It is well known that the coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown restrictions, domestically and internationally, have wilted the number of Chinese students in British independent schools.
Where fears of COVID-19 infections, combined with travel restrictions, have made studying abroad both uncertain and worrisome for many families and students.
Despite this and Chinese domestic schooling, the UK has seen an increase in Chinese students at British universities, even amid the past five years of health/travel concerns.
A recent study outlines that the number of Chinese students enrolling in UK universities has increased 41% over the last five years – even through the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions. Furthermore, in 2021/2022, 27% of all non-EU students were from China.
Another study found that this undisrupted rise is due to the potential employability opportunities compared to graduates in other countries. The employability factor ultimately suggests that enthusiasm for higher education will continue to rise – far past expectations of a significant downturn.
However, the international student admission rate in independent schools has significantly dropped. Between 2019 and 2022, the ISC reported a 26% decline in the number of students from mainland China.
Bringing into question whether and when the influx of Chinese students will resume. Or will this long-term decline be offset by the rising demand from other emerging markets, such as India and Malaysia?
Our corresponding team in China suggest that this steep decline is a by-product of the COVID-19 Chinese government restrictions. But one that is temporary, with a quick rebound to match previous pre-COVID numbers.
Enthusiasm and willingness to study abroad are due to several different structural, political and cultural factors, including visa application and airline resumptions, government guidance, as well as transitions to new forms of digital pedagogy.
Foreign teacher declines in China.
Due to domestic education policies in China in recent years, many foreign teachers at international and bilingual schools have returned to their home countries, leaving a significant gap in the teachings of English and the western-style syllabus.
This has also caused a higher turnover rate of teachers, a factor that can dramatically impact a student’s learning experience. Therefore, teacher uncertainty in mainland China is a factor to consider when positioning the exodus of Chinese students to study abroad.
Technological changes within the education sector have also dramatically reshaped the physical classroom and pedagogy.
The increased domestic travel restrictions in China has meant that schools and teachers have had to adapt their online learning materials. Chinese schools, like UK schools, have had to rely on online lessons to minimise education disruption.
Yet, Chinese parents and students have been critical of online lessons, claiming that guidance and learning initiatives are substandard compared to face-to-face classes. In particular, the consensus is that primary and secondary school students lack the self-motivation to learn independently – where online courses are not suitable for every child and their learning style.
In addition, these changes, in effect with modifications to the curriculum, mean that many parents will consider plans for their children to study abroad in advance – potentially sending their children to study in the UK at a much younger age than in previous years.
Chinese parents and students directly mentioned these concerns and issues to the Chinese Gabbitas team when taking the UKiset test. It is worth noting that the number of UKiset students has also increased in the past twelve months.
UKiset is a highly adaptive assessment designed for entry into British curriculum schools that tests English skills, non-verbal reasoning and mathematics. The increase in UKiset applicants, therefore, signals and provides a good measure for the number of potential international applicants for British Independent Schools. Find out more about UKiset here.
Increase in interest in summer camps and school visits
Demand for summer camps and school visits by international students has also increased after the Chinese border resumed commencement. According to the latest notice from the Chinese Embassy in the UK, the Chinese Visa Application Centre in London has started accepting ordinary visas from January 8th, 2023.
In mainland China, international students can also begin to apply for UK visas usually, making applications, travel and bureaucracy of international education simpler. With these political and transportation restorations, it is easier to travel to the UK from China.
Aside from students and parents being able to resume visiting schools (experiencing the atmosphere, directly speaking with students, admission officers and heads), an increase in the demand for summer camps can be seen also to take charge.
With the disruption of teaching and foreign teachers in China, parents will be weary of their child’s English language skills – and this is where summer camps come in.
Summer camps can be a great addition to a student’s learning tools, improving their academic ability, improving their English language skills and enhancing their communication and social skills with others. Gabbitas has seen a significant increase in parents enquiring about information about summer schools in the UK.
Conclusion
Many factors point to an increase in the number of inbound international students coming from China to the UK to study. Where Gabbitas believes the increase in enquiries for British schools and summer camps points to a pre-Covid trend.
To learn more on this, summer camps, UKiset or any other enquiries on how this may impact your school or student, contact our experts at info@gabbitas.com.
