STEM is the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
It is a term used to group the related technical disciplines that fall under science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Schools normally adopt this term in their curriculum choices or education policy.
The advent and adoption of technology in almost all areas of life have increased the demand for professionals in this field. Now, every aspect of life requires the inclusion of “tech” and those who cannot meet up with the current demand stand the risk of being obsolete.
With this rise, it is natural that professionals in these fields are in high demand, which of course in return tends to positively affect their income too.
Hence, the reason why many people are diving into this space is to leverage them and maximize them.
Only those who are grounded with the necessary skills will have a high chance of being employable, to this effect, we see students wishing to further their studies abroad to enable them to gain access to the right knowledge and remain relevant.
Table of Contents
Thinking of pursuing STEM courses in the USA, these reasons will further inspire you. As discussed earlier, skills related to STEM courses are in high demand and its one of the reasons international students opt for STEM courses.
The total number of U.K. employees working a career in the STEM field was 2.89 million according to a 2022 report. It was projected that this figure will rise to about 3 million by 2026. According to AAAS, 2020, STEM supports 67% of jobs in the U.S. and 69% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). It also generates $2.3 trillion in annual federal tax revenue.
According to a projection by the U.S. Department of Labour, the number of STEM jobs will increase by 10.8% between 2021 and 2031. This projection is twice as large as the increase in non-STEM occupations.
Although STEM careers include jobs in industries like engineering and sciences, the current change in the world will accommodate the adoption of STEM skills in other areas too. Nearly every company that wants to thrive in the fast-changing world will have to adapt to the demands to remain relevant. Some examples of STEM occupations include:
In the U.S., areas in fields like engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, medicine and computer science are considered to the grouped under STEM courses. Some of the top STEM programmes offered in universities in the U.S. include:
| Universities | QS Ranking 2023 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 1 |
| California Institute of Technology | 6 |
| Harvard University | 5 |
| Stanford University | 3 |
| University of California Berkeley | 27 |
| Georgia Institue of Technology | 88 |
| Yale University | 18 |
| Princeton University | 16 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 13 |
| University of Chicago | 10 |
| Universities | QS Ranking 2023 |
| University of Waterloo | 154 |
| University of Alberta | 110 |
| University of Calgary | 242 |
| University of Saskatchewan | 345 |
| University of Guelph | 486 |
| University of British Columbia | 47 |
| University of Toronto | 21 |
| McGill University | 31 |
| University of Montreal | 116 |
| Concordia University | 283 |
| University of Ontario Institute of Technology | 1063 |
| University of Ottawa | 237 |
| McMaster University | 152 |
| University of Victoria | 359 |
When it comes to the eligibility requirements to study STEM courses abroad, it differs as each school has its unique criteria. However, aspirants must have at least a twelfth-grade education in the science field along with passing well in some standardized exams to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the STEM field. The mandatory exams are seen below:
For those who desire to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in STEM abroad, you must have at least a twelfth-grade education in the science field and must also pass some specific standardized exams. The exams you will take and the minimum score you have to get are dependent on the school’s criteria.
Generally, the minimum score is usually above 60%. However, it is in your best interest to get a higher score as the higher your score the better your chances. Having a high score will in turn also increase your GPA and will offer you the opportunity to apply to and get admitted into top-ranking universities.
The following are the requirements generally if you want to pursue an undergraduate course in STEM:
On the other hand, the eligibility criteria to pursue a Master’s degree in STEM is quite different from that of the undergraduate requirement. First, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in the same discipline. For instance, if you want to study Master of Information Technology, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in the same field.
Equally, the minimum score you need to opt in for a Master’s in any STEM course is 60%. Normally, when your CGPA calculates more than 60% then it means you are eligible to pursue your Master’s degree. To get a postgraduate certificate in any STEM course, you are to meet the following subject-specific requirements:
Do you desire to start a career in STEM? The first thing is to pursue a degree in STEM. Wondering how to go about pursuing a postgraduate degree in STEM courses abroad? We can guide you through your journey and make your dreams come true. Reach out to us at EdXtra to access opportunities that will help you on your journey.
Find this post helpful, subscribe to our newsletter for more.
This post was last modified on February 15, 2024 11:45 am