More than half of the students looking to study abroad prioritize specialized courses over the name, ranking and reputation of the universities, a newest study says. The study titled ‘Education Overseas — An Evolving Journey’ commissioned by Western Union insists that 52% of students are opting for niche courses in specialize fields, that are gaining popularity in the global markets.
In order to get what they are looking for, the students are ready to look beyond the famous and Ivy League universities. Apart from Artificial Intelligence, Digital Marketing, Data Analytics and Cybersecurity, Ethical Hacking and Ecotechnology is also rapidly gaining popularity. The pandemic also gave way to the emergence of online master’s degrees, including technical courses like Masters in Engineering.
Not only diverse courses, but also preference in learning models has also seen a drastic change. According to the study, now 46% of students are opting for hybrid learning models that were a product of the pandemic. In fact, 43% of the students see learning abroad as an opportunity to travel, exp-lore other countries and gain an understanding of different cultures, rather than a means for better education or job opportunities.
Furthermore, the study also notes that around 64% students prefer countries that do not require proficiency in English and also universities that don’t have entrance exams. The study said that these conditions are seen as obstacles for qualifying for a course. Budgets and financial concerns also play an important part in the overall decision for a student.
Considering these conditions, about 22% of the students are exploring emerging destinations as opposed to the conventional countries like UK, US and Canada. Some of the countries that are attracting international students include Ireland, Spain and Turkey.
The study conducted by NielsenIQ between January and June, covered 12 cities and 807 people of varied ages including students, career counsellors, parents and grandparents.
