STEM Education: An Overview
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In the globalised world, where technological advancements are happening every other day, jobs are becoming more automated than ever. Thus, the requirement for highly skilled professionals with strong domain knowledge and technical skills is increasing in all the fast-growing industries. For this, there is an emergence of the need for a STEM Education System. In this article, we have explained what is STEM and the benefits of pursuing STEM fields.
So what is STEM? In layman's terms, STEM is an emerging popular choice of course option which is considered by those who have a Science background from high school. Popularity and competition for STEM course admission abroad go hand in hand. Admissions are tougher for international students applying for STEM courses abroad. After graduating with STEM courses, applicants can go for various career options with lucrative salaries. Check out this article for all details in and around STEM meaning, eligibility, popular course options and careers.
What is STEM Education?
The STEM full form is Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and STEM Education refers to studying these areas with a theoretical as well as a practical approach. The abbreviation was announced by the scientific administrators of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the USA in 2001.
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- A STEM curriculum is designed to provide its students with the maximum possible practical exposure and hands-on experience in a particular field.
- It offers a perfect blend of course modules with a few mandatory lab assignments and group projects, which help in learning through the practical implementation of theoretical knowledge.
- This kind of STEM-related vocational training is being introduced at the K-12 level in many schools worldwide.
- Science lovers, who do not have any prior experience in such a learning environment, may experience this learning through higher education, that is the bachelor's and master's level education.
Students who undergo STEM education develop a set of skills as follows:
| STEM Graduates's Skillset | |
|---|---|
| Technical Skill Set | Personality Development |
| Problem-solving and critical analysis | Decision making |
| Creativity and innovation | Management |
| Digital literacy | Passion and drive |
| Research skills | Communication and presentation |
| Higher productivity | Teamwork and leadership qualities |
In other words, STEM is experience-based learning designed with rigorous technical group projects, which helps in the overall development of a professional to succeed in any technical field.
Importance of STEM Education Training
When questions like what is STEM and why pursue these courses come up, there is not one definite answer. In the current scenario, 75% of the total jobs in such industries need STEM graduates. Since, this demand for qualifications will continue to rise in the coming future, being a STEM graduate would always have an edge over the thousands of job applicants overseas. Check out how STEM education has become important across the years below:
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STEM education fosters innovation through critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity essential for both innovation and technological advancements over time.
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Many of the fastest-growing and highest-paying jobs are in STEM fields. Career opportunities after STEM education prepare students for these careers, ensuring they have the necessary skills and knowledge. Check: Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in the World
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Nations that excel in STEM education tend to be more competitive in the global economy. They drive technological advancements and contribute significantly to scientific research. Some of the renowned STEM education countries abroad include - the USA, Germany, UK, Canada, Australia, France, Italy and others.
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STEM fields play a critical role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, healthcare improvements, work on sustainable energy solutions, and more.
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STEM education also holds importance because it aims to equip students with skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, computational thinking, and quantitative reasoning, which are valuable across various disciplines and industries.
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In an increasingly technology-driven world, understanding STEM concepts is becoming more important for everyday life. STEM literacy ensures individuals can navigate and contribute to modern society effectively.
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Encouraging diversity in STEM fields ensures a broader range of perspectives and approaches to solving problems, leading to more innovative solutions.
To be precise, the STEM Education System or a STEM Course prepares aspiring Scientists, Technologists, Engineers, or Mathematicians to live their dreams on better platforms with better recognition.
Benefits of STEM Education
With more overall exposure, STEM graduates are certain to enjoy more benefits than any other generic course. Hence, pursuing STEM, especially on the international front, has an endless list of benefits for its graduates at both levels, bachelor's and master's. International universities offer a multicultural environment wherein practising a discipline becomes more fun and fruitful. Ranging from fun learning to amazing job opportunities, let’s discuss a few of the benefits of STEM education in countries abroad:
- Increased length of stay on a post-study work visa, especially in USA. There is a STEM OPT extension for those who graduate with a STEM course degree from US universities.
- Higher chances of immigration to countries abroad like - USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and Germany.
- Better job and business opportunities in the USA and Germany. A lot of the highest paid jobs in the world are offered in these countries.
- Globally recognised internship opportunities can be available in popular countries like - Taiwan, Italy, Thailand, China, New Zealand, and others.
- Scope of employment in Research Cells of countries like Australia, UK, and European countries.
STEM education is also beneficial because it fosters innovative thinking in students, encourages curiosity among students, helps students to communicate plus collaborate, and most importantly helps them hone their skills for the technical and professional world.
Popular Countries for STEM Education
Some of the most popular courses that students look forward to pursuing. For the benefit of our readers, we have listed below some of the best countries for STEM education, along with the top universities based there:
| Country | Top Universities Offering STEM Courses |
|---|---|
| United States of America | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) California Institute of Technology (Caltech) University of California, Berkeley |
| United Kingdom | University College London (UCL) University of Edinburgh |
| Germany | Technical University of Munich (TUM) Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich RWTH Aachen University Humboldt University of Berlin |
| Canada | University of British Columbia (UBC) University of Waterloo University of Alberta |
| Switzerland | ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) University of Basel University of Geneva |
Global Popularity and Competition in STEM Education
STEM is highly popular in the international education system, especially after considering that 75% of the total jobs require STEM graduates. As such the influential universities offer a variety of courses in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. However, on a global account, it has been observed that the majority of students do not stick to pursuing their interest in science as they grow. With changes in the global economic scenario and business environment, new courses such as STEM MBA in USA are gaining significant traction.
