Research on higher education expansion in China—Based on the period during 1978–2008

In the three decades, higher education in China experienced the elite stage and steped into mass stage. This research is intended to be an overview of expansion charactersic of higher education and examine the possible factors impacted on the higher education in China during 1978-2008. The research finding revealed that the expansion of higher education in China are mainly contributed by its historical value. And it showed that the expansion of higher education have its own dependence. The full-time teachers and school-aged population have contributions for higher education expansion, while the factor of GDP is the minimum. Change in higher education must be based upon what it is inherited, while many elements in this heredity are now being challenged by the environment. It is clear that the higher education system in China will have to change and undertake mass higher education.