General trend of student mobility

From 2016 to 2018, the total number of international students studying in China was 443,000, 489,000 and 492,000, showing an upward trend year by year. The proportion of academic program students in the total number of international students studying in China increased year by year and the figure in 2018 reached 52.4%. The number of students majoring in Chinese, western medicine, management and engineering was relatively high, and the number of students majoring in science, engineering and agriculture increased significantly.

The number of Chinese students studying abroad has increased steadily, which reached 544,500, 608,400 and 662,100 respectively in 2018. Among them, there were 30,200 government-funded students, 35,600 employer-funded students, and 596,300 self-funded students in 2018.

Sources and Provider: Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, MOE

Main policies on international students studying in China

Currently, China has basically established a policy and regulation system of enrollment, teaching, management, service and employment for international students studying in China, and formed a relatively complete policy chain, which provides guidance and regulations for Chinese higher education institutions to carry out education of international students studying in China, promote the connotative development of China’s higher education, improve the quality of higher education for international students studying in China, and serve international students studying in China.

In addition, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China, together with Ministry of Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued the “Notice on Relevant Matters Concerning Permitting Outstanding International College Graduates to Work in China” in 2017, allowing some outstanding international college graduates without work experience (within one year after graduation) to work in China and gradually opening up the access to internship and employment. The Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China has been actively promoting the issuance of relevant policies and documents about HEIs international students taking a part-time job while studying in China, and continuously improving management services to attract more outstanding international students to study and work in China.

Source and Provider: Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, MOE

Main Government or Non-government Programs for International Students Studying in China

The Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China has set up Chinese Government Scholarships, sponsoring excellent international students to come to China’s higher education institutions for studying or scientific research. Chinese Government Scholarships have set up a series of special scholarship programs, including Great Wall Program, Asia Program, PIF Program, and etc. (Please visit the website of China Scholarship Council for more information). Foreign students shall apply to Chinese embassies in their home countries, the related international organizations or Chinese higher education institutions for studying in China. The Chinese government and higher education institutions will actively provide international students with good environment for studying and living, helping them grow and become elites.

Sources & Provider: Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, MOE