Many students switch their interest in pursuing Science and end up taking Commerce and Humanities after completing high school. Surprisingly, more than 50% of Science students change their domain after completing their twelfth grade. This reduces the competition of STEM applicants on the bachelor’s level alone to a great extent.
In addition to this, there is a huge share of graduates who prefer not to complement their bachelor’s degree with a master’s qualification. This further reduces the competition, making it easier for master’s applicants to add on to their academic profiles, thereby becoming more employable STEM professionals.
The depletion in students as they progress to higher education shows how minimal the competition gets moving forward. Most of the students who drop their plans of pursuing STEM are unaware of how much STEM Education has to offer. Students who change their streams after the twelfth do not know how many stems Graduates have to relish. The ones who drop off after their bachelor’s degree in STEM are the ones, who prefer finding jobs rather than continuing their education. Needless to say, STEM Graduates with a master’s degree have an edge over STEM undergraduates in the global industry.
Eligibility for Pursuing STEM Courses Abroad
The basic eligibility to pursue STEM courses abroad requires one to crack the mandatory standardised tests such as the GRE/GMAT for master’s courses and the SAT for bachelor’s courses. Besides, you also need to clear the English language tests. Check out which exam to take: IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic.
Additionally, you should have a basic qualification in the exact field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics that you aspire to pursue at a higher level. Your previous course curriculum should have exposed you to the domain you aspire to study.
If you have already finalised a course or a country and you seek guidance with the university shortlisting or the application process, you may connect with our education counsellors here. Our experts are trained to help Indian aspirants with the entire application process ranging from profile evaluation to visa filing. They would assist you in realising your dream of flying to your study destination with their effective free-of-cost counselling services.
STEM Careers
After pursuing STEM courses, there will be a plethora of opportunities which will open up for international students. There is a gaining popularity for STEM courses and the returns it brings. Check out the popular STEM career options for international students after graduation in the table below:
| STEM Careers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Developer | Mechanical Engineer | Cybersecurity Analyst | Chemist |
| Database Administrator | Biologist | Civil Engineer | Architect |
| Computer Science | Mathematics | Data Science | Nuclear Engineer |
| Physicists | IT Manager | Actuary | Mathematician |
These are some of the most popular STEM career options which can be taken up after graduation or postgraduation abroad.
Top 15 Paying Jobs for STEM Degree Holders
Following is a list of top-paying jobs after graduating with a STEM degree from abroad:
| Top Paid Jobs for STEM Degree Holders | Annual Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Radiologist | USD 197,260 (INR 1.6 Cr) |
| Network Architect | USD 136,251 (INR 1.1 Cr) |
| Network Security Engineer | USD 115,349 (INR 96.5 L) |
| Software Engineer | USD 108,278 (INR 90.6 L) |
| Computer Scientist | USD 104,692 (INR 87.6 L) |
| IT Manager | USD 94,335 (INR 78.9 L) |
| Materials Engineer | USD 94,243 (INR 78.8 L) |
| Nuclear Engineer | USD 93,331 (INR 78.1 L) |
| Geologist | USD 91,615 (INR 76.6 L) |
| Chemical Engineer | USD 90,442 (INR 75.7 L) |
| Epidemiologist | USD 87,871 (INR 73.5 L) |
| Mechanical Engineer | USD 87,258 (INR 73 L) |
| Systems Administrator | USD 82,949 (INR 69.4 L) |
| Clinical Informaticist | USD 79,925 (INR 66.8 L) |
| Data Analyst | USD 73,052 (INR 61.1 L) |
Thus, there is a high scope for those graduating with a STEM degree from abroad. All major industries like Business, Finance, Technology, Agriculture, Public Health, Medicine, Mining and other industries fall in the STEM category.
Conversion Rate: 1 USD = INR 83.70
The above-given data has been sourced from Indeed.com.
STEAM Education
STEAM Education is considered the successor of STEM Education, wherein we can witness the convergence of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics with Arts. STEAM education is meant to inspire creativity, curiosity, and personal expression in technical fields. The addition of Arts in STEM subjects gives it a human touch. For instance, when we talk of Data Analytics, the art side would call for data protection, data privacy, and the rights of an individual over his/ her data. As time rolls on, we will witness the impact of STEAM education and how much of it leaks into academia.
List of Colleges Offering Bachelors and Masters in STEM Abroad:
- Bachelors in Science Colleges Abroad
- Bachelors in Engineering and Technology Colleges Abroad
- Bachelors in Mathematics Colleges Abroad
- Masters in Science, Engineering, and Technology Colleges Abroad
- Masters in Mathematics Colleges Abroad
Looking for admission abroad? Sign up for our free counselling by signing up at Shiksha Abroad Counselling and request a call back from our team of experts. You can also write to us in the comments below.
