UK universities urged to aid Chinese students over 'ethnic clustering'

Universities across Britain are being urged to provide support for students from China to help integration on campuses amid concerns of 'ethnic clustering' and language barriers.

The findings are from the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) paper which also suggested many Chinese students were keen on diversifying their friendship groups but felt being surrounded by students from their home country and a lack of diverse accommodation hampered them.

Interviews with students from China, university staff and sector experts were used for the report. It said university vice-chancellors should do more to help, adding that those from China felt they are being treated as "revenue sources rather than as valued members of the community."

Chinese students make up a quarter of all international students. University tuition fees for domestic undergraduate students in England are capped at £9,250 ($11,750) per year, rising to £9,535 ($12,100) in 2025/26, with no upper limit for fees for overseas students.

The think tank's paper said: "Respondents lamented the lack of effort universities make to understand and support their community. This perception, combined with China's strained economy, could reduce the appeal of UK's higher education institutions among Chinese students, who may choose to study elsewhere or to stay closer to their network in China."

The latest figures from UCAS - the UK company that deals with student admissions - show the number of applicants from China accepting a place on a UK degree course fell in 2024. 

Overall, 17,070 Chinese students from China were accepted on to undergraduate courses in the UK this year, compared to 17,405 in 2023 and 18,500 in 2022.

University complacency

University leaders have previously warned of significant financial concerns because of domestic tuition fees not keeping up with inflation and a drop in the number of international students.

The report emphasized it would be a "mistake" for British universities to be complacent about enroling Chinese students. 

A major problem affecting integration, according to the report, is lower proficiency in spoken English among Chinese students. Not using WhatsApp and Instagram was also highlighted, suggesting Chinese social platforms such as WeChat and Little Red Book were used instead.

"Since Chinese students are unfamiliar with media platforms and apps used in the UK, they continue to rely on China's domestic apps, enhancing the likelihood of ethnic clustering," the report said.

The paper suggested universities introduce a "buddy system" that pairs domestic students with Chinese students to improve integration. It also calls for more targeted career support for Chinese students who find it hard to secure post-study employment in the UK.

Author of the report, Pippa Ebel, a China specialist and researcher based in Guangzhou, said: "All international students face challenges when moving to an unfamiliar environment, but there is evidence to suggest that the problems facing Chinese students are more acute and distinct.

"If more assistance was provided for Chinese students to integrate, not only would the students have a better experience but campuses and UK society at large would feel the benefits."