All source countries
1,000+ universities (MoE 2018)What international students actually study
MoE 2018 · 52% on degree programmes · ~87% self-funded.
- Chinese language
- Clinical medicine
- Engineering
- Business / economics
China’s last detailed public nationality report (MoE 2018): 492,185 students from 196 countries. Asia ~60%, Africa ~17%, Europe ~15%. Across subjects, Chinese language has long been huge (especially non-degree). Degree seekers cluster in medicine, engineering, and economics — with India and much of Africa heavily in MBBS, and Pakistan/Africa also strong in engineering.
Chinese language · business
Beijing · Shanghai · ShandongEast AsiaSouth Korea — largest source country
MoE 2018: 50,600 Korean students — #1 source country.
- Chinese language
- Business
- Economics & trade
Korean students are the biggest nationality group in China. Most are on Chinese-language programmes or short courses; degree seekers lean toward business, economics, and trade rather than medicine.
Chinese language · degrees
Beijing · Yunnan · GuangxiSoutheast AsiaThailand — language first, then degrees
MoE 2018: 28,608 Thai students — #2 source country.
- Chinese language
- Business
- Medicine
- Engineering
Thailand has long been the #2 source country. A large share come for Chinese language; those on degrees often choose business, medicine, or engineering, including campuses near the Southwest border.
Clinical medicine (MBBS)
English-taught medical schoolsSouth AsiaIndia — mostly MBBS
MoE 2018: 23,198 Indian students — #4 source country.
For Indian students, China is primarily a medicine destination. Research on the cohort found around four in five Indian students in China enrolled in MBBS / clinical medicine — not language year or general degrees.
Engineering · medicine
Across ChinaSouth AsiaPakistan — engineering and medicine
MoE 2018: 28,023 Pakistani students — #3 source country.
- Engineering
- Computer science
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Business
Pakistan is consistently among the top three source countries. Students mainly take engineering, computer science, business, and clinical medicine (MBBS). Language study is secondary to those degree tracks.
Chinese language · business
Beijing · Shanghai · GuangdongSoutheast AsiaIndonesia — language and business
MoE 2018: 15,050 Indonesian students — #7 source country.
- Chinese language
- Business
- Engineering
Indonesia sits in the top ten source countries. Typical choices: Chinese language programmes, then business and engineering degrees — the same Southeast Asian pattern as Thailand and Malaysia.
Chinese language · business
Beijing · Shanghai · FujianSoutheast AsiaMalaysia — language, business, medicine
MoE 2018: 9,479 Malaysian students — #15 source country.
- Chinese language
- Business
- Medicine
Malaysia is a steady mid-tier source. Students commonly take Chinese language, business/management, or medicine. Many already have some Chinese exposure before they apply.
Medicine · engineering
Jiangsu · Zhejiang · HubeiAfricaNigeria — medicine and engineering
MoE 2018: Africa 81,562 students (16.6% of all internationals).
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
- Computer science
Africa was the second-largest continental source (after Asia). Nigerian students in China are heavily concentrated in English-taught clinical medicine and engineering — not short language tourism.
Medicine · engineering
Across ChinaAfrica / MENAEgypt — medicine and STEM
Africa was #2 continent in MoE 2018 (after Asia).
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
- Chinese language
Egyptian and other North African students in China typically aim at clinical medicine or engineering, with some Chinese-language pathways. Same English-taught degree lists used by other African applicants.
Medicine · engineering
English-taught programmesMiddle EastIran — medicine and engineering
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
- Pharmacy
Iranian students in China mainly pursue clinical medicine and engineering in English. The driver is degree access and cost, not a language year.
Engineering · language
Beijing · Heilongjiang · ShanghaiEuropeRussia — engineering and Chinese
MoE 2018: 19,239 Russian students — #6 source country.
- Engineering
- Chinese language
- Economics
Russia is a top-ten source country. Students commonly take engineering or Chinese language, with strong numbers in Northeast China (including Heilongjiang) as well as Beijing and Shanghai.
Medicine · engineering
English-taught programmesAfricaSouth Africa — medicine and STEM
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
- Computer science
Southern African students in China largely follow the African pattern: English-taught clinical medicine, then engineering and computer science. Chinese language is usually a support skill, not the main degree.
Medicine · engineering
English-taught programmesAfricaKenya — medicine and engineering
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
- Agriculture
East African students in China most often apply for clinical medicine or engineering. Scholarship-linked seats exist, but the subject mix is still medicine and STEM — not a generic “any degree” path.
Chinese language · degrees
Beijing · ShanghaiAmericasBrazil — smaller share, language & degrees
MoE 2018: Americas 35,733 students (7.3% of total).
