Learn about the most popular destinations for Chinese students who want to study overseas.
According to a new 2025 report, the UK has reached the number 1 spot for Chinese students studying or intending to study overseas. This is the first time the UK has overtaken the US as the most popular choice since 2020. Reasons for this include, ‘shorter academic program[me]s and relatively stable political environment.’ 1
Here are the seven most popular choices for Chinese students studying abroad:
- UK
- US
- China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- Australia
- Japan
- Singapore
- Ireland. 1
The data comes from a survey of 8,014 current and future students and their parents in China and worldwide, along with employers.
Some other interesting statistics from the survey include:
- Engineering students were the largest group of those studying an undergraduate degree abroad, at 22%.
- 16% of undergraduates studying abroad are taking management degrees.
- 11% of undergraduates studying abroad are taking economics degrees.
- The majority of students intending to study overseas have applied or are planning to apply for interdisciplinary studies.
- Parents in leadership and executive positions are more likely to send their children to study abroad.
- 25% of parents surveyed had an overseas education background.
- People aged between 25 and 40 and an increasing number of retirees are also planning to study overseas.
- The demographics of individuals wishing to studying abroad is diversifying. 1
Read more about the 2025 Chinese Students’ Overseas Study report.
References
- Nuo, X. (2025)’UK overtakes US as top choice for Chinese students: survey’. Available at: https://asianews.network/uk-overtakes-us-as-top-choice-for-chinese-students-survey/ (Accessed: 10 June 2025)
