Lori Meadows
The number of Chinese international students has been steadily increasing over the years, with many choosing to study in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. In the 2019-20 academic year, the number of Chinese students enrolled in American universities reached an all-time high of over 372,000. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and deteriorating relations between China and the United States, there has been a shift in preferences for study destinations. Chinese students are now exploring alternative destinations such as European countries and Asian countries within the region, such as Thailand. The increasing demand for study abroad options among Chinese students presents both challenges and opportunities for international education providers and contributes to the evolving landscape of global higher education.
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What You'll Learn
International students in China
China has been the largest source of international students globally for the last decade, with hundreds of thousands of students from the country enrolled in American universities. However, due to political and cultural reasons, as well as economic ones, China is now seeking to retain its elite students. Chinese authorities are concerned that students studying in the United States will absorb ideas about democracy and civil liberties that are undesirable in the Chinese context. Additionally, the US is being portrayed by domestic media in China as unsafe for Asians, which has led to a decline in Chinese students enrolled in American universities. As a result, universities in other countries, such as Japan and Hong Kong, are trying to attract Chinese students.
Despite this, China itself is also a popular destination for international students, with around 260,000 international students welcomed yearly. China has one of the largest education systems in the world, with over 3,000 universities as of 2022. In 2021, there were 255,720 full-time international students in China, accounting for less than 1% of total enrolments nationally. However, this number is sizeable when compared to other global study destinations, equivalent to 38% of the UK’s total international enrolment share in 2021. The increasing number of international students has been a driver for the international development of China's higher education system, which has been highly valued by the Chinese government.
International students are attracted to China's top-ranked universities, rich history, culture, and ancient history. The country also offers affordable tuition fees and diverse geographical locations, from mountains and big ports to picturesque cities and deserts. China's rapid economic rise and development as one of the world's largest economies also make it an attractive destination for international students seeking sought-after transferable skills and cultural experiences that will give them an edge in the job market.
Applying to Chinese universities as an international student can be done through various platforms, such as applying online directly through a university's website, using platforms like CUCAS and CUAC, or through friends already studying at the desired university. International students should also arrange health insurance covering accidental injury and medical treatments of at least 62,000 USD. Additionally, English-taught programs are available at both degree and non-degree levels, with thousands of high-quality programs offered in a variety of subjects. However, international students may need to prove their English proficiency through exams like IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo English Test, unless they are native English speakers or have studied a previous degree in English.
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Chinese students in the US
Chinese students have long been a significant presence on American campuses. During the 2019-20 academic year, the number of Chinese students enrolled in American universities reached an all-time high of over 372,000. However, this number has since decreased due to a climate of mutual distrust between the two countries. The US government, under President Trump, has announced plans to revoke visas for Chinese students, particularly those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying in critical fields. This has caused concern among scientists, who are now exploring legal options to combat these immigration actions.
There are several reasons for China's desire to keep its top students at home. Firstly, Chinese authorities worry that students exposed to American freedoms and ideas about democracy and civil liberties may choose to stay in the US rather than return to China. Secondly, China has invested heavily in its education system, particularly in science and technology programs, and wants to establish its own prestigious institutions comparable to those in the US. Universities in other countries, such as Japan and Hong Kong, are also trying to attract Chinese students by offering alternative study destinations.
Despite these efforts, the impact of restricting Chinese students' access to US institutions may be challenging to gauge. For example, the engineers behind the Chinese AI firm DeepSeek received their education primarily from local institutions. Additionally, Chinese students can seek the skills they cannot find at home in various other countries besides the US.
The decision to revoke visas for Chinese students has sparked concerns among researchers and scientists, who are now considering their legal options. The exact number of Chinese students who will be affected by these changes remains to be seen, but it is clear that the landscape of international education is evolving, with potential implications for the flow of talent and ideas between China and the US.
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Chinese students in the UK
In recent years, an increasing number of international students have chosen to study in China. In 2017, a total of 489,200 overseas students studied in Chinese institutions of higher education, a growth rate of more than 10% for two consecutive years. China's pull factors, such as the opportunity to win scholarships from the Chinese government, have played a significant role in attracting international students.
While China is a popular destination for students wishing to study abroad, many Chinese students also choose to study internationally. In 2019-2020, the number of Chinese students enrolled in American universities reached an all-time high of 372,000, according to the Institute of International Education. However, due to political and cultural reasons, as well as concerns about the absorption of ideas about democracy and civil liberties, the Chinese government has sought to reduce the number of students studying in the United States.
