Recently, Longre Education Group published its 2014 Big Data Report of Application for Study in Britain (hereinafter referred to as Report). The Report analysed close to 10,000 applications for study in Britain from September 2013 April 2014.

The Report shows that: Top universities are still difficult to apply for: the success rate of Cambridge University and Imperial College London are 2 percent and 5 percent respectively. The main reason for this is that there are too many applicants, while admission criteria of universities are high. Generally students are required to graduate from China’s 211 or 985 universities with an average score of over 85. Besides, British universities will also assess a student’s academic achievements, social activities and other information. Some students fail due to a complicated and time-consuming review process, sometimes the timing for submitted materials can also influence the result.

On Students’ distribution. the Report indicates:
• England is the first choice of 84.78 percent Chinese students because of its rich educational resources, mild climate, and excellent environment of using English.
• Among Chinese students studying in the UK, 58.85 percent are females, nearly 20 percent higher than males. Two major reasons account for the above phenomena. Firstly, British universities have shorter schooling periods (3 years for undergraduate and 1 year for graduate), which are more suitable to girls who are comparatively more homesick. Secondly, girls are more suited to study and live in the British society, where traditional customs and ethics still prevail.

On Curriculum and major selection, it is states:
• The one-year graduate courses are still popular with Chinese students who want to study in Britain. According to statistics, nearly 60 percent of Chinese students are studying graduate courses, 10 percent of who are enrolled on preparatory courses for graduate study.
• Business majors are still first choice of many Chinese students, among which the most popular being finance with a rate of 22.4 percent. The next most popular majors are accountancy, marketing and management. In psychology, philosophy, and pharmacy, there are fewest Chinese students, accounting only for 0.19 percent, 0.07 percent, and 0.015 percent respectively. The main reason for the above phenomena is that students majored in psychology and philosophy often have difficulties finding employment, while pharmacy has relatively high standards for applicants.