Admission Requirements
Each program at any Chinese universities has its own requirements for entry. Before you start your application, please read the Entry Requirements carefully while you're browsing the program's page. Make sure that you are able to meet the requirements and provide copies of the relevant documents.
In accordance with the types of programs, basic requirements of most universities are as follows:
1) Non-degree programs of Chinese language and culture
Non-Chinese citizen in good health.
18 years old or above; (If you are under 18 years old, you need to provide a notarization of guarantor in China. Sometimes a diplomatic note presented by your consulate in Beijing may be required.)
Hold a valid foreign passport.
The equivalent of high school graduate or higher academic degree.
A student who has studied in China and wants to transfer to another university must provide the permission from original university.
Note: Some universities do not have age or educational background requirements.
2) Bachelor's degree programs
Non-Chinese citizen in good health.
18 years old or above.
Hold a valid foreign passport.
High school graduation or the equivalent; or higher academic degree.
Under normal circumstances, applicants for programs taught in Chinese are required to have passed the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) level 3 or above; or pass the university's entrance examination.
A student who has studied in China and wants to transfer to another university must provide the permission from original university.
NB: For those programs taught in English, applicants should submit recognized English proficiency tests scores such as TOEFL or IELTS. (English native speakers or those holding an academic degree taught in English do not need to provide any test scores.)
3) Master's degree programs
Non-Chinese citizen in good health.
18 years old or above.
Hold a valid foreign passport.
Under normal circumstances, applicants for programs taught in Chinese are required to have HSK level 4-6 certificate or above; or pass the university's entrance examination.
Hold a Bachelor's degree graduate or the equivalent.
Provide one or two letters of recommendation from professors.
A student who has studied in China and wants to transfer to another university must provide the permission from original university.
NB: For those programs taught in English, applicants should submit recognized English proficiency tests scores such as TOEFL or IELTS. (English native speakers or those holding an academic degree taught in English need not provide test scores.)
4) Doctoral degree programs
Non-Chinse citizen in good health.
18 years old or above.
Hold a valid foreign passport.
Master's degree graduate or the equivalent.
At least two recommendation letters from professors.
Under normal circumstances, applicants are required to have HSK level 5-8 certificate or above; or pass the university's entrance examination. Applicants who do not meet the Chinese language requirement are usually admitted if they successfully complete a one-year full-time Chinese language program as a pre-sessional course.
NB: For those programs taught in English, applicants should submit recognized English proficiency tests scores such as TOEFL or IELTS. (English native speakers or those holding an academic degree taught in English need not provide test scores.)
General Entry Requirements
International students who want to study at Chinese universities must meet the general requirements set out by both the Chinese government and the university they apply to.
Admission Requirements of the Chinese Government
1. Applicant must be a real student, who holds a student or visitor visa;
2. No criminal records. Applicants from some countries are requested to provide a non-criminal certificate notarized and certified by the Chinese Embassy;
3. Some official sectors restrict the number of applicants from certain countries;
4. Applicants should have the appropriate qualifications and be able to meet all the requirements (in accordance with the school requirements), be in a reliable financial state and have a guarantor in China;
5. Transfer students need to provide the agreement certificate from the two schools.
For more information regarding the requirements of the Chinese Government, please contact with the Chinese Ministry of Education or China Scholarship Council.
Admission Requirements of Chinese Universities
In accordance with different levels of degree, Chinese universities have different requirements for all enrollees. Before applying, you must carefully review these requirements.
Usually, non-degree language and culture programs have minimum requirements; as long as you have obtained a high school diploma, you can apply for admission.
Chinese-medium degree programs (i.e. degree programs taught in Mandarin Chinese) require the applicant to provide HSKresults to prove their Chinese language proficiency. Applicants for master's degrees also need to provide a copy of transcripts and recommendation letters.
English-medium programs do not require HSK results. Instead, applicants for English-medium programs should provide recognized English proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. (English native speakers or those who hold an academic degree taught in English need not provide test scores).
More and more universities are starting to offer international programs taught in English. These programs will no longer require HSK examination results and are suitable for international applicants.
This is a list of requirements for different programs: (Applicants may search for degree programs by degree level according to your personal educational background and the following requirements.)
Note
Required HSK Level: For more on HSK/Chinese Proficiency Test, please click here. Each school sets its own requirements.
Normally, a transfer student will not be accepted by any of the Chinese universities.
Please note that GCSE holders are not admitted onto degree programs by China's universities; those students should apply for a one year program of Pre-College training (or International Foudation Year program) at the chosen university.