Motivations and Aspirations of Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Chinese International Students

International higher education has expanded considerably in recent decades, leading to a substantial increase in international student enrolments and relatively growing academic attention. However, much of the literature in this field continues to rely on a binary distinction between domestic and international students, treating the latter as a homogeneous group with little attention paid to socioeconomic differences. This tendency is also evident in studies focusing on Chinese international students, who represent the largest international student group globally. Given the well-documented impact of socioeconomic disadvantage on students’ experiences and wellbeing, these internal differences merit greater academic attention. This chapter highlights the distinct motivations and aspirations of socioeconomically disadvantaged international students, arguing that they differ significantly from those of their more privileged peers and deserve more focused exploration. Responding to calls for a more heterogeneous understanding of international students, the chapter presents a narrative synthesis of the literature and uses socioeconomically disadvantaged Chinese international students as a case example. In doing so, it advocates for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to understanding international student diversity in higher education settings—one that better supports students’ wellbeing and educational success.