Les diplômes d’universités françaises : vecteurs d’ascension sociale pour les étudiants chinois ?

Abstract

Globalization of education generates new forms of social hierarchies. Different groups with the capacity to mobilize internationally for higher education abroad are implementing differentiated strategies. What about the Chinese, who are now the largest community of foreign students from non-French speaking countries in France? In the vast majority of cases, this stay is only a temporary step to prepare their future career in China. However, the valorization of their French diplomas in China is less studied than their reason for leaving for French higher education. In fact, these diplomas are in competition not only with diplomas of Chinese universities but also with those of all other countries. In this context, this article aims to observe the (re)production of intergenerational inequalities among Chinese graduates from different social backgrounds after their studies in France.

Keywords

• France
• International mobility
• Qualification
• Chinese students
• Social mobility