China is continuing to strengthen its position as a major global study destination, with nearly 380,000 international students from 191 countries and regions studying or participating in exchange programs during the 2024–2025 academic year, according to figures shared at the 2026 China Study Abroad Forum (CSAF).
The latest data was announced during the “Study in China, Connect with the World” exchange event, organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange under China’s Ministry of Education.
Among the 380,000 international students currently in China, around 8% are recipients of Chinese Government Scholarships. The student population is increasingly diverse, with Asia remaining the largest source region at 61.1%, followed by Africa (16.2%), Europe (15.6%), and the Americas and Oceania combined (7.1%).
China has also seen continued growth in degree-seeking international students. Of the total, 205,000 are enrolled in formal degree programs, with postgraduate students accounting for 35% of this group.
Engineering has emerged as the most popular academic discipline among degree students, representing 27.8% of enrollments, reflecting growing global demand for technical and industry-oriented education.
Xi Ru, an official with the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange at China’s Ministry of Education, said the Chinese government remains committed to improving the quality of international education while expanding enrollment scale and strengthening student services.
According to Xi, China will continue building the “Study in China” brand, improving institutional capacity, and supporting the country’s ambition to become a globally influential education hub.
Speaking at the forum, Joe Johnson, former UK minister for universities, science, research and innovation, highlighted the launch of the China-UK Study Tour Leadership Program in January, describing it as a new platform for sustainable bilateral academic cooperation.
As part of the initiative, more than 300 students and staff from nine UK universities—including the University of York, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Edinburgh—are expected to visit 10 Chinese universities across six cities in June.
Johnson said the program offers UK students a high-quality and well-structured international exchange opportunity that could deepen academic and cultural understanding between the two countries.
The Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange said it will continue improving services across the full international student journey, from recruitment and admissions to student support and talent development, as part of broader efforts to strengthen China’s international education ecosystem.
China has steadily expanded its international education footprint in recent years, positioning itself as an alternative study destination amid tightening immigration policies and rising tuition costs in traditional host countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
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