More than 500 universities from 38 countries and regions have registered to attend the China International Education Expo 2012 scheduled to kick off in Beijing on Oct. 20, the event's sponsor revealed on Tuesday.

"Twenty-one countries will attend the expo in groups to better demonstrate their education quality in a bid to attract Chinese students," said Zong Wa, deputy secretary-general of the China Education Association for International Exchange.

Delegates from over 2,000 overseas universities will offer face-to-face consultations to Chinese students and parents, Zong added.

Studying abroad has become a trend for Chinese students in recent years. Statistics showed that more than 330,000 Chinese went for overseas study last year.

The expo will also be held in Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai, Wuhan, Changsha and Guangzhou.