After plus two
Study Abroad After 12th from Kerala
Study abroad after 12th opens two kinds of route for Kerala students: a bachelor's degree, or paid vocational training in Germany. This guide sets out how each country admits Class 12 students, which English or German you need, the documents to gather and when to start, written for students and parents together.
In short
After Class 12 you can apply for a bachelor's degree in the UK, Ireland or Australia, or go to Germany through a Studienkolleg (usually 2 semesters, then an assessment test) or Ausbildung. You need English (or German for Germany), your marksheets, a passport and proof of funds for the visa. Start planning in Class 11 or early Class 12.
Last updated by Medcity Overseas
Choosing a route
Which country is best to study after 12th for Indian students?
The best country depends on your marks, budget, subject and language. English speaking countries suit students who want a degree in English straight away. Germany suits students willing to learn German, through a Studienkolleg for university or Ausbildung for paid training. Compare entry rules, course length and living costs before you decide.
Degree routes by country
How each country admits Class 12 students from India, from official and university sources checked on 24 October 2026.
| Country | How to apply after Class 12 | Language | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Apply for a bachelor's degree, usually through UCAS. UCAS sets the main deadlines (15 October for medicine, dentistry, veterinary courses and Oxford or Cambridge, mid January for most others), and some universities, such as Glasgow, accept international applications until 30 June. | CEFR B2 for degree level, by test or the university's own assessment | University of Glasgow on UCAS |
| Ireland | At the University of Galway, for example, non EU students apply directly through the International Affairs Office; check each university's own route. | A test from the Irish visa list, such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Duolingo | University of Galway |
| Australia | Apply to the university for a bachelor's degree or a foundation programme, then the Student visa. | A test on the Study Australia list, taken at a secure test centre | Study Australia |
| Germany | If your Class 12 certificate is not accepted for direct entry, attend a Studienkolleg (usually 2 semesters) and pass the assessment test (Feststellungsprüfung). | German for German taught degrees; Studienkollegs teach German up to C1 | DAAD |
For Germany, read our pages on Studienkollegs and bachelor's degrees in Germany.
Undergraduate courses we list
Bachelor's, diploma and foundation courses from our course records, counted by country.
| Country | Courses | Universities | Levels recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 303 | 20 | Foundation, Online Programmes / Distance Learning, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| Austria | 76 | 9 | Foundation, Undergraduate |
| USA | 22830 | 252 | PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, UG+PG (Accelerated) Degree, Undergraduate |
| Australia | 4125 | 70 | Foundation, Online Programmes / Distance Learning, PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree |
| Malta | 550 | 13 | Foundation, PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| UK | 36941 | 308 | Foundation, Pathway programs, PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree |
| Ireland | 1485 | 29 | Foundation, PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| New Zealand | 3441 | 36 | Foundation, PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| Georgia | 8 | 7 | Undergraduate |
| France | 61 | 21 | Foundation, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| Sweden | 40 | 10 | Foundation, Undergraduate |
| Malaysia | 482 | 11 | Foundation, PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| Italy | 74 | 8 | Undergraduate |
| Poland | 8 | 1 | Undergraduate |
| DUBAI (UAE) | 374 | 19 | Foundation, PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| Singapore | 544 | 11 | Foundation, PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| Switzerland | 163 | 15 | PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| Uzbekistan | 3 | 3 | Undergraduate |
| Kazakhstan | 1 | 1 | Undergraduate |
| Spain | 63 | 5 | Foundation, Undergraduate |
| Canada | 12632 | 321 | Foundation, PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| Finland | 53 | 9 | Undergraduate |
| Lithuania | 21 | 2 | Undergraduate |
| Netherlands | 119 | 9 | Foundation, PG Diploma /Certificate, UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| Hungary | 51 | 3 | Foundation, Undergraduate |
| Denmark | 2 | 1 | Undergraduate |
| Japan | 3 | 1 | Undergraduate |
| Cyprus | 89 | 3 | UG Diploma /Certificate /Associate Degree, Undergraduate |
| Vietnam | 17 | 1 | Undergraduate |
| Mauritius | 17 | 1 | Undergraduate |
| China | 32 | 1 | Undergraduate |
| Belgium | 1 | 1 | Undergraduate |
| Russia | 12 | 11 | Undergraduate |
| South Korea | 16 | 1 | Undergraduate |
| Egypt | 3 | 3 | Undergraduate |
| Kyrgyzstan | 2 | 2 | Undergraduate |
| Azerbaijan | 1 | 1 | Undergraduate |
| Moldova | 1 | 1 | Undergraduate |
That is 84644 undergraduate courses in total. Search all courses or see popular courses.
