Indian students lean towards career prospects and affordability, while Chinese students place greater emphasis on academic quality, lifestyle and social networks, new QS data shows
Indian and Chinese students, the two largest groups of prospective international students, are showing different priorities when choosing where and what to study abroad, according to new data from QS.
The findings highlight differences in subject preferences, destination choices and how students research universities, suggesting that institutions need more tailored approaches to attract applicants from the two markets.
Engineering remains popular among Indian students
Engineering and Technology was the most notable area of difference in subject preferences. In 2026, 17% of Indian students expressed interest in the field, compared with 8% of Chinese students. However, Indian interest has declined from 24% in 2022.
Computing attracted similar levels of interest, with 12% of Indian students and 11% of Chinese students selecting the subject.
Indian students also showed stronger interest in health-related courses. Subjects allied to Medicine attracted 9% of Indian respondents, compared with 4% of Chinese students. Medicine and Dentistry recorded figures of 6% and 3%, respectively.
Chinese students, meanwhile, showed greater interest in Creative Arts and Design, Communications and Media, and Humanities and Liberal Arts. Creative Arts and Design attracted 10% of Chinese students, compared with 4% of Indian students.
Different priorities shape destination choices
QS data suggests Indian students place greater importance on affordability, reputation and professional networks. Nearly half, or 46%, said building connections was important, compared with 26% of Chinese students. Affordable living costs mattered to 32% of Indian respondents, against 21% of Chinese students.
Chinese students placed greater emphasis on culture and lifestyle, language improvement and teaching quality. High-quality teaching was important to 65% of Chinese students, compared with 57% of Indian students.
Social media plays a bigger role in China
Research habits also differ. Social media was used by 61% of Chinese students when researching study options, compared with 37% of Indian students.
Indian students were more likely to use general online searches, university information sessions and fairs. Rankings remained influential in both markets, but were used by 65% of Chinese students and 54% of Indian students.
The findings suggest universities should adapt their recruitment strategies to reflect the different priorities and information sources of Indian and Chinese applicants.
