China
Comprehensive, specialist and Sino-foreign universities.
Study overview
China’s higher-education system includes comprehensive universities, specialist institutions and Sino-foreign cooperative universities. Degrees may be taught in Chinese, English or a specified mixed-language format. Teaching language, qualification level and the institution’s authority to offer a particular programme are distinct features.
Tuition / Year
Tsinghua 2027 examples: mixed Chinese-English engineering / fully English Zijing Global Talents. Two programmes, not one fee range.
Living / Month
Communication University of China, Beijing, February 2026 reference including accommodation, food and transport. Not a Tsinghua housing quotation.
Typical degree length: Bachelor’s: usually 4 years
Master’s: 2–3 years
MBBS: usually 6 years, with internship
Fields: Engineering; computing; business; sciences; Chinese studies.
Official references
- https://international.join-tsinghua.edu.cn/Admission1/Fees.htm
- https://international.join-tsinghua.edu.cn/info/1082/1185.htm
- https://icuc.cuc.edu.cn/2026/0204/c7289a266930/page.htm
- https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn
- https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/en/detail.php?id=534
- https://english.scio.gov.cn/m/pressroom/2026-09/23/content_118709979.html
- https://www.sigs.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/2024/1230/c7587a99309/page.psp
- https://gjjl.swmu.edu.cn/info/1009/2523.htm
Study and admission
China’s degree system
Public, private and jointly established institutions offer distinct academic and language routes. This chapter covers mainland China’s higher education provision.
Institutions, degrees and verification
Mainland China’s system includes public universities administered nationally or locally, private institutions and jointly established universities. Programmes differ in awarding arrangements and teaching language, even within the same city. The Ministry of Education’s institution list establishes a national reference for institutional status; an international prospectus identifies the actual recruitment offer. Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral applicants follow separate requirements. A university’s full subject catalogue can be wider than the majors open to international students, and an available major does not necessarily include an English-language route.
Departments and locations
Engineering and technology provision ranges from comprehensive universities to institutions specialising in transport, telecommunications, energy and aeronautics. Other universities concentrate on finance, languages, teacher education, agriculture, medicine or the arts. Departmental curricula and facilities distinguish similarly named degrees, while teaching campuses can lie in different cities or distant districts. Graduate admission adds the question of supervision and research fit. A prospective supervisor’s interest may support an application, but formal admission and funding remain institutional decisions with their own requirements and documentation.
Chinese and English study routes
Chinese-taught degrees commonly use HSK evidence at a level set by the university. English-taught programmes establish their own English criteria, sometimes including an exemption for previous English-medium schooling. Clinical contact, internships and daily administration can introduce Chinese-language demands beyond admission. Foundation and language preparation form separate stages whose progression conditions determine access to the degree. The language advertised for classroom teaching therefore does not necessarily describe every practical or graduation requirement, particularly in professional subjects involving communication with local clients, patients or employers.
Nationality and academic eligibility
International undergraduate applications generally include a completed secondary qualification and full transcript, with translations where required. For applicants with a Chinese nationality background, or particular parental nationality circumstances, ministry rules add foreign-nationality and overseas-residence conditions. Holding a foreign passport alone may therefore be insufficient to establish eligibility. Graduate admission requires the appropriate earlier degree and departmental evidence. Scholarship rules introduce another layer: an age ceiling or nationality restriction attached to an award does not necessarily apply identically to ordinary self-funded admission.
Admission and student life
CSCA use expanded for the 2026/27 undergraduate cycle. Its application varies by university and scholarship route, alongside language and academic screening.
CSCA and university selection
The 2026/27 Chinese Government Scholarship undergraduate notices require CSCA results, and Fudan publishes CSCA requirements for international undergraduate programmes. Tsinghua’s FAQ, however, explicitly states that it did not require CSCA for its 2026 intake. This difference makes the university’s current intake notice essential to interpreting wider announcements. Required subjects, examination language, accepted sessions and submission dates depend on the receiving programme. CSCA assesses academic preparation, while HSK supplies Chinese-language evidence; either can sit alongside an institutional interview or other selection procedure.
Fees, scholarships and payment
Tuition depends on the precise programme and language track. Specialist, clinical and jointly established degrees can differ substantially from standard Chinese-taught provision. Chinese Government Scholarship awards can include tuition, accommodation support, a stipend and medical insurance, with eligibility and application channels determined by the scheme. University and local-government awards have their own coverage and renewal conditions. Admission and scholarship selection remain distinct processes. Preparatory study, insurance and accommodation deposits can create additional costs beyond the headline tuition figure or a scholarship’s stated benefits.
Accommodation and arrival formalities
Dormitory arrangements vary by institution, room type and the dates covered. A scholarship’s accommodation provision may be a university room or an allowance, rather than reimbursement for any apartment a student chooses. Everyday expenditure includes meals, transport, utilities, books and initial household purchases. The appropriate study visa, accommodation registration and residence formalities form a separate arrival process. Shanghai’s official student guidance illustrates the role of the university international office and local exit-entry authority; procedures must correspond to the student’s actual city and residence circumstances.