Vocational routes in Germany after Class 12
- Ausbildung: vocational training with a training contract and pay from the employer. The visa usually needs German at B1; a side job of up to 20 hours a week is allowed if it is independent of the training.
- Nursing Ausbildung: 3 years of paid nursing training leading to the German nursing title.
- Voluntary service (FSJ or BFD): voluntary service in Germany; the federal volunteer service site sets out who can take part and how.
- Au Pair: living with a German host family and helping with childcare while you learn German.
Read Ausbildung in Germany, nursing Ausbildung and Au Pair in Germany. Rules for the training visa are on Make it in Germany and the volunteer service on bundesfreiwilligendienst.de.
Documents and timeline for Class 12 students
- Class 11 or early Class 12: choose countries and courses with a counsellor, and start English or German classes.
- During Class 12: take your English test (or reach the German level you need), get a passport and prepare a statement of purpose and references.
- Applications: apply with your Class 10 marksheet, predicted or final Class 12 marks and your test results. Some offers are conditional on final marks.
- After results: send final marksheets, accept your offer, arrange funds and apply for the visa.
- Before travel: book housing, arrange health insurance where required and attend a pre-departure session.
The visa steps differ by country; see student visa guidance. If you are worried about IELTS, read study abroad without IELTS.
English and German preparation
For UK degree level study, GOV.UK asks for English equal to CEFR B2. For Germany, German taught degrees and Ausbildung need German, and the DAAD notes that Studienkollegs teach German up to C1.
Study abroad after 12th: frequently asked questions
Which is the cheapest way to study abroad after 12th?
There is no single cheapest route, because cost depends on tuition, living costs in the city, the length of the course and what the visa asks you to show. Some routes cost less in fees: the DAAD says public Studienkollegs in Germany are generally free of charge, and Ausbildung trainees are paid by their employer. We compare real offers with you rather than quote averages.
Can I study abroad after 12th without IELTS?
Sometimes. In the UK a university can assess your English itself for degree level study, Ireland and Australia accept other tests such as PTE, and German taught routes need German instead. Our study abroad without IELTS guide explains each country's rules.
When should a Class 12 student start planning?
Ideally while you are in Class 11 or early in Class 12. Language tests, applications, offers, funds and the visa all take time, and some universities close applications many months before the course starts. Starting early also gives time for German if you choose Germany.
Is Germany possible directly after Class 12?
Yes, through several routes. If your certificate is not accepted for direct university entry, you can attend a Studienkolleg and pass the assessment test, which the DAAD says opens studies throughout Germany. Vocational training (Ausbildung) is another route, with a training contract and German for the visa.
Official sources
Admission and visa rules change. These are the official pages behind this guide, checked on 24 October 2026.
- University of Glasgow on UCAS (United Kingdom)How students apply after school.
- University of Galway (Ireland)How students apply after school.
- Study Australia (Australia)How students apply after school.
- DAAD (Germany)How students apply after school.
- University of Bath: UCAS dates for 2027 entryThe 15 October and January UCAS deadlines.
- GOV.UK: knowledge of EnglishThe English level for UK degree study.
- Make it in Germany: training visaThe visa for vocational training.
Related guides
Talk to a Medcity Overseas counsellor
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