Applications from Chinese undergraduates to study at British universities have increased by 30% since last year, with numbers exceeding those from Northern Ireland for the first time, according to official statistics released Thursday.
Ucas, the university and college admissions service, revealed in its latest report that it had received 19,760 applications from students in China this year, accounting for about three percent of the total. Last year the number of Chinese applicants was 15,240.
For the first time, the Chinese applicants, slightly more than 18,520 from Northern Ireland, has become the fourth largest group after those in England, Scotland and Wales.
It is believed that the real figure will be higher as not all Chinese applications are made via Ucas.
According to the data, non-EU applicants rose to 13% of the total, increasing 8% compared with last year.
Commentators say that recent tensions between China and the US are further benefitting British universities as Chinese students look at destinations other than America for their studies.
Applications from Chinese undergraduates to study at British universities have increased by 30% since last year, with numbers exceeding those from Northern Ireland for the first time, according to official statistics released Thursday.
Ucas, the university and college admissions service, revealed in its latest report that it had received 19,760 applications from students in China this year, accounting for about three percent of the total. Last year the number of Chinese applicants was 15,240.
It is believed that the real figure will be higher as not all Chinese applications are made via Ucas.
Commentators say that recent tensions between China and the US are further benefitting British universities as Chinese students look at destinations other than America for their studies.
