By Wang Mingjie

Copyright independent

Chinese students are once again filling the halls of British boarding schools and university campuses this summer, as families across China re-embrace UK summer camps — but with a mindset that’s markedly different from before the pandemic.

Once seen as a cultural “bonus” or language immersion experiment, these short-term overseas programmes are now carefully selected, strategic investments. Parents are prioritising safety, academic outcomes, and future value, reflecting a broader shift in how Chinese families approach international education. While the United States once dominated the summer camp landscape, concerns over visa restrictions and rising geopolitical tensions have driven many families to turn towards Britain — a destination increasingly viewed as stable, prestigious, and practical.

“Last year, a parent asked me ‘if participating in a UK study abroad programme would be helpful for applying to foreign schools in the future’,” said Liu Deqiang, founder of Ardmoor Education Technology in Shanghai. “In the past, students were more concerned about cultural experiences and language environments, but now academic depth has become the primary goal.”

Since 2017, Liu’s company has been bringing Chinese students to the UK for summer programmes, working with public and private schools in Shanghai.

Following a pandemic-induced hiatus, Liu expects strong growths ahead. “I foresee a significant increase in Chinese students choosing UK summer programmes in the coming years,” he said.

“Family decision-making is more cautious, shifting from ‘worth trying’ to ‘must be effective’, with traditional tourism projects giving way to hardcore content such as financial simulations and scientific research practices.

“It is worth noting that the demand for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) projects has surged by 120 per cent year-on-year.”

The broader trend is also evident at UK-based institutions. “We’ve seen a marked increase in summer camp groups from China after the pandemic,” said Michelle Mi, managing director of UK Education Insight, a Leicester-based educational consultancy.

“It’s driven by pent-up demand, rising household spending power, and a growing recognition among Chinese parents that these camps help build global competencies.”

Her organisation continues to recruit students through Chinese partners, schools, and education agencies — and demand has not only recovered, but evolved. “UK camps now blend safety, prestige, and measurable outcomes — transitioning from ‘fun experiences’ to ‘strategic stepping stones’ for long-term UK education,” she said.

Chinese students have long looked to both the UK and the US for short-term and long-term study opportunities, but the post-pandemic landscape has shifted.

“The summer camps in the UK and the US have always been favoured by Chinese families,” said Liu. “But visa restrictions and broader geopolitical tensions have directly prompted families who originally planned to go to the US to turn to the UK.”

The UK’s “moderate diplomatic stance” and historical ties with China have helped reassure families, Liu explained. “It’s seen as a ‘safer, zero political interference’ alternative.”

For students, the experience often leaves a lasting impression. Huang Bingjingyi, a high schooler from Changsha, Hunan province, said she joined a UK summer programme out of a passion for English — and Sherlock Holmes.

“I wanted to see where Sherlock Holmes came from,” she said. “But I also knew English in England is the purest.”

In class, Huang was placed with international peers and encouraged to speak and collaborate. “At first, I didn’t understand everything. But by watching people’s expressions and using context, I figured it out,” she said.

Huang added the teaching style — involving demonstration, discussion, and creative output — was very different from her Chinese school, and something she thoroughly enjoyed. “Compared with schools in China, there were fewer textbook classes and more hands-on activities. It made me more confident, and I even made foreign friends.”

Susan Fang, founder of educational consultancy OxBridge Holdings, noted that multiple factors are behind the UK’s appeal. “Many UK schools now let international students join just before term ends, sitting in actual lessons and joining in with British pupils. For Chinese parents, this feels more ‘authentic’.”