Chinese students increasingly studying abroad

China’s Ministry of Education is reporting continued growth in the number of Chinese students studying abroad, with almost half a million students studying outside of China in 2014, an increase of 11.1% over the previous year. Increasing numbers of students are beginning their studies abroad at a younger age as well, with almost 30% of Chinese students studying abroad at the secondary school level. The ministry also indicated that increasing numbers of these students are returning to work in China when they complete their studies. Further, China is on track to meet its goals of having 500,000 foreign students studying in China by 2020, with 377,054 international students enrolled in Chinese institutions in 2014. The leading destinations for Chinese students studying at the postsecondary level were the US, the UK, Australia, Japan, and France; the majority of Chinese students studying abroad at the secondary level travelled to US, Australia, and Canada for studies. In related news, the Rhodes Trust announced last week that students in China will soon be eligible to receive the prestigious Rhodes scholarships. ICEF Monitor | The Chronicle of Higher Education