STEM Education: Definition, Importance & Popular Courses
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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 considered by those with 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 choose various career options with lucrative salaries. Check out this article for all details on STEM, its meaning, eligibility, popular course options, and careers.
What is STEM Full Form in Education?
STEM's full form in education is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The meaning of STEM education is built from its full form. The STEM education meaning is further elaborated upon in the next section.
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STEM Education Meaning
Since the STEM full form is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, STEM Education, meaning, consequently, refers to studying these areas, that is, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, with theoretical and practical approaches. The abbreviation was announced by the National Science Foundation (NSF) scientific administrators in the USA in 2001.
- A STEM curriculum is designed to provide its students with the maximum possible practical exposure and hands-on experience in a particular field.
- STEM education offers a perfect blend of course modules, a few mandatory lab assignments, and group projects, which help students learn by implementing theoretical knowledge in practice.
- STEM-related vocational training is being introduced at the K-12 level in many schools worldwide.
- Science lovers without 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' 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 education is experience-based learning designed with rigorous technical group projects, which helps a professional's overall development to succeed in any technical field.
Importance of STEM Education Training
When questions like what STEM is and why one should 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, which are essential for 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.
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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, the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Italy and others.
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STEM fields are critical 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 ensures a broader range of perspectives and approaches to solving problems, leading to more innovative solutions.
Specifically, 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 internationally, 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 the 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. Many of the highest-paid jobs in the world are offered in these countries.
- Globally recognised internship opportunities are available in popular countries like Taiwan, Italy, Thailand, China, and New Zealand.
- Scope of employment in Research Cells of 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 |
Top 10 STEM Courses Abroad
Here is a list of popular STEM courses offered abroad to Indian applicants:
- Computer Science & AI
- Data Science & Analytics
- Robotics Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cybersecurity
- STEM MBA
- Bioinformatics
- Aerospace Engineering
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Computational Finance
These are some of the popular STEM courses offered to international students abroad. Most of them are engineering courses, and they are also among the highest-paying engineering branches in the world.
Global Popularity and Competition in STEM Education
STEM is highly popular in the international education system, especially considering that 75% of the 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 most students do not stick to pursuing 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 in pursuing Science and take 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 on the bachelor’s level alone.
In addition, many graduates 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 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 students who drop out of their plans to pursue STEM are unaware of how much STEM education offers. 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
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, there will be a plethora of opportunities open up for international students. STEM courses are gaining popularity and bringing returns. 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 1.15 Cr) |
| Software Engineer | USD 108,278 (INR 92.6 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 abroad. All major industries, such as business, finance, technology, agriculture, public health, medicine, mining, and others, fall into the STEM category.
Conversion Rate: 1 USD = INR 86.96
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
Q: 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: Why choose to study in BSBI Germany?
A few of the reasons to study at BSBI Germany campus are:
- Central Location: The main campus of BSBI Germany is located in the heart of Berlin. It is located in the historical building of Alte Post. The neighborhood surrounding the campus has shops, restaurants, and cafes
- Diverse community: When students join BSBI, they are going to witness a diverse student cohort of over 100 nationalities
- Affordable education: Berlin is one of the best value European cities that lead to high-quality education, making it one of the most affordable cities in Europe to live and study in
- Dedicated career and employment support: BSBI Berlin a range of career support services to its students
- Academic excellence: The teachers at the school are experienced industry professionals who pass on their expertise through hands-on teaching methods
Q: What is the acceptance rate for IU Germany?
The acceptance rate for the IU International University of Applied Science ranges between 40% to 80%, which means the selection process of the university is moderate to highly competitive. Students who hold good academic scores, exam test scores along with all the required documents that help them to secure enrollment in the university.
The acceptance rate shows that out of 100 students, only 40 to 80 students are accepted; therefore, it is also suggested to the students that they should apply at the university before the application deadline or the semester begins as per the details shared by the university.
Q: Is Hof University Germany a good university?
Hof University is voted the most popular university in Germany for 2024. It continues to receive the highest marks for teaching. These rankings are as per the ranking published by the renowned portal Studycheck.de. More than 40 bachelor’s and master’s programs in Computer Science, Business, Engineering as well as Interdisciplinary and Innovative Science are offered by the university. Also, the teaching at this university is based on innovative methods to convey application-oriented knowledge.
Q: 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: 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: 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
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 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 talk of data analytics, the art side calls for data protection, data privacy, and the rights of an individual over his/ her data. As time passes, we will witness the impact of STEAM education and how much of it leaks into academia.
Popular STEM education courses available abroad for international students are as follows:
- 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 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.
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MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.