- 19 December 2025
Key insights include:
- Financial Considerations Take Precedence: Over half of the surveyed Chinese students identified tuition cost (83.87%) and living cost (69.55%) as essential factors influencing their choice of study destination. Additionally, the language of instruction (67.74%) and Chinese employment prospects (54.84%) were also prioritized, reflecting a strong focus on affordability and accessibility.
- Decline of Employment Opportunities as a Motivation: The significance of overseas employment prospects (9.68%) and immigration opportunities (3.23%) has notably decreased. This trend highlights a shift in priorities toward domestic opportunities and financial security, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Diverging Perspectives Between Students and Parents: The study found that while both students and parents agree on the importance of financial factors, there are notable differences in their overall evaluations of other pull factors. For instance, parents ranked recommendations from others (47.28%) much higher than students did (22.58%), indicating shifting dynamics in decision-making within families.
- A Shift in Decision-Making Dynamics: Many students are now more independent in their choices, which may reflect changing family structures and dynamics in China. This is corroborated by the increasing trend of Chinese students returning home after studying abroad, with 84.74% opting for domestic opportunities by 2021.
These findings underscore the critical need for Hong Kong’s higher education institutions to adapt their strategies to attract and retain doctoral talents. By prioritizing affordability and safety alongside maintaining high academic standards, universities can create an environment that appeals to prospective students. Such findings are consistent with Professor Mok’s recent public policy research related to international PhD student mobility, highlighting the importance of promoting family-friendly policy in attracting and retaining global talents to choose Hong Kong as their preferred study / research and future work destination.
As part of its mission, the Hong Kong Doctoral Talent Development Project led by Professor Mok encourages educational institutions to leverage these insights. Strategies must be developed not only to attract international students but also to ensure their successful integration into Hong Kong's academic landscape. With sustained growth of international students making Hong Kong as their preferred destination for future developments, it would greatly enhance Hong Kong’s aspiration to become an international education hub in the Asian region.
With the world navigating the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst the ongoing geopolitical tensions, understanding the motivations of international students has never been more crucial. This study serves as a vital resource for policymakers and educators aiming to foster an inclusive and dynamic environment for high-calibre doctoral talents.
For further information on the research findings, please visit the Hong Kong Doctoral Talent Development Project website: https://sts.hsu.edu.hk/en/hong-kong-doctoral-talent-development-project/output/
Source of the new publication: Guan, L.H., Mok, K.H. and Yu, B.H. (2025). “Charting a new course: International education destinations of Chinese international students”, in Marginson, S. et al., (eds). The Future of Cross-Border Academic Mobilities and Immobilities: Power, Knowledge and Agency, London and New York: Bloomsbury Academic.
Media Report:
今日头条 | 恒生大学研究：为中国留学生开拓国际教育新航线 | 19/12/25
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中国网 | 恒生大学研究：为中国留学生开拓国际教育新航线 | 19/12/25
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