Students in China who have been studying international courses online should now travel to overseas study destination countries, authorities announced on January 28.

Universities and education agents are confident that new testing requirements for Chinese travellers will have a minimal impact on international students as Beijing scraps restrictions on outbound travel. 

China’s strict Covid-19 rules and economic downturn are likely to drive long-term interest in studying abroad among Chinese families, experts have predicted.

In the 2020/21 academic year, the total number of US students who studied abroad for academic credit declined by 91%, according to new Open Doors data.

Stakeholders have suggested that there might be “significant” improvement in China’s outbound study market as the country gradually reopens. 

After two years of being almost completely closed off, direct flights and student flows are beginning to resume after officials announced “all students” would be welcome back to China.

An August 18 ministerial meeting convened by the Chinese government failed to deliver a date for return to China of thousands of African students.

Access to work rights, cost and education quality are returning as influencing factors in major student source markets, latest analysis has suggested.