Chinese Students Shun the US for Southeast Asia?

Southeast Asia, once seen as a backup, is quietly emerging as a new academic haven.

Visa crackdowns, rising anti-China rhetoric, and the looming threat of sudden policy shifts have prompted many Chinese families to rethink higher education plans. Many Chinese families are reconsidering higher education options. A growing number of students were previously drawn to top-tier institutions in the US and UK. Now, they are seeking alternatives that feel safer, more stable, and closer to home.

FINDING A SAFE HAVEN IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Over the past decade, China has sent more students abroad than any other country. According to UNESCO data released in 2023, Chinese students studying overseas reached a record high of 1,021,303.

However, in the US – long a key destination – those numbers have seen a sharp decline. Chinese nationals studying in the US dropped by 100,000 over the past four years, representing a 25 per cent decrease. In recent weeks, US President Donald Trump revoked hundreds of international student visas, prompting concern from universities about the lack of clarity.

On Apr 9, China’s Ministry of Education issued a formal advisory, urging students to thoroughly assess risks when considering studying in the US. The alert was issued after a new bill in Ohio imposed restrictions on educational exchanges and academic partnerships between Chinese and American institutions.

Flagship institutes in Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong remain among the most attractive, consistently ranking high alongside the likes of Harvard and Cambridge in terms of global rankings.

According to Singapore’s Ministry of Education, the country hosted around 73,200 international students as of 2023, with Chinese students making up nearly half.

CHEAPER FEES COME WITH CHALLENGES

Chinese students might have a reputation for being rich. However, amid China’s slow economic recovery, cheaper tuition fees are becoming crucial. More affordable lodging and living costs are also key considerations for many students and their families.

Annual fees at prestigious American universities and postgraduate programmes range from US$27,300 to US$47,770. In contrast, UK degrees can cost between US$13,650 to US$40,945. In contrast, tuition fees at lesser-known Southeast Asian universities can be as low as US$5,000 per year. This proves more financially viable, especially for many Chinese middle-class families in lower-tier cities.

A 2024 survey by QS University Rankings found that 56 per cent of Chinese students looking to study in Southeast Asia cited affordability – including the offering of scholarships and a lower cost of living – as the most important factor.

But with the exception of universities in Singapore, degrees from lesser-known schools in some Southeast Asian countries are still unrecognised by Chinese employers, which could pose challenges for Chinese graduates in the long term, experts said.

Concerns over “shui bo” degrees, a slang term used online by Chinese netizens describing watered-down academic qualifications, have also sparked heated debate on Chinese social media.

“Chinese employers will have questions about degrees obtained from (lesser-known) Southeast Asian universities,” said Dr Ngeow, adding that students have complained about their degrees not being recognised or seen as credible by employers back in China.

For Chinese students studying at these schools in the region, it can be a trade-off between low costs and the level of recognition among Chinese employers, Weeks added.

Full reading at: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/chinese-students-southeast-asia-boost-beijing-soft-power-5066591