Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on international higher education and student mobility: Student perspectives from mainland China and Hong Kong

The study critically examines how students in Mainland China and Hong Kong conceive overseas studies plans against the COVID-19 crisis. Amongst the 2739 respondents, 84 % showed no interest to study abroad after the pandemic. For those respondents who will continue to pursue further degrees abroad, Asian regions and countries, specifically Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan, are listed in the top five, apart from the US and the UK. The pandemic has not only significantly decreased international student mobility but is also shifting the mobility flow of international students. This article also discusses the policy implications, particularly reflecting on how the current global health crisis would intensify social and economic inequalities across different higher education systems.

Automated summary

The study critically examines the perspectives of students in Mainland China and Hong Kong on overseas study plans during the COVID-19 crisis, revealing that a majority of respondents are no longer interested in studying abroad post-pandemic, with those still planning to continue their education overseas favoring Asian regions and countries.