Practical training and recognition
Internships and work-study activities can require university approval and appropriate residence endorsements; student enrolment alone does not establish unrestricted employment rights. Professional outcomes depend on more than institutional status. For medicine and other regulated careers, the exact qualification, clinical language, practical hours, internship structure and destination-country licensing rules affect whether a graduate can practise. These requirements remain distinct from admission to a Chinese university. Official programme descriptions and written academic terms provide the evidence needed to understand what the course itself includes.
Entrance and language assessments
CSCA
Applies to: CGS undergraduate applicants and university programmes requiring it
The China Scholastic Competency Assessment is required by 2026/27 Chinese Government Scholarship undergraduate routes and specified universities. Subjects depend on the programme; Tsinghua explicitly exempted its 2026 intake from CSCA.
HSK
Applies to: Chinese-taught programmes requiring Chinese proficiency
Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, the Chinese Proficiency Test, supplies language evidence for applicable programmes. Universities set levels, scores and waivers; the operator publishes current format and 2026 transition information.
English-language tests
Applies to: English-taught international programmes
Fudan’s 2026 economics programme accepts specified English tests and permits an English-medium-school waiver route. IELTS is the International English Language Testing System; TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
University interview / academic assessment
Applies to: Institutions requiring further selection
Universities can assess academic readiness beyond submitted grades and test results. The international prospectus specifies the additional academic, practical or interview assessment.
https://international.join-tsinghua.edu.cn/info/1029/1019.htm
Gaokao and overseas school exams
Applies to: Qualification-specific undergraduate routes
Gaokao is the principal domestic examination, not the default test for every foreign applicant. Universities define accepted international school credentials and any additional testing.
https://international.join-tsinghua.edu.cn/Admission1/Eligibility.htm
Portfolio / artistic practical assessment
Applies to: Relevant arts and design applicants
Specialist arts programmes can require creative work and practical assessment alongside language and CSCA evidence. Requirements are set in the current institutional admissions guide.
Scholarships and funding routes
Chinese Government Scholarship — bilateral route
Support: Full awards cover tuition, accommodation or a housing subsidy, medical insurance and monthly stipends of RMB 2,500 undergraduate, RMB 3,000 master’s/general scholar or RMB 3,500 doctoral/senior scholar. Funding follows the approved study period, including approved language preparation.
Eligibility: Non-Chinese citizens in good health: high-school graduates under 25 for undergraduate study, bachelor’s holders under 35 for master’s study, and master’s holders under 40 for doctoral study. Academic and language requirements also apply.
Application: Applications pass through the home country’s designated dispatching authority and the China Scholarship Council online system under Type A.
Conditions: Country agreements determine available places and award scope. Undergraduate applications require a valid CSCA score; nomination does not itself constitute a final award.
Chinese Government Scholarship — Shanghai Ocean University route
Support: The published High-Level Postgraduate award covers tuition, shared accommodation, medical insurance and a living stipend for three-year master’s or four-year doctoral programmes. Standard CSC monthly stipends are RMB 3,000 and RMB 3,500 respectively.
Eligibility: Non-Chinese applicants with GPA above 3.0; master’s applicants need a bachelor’s degree and age no more than 30, doctoral applicants a master’s degree and age no more than 35. Doctoral applicants also need a published scientific paper.
Application: Applications use both SHOU’s system and CSC Type B, agency 10264, with supervisor consent and a signed research proposal.
Conditions: The cited 2026 call closed on 1 February 2026. Its age limits are stricter than general CSC limits; university recommendation remains subject to CSC selection.
Shanghai Government Scholarship
Support: Category A covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses and comprehensive medical insurance for the study period. Category B covers tuition and insurance. Undergraduate preparation is funded under Category A.
Eligibility: Foreign nationals with strong academic records; typical upper ages are 25 for undergraduate, 35 for master’s and 40 for doctoral study. Preparatory applicants are generally 23 or younger. The published general Chinese-language requirement is HSK 4, alongside programme-specific language conditions.
Application: Participating universities receive applications through the Study in Shanghai process, generally between February and April; each university sets its selection period.
Conditions: Continuation requires a successful annual evaluation. Recipients cannot concurrently hold other scholarships or financial support covered by the scheme’s prohibition. Category B excludes accommodation and living support.
Nottingham Ningbo global scholarships
Support: The Provost International Excellence award waives 100% of first-year tuition; the Emerging Leaders award waives 50%. Tuition already paid is refunded to the corresponding award value.
Eligibility: Full-time international undergraduate offer-holders. Competitive selection considers academic results and evidence of extracurricular, community, volunteering or work contributions.
Application: A separate scholarship application and statement of up to 500 words go through the university’s Application Hub. The published deadline is 31 May 2027.
Conditions: Both awards cover the first year only and cannot be deferred. Recipients undertake 30 hours supporting university promotional activity; living expenses are outside these tuition awards.
Selected university profiles
Official June 2026 mainland-China institution list, in Chinese. This book presents 20 selected universities; use the ministry list to verify institutions beyond this selection.
