China, you may have heard, is on the up. Our guide explains why a graduate degree in what may just be the world's next true superpower is an increasingly viable option.
And if you're considering it already, there’s good news: China wants you too.
The government has set a target of having 500,000 foreign students in the country by 2020, and it has a number of initiatives in place to ensure it meets this goal – including substantial scholarships for international students.
The country is among the fastest growing destinations for international students. According to China’s University and College Admission System (CUCAS), there are now more than 280,000 foreign students in the country, and that figure is increasing by almost 10% annually.
In the 2012-13 academic year, the Ministry of Education has pledged at least 1.5 billion yuan (US$238 million) for the Chinese Government Scholarship Program, which provides full and partial scholarships for international students.
In 2011, 25,687 international students benefitted from this scheme, and the government wants to increase that number. It also says the average scholarship will increase from 50,000 yuan to 60,000 yuan (US$9,412).
Even for those who don’t receive a scholarship, China represents a relatively affordable option. Tuition fees are comparatively low, as is the cost of living.
CUCAS advises international students to budget US$2,000-4,000 annually for tuition fees, US$3,000 annually for accommodation, and about US$2,000 for general living costs.
International student life in China
China isn’t just pouring money into scholarships; it’s also investing heavily in developing its higher education system.
Key initiatives include Project 211, which has the aim of developing 100 Chinese universities to world-class standard, and Project 985 – which has resulted in the creation of the elite ‘C9’ group of universities.
For David Feng, who was born in Beijing but raised in Switzerland, academic excellence played a key role in his decision to pursue graduate education in China.
In particular, he emphasizes the high quality of the mentorship he received at the Communication University of China – a public university in Beijing, which is part of Project 211 – where he completed an MA in communication, followed by a PhD.
For David, as for many others, studying in China also held the attraction of being at the heart of a ‘booming’ society and witnessing at first hand the many changes taking place here.
Make the most of studying in China
David’s main advice for those studying in China is quite simple: travel. He estimates that during the three years of his PhD, he covered more than 50,000km in train journeys, in his quest to explore as much of the country as possible.
China is huge – roughly the same size as the US – and its list of natural and historical attractions is immense. You could visit the Himalayan Mountains or the Taklimakan Desert, or explore major historic sites such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City.
However, David also recommends getting off the tourist trail: “Go deep into local cultures. Get out of your comfort zone... Uncover as many surprises as possible.”
He also mentions the benefits of becoming fluent in Mandarin. This may not be an easy task, but it’s likely to be worthwhile; Mandarin is the world’s largest mother tongue, and an increasingly important language in international communications.
So, choose to study in China, and you’ll find yourself at the center of a nation on the rise in more ways than one – and certainly not least in terms of its higher education offerings.
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