In June 2024, China held its national college entrance exam, the Gaokao, with a record 13.42 million students registered. This marks the highest number of candidates ever, reflecting a significant increase of 510,000 from the previous year.

What This Means for UK Education Providers

The Gaokao remains an important event that determines the educational and professional futures of millions of students. The increasing number of Gaokao candidates means stronger competition for places at top Chinese universities, which may drive more students to seek quality education opportunities abroad. For students who take the Gaokao and are unable to find a place in their preferred local university, pursuing pathway programmes for overseas education, either domestically or abroad, may be an attractive option.

The rising candidate number is due to a combination of increasing interest in higher education and a slight increase in the population in the relevant age group. Although China's birthrate is declining, the student age group is forecast to grow slightly over the next decade before dropping sharply in the mid-2030s. This trend indicates a temporary increase in the number of students seeking higher education, thereby enhancing the potential for UK institutions to attract Chinese students during this period.

Source: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202405/31/content_WS665991f5c6d0868f4e8e7b2d.html