In the academic year of 2021/22, more than 150,000 Chinese students were studying in the United Kingdom, despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent border restrictions. The number of Chinese students studying in British higher education institutions increased by more than 80 percent in the last decade.
An attractive destination for Chinese students
In recent years, the United Kingdom has overtaken the United States as the top choice among the destination countries for Chinese prospective students. The more affordable tuition fees in the country compared to destinations such as the United States and Australia, the shorter duration of the postgraduate programs, and the reputation of British universities as seen in international rankings have all contributed to the high popularity of the United Kingdom among Chinese students and employers.
The diversification of international study destinations
At the same time, destinations for Chinese students have become more diverse. The high academic and research performance of the United States in many sectors continues to make it a desirable destination for affluent Chinese students. For students from middle-class or less well-off backgrounds, studying in places such as Japan, Germany, and France are more practical options as these countries offer more affordable programs.
Number of students from China that study in the United Kingdom from academic year 2011/12 to 2021/22
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HESA. (January 19, 2023). Number of students from China that study in the United Kingdom from academic year 2011/12 to 2021/22 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/372922/number-of-chinese-students-in-the-united-kingdom/
HESA. "Number of students from China that study in the United Kingdom from academic year 2011/12 to 2021/22." Chart. January 19, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/372922/number-of-chinese-students-in-the-united-kingdom/
HESA. (2023). Number of students from China that study in the United Kingdom from academic year 2011/12 to 2021/22. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/372922/number-of-chinese-students-in-the-united-kingdom/
HESA. "Number of Students from China That Study in The United Kingdom from Academic Year 2011/12 to 2021/22." Statista, Statista Inc., 19 Jan 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/372922/number-of-chinese-students-in-the-united-kingdom/
HESA, Number of students from China that study in the United Kingdom from academic year 2011/12 to 2021/22 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/372922/number-of-chinese-students-in-the-united-kingdom/ (last visited July 22, 2024)
Number of students from China that study in the United Kingdom from academic year 2011/12 to 2021/22 [Graph], HESA, January 19, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/372922/number-of-chinese-students-in-the-united-kingdom/