Benefits of Pursuing STEM Courses
clickHere

Benefits of Pursuing STEM Courses

6 mins read8.6K Views 2 Comments
Talk to Expert Icon BlueTalk to Expert
clickHere
Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Nov 10, 2021 14:44 IST

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:

Table of content
  • STEM Courses offer More Length on Post Study Work Visa
  • Pursuing STEM Courses Increases the Chances of Immigration
  • STEM Courses offer Better Job and Business Opportunities
  • STEM Graduates Enjoy Higher Remuneration
  • Higher Scope of Employment in the Research Cell

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.

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.

Score Predictor

Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!

Share 12th Board, Percentage, english score
Get estimated scores or IELTS, TOEFL & PTE


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:   Is Torrens University good for international students?
A:

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:   What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
A:

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 admission process for international students at University of Manchester?
A:

The application process at the University of Manchester can change depending on course chosen and level of study. The steps to apply for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the university are given as follows:

UG Application Process:

  • Student must apply through the UCAS common application portal.
  • They can go to the website and select the course that they are interested in.
  • Students are required to meet the eligibility requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
  • Once they have decided on the course, the important documents are to be submitted such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
  • You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
  • Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
  • The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.

Check out:  tips to improve your SOP

PG application process: 

  • Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
  • Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
  • Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
  • 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.
  • If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester. 

To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application. 

RecommendationView All

Explore MS colleges in USA

37 courses
22.42 L - 77.24 L
Northeastern University

Boston, USAPrivate

72 courses
19.07 L - 53.78 L
Stanford University

Stanford, USAPrivate

37 courses
30.9 L - 1.32 Cr
Arizona State University

Tempe, USAPublic

114 courses
9.13 L - 55.39 L
35 courses
37.27 L - 1.14 Cr
Columbia University

New York, USAPrivate

74 courses
29.2 L - 93.67 L
Harvard University

Cambridge, USAPrivate

25 courses
18.86 L - 80.31 L
47 courses
18.16 L - 57.71 L
55 courses
9.25 L - 57.67 L
Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, USAPrivate

105 courses
9.37 L - 82.59 L
Is this recommendation relevant?
Which stage are you in your study abroad journey?

Pick your stage and get free guidance from counsellors who've helped thousands get into top universities.

Research IconStarting research
Shortlist IconShortlisting colleges
Exam IconExam preparation
SopLor IconSOP/LOR writing
Scholarship IconScholarship & finance
Visa IconVisa application
About the Author
author-image
Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
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
Explore popular study destinations
Resources for you
Understand the process step by step by referring to these guides curated just for you
qna

Comments

(2)

R

Ritvik Bhaskar

3 years ago

Is PhD in political science is non stem course or not

Reply to Ritvik Bhaskar

Y

Yeswanth Raj

3 years ago

Is the master of Artificial Intelligence program a STEM course in the USA?

Reply to Yeswanth Raj