Education is an investment towards one’s future. A student’s course, university and network can define their career after graduation and set the tone for the next several decades of their life – that’s why choosing the right program is critical.
The best course for a student is one that matches their interest and skills, while at the same time opening them up to opportunities that shall allow them to flourish in the professional world. When choosing a program, students need to consider the job market and the availability of work post-study. In this guide, we list down some of the most employable courses in 2025 that international students may consider taking.
Engineering
Engineering students can expect to enter a booming job market with prospects of high salaries. Substantial investment in key regions like the US, Europe and East Asia has driven industry growth in recent years. Global engineering services revenue is forecasted to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% and is expected to total $1.9 trillion this year with revenue estimated to jump by 3.3%. The median annual wage of engineers sits at around US$87,500, with some professionals earning over US$100,000 a year.
Engineering is one of the most diverse courses as the field can be divided into several types – industrial, civil, chemical, electrical, biomedical etc., and graduates can take on various jobs, either onsite or behind the scenes. Students can also supplement their studies with various resources, such as some online programs listed in the upGrad courses list.
Medicine
Medicine is a vast field that encompasses doctors, nurses, medical technicians and other health professionals. Programs under this discipline are considered some of the most employable courses, promising graduates with multiple occupation options in different settings.
Nursing graduates, in particular, are in high demand in many countries. The global workforce is projected to grow from US$3.35 million in 2018 to US$4.54 million in 2030. Some experts even suggest that the demand for nurses is moving at a slightly faster rate than the supply, ensuring plentiful opportunities for those in the field. Nurses can work as midwives, family practitioners, women’s health nurses, etc.
Medical technology students can also expect favourable post-graduation conditions. The industry is projected to reach US$598.90 billion worldwide in 2024 and demonstrate a steady annual growth rate of 5.31% until 2029. Those working with medical devices are especially employable.
Pharmaceutical science is also enjoying some spotlight, with students being able to enter drug research, testing, development, sales and other aspects. The average salary for a pharmaceutical scientist is US$60,000, making it a steady choice for many students in medicine.
Education
There’s a lot of demand for teachers around the world, making it an ideal course for many international students. Jobs in the education sector are expected to grow by about 10%, leading to 3 million additional jobs for vocational education instructors and university teachers. In the US, approximately 67,000 jobs for high school teachers are projected to open in the next decade. Teachers also make a decent wage, and university professors can earn upwards of US$100,000 annually.
Information technology
Some of the most wanted jobs fall under the category of information systems and management, including computer programming, software development and database administration. Graduates in this course can go into various work settings as most businesses and institutions nowadays require an IT expert to manage their digital and tech assets. Generally, the IT market is also experiencing significant growth. It’s expected to reach $26 billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 11% as more and more organisations become more digitally-enabled.
IT degree holders also earn respectable salaries, with many graduates enjoying high salaries versus other professions right out of university.
Public policy and law
Public policy and law courses prepare students for flourishing careers in politics and legal work. They can go on to be government servants or work as lawyers or legal aids, working in either private or public settings. As the law affects many aspects of life, graduates in public policy and law can expect a broad array of work opportunities. That said, learners need to understand and be adept in the law that applies to the locale where they intend to practice.
Political science jobs are expected to grow 6% by 2029 – a faster pace than other social science occupations. That said, the market is still projected to be competitive.
Business and finance
Studying business and finance equips students with some of the top-most skills required to thrive in dynamic work environments. This allows them to find work in entrepreneurship, accounting, financial analysis, business administration and the like. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), overall employment in business and financial occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. An average of 911,400 openings are projected year-on-year.
Marketing
Marketing is a vast field that can place students in jobs related to sales, promotions, design, public relations and social media, among others. The industry requires practitioners to be able to sell products and services – and that can mean anything from physical items to digital assets to human resources – which means that graduates can enter a widely diverse market.
Digital marketing, in particular, is a booming industry. Growth is forecasted in approximately 4 million digitally-enabled roles, including e-commerce specialists and digital marketing and strategy specialists.
Hospitality
With travel and tourism booming at an unprecedented rate post-pandemic, hospitality courses have become highly employable options in 2024. It’s a fast-growing industry, with jobs worldwide expected to jump to 449 million by 2034 (versus 348 million in 2024). Graduates of hospitality programs can seek employment in hotel management, food and beverage service, aviation and entertainment, among others.
Help international students find the right course
Finding the right course is critical in ensuring a student’s bright future. Help international students navigate their options. Connect with our business development experts to know how we can assist you!
