For the first time since 2020, the United Kingdom has become the most popular destination for Chinese students studying abroad, overtaking the United States. This shift is mainly due to the UK’s shorter academic programs and its relatively stable political environment, according to a recent report.
The 2025 Report on Chinese Students’ Overseas Study also shows that after the UK and the US, other favored destinations for Chinese students include Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, and Singapore.
Canada, once a popular choice, has seen a decline in interest over the past three years. Meanwhile, Ireland has gained popularity and is now ranked seventh among study destinations.
The report was published in late May by New Oriental Education and Technology Group. It is the eleventh edition in the series.
The findings come from a survey of 8,014 respondents. These included students who have studied or plan to study overseas, their parents in China and abroad, and professionals from various industries.
Among students aiming for undergraduate or higher education abroad, engineering is the most popular field, representing 22 percent of applicants. This is followed by management at 16 percent, and economics at 11 percent. These subjects attract students because of their strong job prospects and higher salaries.
The report also highlights a growing interest in interdisciplinary studies. Many students choose or plan to apply for programs that combine multiple fields. They do so because of good job opportunities, personal interest, and relevance to their previous education.
Parental background also plays a role in overseas study decisions. The share of parents in leadership or executive roles who plan to send their children abroad has increased from 20 percent in 2022 to 31 percent in 2025. At the same time, fewer parents in middle management or general staff positions are sending their children overseas.
Parents with higher education levels are more likely to support overseas study. Over half of these parents have a bachelor’s degree or above. The report suggests these parents tend to be more open-minded and progressive about education.
Notably, the percentage of parents who themselves studied abroad has risen steadily over the past 11 years, reaching 25 percent in 2025.
The report also states that in 2025, families planning to send their children overseas had an average annual income of 483,000 yuan (about $67,247). Their budget for overseas education averaged 544,000 yuan.
Experts in overseas education services observe that the group interested in studying abroad is becoming more diverse. This includes people of different ages and professional backgrounds.
Sun Tao, vice president of New Oriental Education & Technology Group and president of its overseas study services branch, Vision Overseas, said: “Besides young people aged 15 to 25, working professionals aged 25 to 40 are also looking to study abroad. They often do this through distance learning to improve their skills. Additionally, more retirees are choosing to study overseas.”
