Study abroad agencies see drop in clients

By Jiang Yabin. The number of students who went to study abroad through government-sanctioned agencies last year fell 20 percent year-on-year to 10,442, even as the total number of students studying overseas continued to rise, local media reported Thursday.
The 15 local agencies with Ministry of Education approval attracted fewer clients last year as more resources to help students win admission to overseas universities have emerged and a greater number of unauthorized agencies have crowded into the market.
The agencies help students choose a suitable university to attend and then help guide them through the application process, said Cai Jun, a teacher from Shinyway Education, one of the government-approved agencies.
The agencies charge anywhere from 20,000 yuan ($3,216) to 100,000 yuan per client, according to a report in the Shanghai Evening Post. Read more...