Higher education reform in China: A comprehensive review of policymaking, implementation, and outcomes since 1978

This article comprehensively reviews the higher education policymaking and implementation in China since the reform and opening up in 1978. With the presented statistical data, this article discusses the intended and unintended consequences of China's higher education reform. In addition, by critically reviewing the literature and analyzing the data on China's higher education reform, this study concludes its outcomes into decentralization, stratification, massification, marketization, and internationalization. • A comprehensive and critical review of China's higher education reform. • Intended and unintended outcomes of China's higher education reform are presented. • Chronological and theme-based analysis of China's higher education policies.