What Do Chinese Students Think About Studying in North America and Europe? | Student Reviews & University Rankings EDUopinions

What Do Chinese Students Think About Studying in North America and Europe?

14/06/2023

Moving across the world to study is incredibly daunting. Not only do you have to contend with culture shock, but you may also never have even visited the university you’re going to study at. That’s why hearing student opinions of universities and study programmes can be so useful for international students.

Chinese students frequently travel to North America and Europe to take advantage of world-class educational institutions, learn about a new culture, and practice their English. Last year, almost 300,000 Chinese students went to America to study, the largest of any international student population. The UK attracts 150,000 Chinese students every year, while Chinese students also make up the largest group of international students in the EU.

But what do Chinese students really think about the universities they travelled thousands of miles to study at?

Student opinions are a great way of hearing exactly how students are finding their degrees and overall university experience. They can help you prepare for your own experience and make a better decision about which university and programme might be right for you. This is especially important for International students who may not know anyone at your preferred university.

In this blog, we look at student opinions from real Chinese international students in North America and Europe. From bachelor’s to Master’s programmes, in science and humanities and more: this is what Chinese students think about their study experiences.

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Chinese Student Opinions of North American Universities

Chinese Student Opinions of North American Universities

Master’s in Sociology at the University of Chicago

Sociology
Jianfeng
Jianfeng
wonderfully stimulating academic environment

Everyone can find something to do on campus. There are a lot of wonderful communities on campus, including Greek life, gaming, and the arts. There is a strong sense of community fostered by the housing system in this city; many of your friends will live with you. The quarter method is also fantastic because nothing happens so quickly that you can never become bored. The institution combines the atmosphere and curriculum of a small liberal arts college with the resources, opportunities, and funding of a big research university. It truly offers the best of both worlds! There isn’t a stereotype of a University of Chicago student because there are so many real opportunities available.

Programme: Sociology
Degree: Master's
Graduation: 2020
Campus: Chicago, Illinois
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
Student Life
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Accommodation

 

Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of British Columbia

Arts
Hailin
Hailin
University of British Columbia

I highly recommend University of British Columbia, I am a first year arts student anchoring for psychology major at UBC, and I would give my overall experience a 5/5. UBC has a very diverse social environment which creates a comfortable social space for everyone, the campus is huge and absolutely gorgeous with all the natural landscape its surrounded with, it is especially beautiful in the summer with the view of cherry blossoms and the ocean. And of course, the academic environment at UBC is probably one of the bests in Canada, my professors are all very well-known elites in their areas of studies, they are very quick and responsible to student feedbacks and are dedicated to create good contents that helps me learn, some even balance the lectures with humor which significantly increased my interests and understanding for their classes. Overall, the university of British Columbia is a very good choice for secondary education if you’re seeking for success in both academic and social life! 🙂

Programme: Arts
Degree: Bachelor's
Graduation: 2026
Campus: Vancouver
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Value
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Bachelor of Philosophy Degree at the University of Toronto

Philosophy
avatar
Anonymous student
Fair experience

I took philosophy and linguistics. For philosophy, all professors welcome discussion and respect difference in opinion; there’s also essay clinic sessions that ensure students’ success in essay writing. For linguistics, all professors were approachable, though the quality of instruction varies from professor to professor. Moreover, as students proceed towards upper year linguistics courses, students would often have to use programming languages and softwares that they have never familiarized themselves with, and it would’ve been better if the professors bridged closer between linguistics and these programs/programming languages, such that they may seem more approachable and easier to use for students.

Programme: Philosophy
Degree: Bachelor's
Graduation: 2022
Campus: Toronto
Professors
Internationality
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Value
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Master’s of Arts and Humanities at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)

Arts and ...
Humanities
avatar
Anonymous student
dedicated and knowledgeable faculty

UCLA is one of the most well-known universities in the United States and has a strong reputation for academic excellence, research achievements, and a diverse student body. I liked the high quality of academic programs, the dedicated and knowledgeable faculty, the opportunities for research and extracurricular activities, and the beautiful campus.

Programme: Arts and Humanities
Degree: Bachelor's
Graduation: 2014
Campus: Los Angeles, California
Professors
Internationality
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Value
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Master’s in Climate Change at the University of Prince Edward Island

Climate Change
avatar
Anonymous student
Great Experience

It’s a good university as the student to teacher ratio is good. There are a lot of opportunities for a graduate student. Instructors here are very good at helping students. Management is a little bit slow, overall good experience.

