Summary

China's most recent annual Statistical Communiqué has shown a significant increase in higher education enrolment at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. The number of students entering undergraduate programmes in 2019 increased by 15.7 per cent to 9.15 million, while the number of postgraduates grew by 6.9 per cent to 917,000. This increase is far greater than the increase in high school graduates, showing that China's higher education participation rate is continuing to increase.

The number of entrants to both academic and vocational high schools also grew, with the vocational track expanding more rapidly at 7.8 per cent compared to 5.9 per cent at academic senior high schools. This is mainly due to demographic factors (an increase in students in the relevant age group) but the country has also seen a slight increase in the proportion of students staying in education after compulsory schooling ends, with that proportion now reaching 89.5 per cent.

In related news, the Ministry of Education announced in January that nine higher education institutions had been upgraded to university status. This includes six higher vocational institutions which will now be able to award bachelor's degrees in addition to three-year diplomas, and three semi-independent affiliated colleges which have become universities in their own right.

Analysis by Kevin Prest, Senior Analyst, British Council International Education Services

The sharp increase in undergraduate education in particular is a contrast to recent trends, with previous years seeing lower growth in undergraduate study and a comparatively larger increase in postgraduate provision. It shows that China is placing increased importance on higher education. This development is probably a positive sign for UK universities, as the bulk of Chinese students coming to the UK are studying at the master's degree level.

The comparatively higher increase in vocational rather than academic senior high school students is almost driven by government policy, which aims to increase the number of students studying vocational programmes and address popular perceptions that the academic route is more prestigious.  The higher education data in the Communiqué includes both bachelor's degree students and those studying for higher vocational diplomas, but the Ministry of Education will release more detailed data at this level over the next few months.

Sources
1. National Bureau of Statistics: Statistical Communiqué of the People's Republic of China on the 2019 National Economic and Social Development - http://www.stats.gov.cn/english/PressRelease/202002/t20200228_1728917.html
2. CCTV: Ministry of Education approves 9 new bachelors-level HEIs, including 6 higher vocational colleges upgrading to offer undergraduate degrees - http://news.cctv.com/2020/01/20/ARTIU2TR6oh6P6JbHjsbpSvH200120.shtml