Private colleges face student shortfall

Do you know somebody who has flunked or skipped the gaokao, the all important college entrance exam? There are hundreds of schools across the country that will beg them to attend, with or without a test result.

Private colleges used to be considered the last resort for high school graduates in China. But this year, when even some second-tier State universities are scrambling to find enough students, many private colleges may struggle to survive.

Private colleges together with vocational schools occupy the bottom of the food chain of student selection based on gaokao scores. However, there has been a sharp drop in enrolment since 2008, as the graduation-age population shrinks and students flock to universities overseas. Analysts estimate a drop in student enrolments of between one-third to a half, or even more, from four years ago, when university admissions peaked.