STEM Vs Non-STEM Courses

When you are at the crossroads of selecting a stream of academics after your boards, you are actually choosing between STEM and non-STEM courses. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is an umbrella term for a number of fields, including software development, information technology, information security, computer network architecture, and several others.

With technology ruling and reshaping every part of the world, many universities have started offering STEM or “STEM adjacent” programs so that more and more students can join the growing trend.

Non-STEM is every other major that does not come under the STEM branch, such as finance, business management, fashion, luxury, etc. Non-STEM is a bigger field than STEM with much more subjects than STEM courses. 

It is generally believed that STEM courses result in higher payrolls and more demand in the job market but there are non-STEM majors like humanities, business, marketing, and English which offer a plethora of career opportunities. Both STEM and non-STEM courses have unique opportunities which we will discuss in this article.

What are STEM Courses?

The word STEM was coined by the US NSF (National Science Foundation) in 2001 and it refers to the studies of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It is experience-based learning. 

• Students pursuing the STEM courses study the theoretical as well as the practical application of the respective areas.
• A STEM curriculum ensures students get maximum possible exposure to practical and hands-on experience in their field of choice.
• STEM courses have mandatory group projects and lab assignments where students get to apply theoretical knowledge to practical experiments.
• Some of the popular courses under the STEM umbrella are architecture, agriculture, biological & biomedical services, computer & information science, and communication & technology.
• STEM courses are highly objective, and their learning outcomes are well defined.
• STEM course students learn many skills as outlined below:
• Critical analysis and problem-solving
• Digital literacy
• Innovation and creativity
• Research skills
• Decision making
• Communication and presentation

What are Non STEM Courses?

Non STEM courses teach disciplines that are not part of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This makes Non STEM courses a vast field as it comprises everything else apart from the four STEM courses. 

• We can broadly categorize Non STEM courses into Arts, Humanities, Management, and Literature.
• The learning outcome of Non STEM courses is not well defined as it deals with human thinking and patterns, and there are no precise technicalities followed.

What is Taught in STEM Courses?

The STEM course primarily teaches any of the below listed four subjects:

• Science -Here you will learn natural sciences like chemistry, and biology or formal science like statistics and mathematics.
• Technology - The technical systems are taught under this subject, such as Wi-Fi, radar, etc.
• Engineering - This encompasses a wide list of engineering courses such as Aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, etc.
• Mathematics - Mathematics is part of and plays a critical role in all the STEM courses. It is the language of shapes, numbers, and quantities.

What is Taught in Non STEM Courses?

Non-STEM is a vast area where there are subjects from arts, humanities, literature, and management. Some of the non-STEM subjects which have great career options are BA in Psychology, a degree in education, fine arts or performing arts, economics, nursing, finance and accounting, hotel and hospitality, design, political science, etc.

Entry Requirements: Navigating Academic Avenues STEM Courses: For Bachelor's STEM courses: Successful completion of twelve years of elementary and secondary education from a recognized education board. For technical or Engineering courses, a background in PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) is essential, with Biology being requisite for Biotechnology. Meeting specific academic criteria of the chosen university.

Qualifying scores in standardized tests like SAT or ACT. Proficiency in English through tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic, particularly for non-English environments. For Masters STEM courses: Possession of a relevant bachelor’s degree. Fulfillment of GPA prerequisites set by the university. Meeting qualifying scores in standardized tests like GRE or GMAT. Often, work experience in the related field is expected.

Adequate scores in English proficiency tests like IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. Non-STEM Courses: For Bachelor’s courses: Attainment of qualifying scores on SAT or ACT. Proficiency in English, evidenced by qualifying marks in tests like TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic. For Master's courses: A bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Adequate scores in English proficiency tests like TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic. Qualifying scores in GRE or GMAT.

