Beyond the Degree: The Skills Students Want From Their Program

The decision to pursue higher education is a pivotal one, often driven by aspirations for a brighter future. But beyond the academic pursuit and the prestige of a degree, what truly motivates today's students?  

Our latest Student Recruitment Report 2025 reveals a powerful truth: the number one reason students choose higher education – whether at home or abroad – is to develop useful skills. This isn't just a vague desire; it's a strategic focus on tangible capabilities. And at the very top of that list, desired by a remarkable 49% of students, is Problem Solving – the ability to devise practical and effective solutions to challenges.  

This focus highlights a new generation of students who are very much focused on the demands of the modern world. They see higher education as a vital investment in qualifying for the specific careers they envision, equipped with the competencies needed to thrive.  

The Driving Force: A New Generation's Focus on Practical Impact 

Today's students are highly strategic, acutely focused on value and outcomes from their educational journey. As Dr. Mark Bennett, our VP of Research & Insight, observes: "It's important to appreciate how varied the motivations for different types of study can be, but also to recognize the consistent trends we're seeing. We would expect the opportunity to have an adventure to be a bigger draw for international students, for example."

"We might be more surprised to see that internships and employability are now more important than rankings for both sets of students, as audiences become more focused on value and outcomes." 

- Dr Mark Bennett 

This insight underscores a significant shift: practical experience and career readiness are now outweighing traditional markers like university rankings in students' decision-making. The universal drive for skill development and career preparation is a consistent trend across both domestic and international study, affirming that students are looking for education that truly equips them for the future.  

The "Useful Skills" Students Really Want

When students talk about "useful skills," what exactly do they mean? Our survey pinpoints a critical suite of competencies that are highly sought after by students and, by extension, by employers in every sector. Notably, soft and transferable skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration emerge as the most important to students, significantly trumping highly specific technical skills like AI prompt engineering (13th), coding (14th), and web design (15th).  

Here are the top skills students prioritize: 

1. Problem Solving (49%): At the forefront, this is the ability to analyze complex situations, identify root causes, devise innovative and practical solutions, and make effective decisions, even when faced with ambiguity. It’s about turning challenges into opportunities.

2. Critical Thinking (45%): Forming and evaluating judgments based on facts and rigorous analysis. This skill enables students to question assumptions, assess information objectively, and draw well-reasoned conclusions, vital for navigating complex data and arguments in any field.

3. Teamwork and Networking (43%): The capacity to maintain effective working relationships, collaborate productively with others, and build professional connections. In an increasingly interconnected world, very few problems are solved in isolation, making this a cornerstone of workplace success.

4. Research (42%): This involves collecting and evaluating data, conducting surveys, performing academic research, and synthesizing information to gain insights. It's the foundation for informed decision-making and innovation, applicable across all disciplines.

5. Management (33%): The ability to lead and organize people and teams, manage projects, resources, and time effectively. This skill is crucial whether you're leading a department or simply managing your own workload efficiently. 

These are not abstract academic concepts; they are the practical, real-world capabilities that define success in today's dynamic professional landscape.  

For the first time in our survey, we explored whether rising tuition costs were pushing students toward vocational study or apprenticeships. Our data, however, reveals a clear preference: 60% of students said they would not consider vocational study over academic programs. 

"Our data suggests students are gravitating toward academic pathways not simply for prestige, but because these programs develop the soft skills essential to progress in their careers. While vocational training may offer immediate employment opportunities, 40% of students who completed our survey believe the ‘better’ job opportunities will come from studying at an academic institution." 

- Dr Mark Bennett 

This indicates that students are making a conscious choice, understanding that while vocational training offers direct, specialized skills for immediate entry, academic institutions provide a broader, deeper cultivation of transferable soft skills – like problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork – which they believe are key to long-term career growth and unlocking superior job opportunities.  

How Higher Education Forges Skill-Ready Graduates 

So, how does higher education deliver on this promise of comprehensive skill development? Universities are not just centers for knowledge dissemination; they are dynamic environments designed to cultivate these precise competencies through:  

• Active, Experiential Learning: Modern curricula move far beyond passive learning (classic lectures). Students engage in project-based learning, tackling real-world challenges through simulations, case studies, and group assignments that demand creative problem-solving and critical analysis. Many institutions integrate methodologies like "Design Thinking," which explicitly teaches systematic approaches to empathizing, defining problems, ideating solutions, prototyping, and testing.  

• Internships & Placements: Reflecting their newfound importance over rankings, internships and professional placements are now cornerstone opportunities. Universities actively facilitate these crucial experiences, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in professional settings, solve authentic industry problems, and build their professional networks.  

• Research Opportunities: Engaging in faculty-led or independent research projects provides unparalleled training in data collection, evaluation, critical analysis, and the methodical pursuit of solutions to complex questions.  

• The Transformative Power of Campus Life: Learning extends far beyond the classroom. Participation in student societies, leadership roles, volunteer activities, and university events provides invaluable practical experience in teamwork, communication, negotiation, and management, fostering holistic skill development in a supportive environment.  

• Expert Guidance & Support: Students benefit from access to world-class faculty who bring industry experience into their teaching, dedicated career services offering workshops on resume building, interview preparation, and networking, and academic support systems designed to enhance learning and skill acquisition.  

The International Advantage: A Global Boot Camp for Skills & Adventure

For those considering study abroad, the skill-building opportunities are amplified exponentially. International higher education offers a unique, immersive environment for hyper-developing the very skills employers crave:  

• Accelerated Skill Development: Every aspect of international study becomes a practical lesson in problem-solving and adaptability. From navigating new public transport systems and understanding local customs to managing finances in a new currency or adapting to different academic structures and unforeseen challenges – it demands constant, practical problem-solving and fosters unparalleled independence and self-reliance.  

• Cross-Cultural Competence: Interacting daily with students and faculty from diverse backgrounds enhances communication, negotiation, and collaboration skills, broadening perspectives and enriching approaches to problem-solving. This builds true global citizens.  

• Global Networking: Studying abroad provides unique opportunities to build an invaluable international network of peers and professionals, opening doors to future opportunities worldwide.  
• The Element of Adventure: While skill development is paramount, international study undeniably offers an exhilarating opportunity for personal growth, exploration, and unique life experiences that contribute to a well-rounded and resilient individual. 
  
• Unmatched Employer Appeal: Graduates with international experience stand out. Their demonstrated adaptability, resourcefulness, global awareness, and enhanced problem-solving skills are highly valued signals to future employers, making them exceptionally competitive in the global job market.  

The Driving Force: A New Generation's Focus on Practical Impact 

Download our full Student Recruitment Report 2025 for deeper insights into student motivations and the evolving landscape of higher education.