How UK Institutions Can Help Chinese Students Integrate

BIRMINGHAM, U.K. - Dec. 13, 2024 - PRLog -- Chinese students, as highlighted in HEPI's report (https://www.hepi.ac.uk/?p=29546), currently represent over 25% of the international student body in the UK (2021/22) and predicting that Chinese student numbers will grow by as much as 70 per cent by 2030.

Focusing on what international students can gain from their experience in the UK is important. The true value of international education lies in how it shapes students into individuals who can adapt, learn, and succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Shared by the management from Uoffer Global, an educational consultancy, many of their students stated that the most difficult thing to adapt is the language barrier since the educational system in China (Gaokao) emphasises English more on reading and writing instead of speaking skills.

Christina Ke, UK Managing Director at Uoffer Global, shared:
"This report highlights the critical importance of offering practical, personalised support to international students, especially when it comes to their career prospects and language development. By providing clearer pathways and more integrated services, universities can greatly improve student success and integration."

Josh Freeman, Policy Manager at HEPI, emphasised:
"The international environment is changing, and UK universities must adapt to attract and retain international students, especially from China. This report offers a roadmap for universities to strengthen their support systems and foster a more inclusive environment."

Although seeing a lot of institutions like LSE, University of Exeter have already provided free courses like learning proper email writing in English, more opportunities for students to be involved in the local communities might be more effective for them to improve their English speaking skills as only 31% of respondents indicated that they can speak fluent English. Like allowing them to participate in university's marketing or editorial so that they can have a chance to interact with people outside their courses. As mentioned in the HEPI report, there is an unbalanced situation that Chinese international students are overpopulated in certain universities but underpopulated in some lower ranking universities. UCL has over 15,000 Chinese students and in contrast，University of Wolverhampton has only less than 10 Chinese students. Moreover, Chinese students tend to choose business related subjects which makes Chinese students a difficult environment to  get involved in non Chinese communities in some universities.  Therefore, having a chance to be in touch with people outside courses can force Chinese students to step out of their comfort zone.

It is also a chance for them to gain working experience locally and enhance their competitiveness in the local community. In accordance with the NCUK report, 61.2% of China international students decided to have an international qualification for the sake of career development, however it is difficult for Chinese students to get a job after graduation, as lacking local working experiences.