China has around 20 million students enrolled in Chinese universities, and currently 9.7 million young candidates are competing for freshman places in 2,914 Chinese colleges, having opportunity to study one of the 2,311 undergraduate majors.

However, recent developments in science and technology, as well as recent changes in the role of China in the international community have resulted with the need for new college majors.

Most attractive new ones are:

Data Science and Big Data Technology - a discipline involving mathematics, statistics and computer science, currently offered in 250 universities, Data Science and Big Data Technology is considered a gateway into industries involving Big Data Development, Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Robot Engineering – offered in 60 universities around China, this major involves Computer Programming and Artificial Intelligence (AI), industry that is expected to exceed 160 billion yuan (about 25 billion USD). With an annual growth rate of over 25%, this area already has big talent shortages in the industry.

Belt and Road non-common languages - As the Belt and Road Initiative expands, the need for language experts representing countries along the way are already becoming urgent. In 65 B&R countries there are more than 50 official languages being spoken, and up to this year only several of them had been covered by course programs. Starting from this year, Chinese Universities are starting to add programs for non-common B&R languages. In that regards, Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) has added 14 new language majors including Fijian, Maori, Luxembourgish, Kurdish, Tongan, Samoan, Comorian, Tswana, Ndebele, Creole, Shona, Tigrinya and Belorussian.

Midwifery Studies – switch from one-child to two-child policy has caused shortages amongst hospital personnel. New 20 universities have gained approvals from Chinese education authorities to set up Midwifery Studies.

Others: Cyberspace Security, Network and New Media, Intelligent Engineering…