The number of British students choosing to study in China has soared in the past year, latest figures reveal, leading experts to predict the country could overtake the UK as a top university destination within the next couple of years.

China has become an increasingly attractive destination for young people looking to study business and economics-related degrees in particular, since the standard of teaching is considered to be high.

The trend is thought to be partly due to a drive by the Chinese government, as well as increasingly high education standards and scholarship programs for degree-seeking students.

The University of Liverpool is one of several institutions around the globe to offer a study abroad scheme in the eastern capital. 

Professor David Goodman, who leads the university’s China Studies programme, believes students benefit from the exposure to China and its culture, not least because of its growing economy and jobs market.

He said: “I’m not expecting everyone should become a Chinese speaker but everyone needs to know something about China and have a little exposure”. 

“All kinds of students can benefit. You get great teaching, are taught in English; you get to travel.”

The Chinese government has invested heavily in encouraging international students within the past few years, with the number of scholarships made available having increased fivefold since 2006.