STEM Courses

The basic requirement to abroad study STEM courses is a 12th or equivalent in the science stream. If you aspire to go abroad to countries like the US, there are a few other tests and requirements that you must fulfill, as outlined below:

• For Bachelor's STEM courses:
• Candidates should have finished twelve years of elementary and secondary education from a recognized education board. If you wish to pursue technical or Engineering courses, then you must have studied PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) in the twelfth class. For Biotechnology, you additionally should have Biology in your qualifying exam.
• The candidate should meet the specific academic requirements of the university that the candidate wishes to get admission into.
• Candidates should have qualified with the minimum score needed by the universities in standardized tests like SAT or ACT.
• Candidates from non-English environments should have qualified in English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic.

• For Masters STEM courses
• Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Must meet the GPA requirements of the university.
• Must have minimum qualifying marks in standardized tests like GRE or GMAT.
• Most universities need you to have some work experience in the related field.
• Must have qualifying marks in English proficiency tests like IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL.

Non-STEM Courses

For pursuing non-STEM courses, you must have passed the twelfth or equivalent exam from a recognized board in any stream. Additional tests to get admissions abroad are:

• For Bachelor’s course
• Candidates must get qualifying scores on SAT or ACT.
• Candidates from non-English environments should have qualifying marks in English proficiency tests like TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic.
• For the Master's course
• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• Candidates from non-English environments should have qualifying marks in English proficiency tests like TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic.
• Qualifying marks in GRE or GMAT.

Best Countries to Study STEM Courses

Countries offering top STEM courses are listed below:

• The USA (MIT, Stanford University, Harvard University, CalTech, etc.)
• The UK (the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, etc.)
• Canada (the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University, University of Waterloo, etc.)
• Australia (ANU, University of Melbourne, The University Of Sydney, etc.)
• Germany (Technical University of Munich, LMU Munich, etc. 

Best Countries to Study Non-STEM Courses

The top colleges to abroad study non-STEM courses are:

• The USA (Harvard University, UCLA, UCB (Berkeley), and Yale University.)
• The UK (London School of Business, etc.)
• Australia (The University of Melbourne, The ANU, The University of Sydney, etc.)
• Germany (Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Freie Universitaet Berlin , Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Humboldt University of Berlin, etc.)

Cost of Studying STEM Courses

The cost of studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the country you're studying in, the level of education (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral), the specific institution, and whether you're an international student or a resident.

The cost of studying STEM courses varies from country to country as well as university to university. On average, the cost comes to around USD 65,000 to 80,000.

Cost of Studying Non-STEM Courses

The expenses associated with pursuing non-STEM courses can vary significantly depending on factors like the institution, location, course duration, and the specific field of study. While STEM courses often seem to promise higher salaries, non-STEM courses offer their own set of advantages, including creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of societal dynamics. The cost of studying non-STEM courses should be seen as an investment in personal growth and a diverse skill set that can contribute to a well-rounded professional journey.

The cost would vary based on the country, university, and course you choose, but a ballpark expenditure is somewhere between USD 35,000 to 60,000.

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Benefits of STEM Courses

STEM courses are extremely beneficial in terms of job opportunities, chances of immigration, and pay packages.

• High remuneration - The skills gained in STEM courses have application in 75% of industries with high salary packages. Students get ROI in less than a year with jobs after STEM courses.
• More length on post studies or work after VISA - Compared to other fields of studies on the international front, STEM courses offer enhanced duration of work visa. Graduates get more time to look for jobs after studies which increases their chances of immigration.
• Scope of employment in research cells increases - Some of the countries that offer exciting research opportunities in STEM are Australia, the UK, and Europe.

Benefits of Non-STEM Courses

Non-STEM courses leverage soft skills, and some of the lucrative jobs that non-STEM graduates/post-graduates can grab are customer care services, sales, and marketing professionals, organizational development specialists, human resource management, etc.:

Improved creative side: Non-STEM courses hone your creative side where you are able to interpret things better and connect with people.

Understand evolution: When you study non-STEM subjects like history, philosophy, literature, etc., you understand how science and technology have evolved over time and their importance in human lives.

International skills:  If you study abroad languages and cultures, you can easily find common ground with people when you go abroad. 

STEM courses are highly objective and detail-oriented whereas non-STEM features human thinking patterns. Both STEM and non-STEM courses provide several job opportunities and remunerations. It depends on your aptitude and interest, which course you wish to take.

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