While STEM fields continue to dominate among Indian students, there's a growing interest in alternative courses. Universities like Rose Bruford College, Leeds Arts University, the University of Guelph, EHL, and University College Birmingham recently held sessions for high school counsellors and principals from over 75 schools in India. 

University representatives tailored their presentations to resonate with aspects of Indian society, focussing on their undergraduate programs. 

For instance, Hardik Shah, a study representative for EHL, a leading Swiss hospitality management school, noted, "Hospitality, known as ‘atithyam’ in Sanskrit, is deeply embedded in our Indian culture.”

Shah mentioned that hospitality jobs are growing by 7% each year and make up 10% of all jobs worldwide. This makes EHL's courses very attractive, as it's seen as one of the best schools in this area.

Shah also asserted: “Our Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management is a four-year course, which includes two six-month internships, thus helping students live their course practically.”.

Additionally, he said that about 30% of their students eventually work in the hotel management industry or a similar environment, while the rest move to a non-hospitality industry. He emphasised that students can be part of every possible industry, from banking to customer interaction and more.

Rose Bruford College is another institution committed to introducing students to courses other than STEM. The college understands India's deep love for films, drama, and music and offers courses specifically tailored to these interests.  

Accordingly, the school provides several degree options. Students can choose from acting, actor-musicianship, and theatre arts programs. The school also offers direction, costume production, and visual production design courses. These are just some of the programs available at the college.

“We are the first drama school in the UK with an XR stage, which can be used by students to shoot short films, advertisements, and more,” noted Shah. 

This is exciting news for the Indian future labour market, as diversity is always needed. It also encourages students to study different options so that they can succeed in whatever they choose to study. This also changes the strong focus on STEM among Indian students while adding more diversity.