Does studying abroad increase employability?

Does studying abroad increase employability?

Discover how studying abroad can improve employability, develop career-ready skills and create future career opportunities through internal study experiences.

For many international students, studying abroad is more than just getting a qualification. It gives you the opportunity to build experience globally, develop professional skills, expand your network and strengthen future career opportunities.

According to Study Australia, the Australian Government's official international education resource, international students bring diverse perspectives, adaptability and a global mindset that employers find incredibly valuable. For students who study a degree in Australia, these qualities are built deeper, through the everyday experience of navigating an unfamiliar education system, culture and way of life.  

Career benefits of choosing Australia as your study destination

Australian qualifications place a strong emphasis on preparing students for future career opportunities. Many courses incorporate practical learning experiences, industry engagement and real-world projects, helping you build the knowledge and experience needed to succeed in your chosen career. 

Integrating these learning experiences into courses allows you to accelerate career growth by expanding your network and gaining strong connections with people in the industry. It also helps develop skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills, which are valuable to career development and success. 

1. Practical, hands-on learning

One of the biggest advantages of studying in Australia is the strong focus on practical learning.

Many Australian universities incorporate work-integrated learning (WIL) into degree courses, allowing you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings before you graduate. At RMIT, WIL forms a key part of many courses across areas such as:

  • Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Business
  • Health Sciences
  • Architecture.

These experiences help you graduate with documented, assessable industry experience alongside your qualification.

Find out more about WIL

My qualification has laid a foundation for continued growth within the tech industry. I aspire to progress into the roles, contributing to the development of innovative solutions and strategies. The qualification has already opened doors to a dynamic career at Apple, and I aim to further align business objectives with technology, fostering a meaningful impact on both organizational success and personal professional development.

– Aishvarya Mohan, Master of Business Information Technology

2. Globally recognised qualifications

When you're choosing where to study, international recognition can be an important consideration. Different universities have different strengths, so it's worth looking at how your chosen institution and specific areas of study are recognised by employers around the world. 

RMIT's global recognition and rankings

The institutional strengths of RMIT University are recognised by employers in Australia and globally. 

Top 10 in Australia

for employer reputation in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

Top 250 globally

for graduate employability in the Times Higher Education Rankings 2026.

#15 globally

for Architecture and Built Environment in the QS Subject Rankings 2026.

#19 globally

for Art and Design in the QS Subject Rankings 2026.

Why are university rankings important?

University rankings signal to employers that your qualification comes from an institution with a demonstrable track record of producing job-ready graduates in your field. Find out more about RMIT's rankings.

3. Industry connections and mentorship

For many international students, real-world experience is just as important as the qualification itself. The type of industry connections a university offers can vary, from occasional guest speakers to industry partners who are directly involved in shaping course content and assessments.

At RMIT, industry engagement is embedded across many courses. Depending on the course, this can mean:

  • curriculum co-designed with industry partners to reflect current professional practice
  • real industry briefs set as assessments, where you develop and present solutions to actual business challenges
  • mentors from relevant fields who provide guidance grounded in current professional experience
  • guest practitioners who bring live industry perspectives into the classroom.

This is evident across a range of courses. For example:

The depth of this engagement varies by course. Review our specific course pages for details on how industry is embedded in their area of study.

4. Career support throughout your studies

Finding internships and placements – or graduate roles – in a new country takes more than a good résumé. Knowing where to look, how to present yourself and who to connect with can make a real difference.

RMIT offers career support services through Career Connect, which you can access throughout your studies, not just at graduation. These include:

  • one-on-one career planning appointments
  • résumé and cover letter workshops
  • LinkedIn profile support
  • interview preparation
  • career resources and job-readiness tools.

These services are available to both domestic and international students. They're designed to help you build confidence and prepare for employment, both during and after your studies.

Find out more about internships and placements

Skills you’ll develop studying abroad

1. Adaptability and resilience

The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 ranks resilience, flexibility and agility as some of the most sought-after core skills globally, with 7 in 10 employers prioritising them.

Relocating to study in a new country directly strengthens these skills: navigating an unfamiliar education system, culture and way of life requires you to adapt under pressure.

2. Communication and collaboration across cultures

Jobs and Skills Australia's workforce projections identify communication and collaboration as one of the skill clusters with the largest projected growth in demand across the Australian labour market.

A degree in Australia means years of daily interaction with peers, academics and industry contacts from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. That sustained exposure builds intercultural communication skills that a short study trip simply can't replicate.

Throughout your degree at RMIT, you'll have the opportunity to work closely with classmates, bringing together collective global experiences and backgrounds. Through collaboration on group projects, presentations and case studies, you'll learn to navigate different working styles and develop communication approaches that can be applied throughout your career.

3. Problem solving and independent decision making

The Future of Jobs Report 2025 ranks analytical thinking as the single most in-demand core skill globally, cited as essential by 7 in 10 employers surveyed.

Managing finances, accommodation, studies and daily life independently in a new country requires you to solve problems and make decisions without a safety net. These life skills are directly transferable to professional environments where employers increasingly expect graduates to show initiative and self-direction.

Life after graduation

What graduates take away from studying in Australia goes well beyond the qualification itself – industry experience from WIL, a professional network built with classmates and industry contacts from around the world, and the confidence that comes from navigating study and daily life in an unfamiliar country. 

Australia's Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) gives eligible graduates the option to stay and work in Australia after completing their studies – a valuable stepping stone for those who want to build local experience before moving on. But for many students, the real return of studying abroad is a set of career-ready capabilities and credentials that hold their value anywhere their career takes them.

For current visa conditions: Department of Home Affairs – Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

Preparing for your future career

Choosing to study abroad is a big step, and building your career doesn't have to wait until after graduation. Studying in Australia lets you gain professional experience, industry connections, and real-world readiness while you learn.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures