Undergraduate students now represent 59 percent of those wishing to study abroad, marking a 4 percent increase from the previous year, according to the 2025 Report on Chinese Students’ Overseas Study. This rise highlights the growing demand among university students for higher educational qualifications.
The report reveals that in 2025, students at the undergraduate level and above, including graduates, account for 75 percent of those planning overseas study. Among them, 33 percent come from prestigious universities participating in the government’s “Double First-Class” initiative—an increase of 7 percent compared with last year.
The report attributes this growth to improvements in global public health, changes in overseas universities’ admission policies, and the resumption of international academic exchanges.
Released by New Oriental Education and Technology Group, the 11th edition of the report is based on a survey of 8,014 respondents, including students who have studied abroad or intend to, their parents in China and abroad, as well as professionals from various industries.
Among undergraduates and above who want to study abroad, engineering majors comprise the largest group at 22 percent, followed by management at 16 percent and economics at 11 percent. These fields are favored due to their strong employment prospects and competitive salaries.
Reflecting China’s growing demand for innovative and interdisciplinary talents, most intending overseas students are considering or have applied for interdisciplinary programs, motivated by good job prospects, personal interest, and relevance to their previous studies.
Regarding popular destinations, the United Kingdom and the United States have led choices for Chinese students over the past decade. Since 2019, the UK has surpassed the US in popularity due to shorter academic programs and a more stable political environment.
Other favored destinations include Hong Kong SAR, Australia, Japan, and Singapore. Ireland has risen to seventh place in popularity by 2025, while Canada’s appeal among Chinese students has declined in recent years.
Over half of the parents supporting study-abroad plans hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, showing a more open attitude toward education. The percentage of parents with overseas education backgrounds has steadily increased over 11 years, reaching 25 percent in 2025.
Additionally, parents in leadership or executive roles have grown from 20 percent in 2022 to 31 percent in 2025, while those in middle management or general staff positions have decreased.
The average annual household income for families intending to send children abroad is 483,000 yuan ($67,247), with a study budget averaging 544,000 yuan, the report states.
Sun Tao, vice-president of New Oriental Education & Technology Group and president of its overseas study service Vision Overseas, noted that besides young people aged 15 to 25, working professionals aged 25 to 40 are increasingly pursuing overseas study through distance learning, with more retirees also choosing to study abroad.
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