Universities in China swop majors to fulfil nation's aims

'Softer' courses like foreign languages and music are out, while Al and big data are in

- Michelle Ng

BEIJING Just one year into her first job as a broadcasting and hosting teacher at Wuhan University of Communication, Ms Ran Sheng worries that she may have to look for new employment soon.

Some universities in China have cancelled broadcasting undergraduate majors similar to what she teaches, and the 26-year-old told The Straits Times she wonders if and when her course will be next.

"If I lose my job, I'll first try to look for another broadcasting-related job. Or I may get another master's degree," said Ms Sheng, who graduated in 2023 from Harbin Normal University with a master's degree in radio and TV broadcast.

Since 2023, Chinese universities have been cancelling existing majors and adding new ones in large numbers, in response to Beijing's call to adapt academic disciplines to the country's technological and strategic needs.

In 2023, 1,670 majors were cancelled, while 1,673 new majors were added, according to official statistics released by the Ministry of Education in March.

Another 48 majors were adjusted, in terms of the length of study and the categories they fall under.

In 2024, at least 19 Chinese universities have applied to withdraw or suspend enrolment in 99 majors. The final tally for 2024 will only be released by the ministry in 2025.

While universities routinely review their course offerings, Professor Xiong Bingqi, director of the Beijing-based 21st Century Education Research Institute think-tank, noted that the courses that were reviewed in 2023 is the largest batch to date as universities are now under an “intensive phase of adjustment".

China's central government in April 2023 announced a higher education reform plan calling for universities to better serve national strategies and promote regional economic, social and industrial development.