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ChinaPeople & Culture

Hong Kong unrest drives mainland Chinese students to look to overseas universities

  • While some say they are not worried about violence, others are considering Singapore and other destinations for study

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The anti-government protests in Hong Kong are making some students in mainland China look further afield, to universities in Australia, Singapore and Britain. Photo: Sam Tsang
Ann Caoin Shanghai

Rosy expectations among prospective mainland students about Hong Kong’s top universities have been shaken by images of anti-China slogans and the defaced national emblem. Not everyone is worried enough to change their plans, but the continuing social unrest and economic decline are pushing some students to apply further afield.

Hong Kong’s universities have been increasingly popular in recent years among mainland students pursuing Western-style postgraduate study – they are cheaper, closer to home and enjoy a good reputation among mainland employers.

With Hong Kong now in its 10th week of protests, there are signs that some prospective students concerned about the escalating violence are looking further afield to English-speaking countries including Singapore, Australia and Britain.

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For Leah Li, a graduate from Shanghai’s Fudan University, the latest clashes at Hong Kong’s international airport – in which mainlanders, including a journalist, were reportedly abused by protesters – have been a tipping point.

Li enrolled in a master’s degree programme in finance which begins at Hong Kong University (HKU) next Monday and is now considering dropping out of the course. She said the escalation in violence had made her realise that Chinese employers may regard degrees from Hong Kong universities less favourably in future.

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