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The Expert's View - Why you are wanted
As a prospective international graduate student you probably have a very good idea of why you want to study abroad. We have explored some of the reasons in previous QS World Grad School Tour newsletters, but certainly those related to improving your careers prospects, gaining an understanding of living and working in another country and learning new skills top many people’s lists. But have you ever thought about why graduate schools are interested in recruiting international students to their campuses?
Universities and graduate schools in different countries seek to increase their international student numbers for several reasons. First and foremost, they seek diversity in their student populations by recruiting students from as many countries as possible. While admissions standards and qualification requirements tend to be fixed, where a graduate school recruits students for its Masters degrees and PhD programs from is not. Typically, a top institution looking to recruit one hundred students a year will encourage applications from prospective graduate students from thirty or more countries. Who will the successful applicants be for these graduate programs? Those that exhibit both appropriate academic ability and demonstrable diversity – of their background, upbringing, and individual experience.
The labour market
Secondly, an increasing number of countries are interested in recruiting prospective international students for the purposes of fulfilling the needs of their local labour markets. As has been the case in Australia, Singapore and the USA over many years, and in Scotland and in the rest of the UK more recently, graduating students, particularly from Masters degrees and PhD programs, are keenly sought after by local employers. Such students are regarded as valuable for both their international exposure and exemplary academic records. Governments are supportive of this approach, recognising the benefits of encouraging skilled workers to fill the increasing shortages in such areas as engineering, science and medicine, and supporting them through such schemes as guaranteeing work permits for international graduates.
Internationalization
Thirdly, recruiting prospective international students for graduate programs of all kinds helps the overall process of internationalization “at home.” Although more and more domestic students participate in mobility programs, the majority of students still stay on campus. International graduate students, therefore, provide a valuable opportunity to bring different aspects of the outside world to those that have yet to travel. Such internationalisation also has an impact on the way some academic subjects are taught, particularly when the format of the graduate program allows for small student discussion groups and project work. International students bring with them different views and cultural experiences that help domestic students and academic members of staff alike examine their own opinions and world views.
Tuition fees
Finally, graduate schools in most universities where tuition fees are charged, see the recruitment of international students as an important way of raising additional revenue for their budgets. Although not a prime motivating factor for the recruitment of international students, tuition fee income allows a graduate school to invest a far greater amount of money in the appointment of leading academic members of staff, improving the facilities for teaching and learning, providing international student support, careers services and scholarships – all of which add enormous value to your overall graduate school experience.
Knowing and understanding these factors can help your admissions strategy. Emphasising such aspects as your international background and upbringing help to fulfil a graduate school’s desire to recruit and teach a diverse student body, as do your own personal and very individual experiences as an international applicant. Remember this and ensure that you play to your natural strengths in your application - it will make a world of difference.
