372,000 children in China are now enrolled in an international style of
education and 66% of these children are Chinese nationals attending
international Chinese-owned private schools in the country.
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Latest market trends from ISC Research on international education in
China include data from this school year (2018-2019). They show that the
international private schools market in China has grown substantially
due to an increasing demand from Chinese parents for an international,
bilingual approach to learning for their children.
Five years ago, there were 629 international schools in China, many of
which were schools for the children of foreign nationals that had very
limited access to Chinese children. Today, there are 857 international
schools in China and 563 of them are international Chinese-owned private
schools. Over that same period, there has been a 63.6% increase in
student enrolment, with 245,500 students now enrolled in the
international Chinese private schools.
These schools are particularly successful because, during the compulsory
years of education, the Chinese curriculum can be integrated with
elements of international teaching and learning, including some learning
in the language of English. Such a bicultural educational approach is
what a growing number of Chinese families want; one that retains local
culture and history, while introducing international elements that
provide the skills necessary to prepare children for global higher
education and careers.
There are several factors that have prompted this market change
including an increase in education expenditure by more families as a
result of a growth in prosperity in the country; the impact of China's
two-child policy which is now seeing an effect within Early Years
education; amendments that have been made to education regulations in
recent years which now provide clearer guidelines and more opportunities
for foreign schools to engage with the private education sector; and an
increasing awareness by Chinese parents of locally accessible private
international education opportunities.
Foreign education brands are driving the success of many of the
international Chinese private schools. During the past five years, 31
independent school brands, mostly from the UK, but also from the US,
have established agreements with Chinese schools and investors in order
to deliver teaching expertise and an international style of education.
Such partnerships are appealing to wealthier Chinese families who value
the educational heritage, reputation, brand prestige, and opportunities
that the UK and US schools are bringing to China.
International schooling options accessible to local families are
available in many of China's Tier 1 cities. Although Shanghai and
Beijing dominate, there are now 55 international schools in Shenzhen, 47
in Guangzhou, 25 in Chengdu, and several in a growing number of cities
throughout China.
ISC Research is aware of at least 48 new international schools due to
open in China in the next few years, many of which will be the
international Chinese private schools partnering with foreign
independent school brands.
ISC Research supplies primary-source intelligence and data - much of it
collected by its own field-based researchers - on the English-medium
K-12 international schools market in key countries most appropriate for
international school development, including China. The ISC China Market
Intelligence Report supports schools, investors and developers with
detailed data and market intelligence to support due diligence and
strategic planning for new school developments and agreements. The data
and intelligence in this report is gathered directly from schools,
government bodies and reputable associations in China to produce
detailed demand analysis of this developing market.
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