (US State Department)
USA · Government
SAT/ACT (optional at many universities) + TOEFL/IELTS
No rank: the official free advising network for studying in the US, with centres in India(approx.) source
1 programmes
- US undergraduate admission (Bachelor's)No rank: the official free advising network for studying in the US, with centres in India
UCAS
United Kingdom · Government
Class 12 predicted grades + IELTS (some courses add admissions tests)
No rank: the single UK undergraduate application portal (up to 5 choices)(approx.) source
1 programmes
- UK undergraduate application (up to 5 choices)No rank: the single UK undergraduate application portal (up to 5 choices)
Study in Canada (IRCC)
Canada · Government
IELTS/TOEFL + university-specific requirements
No rank: the official Government of Canada page on study permits and choosing a school(approx.) source
1 programmes
- Canadian study permit + college/university admissionNo rank: the official Government of Canada page on study permits and choosing a school
Study Australia
Australia · Government
IELTS/PTE + university-specific requirements
No rank: the official Australian Government guide to courses, visas and costs(approx.) source
1 programmes
- Australian undergraduate admission + student visaNo rank: the official Australian Government guide to courses, visas and costs
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)
Germany · Government
Studienkolleg / Feststellungsprüfung or JEE-Advanced qualification + language test
No rank: the official guide to tuition-free public universities and the entry qualifications Indian Class 12 students need(approx.) source
1 programmes
- Bachelor's in Germany (often via Studienkolleg)No rank: the official guide to tuition-free public universities and the entry qualifications Indian Class 12 students need
National Medical Commission (NMC), foreign MBBS rules
New Delhi · Government
NEET-UG qualification (mandatory for foreign MBBS)
No rank: you must qualify NEET-UG before studying MBBS abroad, and to practise in India you must meet NMC's Foreign Medical Graduate rules(approx.) source
1 programmes
- MBBS abroad (Foreign Medical Graduate route)No rank: you must qualify NEET-UG before studying MBBS abroad, and to practise in India you must meet NMC's Foreign Medical Graduate rules
Campus France India
France · Government
Class 12 + language test (French or English-taught programmes)
No rank: the French government agency for choosing programmes, scholarships and the student visa process from India(approx.) source
1 programmes
- Bachelor's / Licence in FranceClass 12 marks + IELTS/TOEFL or French (DELF/DALF) depending on the programme
Nuffic / Study in NL
Netherlands · Government
Class 12 (+ some programmes require extra Maths/foundation year) + IELTS/TOEFL
No rank: the official Dutch guide; Indian Class 12 is often accepted for applied-science (HBO) bachelor's, while research universities may ask for a foundation year(approx.) source
1 programmes
- Bachelor's in the NetherlandsClass 12 + IELTS/TOEFL; check each university's entry rules
Study in Japan (JASSO)
Japan · Government
EJU / university exams + Japanese or English (for English-taught programmes)
No rank: the official portal from JASSO covering admissions, EJU and MEXT scholarships(approx.) source
1 programmes
- Undergraduate study in JapanUniversity exams (often EJU) + language; MEXT scholarship via the Embassy of Japan
Education in Ireland
Ireland · Government
Class 12 marks + IELTS/TOEFL
No rank: Enterprise Ireland's official guide to Irish universities, which usually set Class 12 percentage requirements by course(approx.) source
1 programmes
- Bachelor's in IrelandClass 12 percentage set by each course + English test

Cut-offs move every year and differ by category, quota and home state. Use them to judge the level, then check the official counselling data.

How to prepare

Keep board marks high; UK offers depend on them.
Take an English test, and the SAT for the US, in Class 12.
Build a portfolio for art, or start German early for Germany.

Is it for you?

Good fit if

your family can pay without heavy debt, or you win a merit scholarship
you want a brand or network India does not offer

Think twice if

you are counting on a US visa or a large loan

Official links and free study material

Study abroad: common questions

How do I get into Study abroad after 12th?

IELTS or TOEFL: English language tests: nearly every course wants one. Digital SAT: For some US colleges. Portfolio: Your best work: for art, design and architecture. Germany: A JEE Advanced (IIT entrance test) result, a year of an Indian degree, or a preparatory year in German.

Which stream do I need for Study abroad?

Any stream: PCM, PCB, Commerce and Humanities are all open. For art and design abroad, check each course. Any stream.

How much does Study abroad cost in India?

Set mostly by the country, with living costs. By college: RISD, SCAD, Carnegie Mellon: About 1.9 to 3.7 crore for four years; UAL (University of the Arts London); UCL Bartlett: About 1.8 to 2.2 crore for three years; Politecnico di Milano; German public universities; Dutch art academies: About 50 lakh to 1.5 crore; NTU (Nanyang Technological University) Singapore: About 1.5 crore for four years. Fees change every year; confirm in each official notice.

What happens after Study abroad?

About 7.7 lakh Indians left to study abroad, 2024; About 6 in 10 US student visas refused to Indians, 2025; 18 months UK post-study work visa, from 2027. Results are hard to judge: few schools publish job figures. Loans with no property pledged are not reliable now. A few top US colleges admit international students regardless of ability to pay, then cover what the family cannot.

Is Study abroad a good career for me?

A good fit if your family can pay without heavy debt, or you win a merit scholarship, and you want a brand or network India does not offer. Think twice if you are counting on a US visa or a large loan.

Source: Chapter 18 of the book. Notes and sources