How China Approaches Transnational Education
China has the most international students in the world, but how does it approach transnational education? This guide outlines what students need to know about Chinese TNE.
China is widely known as a leader in outbound international education. On average, more than one million Chinese students study abroad every year, and until recently, Chinese students made up the largest percentage of international students in the USA.
Although India has recently outstripped China both in general population numbers and in the number of students it sends to the USA (and the rest of the Big Four), China remains the largest sender of students abroad.
It’s also one of the countries with the most universities and colleges, boasting at least 3,100 institutions. And with 40 million students enrolled in higher education in mainland China, representing approximately 60 percent of its university-aged population, China has one of the highest rates of college enrollment in the world.
But what about transnational education? With so many outbound students and domestic institutions, how does China approach transnational education (TNE)? In this guide, we’ll examine China’s TNE strategy, where it excels, and why students might consider Chinese TNE.
Does China host the most transnational education?
Yes, China hosts more TNE programs than any other country. While the exact number of programs varies from year to year, TNE is a major part of China’s international education strategy. More than 800,000 students are currently enrolled in a TNE program in China, and in 2025, China approved more than 100 new TNE programs.
One contributing factor to China’s TNE dominance is its strategic partnerships and policies that encourage foreign universities to develop TNE programs in China. In recent years, China has incentivized countries and universities to base joint programs and branch institutes in China and has been actively seeking partnerships outside of the Big Four (USA, UK, Australia, and Canada).
This year, alongside approvals for new Australian, UK, and US programs, China also approved TNE program proposals from Belarus, Brazil, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, and Thailand.
Most recently, China has implemented reforms that:
- Remove enrollment caps for joint institutions and programs
- Allow for flexible program formats and exchange-based formats
- Opened application processes for TNE proposals to allow for multiple applications
- Created standardized agreement templates
- Implemented changes to streamline the approval process for TNE program applications
- Started utilizing AI to match partner institutions
FAQs about Chinese TNE
Students who are considering education in China may have a lot of questions about TNE programs and how they compare to other options. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about Chinese TNE.
Do more Chinese students study abroad or enroll in transnational education?
Currently, about 1 million Chinese students go abroad each year for higher education, while approximately 800,000 students utilize TNE programs in mainland China. But the Chinese government has plans to increase access to TNE programs in the country, with a goal of 8 million students enrolled in TNE programs within the next 10 years.
The Chinese Ministry of Education announced changes to TNE policies in September 2025 that would allow China to pursue the goal of increased TNE enrollment.
Why do so many Chinese students choose TNE programs?
There are a variety of reasons that Chinese students choose TNE programs. First, international education is highly valued by students and their parents, both for perceived quality or prestige and increased opportunities afforded by an international degree. TNE programs allow Chinese students to obtain the credentials of an international degree without having to leave China, which is often welcomed by families.
International education is also seen as an opportunity to increase or diversify knowledge, improve language skills, specifically in English, and gain experience that will benefit students in their lives and careers. TNE programs are usually taught in the language of the program’s home country, rather than the host country, which gives students a chance to perfect their language skills – again, without leaving mainland China.
Finally, despite the benefits of international students – both perceived and actual – studying abroad can be expensive. While there are low-cost programs available to international students, Chinese students have long had a preference for programs in the Big Four – the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia - where tuition and fees are higher.
TNE programs – especially those offered by one of the Big Four countries – are popular choices because they offer the benefits of studying in one of these popular destinations, without the associated costs.
Do TNE programs in China require the Gaokao?
The Gaokao is the Chinese school-leaving exam and is considered one of the most difficult school-leaving exams in the world. Compared to other school leaving exams, like A-Levels, SATs, or the Abitur, the Gaokao covers more subject matter, requires a greater understanding and practice of concepts, is incredibly competitive, and is only offered once. There are no re-sits of the Gaokao, and the resulting score is used as an entrance qualification to universities in China.
Over 13 million students take the Gaokao every year, and the most prestigious universities in China have as low as a 0.1 percent acceptance rate. The exam takes two days to complete, and students spend months or years of private study (in addition to their normal school work) preparing for the exam that will determine where and what they can study.
Avoiding the Gaokao, or bypassing an unsatisfactory Gaokao result, is one reason that Chinese students consider studying abroad. So, do TNE programs offer Chinese students the opportunity to skip the Gaokao?
Unfortunately, no. Most Chinese TNE programs still require Chinese students to submit Gaokao results for entrance into programs. However, in the past, TNE programs usually had lower Gaokao requirements than Chinese institutions, making them an attractive choice for students who had not achieved the results needed for domestic programs. Newer programs are more aligned with domestic Chinese standards, but there is more variety in the Gaokao score requirements, especially in non-STEM subjects.
Are TNE programs in China open to international students?
Yes, TNE programs in China are, in most cases, open for enrollment to international students. In fact, in some cases, TNE programs are marketed directly to international students alongside domestic students.
Of the estimated 40 million students enrolled in higher education in China, approximately 1 percent are international students. There is no clear data that specifies how many of those international students are a part of the 800,000 students enrolled in TNE programs. However, China is actively working to expand its TNE offerings and aiming for 8 million enrollments in the next ten years, in part because it wants to grow its profile as a study destination for inbound international students.
Does China have TNE programs in other countries?
