The University of Sydney in Australia says it will accept scores from China's national college entrance exam, known as the Gaokao. Under the new policy, Chinese students no longer need to go through year-long preparatory programs to get enrolled.

Sitting in the classroom of a world-class university has now become easier for some Chinese students. The University of Sydney's new policy means that Chinese students now only need to give their Gaokao scores, as well as satisfactory the IELTS performance, for enrolment. Wu Chuanliang is a high school graduate from Zhuhai in Guangdong province.

Wu Chuanliang said, "For Chinese students, we always have to pass extra tests to apply for overseas schools. It is really an extra burden. Now new policies like the one of the University of Sydney will offer more opportunities for us to seek further development."

China's Gaokao is a fierce competition, which millions of students take every year. Only a few of them can be enrolled into China's top universities. It's a fateful event in one's lives. Now Chinese students have more choices as many overseas universities have started to accept China's Gaokao scores. Many parents are coming to the agency for information.

A parent of high-school student, said, "As for the recruiting craze of the overseas schools, I think firstly it's because China enjoys a stronger economic strength than before. Many Chinese families have become wealthier and can afford some hundred thousand yuan to send their kids to study abroad. Secondly, overseas schools can now benefit from the creativity and capability of Chinese talent."

The University of Sydney's required Gaokao scores are much lower than for China's top universities, actually a whole 100 points lower than China's top universities, such as Tsinghua or Peking.

Rebecca Cao, director of Beijing New Oriental Vision Overseas Consulting Co. Ltd, said, "I think for Chinese national universities or Chinese local universities, they're gonna face really new challenges. Because they have to face the reality that more and more international universities will attract a lot of good Chinese students."

However, studying at the University of Sydney is by no means a bargain. The total cost of living and studying amounts to nearly 31,800 US dollars a year. Some are also concerned that the high cost may put off lots of prospective overseas students.

More and more overseas universities are reaching out to Chinese students. Whether it is a bid to attract talent or out of economic consideration, the result is that more higher education opportunities are available for Chinese students. Some experts say this is a challenge for domestic universities and they will have to do more to attract and retain talented students.

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