The Private Undergraduate Colleges in China: The Development, Challenges and Opportunities
Abstract
The structure of private undergraduate colleges in China can be confusing because it includes two distinct types: Independent Colleges and Minban Undergraduate Colleges. Research on their development, challenges, and opportunities remains limited. This study uses qualitative document analysis to examine the history, challenges, and prospects of private undergraduate colleges. The findings show that Independent Colleges, which emerged during the late 20th century under the Open-Door Policy, grew quickly but faced criticism for disrupting the balance with Minban Undergraduate Colleges. In response, the Chinese government implemented policies to transform Independent Colleges and support the growth of Minban Undergraduate Colleges, creating a fairer and more competitive environment. Despite these improvements, private undergraduate colleges still face challenges such as funding shortages, limited research capacity, and high faculty turnover. However, changing market conditions and supportive policies offer significant opportunities for growth. This study provides useful insights for policymakers and educators, highlighting the potential of private undergraduate colleges to strengthen China’s higher education system and meet the needs of a rapidly changing economy.
Downloads
References
Bie, D., & Li, P. (2023). Development trend and prospect of private institutions of higher education. Journal of Hebei Normal University, 25(6), 6–13.
Bothwell, E. (2021). Global boom in private enrollments. Inside Higher Education. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/03/08/survey-finds-global-boom-private-higher-education-enrollments
Cao, Q. L. (2006). The research of Independent colleges in China. Master thesis, Huazhong Technology University.
Dong, L. (1999). Second-tier Colleges and two systems in a university. Education Development Research, 5, 19–22. https://doi.org/DOI : 10. 14121 /j . cnki . 1008 -3855. 1999. 05. 007
Fei, J. (2012). A strategic analysis of the independent college of China. Doctoral thesis, Nanjing Agricultural University.
Finlay, L. (2021). Thematic analysis: The “good”, the “bad” and the “ugly.” European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy, 11, 103–116. https://ejqrp.org/index.php/ejqrp/article/download/136/93
Gao, Y. (2015). A study of the teacher team problems of the private undergraduate college: Taking college of Henan Province as an example. Master thesis, Henan University.
He, Y. D., & Ye, C. C. (2016). The exploration of education cost in Minban undergraduate colleges. Higher Education Theory View, 2, 60–61.
Jili University. (2009). The report of private colleges in 2009: Commemorating the 30th anniversary of Reform and Opening-up. Hongqi Press.
Levy, D. C. (2018). Global private higher education: an empirical profile of its size and geographical shape. Higher Education, 76(4), 701–715. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-018-0233-6
Li, Z. J., & Lu, Z. L. (2014). Stage character and strategy for the development of non-governmental institutions of higher learning in China. Journal of Zhejiang Shuren University, 14(4).
Liu, L. L. (2012). The transformation of private college: From comparative advantage to competitie advantage. Fudan Education Forum 2012, 10(2), 15–19. https://doi.org/10.13397/j.cnki.fef.2012.02.009
Liu, L. L., & Zhang, X. (2010). A probe into the competitiveness of private undergraduate institutions in China. Fudan Education Forum 2010, 8(1), 71–74.
Liu, Q. (2022). Research on the competitive development of newly transferred private colleges and universities in Anhui Province. Master thesis, Anhui University of Technology.
Liu, Y. G., & Guo, G. Q. (2016). The research and practice of teaching quality assurance in Minban undergraduate colleges. Survey of Education, 5(13), 55–56. https://doi.org/10.16070/j.cnki.cn45-1388/g4s.2016.13.022
Lo, W. Y. W. (2014). The road to privatization of higher education in China: A new cultural revolution? In Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg (Vol. 74, Issue 2). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38303-8_4
Lo, W. Y. W. (2017). The road to privatization of higher education in China: A new cultural revolution? Higher Education, 74, 381–383. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-016-0054-4
Luo, J. (2014). The development of Independent colleges transfer post. Master thesis, China University of Geosciences.
Mao, J. (2018). Opportunities and challenges: Transformation from non-government university to applied technology university. Heilongjiang Researches on Higher Educaiton, 3, 58–61.
