Insight into China Education Developments

Produced by our China team, the latest report provides a roundup of China’s education developments during the first half of 2014 and follows their January report which was picked up and reported around the world.

Sam Mackay, Senior Education Manager in Beijing, says the Insight Report is the China team’s way of keeping industry up-to-date with changes in the region.

“There’s so much information flying around about Chinese education developments that it can be hard to keep current. We developed the China Insight Report so you can stay abreast of the key trends in this top priority market for New Zealand.”

“We’ve also tried to deliver it in an engaging manner. You can contemplate our ‘questions to ponder’, try your luck at some of this year’s Gaokao questions, and even enjoy a (somewhat related) dance clip.”

Download the China Insight report here. We welcome feedback to china@enz.govt.nz.

Quick summary:

• The number of Chinese students heading overseas rose in 2013, but at a slower rate than previous years.  

• Chinese international student enrolments in New Zealand rebounded, exceeding the 25,000 mark for the first time since 2007. Strong growth occurred in the school and university sectors.

• Postgraduate student numbers within China are falling due to the introduction of tuition fees. Interest in ‘professionally oriented’ postgraduate programmes, however, is rising.

• A record number of graduates are finding employment prospects tough. The expected monthly salary has fallen 2000 yuan over the past three years.

• China’s vocational education system is being transformed. Changes to the exam system, institution entry processes and a boost in the number of higher vocational institutions are all in the works.

• Global acceptance of Gaokao has increased as the exams get reformed. A technical stream to the exams will be introduced, and students will be able to sit their English exams periodically throughout the year.

• Chinese parents are increasingly asking providers to illustrate the return on investment.