Year on year China is becoming an increasingly popular and attractive place for international students. Are you curious why or considering studying abroad? And if so, did you ever think about China as your potential study destination? Well, we’ve whittled down a number of great reasons and perks of choosing to study in China. Here’s what you have to look forward too and just why you would be joining a growing trend. 

Internationally recognized universities and courses 

Sometimes the reputation of your university matters for future prospects, and universities in China and the courses available have grown steadily in reputation in the past decade and many are now internationally recognized. The Chinese government has invested a lot into raising the standards and qualities of the universities nationwide. According to the Times Higher Education World rankings, 2011 only featured 6 Chinese universities, in 2015-16 there were 37 and now in 2020 there are 71 (4 from Sichuan), as they say, that is more than Australia and Canada, and this is compared to the general standard of universities in the UK slipping. The investment is certainly paying off and that means there are more options than before. As Time Higher Education reports, in the past only major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai frequently saw international students but now there are 13 cities in China that have more than 10,000 international students, seven of those cities with more than 20,000 students. China is now a first-class international study platform and provides a great alternative option for university education. 

An affordable quality higher education 

Finance is one of the most important considerations with regards to higher education, whether you’re thinking about studying abroad or not. The good news we can bring you is to let you know that the Chinese government are keen to help fund more international students to come to study in China, with the amount of scholarships increasing annually. According to Times Higher Education, in 2015 up to 40% of international students in China received a government scholarship, it will have only increased since then. This is before we even get into the tuition fees in China which are considerably cheaper than those in the US, UK, Australia and in other European countries. In the UK, the average tuition fee per year is pretty astronomical at £9,250 (That’s $13,050 USD), compare this to in China where usually tuition fees per semester don’t go beyond $1000 USD. Now that’s a stark contrast. You combine this with the extremely affordable lifestyle in China then bingo! Studying in China not only seems ideal but a tantalizing choice. A bottle of water and a bus ride cost the same and just as little as 2 RMB. 

Get a front row seat of China’s rapid economic development 

The meteoric rise of China’s economy, it’s emergence as a world superpower, and its importance as a global player in world affairs has seen China open up and have a strong influence across the continents. Studying in China will give you the opportunity to bear witness to China’s ongoing economic and technological development and see how it will be shaping our lives for many years to come. 

Learn the most spoken language in the world – Mandarin

More people speak Mandarin Chinese than any other language on the planet, not just in China, but in a few other Asian countries and in Chinese diasporas across the globe. Because of China’s economic power and increasing importance on the world stage, Mandarin is widely considered to be the language of the future, a language definitely worth learning, more so than any other language with the exception of English. And you will never get a better environment and as much motivation to learn it than if you were in China. It will look great on your CV and could enhance your career prospects. Whether you’re enrolling onto a Chinese language program or degree in an unrelated field, learning the language will contribute to making your new life here extremely more comfortable too, allowing you to integrate far more easily into Chinese society. Plus, learning a new language is always healthy but Mandarin more so and isn’t it just cooler to be able to speak Mandarin. It will truly set you out from others.  

Endless travel opportunities makes you spoilt for choice 

A magical kingdom filled with amazing travel hotspots for a lifetime and boasting several world-class tourist attractions and UNESCO world heritage sites. China is a place with plenty to see for everyone, no matter what kind of person or traveler you are. With a unique culture and thousands of years of history, there is the perfect blend of tradition and modernity for you to explore. Whether you’re looking to feel the vibrant lifestyle of futuristic megacities or get off the beaten track and witness awe-inspiring landscapes, there are all sorts of possibilities. From Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen to Xian and Chengdu. From climbing the Great Wall, taking selfies with the Terracotta Army, to marveling at the Leshan Giant Buddha, and being in awe at the rainbow-coloured mountains in Zhangye. There are endless places to travel in this vast country alone. And it’s also made easier to do with excellent transport links. 

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture 

What do they say? The best way to learn culture is through language and vice versa. It’s true but we’d go on further and to say the best way to learn culture is through living it, and there’s definitely no better to way to learn and understand Chinese culture than to be in China.  The nation’s vast, incredibly rich and unique culture is many centuries old and is much more intriguing and interesting because of its history and customs. Once you step foot in China you will see that a perfect combination of ancient tradition and ultra-modernity exist side by side. We say just immerse yourself, learn the language, watch Chinese films and television shows, listen to Chinese music, read Chinese literature and novels, watch the Chinese opera, train yourself in the ways of tai chi and kung fu, practice the art of calligraphy and paper cutting, play Mahjong, drink Chinese tea and baijiu (ok maybe not the last one). 