Programme: Climate Change
Degree: Master's
Graduation: 2025
Campus: Charlottetown
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Chinese Student Opinions of European Universities

Student Opinions of Manchester University

Bachelor’s in Business Management at The University of Sheffield’s International Faculty City College

Business Management
avatar
Anonymous student
The university of Sheffield

The university of Sheffield has the best student unions, which helps you to solve out career questions, visa questions, cas questions, course questions so and so forth. The diamond, which is a spectacular building of the university, it is like a shape of diamond, so that is the origin of the name. Some classes will be held there and inside the Diamond, there are many silent study spaces, disscussion rooms and research places. Another teaching building which impressed me a lot is the Arts Tower, this tall building has a wonderful lift without doors, and this building is especially for students who major in landscape architecture, but some other courses will also be held there. This is an excellent university with numerous resources and fantastic buildings. Besides, the muse, which is the University’s website, provides you loads of resources and information, for example,301 skills center is a best place to acquire some knowledge regarding English learning, spas,excel so and so forth to booster your abilities.

Programme: Business Management
Degree: Bachelor's
Graduation: 2023
Campus: Thessaloniki
Professors
Internationality
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Value
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Master’s in Supply Chain Management at SKEMA Business School

Supply Chain ...
Management
avatar
Anonymous student
International

In SKEMA, we can meet students from all around the world, we can also go to study in 9 different campus in different places in the world, it’s a good to communicate with people from all over the world

Programme: Supply Chain Management
Degree: Master's
Graduation: 2023
Campus: Lille
Professors
Internationality
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Value
Student Life
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Master’s in Fashion Marketing and Branding at the University of Manchester

Fashion Marketing ...
and Branding
avatar
Anonymous student
Career Service

I like the career service at the University of Manchester the most, I can obtain a lot of information about my career prospect for free, which is of great significance for me to plan my future. Everything here is a brand new experience for me, so I love my university so much.

Programme: Fashion Marketing and Branding
Degree: Master's
Graduation: 2023
Campus: Manchester
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
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Master’s in Performing Arts at the University of Glasgow

Performing Arts
avatar
Anonymous student
Very many pros and some cons

My time at UoG has been a very happy one and every Glaswegian I have met has been very friendly and has given me a deep sense of affinity. I majored in art and had very few classes, but the teachers encouraged us to develop freely, especially in my dissertation which I experienced a lot. My supervisor never denied my ideas, he only encouraged me to think more and always opened up new research ideas for me, and most of the teachers I met were very nice. during my interdisciplinary course selection, the teachers I met from other departments were often interested in my situation and remembered my name from the first class 🙂 the only one I didn’t feel quite right was Many Chinese students, especially after the 2022 expansion, will have a relatively poor experience. (I am a Chinese student and I graduated this year)

Programme: Performing Arts
Degree: Master's
Graduation: 2022
Campus: Glasgow
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
Location
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Master’s in Strategic Marketing at the University of Sussex

Strategic Marketing
avatar
Anonymous student
Studying Environment and International students

UoS is a really good university , teachers, tutors and staff are very kind and responsible to students. UoS also has lots of International students, so it helped me understand different English accents and learned different languages here.
Furthermore, the library and Student Center are massive, that provided a very decent environment for students to do self-studying and scam materials after classes. Campus as well as has lots of grass and trees , its very natural and peaceful to walk around on campus.

Programme: Strategic Marketing
Degree: Master's
Graduation: 2023
Professors
Internationality
Career Prospects
Value
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Accommodation

Conclusion

Student opinions in verified reviews are a valuable way for international students to evaluate their study decisions and prepare themselves for university in a different country.

As you can see from these reviews, Chinese students in North America frequently praise the diversity in their universities and study programmes, as well as the quality of teaching and the friendliness and helpfulness of professors.

In Europe, Chinese student reviews often focus on the quality of the student groups and community on campus, and how students are encouraged, and given the flexibility to, follow their interests on degrees.

Hopefully, reading these student opinions from other Chinese students has helped you feel more comfortable about your decision to study in either North America or Europe, or given you inspiration for universities.

Still wondering where to study in Europe? Check out the Most International Countries and Cities in Europe.

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Written by
Abigail
Abigail is a freelance writer specialising in higher education. She has lived in London and the Netherlands, and has a Masters degree in American Studies.

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