Chinese PhD Insight
Chinese PhD Insight
This section presents a snapshot of employment data specifically focused on Chinese PhDs, powered by ACG's comprehensive international graduate database. Here, you'll find average employability figures that highlight trends and insights related to the career prospects of Chinese PhDs. Feel free to use this data as a reference for understanding the employment landscape for Chinese students abroad.
-- GENERAL DATA --
Where do Chinese PhDs pursue their studies/research?
The majority of Chinese PhDs pursued their studies in the UK (42.39%), followed by Australia (28.08%), the US, and New Zealand (1.45%).
Percentage of Chinese PhDs Among All PhDs
The highest concentration of Chinese PhDs is in the US (53.26%), followed by the UK (27.40%), New Zealand (19.05%), and Australia (15.42%).
Are Chinese PhDs More Likely to Study at Russell Group or Group of Eight Universities?
Only 0.91% of Chinese PhDs chose to study at Group of Eight universities, while 14.67% opted for Russell Group universities.
-- EMPLOYMENT DATA --
1. Average Employability Figures
The employability of Chinese PhDs is 96.40%.
Chinese PhDs Employability by Country
Those graduated from United States have the highest employability at 97.83%, followed closely by the UK at 97.56% and Australia at 96.84%.
Chinese PhDs Employability by Degree
Chinese PhD holders in non-business and non-STEM fields have the highest employability rate at 98.59%, followed by STEM graduates at 97.18%, and Business PhDs with the lowest employability rate at 92.50%.
Chinese PhDs Employability by Universities
Chinese PhDs generally demonstrate high employability, with the majority of graduates from Chinese universities achieving 100% employability. However, two Australian universities and one member of the Russell Group report lower employability rates.
2. Months to First Job
Average Months to First Job for Chinese PhDs by University Category
Chinese PhD graduates tend to secure their first job more quickly at non-prestigious universities in Australia and the UK, while their peers at prestigious institutions like the Group of Eight in Australia and the Russell Group in the UK take longer to find employment. Overall, Australia is the quickest, while the Group of Eight remains the slowest in terms of time to first employment.
Average Months to First Job for Chinese PhDs by University
The data reveals a significant difference in the average time to first job among Chinese PhDs, with the highest being 50 months and the lowest around 2 months, resulting in a gap of approximately 48 months. The graph shows that Australian universities generally facilitate faster job placements compared to UK universities. Chinese PhDs from Australian universities tend to find jobs more quickly, averaging about 15 months—three months faster than their peers from the UK.
3. Average Annual Salary
Average Annual Salary of Chinese PhDs
Chinese PhDs on average earn an annual salary of £32,207.
Salaries vary slightly by location, with New Zealand offering the highest at £36,286, followed by the US at £34,472, while Australia provides an average of £30,976 and the UK the lowest at £30,211.
Although attending a prestigious university doesn't necessarily improve the employability of Chinese PhDs, the reputation of these institutions does impact their earnings. Chinese PhDs from prestigious universities earn more than those from average Australian or UK universities. The Group of Eight in Australia offers the highest salaries, averaging £36,387, followed closely by the Russell Group in the UK at £36,120. In comparison, Australian universities offer an average salary of £30,837, while UK universities offer £28,412.
In terms of discipline, Chinese STEM PhDs graduates earn an average of £33,995, reflecting a strong demand for technical skills. This is followed by Chinese PhDs in other fields at £29,653, and business graduates, who earn an average of £26,680.
Average Annual Salary of Chinese PhDs by University
The graph shows that among the top five earners, four are from UK universities and one from an Australian university, with the sixth spot occupied by a Russell Group member. Previously, the table indicated that UK universities had the lowest average salaries among the four university groups. However, with four UK institutions now among the top five earners, this suggests significant variability in salaries across different UK universities. In contrast, the lowest earner is an Australian university, followed by a member of the Russell Group.
The salary gap between the highest and lowest-earning universities ranges from approximately £60,804 to £8,701.
4. Entrepreneurship
Are Chinese PhDs likely to start their own businesses after studying abroad?
Chinese PhDs who pursue their doctorates abroad are unlikely to venture into entrepreneurship, with only 1.81% choosing to start their own businesses. This suggests a limited interest in self-employment, likely driven by a stronger focus on research and academic careers.
While many job types remain unspecified, the majority of positions are research-oriented, including roles such as research assistants, research fellows, professors, scientists, and a few principal-level positions.