Yes, Chinese TNE isn’t limited to imported programs, and China has branch campuses, joint programs, and other TNE offerings in countries throughout the world.
The majority of these TNE programs are hosted in other Asian countries, like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Laos, to expand China’s influence in the region and foster more cooperation with neighboring nations. China also has branch campuses in Hungary, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, and the UK.
China is actively expanding its overseas TNE offerings as part of its strategy to promote Chinese interests abroad, broaden its influence in strategic regions, and showcase Chinese culture and expertise, especially within the BRICS alliance.
🛜 Good to know: Online TNE and China
China excels at hosting TNE programs and offers a wide variety of TNE programs outside of China for international students. But when it comes to earning international degrees online or earning a Chinese degree online from outside mainland China, students are far more limited in their options.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, China relaxed rules and regulations around international online degrees and allowed students in China to access overseas degree programs online. However, that allowance ended in 2023, and China no longer recognizes international degrees earned online and has instructed students to return in person to overseas campuses if they want their degrees recognized. Some exceptions have been made for universities in conflict zones, but in general, China does not recognize international degrees earned via remote learning.
Additionally, China offers a very limited number of programs online at its domestic universities, which means that both international and domestic students usually attend degree-awarding programs in person, on campus. Online programs offered by Chinese universities, whether to international or domestic students, are usually short courses and not full degrees.
What should students look for in TNE programs hosted in China?
In many ways, Chinese domestic students considering TNE programs offered in China should assess the same factors they would in a domestic program: degree offerings, quality and prestige, affordability, and career prospects and support. Because so many TNE programs are offered in cooperation with domestic institutions, there will be a lot of similarities in the metrics that mark a good program.
There are some additional factors to consider:
☑️ If the program is a joint or dual degree hosted by a domestic university or institution, students should consider the reputation and quality of both the host school and the institution sending the degree to China.
☑️ Students should also consider whether they will be receiving a qualification from both the Chinese and foreign institution, or only the foreign institution.
☑️ Make sure to compare the curricula of the programs offered in China to those offered at the home institution.
☑️ You can also look at the credentials and expertise of the instructors who will be teaching the TNE program versus those who teach the programs abroad.
☑️ Branch campuses should be assessed for services and support compared against both the home institution and similar domestic Chinese institutions. If a student can get better services and support on the campus abroad or at a local institution, the branch campus may not be the best option.
☑️Consider both teaching language and language requirements. One benefit of TNE programs is the ability to study in a foreign language in your home country.
☑️ In many cases, TNE programs are more affordable than studying abroad. This is a big benefit of TNE programs, and students should also consider whether a TNE program is more affordable than a domestic program with similar academic and career value.
☑️ Consider the teaching methodology and program culture before selecting a TNE program. Different countries and regions have various approaches to how students learn and are taught. Students should make sure they’re prepared for cultural differences in academic standards, methodologies, interpersonal relationships, and learning outcomes.
TNE programs hosted in China
China hosts numerous TNE programs. Below you will find a list of some institutions that have TNE offerings in China.
Origin: UK
Location: Changsha, China
Type: Branch campus
Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Arts
Origin: UK
Location: Wuhan, China
Type: Joint program
Center for International Legal Studies
Origin: Austria
Location: Shanghai, China
Type: Joint program
Origin: USA
Location: Kunshan, China
Type: Branch campus
Instituto Marangoni Shanghai Fashion Training Center
Origin: Italy
Location: Shanghai, China
Type: Branch campus
International School of Management
Origin: France
Location: Shanghai, China
Type: Branch campus
HEC Paris – Executive Education
Origin: France
Location: Shanghai, China/Beijing, China
Type: Joint program
Origin: Spain
Location: Shanghai, China
Type: Branch campus
Origin: France
Location: Shanghai, China
Type: Branch campus
Korea University Business School
Origin: South Korea
Location: Shanghai, China
Type: Branch campus
Kuwait College of Science and Technology
Origin: Kuwait
Location: Yuzhong District, China
Type: Branch campus
Long Island University, Post Campus
Origin: USA
Location: Shanghai, China
Type: Joint program
Origin: Australia
Location: Nanjing, China/Shanghai, China/Nantong, China/Beijing, China
Type: Joint program
Marshall School of Business, USC
Origin: USA
Location: Shanghai, China
Type: Joint degree
Origin: UK
Location: Beijing, China/Chongqing, China/Foshan, China
Type: Preparatory/pathway program
Peking University HSBC Business School
Origin: UK
Location: Shenzhen, China
Type: Dual-degree program
Sichuan University-Pittsburgh Institute SCUPI
Origin: USA
Location: Chengdu, China
Type: Joint campus
University of Manchester Worldwide China Center
Origin: UK
Location: Shanghai, China
Type: Branch campus
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Origin: UK
Location: Ningbo, China
Type: Branch campus
Origin: Greece
Location: Yubei District, China
Type: Dual-degree program
University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
Origin: UK
Location: Shanghai, China
Type: Dual-degree program
Origin: International
Location: Hangzhou, China
Type: International university
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
Origin: UK
Location: Suzhou, China
Type: Branch campus
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Elizabeth Koprowski, PhD
Author
Elizabeth is a content campaign specialist at educations.com with more than 20 years of experience in international higher education and study abroad. Her background in travel writing and travel history helps guide her research and content creation. Elizabeth is committed to helping students worldwide find the right study abroad experience.
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