Why now is the right time for business school in China | 6 advantages you will gain

With one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and an e-commerce market that continues to dominate the globe, it might just be time to say ni hao to a business career in China. 

Last year alone, the nation raked in over $2 trillion in online shopping sales—more than a third of the sector’s entire global revenue, and a figure almost half a trillion higher than its closest competitor, the $1.8 trillion-valued US market. The most exciting part? That share is only projected to increase, with experts predicting earnings to reach as high as $3.5 trillion in 2024.  

But even if your interests lie outside of e-markets, China is famously home to some of the most technologically advanced cities in the world. Particularly for aspiring business moguls, studying a degree in a financial hub such as Beijing or Shanghai can provide the connections needed to completely elevate your career.  

So, why is now the best time to study business in China? 

1. Economic hub  

Home to a population of 1.4 billion, the Chinese market provides innumerable opportunities for business school students in the realm of entrepreneurship, research, and enterprise.

“If you’re doing anything to do with international business in this day and age at an MBA level, you cannot pretend that China isn’t an important market,” says Amber Miller-Greenman, a graduate of the International MBA (IMBA) program at the Renmin University of China, Renmin Business School.

Growing up in New Zealand with Chinese heritage, Amber always had an interest in the culture. However, it was only after starting her degree that she realized that making connections on the mainland was integral to propelling her career in tourism. 

Now a strategy leader for Tourism and Events Queensland, she focuses almost exclusively on Chinese market in her day-to-day work. 

2. A leader in e-commerce

While most of us know Alibaba for its well-priced electronics, there’s a lot more to the multinational online supplier than meets the eye.

Using cutting-edge technology such as AI and data analytics, the Chinese e-commerce behemoth has been able to completely dominate the industry, with annual sales reaching over $100 billion in revenue.

For Rong Chen, who studied a Global MBA at Zhejiang University School of Management, being able to connect with innovative businesses such as these has had a massive impact on his career.

Zhejiang University is based in Hangzhou—Alibaba’s corporate home and a hub for several well-name companies.

“Companies often take risks which don’t always pay off, so learning from their mistakes in case studies is better preparing me to innovate successfully in my own career,” he says. 

3. MBA experiential learning 

Undoubtedly, the best way to learn is by doing, which is exactly what experiential learning at business school aims to tap into. 

A popular teaching style within business schools in China, students are made to take up hands-on projects with real-world companies, which pushes them to put theory into practice. 

When US-educated Annie Hu began a Global MBA at Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management, she found that having the opportunity to complete a project with a renowned investment company allowed her to become a lot more familiar with the Chinese style of management. 

“It was an amazing opportunity to liaise with a real company, have regular meetings, conduct research, and compile a presentation,” she says. 

4. Cultural immersion

It can be hard to avoid faux pas in the world of international business, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come prepared. 

When Alexander Peterson travelled all the way from Denmark to study an MBA at Jiao Tong University Antai College of Economics and Management, China, he was determined to learn as much about the culture as possible.  

“[The MBA] was really broad with the elective courses that you could choose. Some topics went into Chinese culture so I enrolled in them because I think, as a manager, it’s not only the hard skills that are important, it’s also about how you develop as a person,” he says. 

It was only by picking up invaluable Chinese management and networking skills that Alexander was able to launch his successful global business, Laiba Beverages. 

5. Center of technological innovation 

From VR to robots, China is one of the top places to be if you want to start a career in tech, not least if you’re able to combine it with global experience. 

At Fudan University School of Management, Shanghai—which has a pioneering Sci-Tech Innovation Strategy—students in the International MBA program are able to study a dual degree with two of the US’ top, cutting-edge business schools, Yale and MIT. 

“We’ve gotten tons of insight into the high-tech prospects between China, the EU, and the US,” says Jiaming Liu, who studied at Yale School of Management as a part of his Fudan IMBA. 

Now he uses the innovative skills he learned while on his course to run his international supply business, which involves distributing Chinese-made products to the US.  

6. Global network 

For anyone looking to launch a global business career, it’s crucial to make international connections–but what’s the best way to go about it?  

At the Peking University (PKU) Guanghua School of Management, Global MBA students can make connections with professionals from all over the world, as well as in China. 

“It’s an excellent chance to build my professional relationships here,” says Aditya Kristanto, a graduate of the Global MBA program at PKU. 

Originally from Southeast Asia, Aditya aspires to build a bridge between China and his region to expand his business opportunities. 

Studying in China can provide business school students with a wealth of exciting opportunities in the realm of networking and entrepreneurship.

This article has been paid for by the featured schools.