Benefits of Pursuing STEM Courses
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Just like STEM education makes itself more valuable by following its own teaching methodology, the STEM graduates have their own perks in the job market. Besides being more employable than non-STEM graduates, STEM graduates enjoy numerous other benefits of pursuing education on the international front. They are likely to enjoy more salary, better jobs, higher immigration chances, and many other benefits as compared to the other graduates. These benefits can be said to have a double impact on every possible aspect that influences a professional’s life.
Having briefly understood the importance of STEM, let us move on to the benefits of this unique and lucrative education system. Varying from more stay-back period to better immigration chances, the benefits of pursuing STEM are endless. Let us discuss a few of them:
STEM Courses offer More Length on Post Study Work Visa
As compared to any other field of study on the international front, the courses pursued in STEM offer an enhanced length of work visa. This allows the graduates more time to find a suitable job in the foreign country thereby increasing their chances of immigration.
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Stay-Back Period of STEM vs non-STEM Graduate
Different countries allow different length of stay-back period after the course completion. The table below charts the stay-back period of STEM and non-STEM graduates:
| Country |
Stay-Back for STEM Graduates |
Stay-Back for Non-STEM Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| USA |
Up to 2 years |
Up to 1 year |
| Australia |
Up to 4 years |
Up to 1.5 years |
| European Countries |
Up to 3 years |
Up to 1 year |
Pursuing STEM Courses Increases the Chances of Immigration
Pursuing STEM courses increases the chances of immigration in countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, UK, and Germany. In these countries, statistics show that the immigrants holding STEM degrees are a lot more in number than the local people with STEM degrees. Let us understand how immigration is possible in each country:
Immigration to the USA through STEM via OPT Extension in USA
The USA offers a one-year (12 months) OPT, short for Optional Practical Training to its international students. As part of this training, the international students are allowed to work in the States for a year. STEM graduates have this benefit of availing an OPT extension of two years (24 months). In addition to the extension, salaries, after courses such as STEM MBA in USA, are extremely high.
Students on F-1 Visa, of undergraduate or graduate studies, may apply for this either in their final year of course or after completing the course. Authorised by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), this extension programme increases the chances of immigration to the country. To explore about this benefit in detail, check out what STEM OPT Extension is and how to get it.
To study in USA, refer to the list of top universities in the USA.
Immigration to Canada through STEM
The Canadian provinces invite the skilled and experienced IT professionals in their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). With the growing IT sector in Canada, STEM professionals are high demand. Some of the popular provinces known to offering this benefit are Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
As per 2011 survey, there were 17% of Canada-born STEM graduates versus 28% of immigrants holding a STEM degree. This clearly shows how much this degree has to offer especially to those who want to settle in Canada.
As per the US News and Report, Canada is ranked No.1 in terms of offering a quality life to its people and No.2 in terms of providing citizenship to immigrants. Engineers may also avail the pathway to Express Entry in Canada.
Check out the list of popular Canadian universities.
Immigration to Australia through STEM
STEM graduates are eligible to apply for migration to Australia. Like Canada, Australia also has a growing IT sector wherein the demand of experienced as well as fresh graduates in increasing by day. Besides, there are many other industries that have established in the country where there is a shortage of talented STEM graduates that needs to be filled by immigrants.
Adding to it, the recent changes announced in the Australian point-based immigration system allows the STEM graduates additional immigration points. This results in increasing their chances of procuring a permanent residency in Australia.
For details on Australia Student Visa, click here. To refer to the list of popular universities in Australia, click here. For information on engineering scholarships offered by Swinburne University of Technology, Australia, click STEM Scholarships for Engineers.
Immigration to the UK through STEM
The United Kingdom allows immigration benefits to its STEM graduates, the fast-track programme. Its point-based system depend upon factors including applicant’s details as follows:
The documents required to avail the benefits of this fast-track programme are a copy of passport, academic transcripts, proof of employment history, travel history (if any), and fund maintenance.
To get detailed information on UK Student Visa, study the guide here. Click to see the list of popular UK universities.
Immigration to Germany through STEM
The new Germany migration law for skilled workers facilitates the STEM professionals from outside of Europe with 1.2 million job opportunities. Besides, the international students in Germany enjoy a long list of scholarship.
