STEM Education: Definition, Importance & Popular Courses

Importance of STEM Education Training

75% of the total jobs in STEM industrial sectors require qualified graduates at present. Thus, being a STEM graduate would always give one an edge over thousands of job applicants abroad, owing to this demand for qualifications that will continue to increase in the near future. Below is a look at how STEM education became important over the years:

1. STEM education fosters innovations comprising critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity which are very crucial for technological advancement with time.
2. STEM fields, in general, are among the fastest-growing sectors in the global labour market, offering the highest salaries. Career opportunities following STEM education prepare students for these careers so that they acquire suitable skills and an understanding.
3. Some countries in the world famous for STEM education include the USA, Germany, the UK, Canada, Australia, France, and Italy, among others.
4. The problem-solving approach is taught by STEM, which in turn, increases the levels of innovation.

In particular, STEM Education System or a STEM Course helps an aspiring Scientist, Technologist, Engineer, or Mathematician to realize his dreams on better platforms with greater recognitions.

Benefits of STEM Education

With greater overall exposure, STEM graduates are likely to enjoy more benefits than those from any other field of study. International universities offer a multicultural environment in which practising a discipline becomes more enjoyable 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 the USA. There is a STEM OPT extension available for individuals who graduate with a STEM degree from a U.S. university. 
• Higher chances of immigration to countries abroad. 
• Better job and business opportunities in the USA and Germany. Many of the highest-paid jobs in the world are offered in these countries. 

Popular Countries for STEM Education

Some of the most popular countries for STEM education, along with their top universities are:

Top 10 STEM Courses Abroad

Here is a list of popular STEM courses offered abroad to Indian applicants:

1. Computer Science & AI
2. Data Science & Analytics
3. Robotics Engineering
4. Biomedical Engineering
5. Cybersecurity
6. STEM MBA
7. Bioinformatics
8. Aerospace Engineering
9. Human-Computer Interaction
10. Computational Finance

Most of them are engineering courses, and they are also the highest paying engineering branches in the world.

Global Popularity and Competition in STEM Education

STEM is highly popular in the international education system, given that 75% of jobs require STEM graduates. As such, most influential universities offer variety of courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. But on a global scale, it has been observed that most students do not continue to pursue their interest in science as they grow. With changes in the global economic and business environment, new courses such as STEM MBA in USA are gaining significant traction.

Many students switch their interest from pursuing science to commerce and Humanities after completing high school. Surprisingly, over 50% of Science students change their domain after twelfth grade. This greatly reduces the competition of STEM applicants at the bachelor’s level alone.

Eligibility for Pursuing STEM Courses Abroad

The basic eligibility to pursue STEM courses abroad requires one to take the mandatory standardised tests, such as the GRE/GMAT for master’s courses and the SAT for bachelor’s courses. You also need to pass 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 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, 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, numerous opportunities open up for international students. STEM courses are gaining popularity and bringing returns. Check out STEM career options after graduation in the table below:

These are the most opted and popular ones after graduation or postgraduation abroad.

Top 15 Paying Jobs for STEM Degree Holders 2025

Check out the highest paid jobs for STEM graduates below:

This is data is applicable for majority of the countries like USA, Canada, UK or ANZ. The job roles may vary based on organisation and so will the overall salary band.

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 inspires creativity, curiosity, and personal expression in technical fields. The addition of Arts in STEM subjects gives it a human touch. For instance, when we discuss data analytics, the art side requires data protection, data privacy, and the individual's rights over their own data. As time passes, we will witness the impact of STEAM education and how much of it leaks into academia.

Looking for admission abroad? Sign up for our free counselling at Shiksha Abroad Counselling and request a call back from our team of experts. You can also write to us in the comments below.