Policies and problems of online higher education in China: what we can learn from the development of “internet colleges”

Abstract

PurposeThe relatively short history of internet colleges in China offers a glimpse of the potential of online education in the country and also reveals many of the problems involved in institutionalizing online education in an established system. This paper aims to present the development of online higher education in China by reviewing the development of “internet colleges”, examine the unique features of online higher education and the challenges it faces, and discuss the future directions of online higher education in China.Design/methodology/approachBy reviewing major policies on online education in China and the development of “internet colleges” in the past two decades, this paper reviews the development of online higher education in China.FindingsThe development of online higher education in China has unique features: central control and the support from learning support centers affiliated with “internet colleges”. To further develop online higher education in China, it has to address two major challenges it is facing now: perceived low quality and prestige, and limited opportunities for international collaboration. Some of the problems are universal, such as quality assurance and the perception of quality and prestige. Some are unique to China, such as the direct involvement of the Ministry of Education in setting guidelines and regulations about online educational programs (though similar problems could arise in other centralized education systems where the government, rather than the market and the public, plays a major role).Originality/valueThe vast educational market in China and the potential of online education also present interesting opportunities for foreign higher education institutions.