Best Courses to Study Abroad After 12th: Your Guide to Making the Right Choice

Studying abroad after 12th grade offers a wealth of benefits, including global exposure, access to high-quality education, enhanced career prospects, and opportunities for personal growth. Popular courses span diverse fields such as Medicine, Engineering, and Business, with top universities around the world offering specialized programs and state-of-the-art facilities.

To embark on this journey, students must meet academic qualifications, demonstrate language proficiency, and prepare for standardized tests based on their chosen destination. Financial planning is also a key aspect, with options available for scholarships and part-time work to support the costs.

Given that studying abroad is a significant investment in both education and personal development, it’s essential for students to be well-informed and make strategic decisions about the best courses to pursue abroad after 12th grade.

Why Study Abroad After 12th?

Global Exposure

In today's interconnected world, intercultural awareness is a highly valued skill. Studying abroad immerses you in a different culture, fostering adaptability, tolerance, and a sense of global citizenship.

Quality Education

Many international universities are renowned for their exceptional academic standards, attracting leading faculty and cutting-edge research. You'll have access to state-of-the-art facilities, participate in innovative research projects, and learn from distinguished academics.

Career Opportunities

Earning a degree abroad can open doors to exciting international career paths. Employers increasingly seek candidates with a global perspective and skills such as intercultural communication, adaptability, and problem-solving—traits that are honed through studying abroad.

Personal Development

Pursuing education overseas pushes you out of your comfort zone, building resilience, independence, and self-reliance. You'll learn to navigate new environments, manage your time effectively, and budget your finances wisely.

Best Courses to Study Abroad After 12th

Selecting the right course for studying abroad depends on your interests, career goals, and learning preferences. Here are some popular academic pathways to consider across various streams internationally:

Science Stream

Here are some top courses and disciplines within the science stream that are popular for students looking to study abroad after 12th, along with leading universities and potential job prospects:

Science Stream:

Course Name	Disciplines in the Field	Top Universities (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)	Job Prospects	Annual Salaries (USD)
Medicine	Medicine (MD), Dentistry (DDS), Pharmacy (PharmD), Nursing (BSN)	1. Harvard University 2. University of Oxford 3. Stanford University 4. Johns Hopkins University 5. University of Cambridge	Physician/Doctor (Emergency Room)	$146,582
			Physician/Doctor (Neurologist)	$234,159
			Physician/Doctor (General Practice)	$127,028
			Physician/Doctor (Radiologist)	$130,647
			Obstetrician/Gynecologist	$105,077
Engineering	Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Aeronautical, Electrical, Biomedical, Environmental	1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 2. Stanford University 3. University of Oxford 4. University of Cambridge 5. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	Software Engineer	$105,453
			Civil Engineer	$91,173
			Project Engineer	$88,814
			Process Engineer	$91,171
			Structural Engineer	$97,734
Computer Science	Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Computer Science	1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 2. Carnegie Mellon University 3. Stanford University 4. University of Oxford 5. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	Principal Software Engineer	$159,741
			Security Architect, IT	$112,422
			DevOps Engineer	$126,667
			Software Development Manager	$164,265
Biological Sciences	Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Zoology	1. Harvard University 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 3. Stanford University 4. University of Oxford 5. University of Cambridge	Research Scientist	$102,896
			Laboratory Manager	$86,537
			Project Manager	$89,027
			Veterinarian	$129,077
Physical, Earth, and Marine Sciences	Earth Sciences (Geology & Meteorology), Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy	1. ETH Zurich 2. Harvard University 3. University of Cambridge 4. University of Oxford 5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	Environmental Consultant	$101,561
			Biologist	$82,304
			EHS Manager	$101,850
			Environmental Scientist	$66,591

Commerce Stream:

Course Name	Disciplines in the Field	Top Universities (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)	Job Prospects	Annual Salaries (USD)
Accounting and Finance	Banking, Corporate Finance, Investments, Institutions, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting	1. Harvard University 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 3. Stanford University 4. University of Oxford 5. University of Chicago	Finance Manager	$110,457
			Finance Director	$109,115
			Business Manager	$75,865
			Payroll Manager	$87,394
			Associate Auditor	$73,607
Business and Management Studies	BBA or Business Administration, Business Studies, Business Information Systems, Management	1. Harvard University 2. INSEAD 3. London Business School 4. Stanford University 5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	Marketing Manager	$76,864
			Director of Operations	$104,179
			HR Generalist	$64,227
			Marketing Director	$104,372
			Operations Manager	$74,388
Economics	Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts programs, covering macroeconomics and microeconomics	1. Harvard University 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 3. Stanford University 4. University of Chicago 5. Princeton University	Financial Analyst	$77,302
			Data Analyst	$78,390
			Project Manager	$89,027
			Data Scientist	$123,023
			Senior Business Analyst	$102,180
Marketing	Marketing management and both B.Sc and BA degrees	1. HEC Paris 2. ESSEC Business School 3. IE Business School 4. ESCP Business School 5. Imperial College Business School	Marketer	$65,497
			Marketing Manager	$76,864
			Sales and Marketing Manager	$67,974
			Digital Marketer	$65,384
			Marketing Coordinator	$52,892
Law	LLB with subjects like Labor and Work Laws, Criminal Law, Consumer Protection Law, Family Law, Human Rights, International Law, Trade Laws, and more	1. Harvard University 2. University of Oxford 3. University of Cambridge 4. Yale University 5. Stanford University	Lawyer	$93,646
			Counsel	$120,970
			Attorney	$108,439
			Litigation Associate	$135,428

