Key Takeaways:
- Business & management masters programs top international student interest in the US, indicating potential growth, especially with restrictive policies elsewhere.
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The US attracts diverse international students, notably from India, and can enhance appeal by offering scholarships and hybrid programs.
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Interest primarily comes from India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, with a declining Chinese presence due to internet restrictions and visa issues.
Is There Ample Room for International Students in the US?
According to a new report by Studyportals, business & management masters programs are the most sought-after courses among international students in the US. This trend signals a potential for significant growth in the international student population, particularly as countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK implement policies that restrict student inflows.
What Makes the US Attractive for International Students?
“India has surpassed China to become the largest source country at the US graduate level,” says the Recruiting for Key Disciplines in the US report. This shift highlights the robust appeal of the US as a study destination. There is ample room for growth, and universities can capitalize on this by offering more scholarships and running targeted marketing campaigns in key regions. Such initiatives help build brand awareness and draw students to unique offerings.
How Can Universities Enhance Their Programs to Attract More Students?
Steve Mulligan, Chief Commercial Officer at Studyportals, suggests, “They could also enhance hybrid program options to reach a broader audience, especially those unable to travel to the US due to visa challenges.” Enhancing hybrid programs can be a game-changer for US masters programs, allowing them to cater to a more diverse international audience.
Which Countries Show the Highest Student Interest in the US?
Based on the online search behavior of over 55 million students in the past year, the data revealed the highest interest coming from countries like India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. However, Chinese students were underrepresented due to internet restrictions in China.
What are the Most Popular Disciplines Among International Students?
The report identifies six core disciplines that attract 71% of demand from the top 20 origin countries for US degrees:
– Business & Management
– Computer Science and IT
– Engineering & Technology
– Medicine & Health
– Natural Sciences & Math
– Social Sciences
Among these, interest in US masters in business & management has grown by over 20% in the last 12 months, compared to a global growth rate of 2.7%.
What Drives the Interest in US Business Management Programs?
The US boasts two out of the top three global business schools: the University of Pennsylvania: Wharton and Columbia Business School, ranked first and third in the Financial Times’ 2024 business school rankings.
“A lot of this surge in interest can be attributed to the great work that many business schools in the US do to provide practical experience, industry exposure, and networking opportunities for their student body,” Mulligan noted.
Whether through internships, externships, guest lectures, alumni networking, or direct pipelines to job opportunities within leading companies, these opportunities can be very attractive to international students wanting to enhance their career prospects.
Which Countries Show the Highest Interest in Business Management Programs?
Among the top countries showing interest in business management, Indonesia leads, closely followed by India. Indian students demonstrated high interest across almost all key disciplines, except for social sciences, where they showed the least interest among the top 20 source markets for the US.
India has now overtaken China as the largest source country of international students at the graduate level, comprising 35.5% of graduate enrollments compared to China’s 27% in 2022/23, according to Open Doors data.
Why Do Indian Students Prefer STEM and Business Programs?
“STEM and business programs have long attracted Indian students due to the high earning potentials of careers in these industries,” Mulligan explained. In the US, STEM graduates enjoy the advantage of working for up to three years without sponsorship on STEM OPT, compared to one year for most other degrees.
Interestingly, some non-traditional STEM degrees like finance and marketing are also eligible for this designation. The Department of Homeland Security provides a comprehensive list of these degrees, which can be found here.
What About Interest in Social Sciences?
The report indicated that, except for fields like international relations and political science, Indian students showed less enthusiasm towards social sciences. At the undergraduate level, India made up 9% of international student enrollments in 2022/23, while China accounted for 29%.
How Can US Universities Diversify Their Source Countries?
By analyzing the intersection of source countries and disciplines, US universities can better diversify their international student base and reduce the risk of over-reliance on one particular country. “Institutions can partner with digital platforms like Studyportals to reach markets they are unable to travel to or haven’t already established local representation,” Mulligan suggested.
Which Disciplines Show the Highest Global Student Interest?
Out of all disciplines, the US holds the largest share of global student interest for medicine & health (12.5%), with the majority of students coming from Canada, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia. Leading medical institutions like Johns Hopkins, Harvard Medical School, and Mayo Clinic College of Medicine make the US a highly appealing destination for those looking to study medicine, especially students from countries with developing healthcare systems.
Conclusion
In summary, the potential for growth in the international student population in the US is substantial. The focus on enhancing program offerings, providing practical experiences, and extending marketing efforts can help attract a broader range of students from different countries. By understanding current trends and adapting to the needs and interests of prospective students, US universities can continue to thrive as premier destinations for higher education.
Learn Today:
Glossary of Specialized Immigration Terms
1. Hybrid Programs:
Educational courses that combine online digital media with traditional in-person classroom methods, providing flexible learning opportunities to accommodate students who might face travel restrictions or other impediments to physically attending a university.
2. STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training):
A program that enables international students graduating with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) from US colleges or universities to work in their field of study for up to three years without requiring a work visa sponsor.
3. Source Country:
The country from which students originate when they seek to study abroad. For instance, India is described as a major source country for graduate-level international students in the US.
4. Internships/Externships:
Professional work opportunities provided by educational programs where students gain practical experience in their field of study. Internships might occur during or after their academic program, while externships are typically shorter and often provided during a school term.
5. Digital Platforms (like Studyportals):
Online tools and services that help educational institutions connect with prospective international students by providing information about various programs, facilitating applications, and conducting targeted marketing campaigns to reach specific geographic or demographic markets.
This Article In A Nutshell:
Studyportals’ new report shows business & management master’s programs are top picks for international students in the US. With growing interest from India and other countries, US universities can expand student diversity by offering more scholarships and hybrid programs. This move aligns with the rising global demand for specialized disciplines like STEM and business.
— By VisaVerge.com
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