Up until recently, there were far more Chinese students studying
in overseas universities than there were foreign students in
Chinese universities.
The total number of foreigners studying in China in 2005 was
141,087, compared with 118,500 Chinese studying abroad.
Asian students formed the majority of foreigners studying in
China, up to 75.73 percent of the total number or 106,840. In terms
of numbers, most of the foreign students were from South Korea,
Japan, the US, Vietnam and Indonesia.
According to a report published in People's Daily on
July 6, foreign student numbers in China increase by over 20
percent a year. Of particular interest is that three breakthroughs
were achieved in 2005. It was the year that China welcomed the
largest number of foreign students from the largest number of
countries and into the largest number of schools. These were clear
indications that China has become the new destination of choice for
foreign students.
Of the 141,087 foreign students studying in China in 2005, 7,218
were supported by Chinese government scholarships, and 133,869 were
self-supporting. Compared with 2004 figures, this represented an
increase of 7.49 percent and 28.56 percent respectively.
Of the 118,500 Chinese students studying abroad in 2005, 3,979
were sponsored by their government, 8,078 by their companies, and
106,500 were self-supporting.
Zhang Xiuqin, general secretary of the China Scholarship
Council, pointed out that China's stable political system, rapid
economic development, increasing international influence, the
quality of higher education, and an improved environment for
foreigners are the main reasons why foreign students choose to
study here.
In recent years, China's institutions of higher learning have
paid keen attention to enhancing their services and standards,
scientific research strength, and student exchange. Many
universities have also expanded their curricula to include courses
in foreign languages, culture and international studies.
At Beijing Normal University, for instance, some 700 foreigners
have been granted Chinese government scholarships over the last 10
years. The number of foreigners who pursue advanced studies over a
long term is about 1,700. Foreign students currently account for
nine percent of the student population.
Another major reason for the influx of foreign students into
China is the country's low cost of living. According to Xie Yiming,
director of Beijing Education New Skills Promotion Center, the
average tuition fee for foreigners enrolled in an undergraduate
course in Beijing is about 28,000 yuan (US$3,502). Average
expenditure a year is about 50,000 yuan (US$6,253) including
accommodation, food and other miscellaneous expenses.
More scholarships for foreign students
Chen Yinghui, director of the Foreign Students Studying or
Working in China Office of the International Department of the
Ministry of Education, explained that government scholarships are
usually given in accordance with bilateral education and cultural
exchange agreements. However, in the light of increasing
international demand, the Chinese government has started to offer
unilateral scholarships.
In addition, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has set up a
program that trains foreign doctorate students. In 2004, seven
students from Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Pakistan and Japan were,
for the first time, granted Chinese government scholarships. They
pursued their doctorate studies under the guidance of professors
from Huazhong Agriculture University and the Postgraduates
Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The MOE has also decided to give out 50 post-graduate
scholarships a year to foreigners who have obtained at least one
bachelor degree in China.
More than just the language
In the past, foreigners mainly came to China to study Chinese
language and history and became Sinologists when they returned to
their countries. Nowadays, more opt to study economics, finance,
law and journalism. However, Asian students tend to have a wider
choice of majors compared to their Western peers because of the
language. Few Westerners purse degree courses in China.
This is why many universities have designed courses tailored to
the needs of foreign students. In 2005, the International Relations
Institute of Renmin University of China included "Economic Issues
of Contemporary China" as a major in their undergraduate curriculum
with part of the course taught in English.
The Business of education
China stands to benefit economically from the foreign student
boom. In theory, 50,000 yuan invested in a business opportunity
creates about four new job opportunities. Applying that to foreign
student education in China which has generated about 7 billion yuan
(US$875 million) in business opportunities, it can and will
potentially result in 660,000 job opportunities.
However, some experts pointed out that if each of the 110,000
Chinese students studying abroad spends 150,000 yuan (US$18,760)
annually, that would amount to about 16.5 billion yuan (US$2.1
billion). This is twice the expense of foreigners studying in
China, which means that China suffers a huge "deficit".
(China.org.cn by Wang Qian, July 9, 2006)