Arts Stream:

Course Name	Disciplines in the Field	Top Universities (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)	Job Prospects	Annual Salaries (USD)
English Literature	Literary analysis, critical theory, creative writing	1. University of Oxford 2. University of Cambridge 3. Harvard University 4. University of California, Berkeley (UCB) 5. Yale University	Writer/Editor	$65,723
			Content Marketing Manager	$68,795
Psychology	Human behavior, mental processes, abnormal psychology, social psychology	1. Harvard University 2. University of Oxford 3. University of Cambridge 4. Stanford University 5. University College London (UCL)	School Psychologist	$56,753
Media and Communication	Journalism, filmmaking, mass communication, public relations	1. University of Amsterdam 2. The London School of Economics and Political Science 3. University of Southern California 4. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) 5. University of Texas at Austin	Public Relations Specialist	$86,187
			Digital Marketing Manager	$74,605
History	Studies past events and their impact on the present	1. Harvard University 2. University of Oxford 3. University of Cambridge 4. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) 5. Yale University	Historian/Archivist	$59,006 to $69,213
			Museum Curator	$64,555
Fine Arts	Painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography	1. Royal College of Art (London) 2. University of the Arts London 3. The New School 4. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) 5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	Fine Artist	Varies
			Art Director	$82,290

Eligibility Criteria for Studying Abroad After 12th

To ensure a successful study abroad experience, meet the following prerequisites set by universities:

Academic Qualifications

Strong performance in your 12th board exams is essential. Requirements vary by country, program, and university. For instance:

University of Cambridge: Requires five or more A1 grades in relevant subjects.

University College London (UCL): Typically requires CBSE scores between 85-95% for admission.

Language Proficiency Tests

Demonstrate English language proficiency through tests like IELTS or TOEFL. Minimum scores required by universities include:

University of California, Berkeley: TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS band score of 6.5.

London School of Economics: IELTS band score of 7.0 or TOEFL score of 100.

Some universities may also require proficiency in the local language. For example:

Heidelberg University, Germany: Requires Level 2 proficiency in German.

Standardized Tests

In the US, some universities require standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Examples include:

University of Chicago: ACT score between 21 and 36 or SAT score between 1080 and 1600.

Purdue University: SAT score between 1210 and 1450 or ACT score between 27 and 34.

Choosing the Right Course and University

1. Know Yourself: Assess your strengths, interests, and career goals.

2. Research Options: Explore universities, programs, rankings, and student life.

3. Money Matters: Consider tuition fees, living costs, and scholarships.

4. Pick Your Top Choices: Shortlist universities that align with your goals and budget.

5. Connect with Universities: Reach out to admissions offices and current students for more insights.

Application Process

1. Transcripts & Tests: Send your school records and test scores to your chosen universities.

2. Essays & Recommendations: Write about your goals and reasons for studying abroad. Obtain strong recommendation letters.

3. Prove Financial Eligibility: Submit financial documents to demonstrate you have sufficient funds.

4. Don’t Miss Deadlines: Ensure all application materials are submitted on time.

Financial Planning for Studying Abroad

An overseas education can be costly, so plan your finances carefully:

Tuition Fees

Research tuition costs for your chosen program and university. For example:

Canada: Average tuition is C$36,100 (Rs. 2,190,188.75) per year.

USA: Private non-profit colleges average $35,830 (Rs. 3,007,512.87), while public universities average $26,290 (Rs. 2,206,714.25).

UK: International undergraduate fees range from £11,400 (Rs. 1,217,319.25) to £38,000 (Rs. 4,058,111.20).

Living Expenses

Consider accommodation, food, transportation, and other costs. Examples include:

UK: £1,300 to £1,400 per month in London or £900 (Rs. 96,182.36) to £1,300 (Rs. 138,998.06) in other parts of the UK.

USA: Average living costs are around $1,168 per month without rent. Apartments in city centers average $4,507.

Part-Time Work Opportunities

Check if you can work part-time based on your country’s rules. Look for on-campus jobs or roles permitted for international students.

Visa Process for Studying Abroad

Follow these steps to obtain your student visa:

Visa Requirements

Visa requirements vary based on your study duration, field, and nationality. Check the government website or your university’s international student office for updated information.

Interview Preparation

Prepare for your visa interview by gathering necessary documents, such as your acceptance letter, transcripts, proof of financial support, and a valid passport. Practice common visa interview questions and clearly outline your educational goals and financial plans.