Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping What Students Choose to Study Abroad, Says Prodigy Finance

Prodigy Finance says growing demand for Artificial Intelligence, data science, business analytics and sustainability programmes reflects changing career priorities as international students prepare for an evolving global job market.

London, July 2026: Artificial Intelligence is influencing not only the future of work but also the academic choices of students planning to study abroad, according to Prodigy Finance.
The international student lender said postgraduate applicants preparing to begin their studies in 2026 are increasingly selecting programmes in Artificial Intelligence, data science and business analytics, reflecting changing employment trends and growing demand for technical skills.

According to the latest Institute of International Education Open Doors report cited by the company, 57 per cent of international students in the United States studied Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects during the 2024 to 2025 academic year. Mathematics and computer science accounted for 26 per cent, while engineering represented 18 per cent. Among international students in the United States, mathematics and computer science has become the largest field of study.
Prodigy Finance said students are also considering how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries across sectors, leading many to combine technical qualifications with business education instead of pursuing traditional management programmes alone.

Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, said, “Five years ago, an MBA was the default choice for almost every international applicant we spoke to. Now we’re seeing far more students apply for a master’s in Artificial Intelligence, or a data science or analytics programme, sometimes alongside a general management degree rather than instead of it. Students are building a technical skill set first and layering business strategy on top, rather than the other way round.”
The company also reported growing interest in environmental science, healthcare and public policy programmes as students increasingly evaluate long term career resilience alongside earning potential.

Kapoor said, “We’re hearing from applicants who want a qualification that still matters in fifteen years, not just one that pays well the year they graduate. That’s pushing some toward climate and energy programmes that barely existed as standalone master’s degrees a decade ago.”
According to Prodigy Finance, postgraduate programmes in business administration, computer science, information technology, engineering and technology continue to attract strong demand, particularly among students from India and Africa.

The company noted that rising tuition costs for specialised technology programmes and the depreciation of the Indian rupee against the United States dollar have increased the financial challenges associated with overseas education. It said students are increasingly relying on a combination of family savings, scholarships and international education financing to fund their studies.
Kapoor added, “At Prodigy Finance, we assess students on future earning potential rather than requiring a cosigner or collateral. When you look at what students are actually applying to study, you get an honest picture of the future they are preparing for. Right now that picture has Artificial Intelligence, data and sustainability at the centre of it and we expect that to hold through the rest of this admissions cycle and well beyond.”

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