Admission process in China

Admission requirements in China

You can apply to Chinese universities online. There are two ways:

• Fill out the online application form of the chosen university and submit scanned documents with certified translations.
• Through the Studyinchina website. It is much faster and more convenient, given that you can apply to several universities at once. However, not all universities are connected to this system.

Documents can be submitted twice a year: from March to June for the fall semester and from October to January for the spring.

There are not so many admission requirements at Chinese universities. Of the main ones:

• Language. The main language of instruction is Chinese. You can confirm it with HSK results. Usually, universities require an HSK level of 5 — if translated into the European system, this is around a B2-C1 level. However, an HSK 6 is more realistic for admission to prestigious universities. At Peking University, for example, such a level is required even for a bachelor’s degree. Students of English-language programs are accepted with an IELTS score not lower than 6.0.
• GPA. While most Chinese universities do not specify particular GPA requirements, the highest-ranked universities only accept straight-A students. It is unlikely that you will be able to get into a Chinese university with a GPA below 3.7, though individual achievements can correct this situation — all existing diplomas, certificates, and letters of thanks will come in handy. If your school or university had a student ranking, it should also be indicated.
• Age. It is not enough for students of Chinese universities to be smart — they also need to be young. At the same time, they must be at least 18 years old to enroll in a bachelor’s program. Minor students need a guardian — a Chinese citizen or a foreigner with registration. Many universities also set upper age limits. For admission to a bachelor's program — 25 years old. For master’s programs — 40.
• Motivation letter. One of the most common requirements. This is a document where you describe your achievements, goals, interests, and expectations from studying in China. In general, you must persuasively reveal your personality in order to please the admissions committee. Typically, Chinese universities require a motivation letter of up to 1500 words.
• Recommendations. Recommendation letters are required for master's and PhD programs, and even for bachelor’s programs at some prestigious universities. Recommendations allow the commission to evaluate your qualities through the eyes of teachers, professors, and employers. The letter must be signed and contain the contact information of the recommender.

Document legalization and diploma recognition

Most universities in China accept students without a diploma recognition procedure. But some, such as Tsinghua University, may require consular legalization. This can be done online^[4].

Application deadlines in China

There are two semesters in China:

• The fall semester begins in September. Applications must be submitted between February and July. Scholarship applications are accepted from February to May. Enrollment decisions are announced from July to August.
• The spring semester starts in March, with the application period being from October to January.

However, deadlines may differ depending on the university.

Application deadlines are subject to change. Verify the exact dates on the official website of your chosen university.

How to enroll in a bachelor’s program

You can apply for a bachelor's program on the website of the selected university or through Studyinchina. The second option is more convenient — the site has filters for specified criteria, and an application can be submitted to several universities at once. However, you have to pay separately for each application — about 82 USD.

Upon admission, you need to fill out an application and submit document scans. Usually, universities ask for a passport, a certificate of no criminal record, language certificates, motivation and recommendation letters. All documents must have a notarized translation.

Many bachelor’s programs have age requirements. The applicant must not be under 18 or over 25-35 years old. The upper threshold for adult students is different at each university , so be sure to verify this criterion.

At Chinese universities, the language requirements are quite high. To study in Chinese, you need an HSK 5 certificate. English-language programs are accepted with IELTS scores from 6.0-6.5. You can improve your language level in preparatory courses.

Documents for admission

• Completed application form
• High school diploma with grade transcript
• HSK 4 or IELTS 6.0 language certificate
• Recommendation letters
• CV
• Motivation letter
• Video interview (if required)
• Passport valid for the entire period of study
• Certificate of no criminal record

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Preparatory programs

Language courses are popular among foreign applicants in China. Such a system is called "1+4": students intensively study Chinese for a year, pass the HSK, and then enroll in bachelor's, master's, or PhD studies.

You can attend courses without any knowledge of Chinese, but it is better to prepare in advance. Learning a language from zero to level 4 in a year is really challenging. It is preferable to already have some sort of foundation in place before you arrive in China.

It is worth enrolling in language courses at the same university where you further plan to study — of course, this is not a prerequisite, and no one will forbid you from applying to another university. However, you can get used to the professors and university setting more quickly. This will not give you an advantage in the admission process, but it will be a little easier.

So, choose a university first and then check if it offers language courses. Courses are always tuition-based, and the exact cost depends on the university. Minimum — 1,089-136 USD/year, maximum — 3,403 USD/year.

Click here for a list of universities that offer preparatory programs.

Scholarships in China

Higher education in China is relatively inexpensive. However, there are scholarships that can make it cheaper or even free. Applicants with excellent academic performance and a level of Chinese not lower than HSK 4 can count on them.

• Chinese government scholarships are applicable to 94 major public universities in China. A quota is allocated for each country. The grant fully covers tuition and accommodation expenses. Students also receive about 300 USD monthly for personal expenses. Applications should be submitted from January to March at the Chinese consulate or directly with the China Scholarship Council (CSC).
• Local government scholarships are issued at the municipal level. Candidates are selected by the administration of the city or province where the university is located. Grants can cover partial tuition and living costs, or and all costs including flights.
• Confucius Institute scholarships aim to promote the Chinese language and culture in other countries. Scholarship winners usually study in related specialties — most often, Chinese as a foreign language. The university is usually selected by the program organizers themselves, rather than by the student.
• University scholarships are awarded to applicants with high grades and a good academic portfolio. The scholarship has 4 categories:
  • A0-1 — free education + accommodation + monthly payments
  • A2 — free education
  • A3 — 50% discount on tuition
  • A4 — 20–25% discount on tuition

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