MOE. (2003). Several opinions of the Ministry of Education on standardizing and strengthening the management of independent colleges and universities by new mechanism and mode. http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_sjzl/moe_364/moe_902/moe_1001/tnull_10310.html
MOE. (2008). The number of private HEIs. http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_sjzl/moe_560/s4628/s4631/201010/t20101021_109951.html
MOE (2010). Outline of the national medium and long-term education reform and development plan (2010-2020). http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A01/s7048/201007/t20100729_171904.html
MOE. (2020). The number of higher education institutions. http://www.moe.gov.cn/s78/A03/moe_560/2020/
Morgan, H. (2022). Conducting a qualitative document analysis. Qualitative Report, 27(1), 64–77. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5044
Omona, J. (2013). Sampling in qualitative research: Improving the quality of research outcomes in higher education. Makerere Journal of Higher Education, 4(2), 169–185. https://doi.org/10.4314/majohe.v4i2.4
Ozturgut, O. (2015). Problems in China’s private universities. International Higher Education, 55, 18–19. https://doi.org/10.6017/ihe.2009.55.8426
Savenye, W. C., & Robinson, R. S. (2005). Using qualitative research methods in higher education. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 16(2), 65–95. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02961475
Su, S. (2012). The policy environment of private higher education in China: A discussion based upon property ownership rights. Asia Pacific Education Review, 13(1), 157–169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-011-9184-7
The State of Council. (2021). Regulations on the implementation of the law of the People’s Republic of China on the promotion of private education. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2021-05/14/content_5606463.htm
Ting, W. Q. (2019). The research and practice of internal teaching quality assurance in Minban undergraduate colleges. Tink Tank Times, 35.
Tong, T. H. (2012). The analysis of policy background of the formation and development of Idenpendent colleges. Special Attention, 15–16.
Wang, F., & Yan, F. (2018). The origin of independent colleges as a unique organizational form of higher education. Journal of East China Normal University, 6, 118–159. https://doi.org/10.16382 / j.cnki.1000-5560.2018.06.013 JOURNAL
Wang, L. (2016). The predicament and countermeasure of Independent college’s comprehensive transition in our country. Master thesis, Huazhong University of Science & Technology.
Wang, Z. (2009). The transition and development of private regular universities. Master thesis, China East Normal University.
Wen, L. Y. (2019). Private undergraduate college teaching faculty building problems and countermeasures. Journal of Chifeng University, 40(6), 145–147. https://doi.org/10.13398/j.cnki.issn1673-2596.2019.06.040
Wu, H., & Li, M. (2021). Three phases of de facto quasi-decentralization of higher education in China since 1949. Higher Education Policy, 34(3), 685–705. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41307-019-00159-9
Xia, M., Li, Q. Z., & Wang, Y. Z. (2012). The problems and countermeasures of research development existing in Minban undergraduate colleges. Northern Economy and Trade, 9, 140–142.
Xia, Y. F., & Yue, G. Q. (2010). The problems and suggestions of teaching staff in Minban undergraduate colleges. China Science and Technology Information, 3.
Xu, H. L. (2005). Thinking about the formation and development of the independent institute. Master thesis, Jiling University.
Yang, Z. J. (2013). Research on institutional transformation of independent colleges in China. Master thesis, Southwest University.
Yanjin, J., & Wang, S. (2024). Some thoughts on the development of independent colleges transforming into private universities under the background of constructing a powerful nation of education. Journal of Hubei Normal University, 44(1), 104–110.
Yao, S., & Chen, M. (2021). Research on the quality management of China’s private application-oriented undergraduate universities guided by the evaluation of students’ learning results -- Take school C as an example. Advances in Educational Technology and Psychology, 5, 108–117. https://doi.org/10.23977/aetp.2021.51222
Yuan, S., & Wang, J. (2021). Dilemma and countermeasures of development of private undergraduate colleges. Journal of Hubei Adult Education Institute, 27(1). https://doi.org/10.16019/j.cnki.cn42-1578/g4.2021.01.022
Zeng, Y. Q. (2011). Problems existing in teaching team construction in private undergraduate university and countermeasures. Value Engineering, 36, 191–192. https://doi.org/10.14018/j.cnki.cn13-1085/n.2011.36.152
Zhang, C. X., Gu, G. P., & Lu, X. (2014). Problems and countermeasures in the development of private undergraduate colleges in Hebei Province. Journal of Hubei Correspondence University, 27(2), 1–8. https://doi.org/doi: 10． 3969 / j． issn． 1671－ 5918． 2014. 02－ 001
Zhang, D. M. (2013). Study on the problems and countermeasures of employment guidance of independent College students. Master thesis, Southwest University.
Zhang, H. (2019). Employment status of private undergraduate students. Education Modernization, 281–282. https://doi.org/10.16541/j.cnki.2095-8420.2019.81.133
Zhang, X. (2003). Origins and types of state-owned private Secondary Colleges. Private Education, 9, 91–93.
Zhao, H. (2018). International education exchange exploration of application-oriented undergraduate colleges. Master thesis, Central China Normal University.
Zhou, K. W. (2005). Research on the pattern of running of China’s Independent college. Master thesis, Guangxi Normal University.