STEM Education FAQs
Q. What does STEM stand for?
A. STEM stands for Science Technology Engineering Mathematics. Usually, students with a background in Science prefer pursuing their higher studies in one of the STEM fields. With a STEM degree, the doors to multiple high-paying, reputated job opportunities get opened for you.
Q. What is meant by STEM education?
A. STEM education is made up of different branches of study like - Science, Technology, Engineerung and Mathematics, so applicants studying across any of these are technically taking up STEM education courses. The STEM education is the most popular among those who wish to pursue a career in technical backgrounds. Those who graduate with degrees in STEM education are bound to get good career opportunities.
Q. Is Canada good for STEM?
Yes, Canada is one of the top study abroad destinations for candidates looking forward to pursue STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) courses. Some of the best universities in Canada offering STEM courses are:
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia (UBC)
- McGill University
- University of Waterloo
- University of Alberta
Q. What is the best job for STEM students?
A. Some of the best job opportunities for STEM students, along with the average salary are listed below:
| Radiologist | Network Architect | Network Security Engineer |
| Software Engineer | Computer Scientist | Data Analyst |
| Clinical Informaticist | Systems Administrator | Mechanical Engineer |
| Geologist | Materials Engineer | Nuclear Engineer |
Q. What are the popular STEM courses abroad?
A. Some of the popular STEM courses abroad are as follows:
- Science: Bio, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Geology
- Technology: Computer Science, Data Analytics, Mechanical/Civil/Electrical Engineering, Information Technology
- Engineering: Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering
- Mathematics: Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Stats, Acturial Science
Q. Is Harvard MBA a STEM degree?
A. The Harvard Business School offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program, which is a STEM-designated degree program. We have listed below the details of the course:
| TERM 1 | TERM 2 |
|---|---|
| Finance 1 (FIN1) | Business, Government, and the International Economy (BGIE) |
| Financial Reporting and Control (FRC) | Data Science and AI for Leaders (DSAIL) 1.5 credits |
| Leadership and Organizational Behavior (LEAD) | The Entrepreneurial Manager (TEM) |
| Marketing (MKT) | FIELD Global Capstone (CAP) |
| Strategy (STRAT) | Finance 2 (FIN2) |
| Technology and Operations Management (TOM) | Leadership and Corporate Accountability (LCA) |
Q. What is the qualification for STEM education?
A. Applicants looking at pursuing degree programs in STEM education field, must have studied science courses like Physics, Chemistry and/or Biology or Mathematics in class 12th. Admissions abroad for STEM education courses will be based on performance in class 12th along with these subjects.
Q. What STEM course means?
A. A STEM course means a course which falls under the categorisation oe either Science, Technology, Engineering or Management. Any course fallimg under these categories is called a STEM course.
Q. What is the aim of STEM education?
A. The aim of STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is to equip students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. It fosters creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning to prepare individuals for future challenges in a technology-driven world. STEM education encourages interdisciplinary learning, helping students understand real-world applications and solutions. It also aims to cultivate a passion for these fields, promoting careers in sectors essential for economic growth, technological advancement, and addressing global issues like sustainability and health.
Q: Is BSBI degree valid in Germany?
BSBI does not hold degree-awarding powers in Germany and its programmes are validated by private Italian distance learning institution UniNettuno International Telematic University. BSBI has also partnered with Concordia University Chicago to deliver programmes at its Berlin campus.
Q: What is the cost of a student visa in Germany?
International students going to pursue higher education in Germany are required to apply for a German study visa. The cost of study visa for Germany is EUR 75 per applicant. Below we have provided a check list for German student visa:
- Valid passport
- Application form
- Declaration for additional contact and legal representation information
- Copy of passport
- Proof of admittance to the study course
- Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of Financial Means
Q: Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?
Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students
Q: 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: What is the University of Canada West acceptance rate?
As per some unofficial sources, the University of West Canada acceptance rate is 80%, which means out of every 100 applications, around 80 are selected, which makes it fairly easy to get selected into the university.
The university gives preference to students having higher grades or have exceptional academic or research experience. Hence, having higher grades increases your chance of getting selected at University of West Canada.
Here is the list of eligibility requirements to get into Canadian Universities.
Q: 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: Is Texas Wesleyan hard to get into?
As per the US News and World Report, Texas Wesleyan University acceptance rate is 58%. This shows that the university's admission process is relatively selective. Therefore, some students may find it harder to get into the university. Also, international students are advised to check the minimum eligibility for their courses before applying. Please note that the data on the acceptance rate given above is taken from an unofficial source, therefore, it is subject to vary.
Q: What is Switzerland universities acceptance rate for international students?
There are many top ranked universities in Switzerland that offer the best education to students. We have mentioned below Switzerland universities acceptance rate for international students:
| Switzerland Universities | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich | 27% |
| University of Zurich | 19% |
| University of Geneva | 21% |
| University of Fribourg | 8% |
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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