UK still No 1 pick for mainland students, US slips to third spot

The United Kingdom and Hong Kong have emerged as the top two overseas study destinations for students from the Chinese mainland in 2026, according to a report released on Tuesday.

This marks the first time Hong Kong has ranked second in 12 years, while the United States has slipped to third place amid policy uncertainties, according to the 2026 Report on Chinese Students' Overseas Study by the New Oriental Education and Technology Group.

Based on an online survey of 6,904 students and parents, the report shows a significant reordering of preferred destinations. The UK has held the top position for seven consecutive years, supported by stable education quality, flexible visa policies and a mature international student ecosystem.

Hong Kong's rise to second place is particularly notable. Over the past 12 years, the city has steadily gained popularity, with its proximity to the Chinese mainland, safe environment and linguistic familiarity cited as key advantages.

The US, long seen as a top destination, has fallen to third position for the first time. The report attributes the decline to an unstable policy environment that has made prospective students and their parents more cautious. The US ranked first from 2015 to 2019 and second from 2020 to 2025.

Australia, Japan and Singapore ranked fourth through sixth, respectively, in 2026.

One of the report's most notable findings is the growing significance of cost considerations. Tuition has become the second most important factor in university selection, while scholarship policies are also playing a larger role.

The average study-abroad total budget for Chinese students reached a 12-year high of 605,000 yuan ($87,800) in 2026, driven by global inflation and rising tuition and living costs. Despite the higher financial burden, demand for overseas education remains strong, underscoring its perceived value as a long-term investment.

This more pragmatic approach is also reflected in application strategies. More than half of prospective students plan to apply to universities in two or three countries or regions simultaneously to hedge against policy changes or admission uncertainties in any single destination.

In terms of academic preferences, engineering remains the most popular field for the 10th consecutive year, accounting for 22 percent of applications in 2026. Its strong employability and global recognition have reinforced its appeal, the report said.

Guo Yuqi, 24, from Taiyuan in Shanxi province, chose to study at Lingnan University in Hong Kong after failing China's postgraduate entrance exam three times. She graduated in November with a one-year master's degree in artificial intelligence and the future.

Despite challenges — only three out of 40 students in her program have secured work visas so far — Guo said she feels fortunate to have found a job in Hong Kong.

She said obtaining permanent residency could give her future children access to better educational resources. She added that job prospects in the UK and the US are nearly impossible due to strict work visa policies.

"I once considered the UK but decided against it, feeling that spending 500,000 yuan on tuition would not yield a worthwhile return," she said.

Zhao Mengyuan, 23, is pursuing a master's degree in corporate economics at Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany. She said she chose Germany partly based on a family recommendation and largely for its affordability.

Her university charges no tuition fees, requiring only a semester fee of several hundred euros, bringing her total annual living costs to about 100,000 yuan — significantly lower than in English-speaking countries.

Zhao, who is from Henan province, said she plans to return to China after graduation, believing a foreign degree will improve her job prospects. She said she does not yet have clear salary expectations or specific career plans but is confident that studying abroad has given her a competitive edge in the job market.

zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn