The in-depth research report identifies that when compared to home (UK) students, international students are more likely to have clear career plans, but they need tailored career services

Key Findings

●        86% of international students know their desired career field against 79% of home students

●        Business, Computer Science & IT, and Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals among top 3 preferred career fields

●        Only 51% of international students vs 63% of home students are confident for employment

●        84% of international students vs 80% of home students are more aware of university careers services, but only 43% vs 37% have used them

New Delhi : In a bid to better understand international students’ employment aspirations and identify the difference from those of home students, Study Group, a global education provider that prepares international students for university degree programmes and offers English language courses, recently conducted a survey with 600 pathway, undergraduate and postgraduate students studying in the UK. Through the research, the education provider identified that while employability is an important outcome for all students, international students’ support needs differ from home (UK) students. Five key themes emerged:

1. More international students already know their desired career field:
2. Of all the students we surveyed 81% already know their desired career field.
3. At degree level, that figure becomes 86% for international students and 79% for home students. In addition, 82% of international pathway-level students already know their desired career field.
4. The top three career fields for international students are Business; Computer Science & IT; Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, with 44% of survey participants selecting one of these fields.
5. International students rated themselves less confident and prepared for employment – 51% somewhat or very confident vs 63% for home students, again highlighting that they may require more help.
6. Most international and home students are aware of their university careers services (81%). However, international students are more aware of university careers services – 84% vs 80% for home students.
7. Of those students who know their university’s career services exist, less than half have used them. More international students said they had used them – 43% vs 37% for home students.

Sharing his views on the insights generated from the survey, Manoj Shetty, Chief Revenue Officer at Study Group said, “Even though most international students are clear with their ambitions, there aren’t always specific services to prepare them for employment. International students today require specific skills and expert advice to have the best chance of career success. As education providers, we are working together with our partner universities to enhance their career support services offering and enable the future workforce, focusing more on international students’ needs.”