At the end of 2023, UCAS and Pearson issued a report on Chinese students in the UK, which looked into motivations for studying at British higher education institutions (HEIs). Findings revealed the reputation and quality of UK HEIs to be two main factors. Yet, all five options provided to UCAS/Pearson survey respondents were pull factors: UK HEIs’ reputation, quality education, British culture, attractive course options and an easy application process.
My own research conducted this year, including online surveys and 1-1 interviews with Chinese applicants to British universities revealed a more complex and dynamic landscape. There are more pragmatic pull factors at play, as well as meaningful push factors away from both China and UK HEIs’ biggest competitors, US colleges. Rather than contesting data provided in the report, my findings add detail and nuance. At a time when numbers of Chinese applying to UK universities are beginning to slip, understanding and defining the UK’s unique advantages could enable UK HEIs to stay ahead.
In comparison to the US, which was previously the preferred destination for Chinese students continuing their education overseas, UK programmes are generally shorter. Masters programmes for example are just one year long and prove particularly popular among Chinese students, seeking to boost their CVs in the shortest space of time at the lowest price. By contrast, domestic programmes in China are typically two to three years long and places at the top institutions are incredibly competitive.
In my online surveys with 60 students across China, rather than providing participants with a list of fixed answers to the question ‘Why did you choose to study in the UK?’ I provided an open question. Whilst students recognised the reputation of British universities, over 20% acknowledged the short duration of courses as the primary attraction. One student wrote “the [study] time is short, you graduate quickly”. Another wrote “the duration is short, you can get practical work experience early”. Erli Kang, who conducted 50 interviews with Chinese international students drew the same conclusion, as 72% of her participants citing short-study time as the primary factor for choosing programmes in the UK (and Hong Kong).
