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As an important indicator of global education openness, the number and quality of international students directly reflect the influence and attractiveness of a country's higher education. With the development of higher education in China, the number of international students studying in China has steadily increased, and China has become one of the most popular destinations for studying abroad in the world.
However, scholars are still at a loss about the reasons for international students studying in China. Are these students pursuing high-quality education, high scholarships, or being attracted by China's unique culture? After the COVID-19, how does the reshaping of the international higher education exchange pattern affect international students studying in China?
In response to these issues, the research team led by the author launched a nationwide survey in May 2023, attempting to analyze the relevant factors affecting international students choosing to study in China. A total of 1411 international students from 41 universities participated in this survey.
China's global influence is highly valued
Research has shown that the choice of international students to study in China is influenced by multidimensional factors such as China's global influence, higher education level, social and cultural life, cost-effectiveness of studying abroad, and sources of information on studying in China.
Among them, the average score for the influence of studying abroad information sources is the lowest, at 3.33 points. The average score for the perceived cost-effectiveness of studying abroad in China is 3.72 points. The average score for China's higher education level is 3.89 points, and the average score for social and cultural life is 3.78 points. The average score for China's global influence is the highest, at 4.08 points. This means that international students have a level of agreement between "relatively important" and "very important" in the measurement items of these dimensional factors (their answers to the measurement items are divided into five levels from "completely unimportant" to "very important", with values ranging from 1 to 5 points).
Among the multidimensional motivations for international students to choose to study in China, they believe that China's global influence is the most important factor, followed by China's higher education level, China's social and cultural attractiveness, and the cost-effectiveness of studying in China. The importance of studying abroad information sources is relatively low. This reflects the increasing influence of China's higher education on the world stage, as well as the enormous potential to provide high-quality education and cultural experiences for international students.
Different student backgrounds and considerations
In order to further analyze the differences in the influence of different factors on international students from different backgrounds when choosing to study in China, we conducted group comparisons using student background factors (gender, nationality, university level, major, and learning stage) as categorical variables.
The results indicate that there are significant differences in the factors considered when choosing to study in China among international students of different genders, countries of origin, levels of education, majors, and learning stages.
Compared with female international students, male international students in China are more inclined to identify with the impact of higher education level and China's global influence on their study abroad choices, with an average score of 0.21 points and 0.19 points higher than female students, respectively.
There are significant differences in the understanding of the importance of four factors: higher education level, sources of study abroad information, China's global influence, and cost-effectiveness among international students from Asia, Africa, and other regions (Europe, America, and Oceania). When choosing to study in China, the international students in these three groups have the highest average scores of 0.38 points, 0.32 points, 0.28 points, and 0.14 points in their understanding of the importance of the above four factors compared to each other.
There are significant differences in the understanding of the importance of four dimensions: higher education level, China's global influence, sources of study abroad information, and social and cultural life among international students studying in the top 300 QS ranked universities and other universities in China. Compared to international students from other universities, the former places more emphasis on higher education level, China's global influence, sources of study abroad information, and social and cultural life when choosing to study in China. Their average scores are 0.29 points, 0.21 points, 0.15 points, and 0.12 points higher than those of international students from other universities.
When choosing to study in China, international students majoring in humanities and social sciences, science and engineering, medicine, economic management, and other disciplines have significant differences in their understanding of the importance of five dimensions: higher education level, China's global influence, sources of study abroad information, cost-effectiveness, and social and cultural life. When choosing to study in China, their understanding of the importance of these five factors has the highest average score difference of 0.35 points, 0.35 points, 0.20 points, 0.20 points, and 0.20 points, respectively.
International students studying for master's and doctoral degrees in China also have significant differences in their understanding of the importance of five dimensions: higher education level, China's global influence, sources of study abroad information, cost-effectiveness, and social and cultural life. Compared with international students studying for undergraduate degrees in China, international students studying for master's and doctoral degrees in China have an average score of 0.47 points, 0.46 points, 0.28 points, 0.26 points, and 0.11 points higher in these five dimensional factors, respectively.
Enrollment policies should be more refined
The above survey results can help domestic universities better understand the reasons why international students choose to study in China, and provide empirical basis for formulating and improving education policies and enrollment strategies for international students. In order to further attract international students to study in China, the author proposes the following suggestions.
Firstly, universities should develop more refined enrollment strategies based on the individual backgrounds of students. In order to better improve enrollment efficiency and meet the personalized needs of students, universities should conduct market research, data analysis, and other methods to gain a deep understanding of the main motivations for students from different countries and regions, majors, and student groups to study in China. Based on the characteristics of different target groups, universities should customize enrollment promotion and communication strategies, and optimize the enrollment process.
For example, universities should provide more scholarship opportunities for Asian students, and emphasize more on China's global influence and higher education level for African students; When promoting the enrollment of master's and doctoral students studying in China, emphasis should be placed more on China's higher education level than on recruiting undergraduate students, and more practical opportunities should be provided for master's and doctoral students in the training plan.
Secondly, we will continue to promote high-quality economic development in our country and enhance our international influence in global leadership, social order, and public governance capabilities. China should play a more active and proactive role in international affairs, showcasing the image of a responsible major country by strengthening cooperation and exchanges with countries around the world; Continuously increasing investment in technological progress and scientific research innovation, while maintaining sustainable economic growth, to enhance China's international influence; Strengthen the construction of the rule of law, optimize public services, and attract more international students to study in China by creating a safe and stable social environment.
Thirdly, improve the quality of higher education in our country. China should further strengthen the construction of world-class universities and disciplines, enhance the teaching and research level and academic influence of universities. Deepen the internationalization reform of higher education, encourage universities to develop their strengths and distinctive disciplines based on their own positioning, actively introduce internationally renowned professors, and widely introduce overseas young scholars, enriching and developing the international curriculum system and teaching content.
Fourthly, continuously enhance the cultural attractiveness of our country. Universities should actively build a flexible and diverse education and social practice system for Chinese culture and national conditions, encourage international students to participate in social practice activities, and have a comprehensive understanding of China. Appropriately increase the experience of popular culture in China and help international students perceive the diversity and vitality of Chinese culture.
Fifth, carry out employment and entrepreneurship education and services for international students. Provide opportunities for corporate internships and career development, allow paid internships for international students in China during their school years, and pilot the relaxation of employment and immigration restrictions for international students in China. Actively exploring institutional innovation in the management and services of international students studying in China, improving the level of professionalism and professionalism in services, and providing convenient and accurate services for foreign entry and exit, visas, housing, etc.