Britain sees huge increase in design students from China

British universities over the past five years saw a rise of around 150 percent in the number of Chinese students coming to study creative and design subjects, a local agency said Monday.

Creative and design studies has become the second most popular program for Chinese students in British universities, after business studies, the London & Partners, a non-profit promotional organization of London, said in a statement.

"It indicates that Chinese students are broadening their course choices from traditional subject areas like business and engineering towards the creative arts subjects," said Kevin McCarthy, head of Education and Culture at London & Partners.

He said that London should capitalize on the opportunity as London has a large creative economy and leads the world in design, fashion, music and film.

According to official data recently released by Higher Education Statistics Agency, Chinese students now make up the biggest group of international students in London, followed by those from the United States and India.