- Chinese language
- Business
- Engineering
The Americas are a smaller slice of China’s international intake (about 7% in MoE 2018). Brazilian students who do come usually take Chinese language or English-taught business and engineering — not the MBBS volumes of South Asia.
Chinese language · exchange
ChinaUnited States — what students study
MoE 2018: 20,996 — #5 source country.
- Chinese language
- Short-term / exchange
The US ranks high on language and exchange numbers more than on long MBBS tracks. Many are non-degree Chinese language students.
Japan — what students study
MoE 2018: 14,230 — #9 source country.
- Chinese language
- Short-term / exchange
Japanese students in China are heavily concentrated in Chinese language and short programmes.
Engineering · language
ChinaKazakhstan — what students study
MoE 2018: 11,784 — #10 source country.
- Engineering
- Chinese language
- Business
Kazakh students often take engineering, Chinese language, or business — a Central Asian Belt-and-Road pattern.
Chinese language · business
ChinaVietnam — what students study
MoE 2018: 11,299 — #11 source country.
- Chinese language
- Business
- Engineering
Vietnamese students commonly study Chinese language, business, or engineering.
Clinical medicine (MBBS)
ChinaBangladesh — what students study
MoE 2018: 10,735 — #12 source country.
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
Bangladeshi students in China are strongly tilted toward MBBS, with some engineering.
Chinese language · exchange
ChinaFrance — what students study
MoE 2018: 10,695 — #13 source country.
- Chinese language
- Business
- Exchange
French students are more often on language, exchange, or business tracks than on African/South Asian MBBS volumes.
Chinese language · degrees
ChinaMongolia — what students study
MoE 2018: 10,158 — #14 source country.
- Chinese language
- Business
- Medicine
Mongolian students often take Chinese language plus business or medicine degrees.
Chinese language · degrees
ChinaLaos — what students study
MoE 2018: 14,645 — #8 source country.
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
Laos is a top-ten source country, largely language programmes and Belt-and-Road-linked degrees.
Clinical medicine (MBBS)
ChinaNepal — what students study
Nepali students in China are heavily concentrated in MBBS programmes.
Clinical medicine (MBBS)
ChinaSri Lanka — what students study
Sri Lankan students in China commonly take English-taught clinical medicine.
Chinese language · medicine
ChinaPhilippines — what students study
- Chinese language
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Business
Filipino students often take Chinese language, business, or clinical medicine.
Singapore — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Chinese language · degrees
ChinaCambodia — what students study
- Chinese language
- Business
- Engineering
Cambodian students commonly take Chinese language plus business or engineering.
Chinese language · degrees
ChinaMyanmar — what students study
- Chinese language
- Business
- Medicine
Myanmar students often choose Chinese language, business, or medicine.
Engineering · language
ChinaUzbekistan — what students study
- Engineering
- Chinese language
- Business
Uzbek students often take engineering, Chinese language, or business.
Türkiye — what students study
- Business
- Chinese language
- Engineering
Turkish students in China commonly take business, Chinese language, or engineering.
Saudi Arabia — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
United Arab Emirates — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Yemen — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Iraq — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Jordan — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Morocco — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Algeria — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Medicine · engineering
ChinaGhana — what students study
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
Ghanaian students follow the West African pattern: clinical medicine and engineering in English.
Medicine · engineering
ChinaTanzania — what students study
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
Tanzanian students in China typically apply for clinical medicine or engineering.
Medicine · engineering
ChinaUganda — what students study
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
Ugandan students in China mainly take clinical medicine or engineering.
Medicine · engineering
ChinaEthiopia — what students study
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
Ethiopian students in China commonly pursue medicine or engineering.
Medicine · engineering
ChinaZimbabwe — what students study
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
Zimbabwean students in China mainly pursue medicine or engineering.
Zambia — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Medicine · engineering
ChinaCameroon — what students study
- MBBS / clinical medicine
- Engineering
Cameroonian students in China mainly take medicine or engineering.
Senegal — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Chinese language · degrees
ChinaMexico — what students study
Mexican students in China are fewer than Asian/African cohorts; language and business programmes are typical.
Colombia — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Peru — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Argentina — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Canada — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Chinese language · Master's
ChinaUnited Kingdom — what students study
- Chinese language
- Business
- Master's degrees
UK students are a smaller share than Asian/African cohorts; language programmes and English-taught Master's are more common than MBBS volumes.
Chinese language · exchange
ChinaGermany — what students study
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Exchange
German students more often take language, exchange, or engineering than clinical medicine at scale.
Italy — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Spain — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Poland — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Ukraine — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
Australia — typical subjects
- Chinese language
- Engineering
- Business
- Medicine
We do not invent a special story for every country. Across China’s international intake, the large subjects are Chinese language, clinical medicine, engineering, and business/economics — with medicine and engineering strongest for many African and South Asian applicants.