Get a global mindset 

Have you heard of the common axiom, ‘think big, not small’? Well, you’re kind of halfway there if you’re thinking about studying abroad. Studying in China will let you see how big this world really is, how globalized it has become, and how interconnected we all are. In many major Chinese cities there are large expat communities and a melting pot of cultures from across the sphere. When I enrolled on a Chinese language program for two semesters, I was the only Brit in class with American, German, Ukrainian, Russian, Nigerian, South Korean and Japanese students all learning Mandarin. It’s fascinatingly diverse. And for someone who’s already considering immersing yourself in Chinese culture, it will make you even more tolerant and open to other cultures than you already are. This global mindset that you will have developed will put you in good stead for the future in a personal and professional capacity. 

Gain international experience and make your CV stand out

If someone looks at your CV and they see listed that you’ve studied and graduated from a university in China, they can tell a lot from that. That you’re adaptable, brave, very cosmopolitan, tolerant, you like a good challenge, and of course you’re developing that global mindset we talked about before. This international experience will definitely set you apart from many others. And if you couple this with an ability to speak Mandarin fluently, then even better. In this increasingly globalized world of ours where China opens up and integrates more with the wider world, there will be more and more variety with regards to career opportunities. More and more businesses and more and more institutions will need to deal with China. International experience just got a notch more important and appealing. 

For the challenge of it all 

As exciting as studying in China is, make no mistake, it is also incredibly challenging but also can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Your university experiences usually provide a springboard for you into the future and what you get out of it will stay with you forever, good or bad. So it’s something for those who are certain on coming to make sure they make the most of their time here. ‘Get out of your comfort zone’, how many times has someone said this phrase to you? Many needn’t dare to but studying in China presents one such opportunity. Of course, it’s probably a totally different country to your home with a totally different culture, lifestyle and language but these are things you should not be afraid of but relish and take in your stride. Easier said than done I know but that’s why it’s called a challenge and we should rise to meet every challenge. 

Eat as much of Chinese cuisine as you want 

Another good perk to come and study in China especially for you foodies is the Chinese cuisine. Here you can eat Chinese food every day, think about that, and it doesn’t have to be expensive too, I can already see your mouth watering. This isn’t just the Cantonese cuisine we’ve all become accustomed to. Chinese cuisine is actually amazingly diverse and varied. Different regions and provinces will have their own distinctive style, taste and dishes. One of the more world-renowned and famous cuisines is the hot, spicy and pungent dishes of Sichuan (that’s where we are based, right in the capital, Chengdu, so we know good food when we see it haha). We can just let you know that if you’re studying in China, definitely do not just stick to the regular canteen food on your campus. 

Many Public Holidays 

Whisper this one quietly, but as if you need any more incentive to come and study in China, the Chinese calendar has many traditional festivals and up to 28 public holidays off, plus the summer and winter breaks. Once you’ve done your studying and I mean that, you have ample time and opportunity to travel and immerse yourself in Chinese culture. Those 28 days off is more than the UK and US put together, and obviously not all of those days will affect you, only those in term time. 

·      New Year’s Day: 1 day off

·      Chinese New Year: officially 7 days off

*But public schools take somewhere between 2 or 4 weeks off, are you salivating yet? This is right in the winter vacation. 

·      Qingming Festival: 3 days off

·      May Day holiday: 4 days off

·      Dragon Boat Festival: 3 days off

·      Mid-Autumn Festival: 3 days off

·      National Day holiday: 7 days off

Make friends with Chinese

It’s always nice to make friends, especially to widen your circle with people from other cultures. Have you ever thought you needed a Chinese friend, probably not, but maybe it’s worth thinking about, it would be great wouldn’t it? There’s over a billion people here you can exchange your language and culture with. And it’s very nice when your settling down in a new country and city, to have a local friend there to help you if you need. The majority of Chinese people are very polite and welcoming, and always willing to help. If you make an effort to learn the language and culture, then they will be even more appreciative. Come on, you can do it. 

. . .

Well, that’s our 12 good reasons why you should come and study in China, I’m sure there are plenty more too. If it sounds like something you’d like to do then you’re in the right place. We can help you find the right university and right course for you. Get started today! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, we’d love to help.