The number of international students studying in China exceeded 290,000 in 2011 – a sign China will achieve its goal of attracting 500,000 overseas students by the end of the decade. South Korea, the US, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam were said to be the top senders... The number of international students studying in China exceeded 290,000 in 2011 – a sign China will achieve its goal of attracting 500,000 overseas students by the end of the decade.
According to the Ministry of Education, 292,611 students from over 190 countries were in enrolled in 660 institutions across China, a 10% rise from 265,090 in 2010. This is up from 238,184 in 2009.
Data from the Ministry of Education shows that Asia contributed 64% of all foreign students, while Europe sent 16%, the US 11%, Africa 7% and Asia Pacific 1%.
South Korea, the US, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam were said to be the top senders.
The increase shows China is on track with plans to become an international education hub by 2020 with around half a million international students.
At the British Council's Going Global Conference in Hong Kong last year, Ministry of Education director Shen Yang outlined a multilateral strategy to boost country-to-country student exchange, regional cooperation, mutual recognition of qualifications and scholarships.
Scholarship schemes already in play include the
100,000 Strong initiative launched in the US in 2009, which aims to bring 100,000 US students to China over four years. The Chinese government also awarded over 25,000 foreign student scholarships last year, up 15% on 2010.
In the 2011 stats the biggest increases were among African and American cohorts, which grew 26.46% and 18.75% respectively. Russia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, France and Germany all sent more than 5,000 students.
Individuals studying degrees made up about 40% of all international students – up by 10% on last year – with more than three quarters studying undergraduate or diploma degrees. Around 60% were said to be non-degree students.
The number of international students studying in China exceeded 290,000 in 2011 – a sign China will achieve its goal of attracting 500,000 overseas students by the end of the decade.
According to the Ministry of Education, 292,611 students from over 190 countries were in enrolled in 660 institutions across China, a 10% rise from 265,090 in 2010. This is up from 238,184 in 2009.
Data from the Ministry of Education shows that Asia contributed 64% of all foreign students, while Europe sent 16%, the US 11%, Africa 7% and Asia Pacific 1%.
South Korea, the US, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam were said to be the top senders.
The increase shows China is on track with plans to become an international education hub by 2020 with around half a million international students.
At the British Council’s Going Global Conference in Hong Kong last year, Ministry of Education director Shen Yang outlined a multilateral strategy to boost country-to-country student exchange, regional cooperation, mutual recognition of qualifications and scholarships.
Scholarship schemes already in play include the 100,000 Strong initiative launched in the US in 2009, which aims to bring 100,000 US students to China over four years. The Chinese government also awarded over 25,000 foreign student scholarships last year, up 15% on 2010.
In the 2011 stats the biggest increases were among African and American cohorts, which grew 26.46% and 18.75% respectively. Russia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, France and Germany all sent more than 5,000 students.
Individuals studying degrees made up about 40% of all international students – up by 10% on last year – with more than three quarters studying undergraduate or diploma degrees. Around 60% were said to be non-degree students.
