Chinese Students Turn to Short-Term Study Programmes to Prepare for Overseas Universities
A growing number of students in China are spending their school holidays attending short-term study programmes as they prepare for future university education abroad. Many middle-income families are investing tens of thousands of yuan to give their children international exposure and strengthen their chances of studying overseas.
The 2025 China Overseas Study Development Report, published by New Oriental Education and Technology Group, shows that this trend is accelerating rapidly. According to the report, the share of students who eventually pursue overseas education after joining short-term international programmes rose from 27 per cent in 2015 to 43 per cent in 2025.
Zhu Lulu, deputy head of the high school division at Wuxi Dipont School of Arts and Science in Jiangsu Province, notes that families’ attitudes towards school holidays have shifted significantly. “Parents today no longer see holidays merely as a time for rest or travel. They consider these periods important opportunities for exploration and learning,” Zhu explains.
Short-term programmes offer students distinct advantages, allowing them to experience campus life firsthand and assess whether living abroad suits them. Experts predict that demand for overseas education in China will continue to grow, with short-term study programmes becoming an increasingly important stepping stone in students’ international education journeys.