Navigating New Horizons: Chinese Perspectives on Study Abroad

At the heart of international education lies China. With over a million students studying overseas each year, China is the largest study abroad source market in the world. However, the study abroad industry has faced disruptions due to the global pandemic, struggling economies and changes to student visa policies. While many institutions and economies around the world benefit enormously from the financial boost from international students, the choice of study destination ultimately lies with the students and their families. So how have these recent changes impacted that decision? 

Our latest research report “Navigating New Horizons: Chinese Perspectives on Study Abroad” explores the trends shaping Chinese students' study abroad intentions, to provide valuable insights for educators, institutions, and policymakers. 

Research Overview 

This research, conducted by Pearson in collaboration with Shanghai Newtrident between June 18 and July 1, 2024, took the form of an online survey. The survey included 920 respondents, under the age of 30, from 16 target cities in China. Respondents were either high school and university students looking to study abroad or employees already in the workforce who expressed an interest in studying overseas. 

Key Findings 

1. Traditional Destinations: The UK, the US, Canada, and Australia remain dominant, with over two-thirds of survey respondents listing one of the Big Four as their first choice. 

1. Emerging Asian Destinations: New Asian destinations are cited as cheaper, safer, and less culturally distant alternatives. 

1. Motivations: Academic excellence and experiencing new cultures remain key motivations for studying abroad. 

1. Visa Processes: The visa process and regulations of destination countries, for both study and work, impact country choice. 

1. Influences: Study abroad choices are influenced most by family, agents, and friends. Teachers have more sway than social media influencers. 

1. Barriers: Key barriers to studying abroad include financial burdens, cultural differences, and language proficiency. 

1. Proficiency Tests: Recognition by overseas universities is the top factor influencing the choice of proficiency test. 

Conclusion: The Evolving Landscape of Chinese International Education 

The landscape of international education is always changing, influenced by a number of complex factors. Faced with a competitive national higher education system and a struggling economy, the attraction of studying abroad is tempered by financial burdens, visa restrictions, and job uncertainty upon returning to China. This is driving many to explore new possibilities nearer to home that offer cheaper options in a more familiar cultural setting. 

The findings suggest that traditional destinations should not become complacent. While they remain top choices today, they may witness a decline in the number of Chinese students applying to their universities due to cost and visa regulations. New alternative destinations are working hard to attract international students with lower fees and more favorable visa processes. The resulting impact on the economy of traditional destinations could be significant. 

Read the full report to dive deeper into these insights and discover how you can leverage this information to better support Chinese students in their study abroad journey.