For the first time since 2020, the United Kingdom has overtaken the United States as the most preferred study abroad destination for Chinese students, according to a new report released in late May.
The 2025 Report on Chinese Students’ Overseas Study, published by New Oriental Education and Technology Group, attributes the UK’s growing appeal to its shorter academic programmes and relatively stable political climate. This shift marks a significant change in the global landscape of international education.
Following the UK and the US, other popular destinations include the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Australia, Japan, and Singapore. The report notes that Canada’s popularity has declined over the past three years, while Ireland has risen to seventh place, reflecting shifting preferences among Chinese families.
Now in its 11th edition, the report is based on a survey of 8,014 respondents—including students, parents, and education professionals—both in China and abroad. It offers comprehensive insights into emerging trends in overseas education.
Among students planning to study abroad at the undergraduate level or higher, engineering remains the top field of interest (22%), followed by management (16%) and economics (11%). These disciplines are often associated with strong employment prospects and high earning potential, according to the findings.
A notable trend identified in the report is the growing demand for interdisciplinary study abroad programs. Many students are combining fields such as technology and business or science and humanities, citing better job prospects, personal interests, and alignment with their academic backgrounds as key motivators.
Parental influence and socioeconomic background also play an increasingly important role. The percentage of parents in executive or leadership roles planning to send their children overseas has risen sharply—from 20% in 2022 to 31% in 2025. In contrast, interest among middle managers and general staff has declined.
Over half of these parents hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and 25% have themselves studied abroad—a figure that has grown steadily for 11 consecutive years. This trend reflects a broader cultural shift toward globalized education and long-term academic planning.
Financial readiness remains a major factor. Families intending to support overseas education report an average annual income of CNY 483,000 (approximately USD 67,000), with an average education budget of CNY 544,000.
The study abroad sector is also seeing increasing diversity among learners. According to Sun Tao, Vice President of New Oriental and President of its overseas study services branch, Vision Overseas, more adults aged 25 to 40 are enrolling in part-time or distance-learning programmes. Interestingly, a growing number of retirees are also exploring overseas study opportunities as a means of personal enrichment.
As the global education landscape evolves, these trends suggest that Chinese students and families are adopting more nuanced and future-oriented approaches to choosing international academic experiences—making study abroad guides and support services more crucial than ever.
