Students looking to study abroad have an increasing number of options and China is becoming more and more popular.

1. You’ll be joining a growing trend

China is an increasingly popular destination for students from around the world, with the number of international students in China doubling in the past 10 years. Gracibelt Rendon, originally from Mexico, studied in China for five years in both Beijing and Shanghai.

She says: “My experience was great; I got to meet people from all over the world, mainly from Europe and South America, but I also had the opportunity to get to know the Chinese culture and made great friendships with Chinese people."

2. Chinese universities have a growing reputation

Whether you intend to secure a graduate job or continue studying at postgraduate level, the reputation of your university is important for your future prospects.

Chinese universities are increasingly well respected; the number included in major global university rankings has risen significantly over the past five years, particularly compared with the UK, which has fallen in many rankings.

3. The government is investing heavily in international students

Financial support is an important factor in the decision to study abroad and the Chinese government is offering a wide range of funding opportunities to attract international students, including more than 40,000 scholarships at 277 institutions.

4. It could be great for your career

Experience of China and Chinese, which is the third most popular language to learn in the world, could give you a great career boost.

Gracibelt Rendon, who chose to study in China to differentiate herself from others in the workplace, explains: “There is a saying that my friends who went to university together share, which is; if you survive living in China, you can survive and be prepared to face anything in the world.

“The experience allows you to be an open-minded person, ready to adapt and be flexible, which at the end of the day is what every employer is looking for. Studying in China gives you experience about how things work in this part of the world and helps you to become more independent.”