Why International Students are Choosing to Study in China

Choosing to study in China for an MBA or business masters is becoming an increasingly attractive prospect for international students. The country boasts one of the most dynamic and fastest growing economies in the world, with mega-cities like global financial and business centers Shanghai and Beijing.

China is progressively becoming a tech start-up hub, with business schools like China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) having start-up incubators where students can develop their ideas and connect with local and international venture capitalists.

According to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Studies in International Education, the number of international students in China has grown more than tenfold since 1995, from 36,855 to 422,773.

Students are often drawn to China because of the relatively low cost of living (particularly when compared with much of Europe and the US), and the availability of scholarships. The study notes that the Chinese government provides the equivalent of US$300 million in scholarships to international students each year (particularly to students from developing nations).

So, what can you expect from choosing China for your post-graduate business studies, and where are the best places to go? Read on to find out…

Business masters and MBA programs at Chinese schools facilitate East-West co-operation. Take CEIBS, one of the top business schools in the world, whose motto is ‘China Depth, Global Breadth’.

The chance to learn Mandarin is one of the greatest benefits of an MBA education in China, especially as Mandarin speakers make up a fifth of the global population.

CEIBS requires non-native speakers to attend a summer course in Mandarin before starting their MBA studies, despite their MBA course being taught primarily in English. This cross-cultural linguistic interaction is of great benefit to both local and international students.

The most valuable skill an international student gains from undertaking an MBA in China is learning how to work with all-Chinese teams. During group work at CEIBS, one or two international students will be placed in teams with two to three Chinese nationals to facilitate this learning process.

Western and Chinese approaches to teamwork and conflict management can be very different. For example, American business culture often relies on direct, blunt communication whereas Chinese business culture tends to favor indirect communication, respect and deference. Therefore, students will learn valuable skills of making sure that all team members’ opinions and feelings are considered.

Alumni networks at Chinese schools are extensive, not least because of China’s huge population. Another major benefit for MBA students learning and working in China is they have access to multiple firms across Asia, including companies like Huawei and Alibaba.

The positives to studying in China don’t end there; The Financial Times estimates post-graduate salary after an MBA at a top Chinese business school like CEIBS can be US$160,000 – a whopping 155 percent salary hike.