5th February 2020 15:15
By Blue Tutors
Universities in the UK have experience a huge increase in the number of Chinese undergraduates, rising by 35% in the last 5 years. Reported on the BBC, China now sends more students to the UK than any other country in the world, with the figure just over 120,000 and it looks like this will continue to rise.
The University of Liverpool recruits more Chinese students than most other universities, and has been involved in opening a new university in China just outside of Shanghai. Part of the joint venture means that Chinese students are in Liverpool for two years of their degree. However, many students are also applying directly to Liverpool and want to experience university as a UK student.
For most undergraduates, the university fees are paid for by their parents, and they pay 2-3 times more than UK based students. There are also many post graduate scholarships funded directly by the Chinese government, and our government has warned against relying too heavily on funding from China.
It is a concern that whilst many students come to the UK with an open mind and willing to emerge themselves in our culture, Chinese students also bring with them risks regarding intellectual espionage and freedom of speech. Some students questioned said that they fear publicly criticising the Chinese government for fear of recrimination.
Universities are being encouraged to liaise with the foreign office about the foreign students they accept, but it is difficult to ignore a country such as China who are a major research and development power. Professor Gavin Brown, the vice-chancellor at Liverpool said that the university would never change its views on academic free speech and wants a platform where views can be openly debated, but added that he would not wish to upset an important partner.