Many international students have a list of priorities and preferences for an ideal study destination. It may be an institution offering a particular specialisation or the student lifestyle on offer. While certain destinations like Canada and the UK, remain perenially popular, the number of students choosing to study in Asia is increasing. We investigate why Asia is an attractive option, what is on offer and what you can expect when studying.
Top universities and quality education
In recent years universities in Asia have begun to consolidate their position in global rankings and compete with more established institutions. This has been attributed to two main reasons. Firstly, the quality of the research produced by these universities. Secondly, the overall strength of the teaching and learning on offer to students.
According to the most recent QS System Strength Rankings, which rate the quality of a country’s higher education system, three countries in Asia rank in the top 10 globally. These are China, South Korea and Japan, ranked eighth, ninth and 10th respectively. Further, Hong Kong (SAR) is ranked 18th in the world, with Taiwan in 19th position.
The quality of the higher education is also reflected in the rankings of institutions. The QS World University Rankings 2024 have 23 Asian universities ranked in the top 100 globally, almost a quarter of all top 100 universities. The countries with the most representation in the rankings are China, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong (SAR). The top five universities in Asia, according to QS, are:
- National University of Singapore
- Peking University
- Tsinghua University
- Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- The University of Hong Kong
In addition, Asian universities also feature in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. The rankings rate universities according to how they perform against the United Nations' sustainable development goals. This includes gender equity, climate action, sustainability, and innovation. Some of the notable Asian universities in this regard are:
- University Sains, Malaysia (4th globally)
- Yonsei University, South Korea (14th globally)
- Chulalongkorn University, Thailand (15th globally)
- University of Indonesia, Indonesia (20th globally)
Discover the top 10 reasons for studying abroad.
Lower tuition fees and costs
Another reason for the increasing popularity of studying in Asia is the cost. Compared to other popular study destinations, many Asian countries offer lower tuition fees and living costs. For example, the average cost of undergraduate tuition fees for international students in the UK is approximately GBP 23,000 per year. In Taiwan, this figure is about USD 5,000 per year and in Malaysia, about USD 4,500 per annum.
When living on a student budget, you want to keep your costs down, which is easier in Asian study destinations. If you study in Canada, you will need approximately USD 13,000 to USD 15,000 per year to cover your costs. However, in Indonesia, this figure would be in the region of USD 8,500 and in South Korea, approximately USD 12,000 per year.
Naturally, tuition fees and costs will differ depending on your choice of university and city. You will pay more to live and study in destinations such as Seoul, Kyoto, Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur than other cities in the region.
Read more about some of the best student cities in the world.
Diverse cultural experience
Studying in Asia allows you to learn about and experience vibrant and diverse cultures. There are 48 countries in the region, each with a unique history, cuisines, and cultural traditions. Plus, the continent is home to over 2,300 languages, a great chance to develop your linguistic skills and immerse yourself in the local community.
You will have an abundance of destinations you can visit, from world-renowned landscapes like the Himalayas to picturesque beaches. If city life is more your preference, Asia is home to some of the world’s great cities, including two in the global top 10 according to the QS Best Student Cities, Seoul and Tokyo. Other notable cities and regions you may want to check out include:
- Kyoto-Osaka
- Singapore
- Hong Kong (SAR)
- Kuala Lumpur
- Taipei
- Beijing
- Shanghai
You can also rest assured that many study destinations have a reputation for a high quality of life and safety. According to the Global Peace Index, which measures safety and peacefulness, two Asian countries are in the top 10 globally, namely Japan and Singapore. Ranked in the top 50 worldwide for 2023 are Bhutan, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Laos.
Discover how to find a student lifestyle that suits you best.
Career opportunities
Countries in Asia have grown significantly economically over the last two decades, playing an increasingly important global role. The strongest economies in the region are:
- China (GDP of USD 17 trillion)
- Japan (GDP of USD 4.9 trillion)
- India (GDP of USD 3.1 trillion)
- South Korea (GDP of USD 1.8 trillion)
- Indonesia (GDP of USD 1.1 trillion)
Singapore is known as an investment and financial centre and boasts the top GDP per capita in the region of USD 72,000. In projections made by the World Bank, it is estimated that three of the top five economies in the world will be Asian countries by 2050. This means good post-study work and career opportunities for students.
This is illustrated by the increased investment in the region by multinational companies and the location of regional and even global headquarters for these companies. Some examples include:
- Microsoft
- Toyota
- Alphabet
- Baidu
- Alibaba
- Tata
- Reliance
- Apple
- Samsung
- Hitachi
As you can tell, there are career options available for international students from different academic disciplines and qualifications. For example, you could work for Samsung as a developer or for Toyota as an engineer. Remember to always research before applying to study in a country and speak to the careers and international office to assess your options.
Now that you have more knowledge and understanding of what Asia has to offer, you can expand your research. Discover why to study a language at university, learn about how a university prospectus can help you, and how to select your major.
Chat with Couru