Two of the prestigious scholarships include:
- Bilateral Exchange of Academics
- Research Fellowship Programs
Owing to such benefits, STEM courses have seen a rise in the number of students applying to Germany. With over 396 state universities, Germany offers the following STEM courses, check out the list of popular Germany Universities.
STEM Courses offer Better Job and Business Opportunities
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2018 report, the bulk of STEM careers would fall into various areas. Refer to the chart below to get an idea on the percentage of job opportunities each industry generates:
This shows a wide array of worldwide jobs opportunities awaiting STEM graduates both at bachelors and master’s levels. To get deeper insights into the career and internship opportunities that STEM graduates enjoy, visit Global Prospects and Career Opportunities for STEM Graduates.
STEM Graduates Enjoy Higher Remuneration
With appropriate knowledge and skillset highly demanded by the established industries, STEM graduates are more likely to get employed in brands that pay higher salary packages. In many cases, such jobs result in making a return on investment (ROI) in less than a year.
Salary Package of STEM and Non-STEM Graduates
According to the STEM Connect Report, the annual salary of STEM graduates is at least 20% higher than that of non-STEM graduates at every level. Surprisingly, even if the graduates are not working within their field of study, they are still advantaged to earning more than their non-STEM graduate colleagues. This is because their training in the universities is associated with higher earnings.
| Level of Employment |
STEM Graduates |
Non-STEM Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Lever |
$54,745 |
$40,505, or 26% less |
| Median Level |
$81,011 |
$60,828 |
| Higher Level |
26% more than non-STEM |
26% less than STEM |
| Professional/Doctoral Level |
24% more than non-STEM |
24% less than STEM |
| Outside STEM Field |
$71,000 |
$60,000 |
This difference in annual salary package is also a result of studying in lower or higher tier of international institutions. Check out the list of Top Universities Abroad.
Higher Scope of Employment in the Research Cell
Australia, Europe, and the United Kingdom are some of the countries that offer the most exciting research opportunities in the STEM cell. The areas covered under this research wing include:
- Production and Quality
- Clinical Research
- Research and Development
- Supply Chain
- Administrative Functions like Finance and Human Resources
Also, the global STEM cell market is expected to rise to $17.9 Billion by 2027. This will generate a lot of excellent research opportunities for international trained professionals in diverse scientific fields. Even for those who want to stay in India, the country is focussing to become a global leader in STEM research cell.
To receive expert guidance on good universities offering globally accepted STEM degrees, you may connect with our study abroad counsellors. They will assist you with the entire application process starting from abroad university shortlisting to flying abroad.
Q: Â Is Torrens University good for international students?
Torrens University Australia is one of the fastest growing universities in Australia. It offers a culturally vibrant and comfortable environment for international students. Each year thousands of international students from all over the world come to study at various courses of the university. currently, there are 3932 total students at Torrens University out of which 986 are international students.
Q: Â What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: Â How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Â Is it hard to get into Newcastle University Australia?
The University of Newcastle is amog the universities that does not publish official data on the acceptance rate. However, as per some unofficial sources, the University of Newcastle Australia acceptance rate is 80%. This makes Newcastle University Australia moderately selective in admissions. Please note that the data on acceptance rate given above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary.
Q: Â Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Â What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Â Is it worth studying at Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia?
Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia (MITA) is largely regarded as one of Australia's top institutions. It has a solid reputation in engineering, business, and science.
To begin with, Melbourne Institute of Technology Australia provides a world-class education with an emphasis on hands-on learning. You will be able to gain practical knowledge and abilities in a range of disciplines. Furthermore, the institution provides a wide range of courses and programmes that will provide you with the skills and knowledge required for a successful profession.
Second, the university is well-known on a global scale. It has the highest graduate employability rate in Australia. This is due to the great level of education and possibilities provided by the university to its students.
Third, the university boasts a broad and vibrant culture. While learning, you will be able to pursue your hobbies and meet like-minded people. This will aid in the development of your professional chances and the formation of strong relationships that will continue long after you graduate.
Fourth, the institution provides a wide range of facilities and services to make your studies more pleasurable and productive. You will be able to locate
Q: Â Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio
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