Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education
Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026): February

Managing International Students in Chinese Universities: A Review of Policies, Practices, and Challenges

Masud, Nuruddin Ahmed (Unknown)
Subarna, MST Taherun Nesa (Unknown)
San, San Su Su (Unknown)
Kim, Ki Bong (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Feb 2026

Abstract

Purpose: This study systematically reviews the existing research on the management of international students in Chinese Universities and examines national policy frameworks, institutional practices, and implementation challenges within the broader context of higher education internationalization. Methodology: A PRISMA-guided systematic review was conducted on English-language, peer-reviewed articles and policy documents published between 2013 and 2026. The selected studies were analyzed using thematic synthesis to identify recurring patterns across policy, institutional, and student experience dimensions. Results: The findings indicate that China has developed a comprehensive regulatory framework governing admissions, visas, scholarships, and quality assurance. However, institutional implementation varies substantially, resulting in uneven student experiences. Key challenges include language barriers, inconsistent academic standards, limited administrative coordination, and difficulties with cultural integration. A recurring misalignment between policy intentions and institutional capacity was identified. Conclusions: Overall, effective international student management depends on a stronger alignment between national policy and institutional capacity. Limitations: As a literature-based review is limited to English-language sources, the findings may not fully capture Chinese-language scholarships or recent unpublished policy developments. Contributions: This study advances the field by proposing an integrated, results-based framework that explains how policy–practice alignment shapes international student outcomes in Chinese higher education. The review offers actionable insights for policymakers and university leaders seeking to enhance governance coherence and institutional capacity at emerging global education destinations.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jshe

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

The Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education (JSHE) is a peer-reviewed, open access scholarly journal publishing high-quality manuscripts in forms of original research articles, review articles, book reviews, case reports, and discussions to answer important and interesting questions, develop or ...