Since China re-opened its borders in 2023 after the pandemic, there has been a significant number of students pursuing international education. While the growth is reasonably moderate compared to the previous decade, China still holds strong as one of the leading markets for international student recruitment.
Several factors are fuelling the demand for studying abroad:
→ Economic challenges: Due to the rise in youth unemployment in China, many students are looking to pursue studies abroad, to gain a competitive edge in the challenging job market.
→ Quality of education: Families perceive that studying abroad offers high standards of education and research opportunities, while also empowering students with job-ready skills.
→ Global recognition: Degrees from renowned universities abroad will give students an advantage in the global market.
→ Return On Investment (ROI): There is also a growing need for a high ROI about career prospects after studying abroad.
→ Post-study work options: Several destinations in Europe are now providing attractive post-study work opportunities for international students.
While the traditional Big 4 (UK, US, Australia and Canada) have consistently been star destinations for international students, there has been a noticeable shift in student preferences.
→ Affordability: Due to economic challenges, families are now exploring cost-effective destinations in Europe and Asia.
→ Cultural factors: Students are also seeking destinations in Asia such as Japan, Thailand and Malaysia, due to proximity and cultural familiarity.
How Edvoy is empowering Chinese students to achieve their dreams
Edvoy has been a driving force in supporting Chinese students in their journey to international education. Prior to the pandemic, Edvoy operated offices in Chengdu and Shenyang and helped hundreds of students achieve their dreams of studying abroad.
Additionally, over the past 10 years, Edvoy has had an offshore China team functioning out of the UK. Launched in 2016 with a 2-member team, it’s now expanded to nearly 18 people in marketing, sales, admin, after-sales, and operations. Every year, Edvoy sees 1000s of Chinese students applying to the UK as the top destination with a recent interest in Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Recognising the growing demand for direct guidance in China, CEO & Founder, Sadiq Basha and Director of China Region, Michelle Li, flew out to Chengdu to successfully register Edvoy for a license to operate in mainland China on Feb 17, 2025.
Michelle Li, shares the vision, “When we open up a China office, we want to provide students with a one-stop service. This way, after they land at their destination, they’ll get tailored support from local teams, making them feel at home. With native speakers to provide advice on how to quickly settle down in the new country, this is a huge opportunity for both us and the students.”
Edvoy is set to open a fully-fledged China office by Sep 2025, keeping in line with the commitment towards empowering Chinese students and shaping the global educational landscape.
