What can we say about China that you don’t already know? It is the most populated country in the world, with charming and captivating citizens. It is also one of the leading political and cultural forces that helped shape our world. China also has a rich and beautiful history, with people more concentrated on learning and inventing, rather than conquering.
Because China wasn’t satisfied with these accomplishments, now it’s one of the most popular destinations for international students worldwide. Out of the study options they have in Asia, all foreign students going to China can’t wait to absorb and immerse themselves in the amazing culture and enjoy the benefits of a high-standard education system.
Here are some universities we recommend in China:
- Zhejiang University
- East China Normal University
- Beijing Normal University
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Central South University
But what makes China so attractive to students from all over the world?
1. China is an innovation leader
The expression “not for all the tea in China” is cute, but so factually inaccurate it almost hurts. Not only isn’t tea the most exported good in China, it isn’t even in the top 10. That’s because, as technology evolved, China knew how to keep up with the times and where to invest and how much.
From major breakthroughs in Medicine, Engineering and Technology, to mass production of textiles, plastic articles, and furniture, China has slowly become as indispensable to our modern lives as air and food.
And, if anyone were capable of manufacturing air, that would probably be China.
2. China has top-ranked universities
China has 134 ranked universities and colleges. 134!
Not only that, but they even went as far as creating their own ranking system, called the Shanghai Ranking system, or the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).
Still, because we want to be fair here, we’ll list the Chinese universities that were ranked highest in the QS World University Rankings 2022:
- Tsinghua University
- Peking University
- Fudan University
- Zhejiang University
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- University of Science and Technology of China
- Nanjing University
- Tongji University
- Wuhan University
- Harbin Institute of Technology
While your skills and knowledge are more important than the prestige of your university, never underestimate the impact of small details. If you’re a top student and have great results, you can always use that during a job interview to show your commitment, ambition, and discipline.
3. Student life in China is great
China seems tailor-made for students; it offers low tuition and living costs, easy university and visa application processes, as well as entertainment and social activities, like concerts, movie premiers, and, dare we say it, exciting nightlife.
Still, as a short recap, you should know that living costs in China are:
- In Beijing, between 850 and 1,200 EUR/month
- In Shanghai and Shenzhen, between 650 and 1,100 EUR/month
You can also check out the Studyportals Scholarship to get some help on financing your studies in China.
4. China invests to become an international education hub
The “Study in China” plan was launched in 2010 with the main goal of attracting 500,000 international students by 2020. Based on the fact that in 2018, the total number of foreign students was 492,185, it’s obvious that the Chinese plan was a success. The good news doesn’t stop here, as the number of students interested in studying abroad in China is still increasing.
There are also partnerships and agreements signed between the UK and China. That’s why you can find British universities with campuses in China, like:
China also modelled its political and socio-economic systems in a way that schools and universities won’t be affected if another economic crisis starts.
These are the most popular Master’s degrees among international students in China:
5. China is a great country for students and tourists
It may seem redundant to mention again, but China is amazing, no matter where you’re coming from. European students will be amazed by the cultural differences and the overall mentality. As for Asian students, it will be a great opportunity for them to explore a similar, but not identical culture and study at top universities.
Apart from genuine Chinese food, you will get to see the Terracotta Army, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and all the places Mulan had to see before they made a man out of her.
Final thoughts on studying a Master’s degree in China
So, after all these points, do you think it’s still worth studying in another country? My answer would be “not for all the electrical machinery in China.” Whatever you decide, we can only wish you good luck, and, most importantly, have fun!