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China hosted 380,000 international students in 2024–25, Ministry of Education says
The first full post-pandemic enrolment picture shows a more diverse student body, a higher share of postgraduates and engineering as the most popular field.
A total of 380,000 international students from 191 countries and regions were studying in China during the 2024–2025 academic year, according to figures released by a senior official at the Ministry of Education's Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges at the 2026 China Study Abroad Forum in Beijing.
- Chinese government scholarship recipients accounted for about 8% of total enrolment.
- Asian students made up the largest share at 61.1%, followed by Africa at 16.2%, Europe at 15.6%, and the Americas and Oceania together at 7.1%.
- Degree-seeking students reached 205,000, with postgraduates representing 35% of that group.
- Engineering ranked first among degree programmes, chosen by 27.8% of degree-seeking students.
The ministry described the data as showing continued recovery from the pandemic alongside structural improvement: greater national diversity, a more balanced academic structure with a higher postgraduate share, and disciplines that respond more directly to labour-market demand.
Sources
- China Daily https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202604/13/WS69dc6bbba310d6866eb4313a.html