- UK surpasses US as the top destination for Chinese students in 2025 due to shorter programs and political stability.
- Engineering, management, and economics are the most preferred fields for overseas study.
- Parents with higher income and education levels are more likely to send their children abroad, with rising interest from working professionals and retirees.
The United Kingdom surpassed the United States as the favorite destination for Chinese students pursuing overseas education in 2025, the first time since 2020 that the UK has been the leader. The change is largely due to the fact that UK academic programmes last shorter durations and have a relatively more stable political environment, said the 2025 Report on Chinese Students' Overseas Study published by New Oriental Education & Technology Group in late May.
The US is in close second place, with Hong Kong SAR, Australia, Japan, and Singapore next in line. Canada, which in the last three years has waned in popularity, is now followed by Ireland, which has gained further interest to move into seventh place among preferred destinations.
According to a survey of 8,014 respondents existing and potential overseas students, their parents, and international professionals the report identifies that engineering continues to be the most preferred field among undergraduate and postgraduate students, with 22% of applications. Next in line are management and economics, with 16% and 11% respectively, fueled by excellent career opportunities and high-paying salaries.
The research indicates an increase in the desire for interdisciplinary programs from students driven by career prospects, academic interest, and consistency with prior education.
Parents' educational and professional profiles have a huge bearing on overseas education decisions. In 2025, 31% of parents who sent their kids abroad were in executive or leadership positions, an increase from 20% in 2022. Parents in middle management and general staff decreased instead. More than half of them possess a bachelor's degree or above, while 25% of them have also studied overseas an increase for the 11th consecutive year.
Financially, the median per capita family income of individuals intending to send children abroad was about 483,000 yuan ($67,247), with a study budget of 544,000 yuan.
Student populations going abroad for education are increasingly getting diversified, industry experts say. While the age group of 15–25 continues to remain the focal point, working professionals between 25–40 and even retirees are also looking for international education through distance learning or short courses. "Increasingly, professionals and retirees are looking for global study options to broaden their perspectives and get upgraded," said Sun Tao, Vice-President of New Oriental and President of Vision Overseas.