One way the Chinese government has tried to achieve this is by investing heavily in China's schools and science and technology programs. Tsinghua University in Beijing, for example, has gained international recognition as a serious competitor in scientific research. Additionally, the climate of mutual distrust between the US and China has led to a drop in Chinese students enrolled in American universities. This climate has been exacerbated by incidents such as the Trump administration's aggressive crackdown on Chinese student visas, citing concerns of national security and academic ties between the US and China.
As a result of these factors, Chinese students have begun to consider other countries for their international studies, such as the UK. The UK has become an attractive destination for Chinese students due to its world-renowned universities and the opportunity to experience a different culture. While the exact number of Chinese students in the UK is unknown, it is clear that the UK is a popular choice for those wishing to study abroad.
One notable example of a Chinese student in the UK is Jiang Yurong, who attended Cardiff Sixth Form College in Wales before going on to Duke University in the US for her undergraduate degree. Yurong later became the first Chinese woman to speak at a Harvard graduation ceremony, calling for global unity and emphasizing the value of international classrooms.
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Chinese students in Australia
Australia has long been one of the top destinations for international students, with Chinese students consistently ranking as the largest group among them. As of June 2022, there were more than 141,000 Chinese student enrolments in Australia, with approximately 116,700 enrolled in the higher education sector alone. Chinese students make up the biggest share of international students in Australia, with almost twice as many students as second-placed India.
Chinese students tend to gravitate towards the Group of Eight (Go8) elite Australian universities, which include the University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia, University of Adelaide, Monash University, and the University of New South Wales. Go8 universities attract nearly two-thirds of Chinese Higher Degree by Research students, or around 4,400 students. The Go8 universities also collectively undertake 70% of the nation's university research activity.
The large number of Chinese students in Australia is due to several factors, including the limited number of university spots in China, the use of English as the main language in most educational courses in Australia, and the high academic standards set by Australian universities. Additionally, international education is a significant source of income for Australia, contributing A$36.4 billion ($24 billion) to the Australian economy in 2022-23. Foreign students, including those from China, make up around a fifth of all university funding and are Australia's fourth-largest "export".
However, recent changes in Australian government policy, particularly the decision to cap the number of foreign students, may diminish Australia's appeal to Chinese students. With caps on international student numbers set to limit arrivals to 270,000 for 2025, down from previous levels, Chinese students are increasingly reconsidering their options and looking to other countries for their academic pursuits. This shift could have significant implications for Australia's education sector, economy, and international relations.
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Chinese students in European countries
The number of Chinese students studying abroad has been increasing, with 703,500 Chinese students pursuing overseas studies in 2019, making China the largest country of origin for international students globally. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this number dropped to 450,900 in 2020.
English-speaking countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, are the leading destinations for Chinese students. The United States has attracted the largest share of Chinese students historically. However, in recent years, the United Kingdom has become an increasingly preferred destination.
Within Europe, Germany hosts the highest number of Chinese students, with over 30,000, followed by France with almost 24,000, and Italy with over 15,000. Smaller European countries, such as Sweden, Ireland, Hungary, and Switzerland, now each have around 2,000 Chinese students. Several factors attract Chinese students to European countries, including scholarships from mainland European governments, lower tuition fees compared to the US and UK, and the opportunity to visit multiple countries on a Schengen visa. Many Chinese students are also attracted to European culture, particularly the romantic allure and attractive lifestyles associated with France and Italy.
The motivations for Chinese students to study abroad have evolved over time. Initially, studying abroad was often seen as a path towards permanent migration. However, in the 21st century, increasing salaries and career opportunities in China, along with state policies encouraging return migration, have shifted this perspective. Nowadays, studying abroad is primarily driven by individual ambitions and the pursuit of enhanced career prospects upon returning home. Additionally, the improving quality of education in China and the development of world-class universities have made it a more attractive option for international students.
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Frequently asked questions
In the 2019-20 academic year, there were 372,000 Chinese students enrolled in American universities, according to the Institute of International Education. However, due to deteriorating relations between the US and China, and the negative portrayal of the US in Chinese media, there has been a drop in Chinese students enrolled in US universities.
Besides the US, Chinese students often go to the UK, Canada, Australia, and various countries in Asia and Europe. In recent years, countries like Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Ireland and Thailand have become hotspots for Chinese students.
Chinese students' decisions to study abroad are influenced by various factors, including the quality and reputation of the university, the opportunity to win scholarships, the cost of education, post-study work opportunities, and the political and social climate of the host country.
Some challenges that Chinese students commonly face when studying abroad include language barriers, cultural differences, and difficulties finding accommodation. Many Chinese students also tend to stick with other Chinese students and have trouble making friends with locals.