Ministry of Education — national higher-education institution list
Tsinghua University
Tsinghua is a public university in Beijing with teaching in engineering, science, architecture, economics and the humanities. Its Academy of Arts and Design includes industrial, textile and visual communication design. The university also operates the Shenzhen International Graduate School and the Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computer science; Architecture; Economics
- Address
- 30 Shuangqing Road, Haidian, Beijing 100084, China
- Website
- https://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/
Peking University
Peking University is a public university in Beijing encompassing humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering and medicine. Its academic organisation includes the Health Science Center and Shenzhen Graduate School. The Yenching Academy provides an interdisciplinary postgraduate setting for the study of China within the university.
- Subjects
- Humanities; Social sciences; Science; Medicine
- Address
- 5 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian, Beijing 100871, China
- Website
- https://english.pku.edu.cn/
Fudan University
Fudan is a public university in Shanghai with four campuses: Handan, Fenglin, Zhangjiang and Jiangwan. Fenglin houses Shanghai Medical College, while the wider university teaches fields including economics, journalism and the natural sciences. Its campus structure accommodates both comprehensive university education and specialist medical teaching.
- Subjects
- Economics; Journalism; Science; Medicine
- Address
- 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, China
- Website
- https://www.fudan.edu.cn/en/
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong is a public university with major teaching sites at Minhang and Xuhui in Shanghai. Its academic units include Antai College of Economics and Management and a medical school. Biomedical engineering research covers magnetic resonance imaging, medical artificial intelligence, clinical informatics and neuroscience.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computer science; Business; Medicine
- Address
- 800 Dongchuan Road, Minhang, Shanghai 200240, China
- Website
- https://en.sjtu.edu.cn/
Zhejiang University
Zhejiang is a public university whose main Zijingang campus is in Hangzhou. Its Ocean College is based at Zhoushan, and its Haining international campus houses joint institutes with the University of Edinburgh and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Teaching spans engineering, agriculture, science and medicine.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Agriculture; Science; Medicine
- Address
- 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Website
- https://www.zju.edu.cn/english/
Official references
Nanjing University
Nanjing is a public university with Xianlin, Gulou, Pukou and Suzhou campuses. Its schools cover humanities, sciences, computing and business. The School of Astronomy and Space Science conducts research in solar physics, galaxy evolution, extrasolar planets and space science, alongside teaching in astronomy and space technology.
- Subjects
- Humanities; Science; Computer science; Business
- Address
- Xianlin Campus, 163 Xianlin Road, Qixia, Nanjing 210023, China
- Website
- https://www.nju.edu.cn/en/
University of Science and Technology of China
USTC is a public university in Hefei under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Its research infrastructure includes the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory and laboratories for fire science and quantum information. Teaching and research encompass physics, chemistry, computing, engineering, life sciences and medicine.
- Subjects
- Physics; Chemistry; Computer science; Engineering
- Address
- 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
- Website
- https://en.ustc.edu.cn/
Wuhan University
Wuhan University is a public institution with schools spanning law, economics, engineering and medicine. Its specialist academic units include Remote Sensing and Information Engineering and Earth and Space Science and Technology. A state key laboratory connects research in surveying, mapping, remote sensing and geospatial information.
- Subjects
- Law; Economics; Engineering; Medicine
- Address
- 299 Bayi Road, Wuchang, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Website
- https://en.whu.edu.cn/
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
HUST is a public university in Wuhan combining engineering, computing and management with Tongji Medical College and affiliated hospitals. The Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics supports research in biomedical photonics, lasers, energy and information storage. These facilities connect its engineering and medical research activities.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computer science; Medicine; Management
- Address
- 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
- Website
- https://english.hust.edu.cn/
Official references
Xiamen University
Xiamen is a public university with Siming, Zhangzhou and Xiangan campuses in China and a campus in Malaysia. Its College of Ocean and Earth Sciences is located at Xiangan. Other academic areas include economics, business and chemistry, while Zhangzhou houses international and creative education units.
- Subjects
- Economics; Business; Marine science; Chemistry
- Address
- 422 South Siming Road, Siming, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
- Website
- https://en.xmu.edu.cn/
Tongji University
Tongji is a public university in Shanghai with Siping, Jiading, West and North campuses. Architecture and civil engineering form part of its academic provision, alongside design and environmental studies. Jiading brings together fields including automotive engineering, transport, mechanical engineering, electronics, computing and materials science.
- Subjects
- Civil engineering; Architecture; Design; Environmental science
- Address
- 1239 Siping Road, Yangpu, Shanghai 200092, China
- Website
- https://en.tongji.edu.cn/
Beihang University
Beihang is a public university with Xueyuan Road and Shahe campuses in Beijing and an international campus in Hangzhou. Aerospace is central to its academic identity, alongside engineering, computer science and management. Its teaching and research extend across aeronautics, astronautics and associated technological disciplines.
- Subjects
- Aerospace; Engineering; Computer science; Management
- Address
- 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian, Beijing 100191, China
- Website
- https://ev.buaa.edu.cn/
Beijing Institute of Technology
Beijing Institute of Technology is a public university teaching engineering, computer science, design and management. Its Beijing sites include Zhongguancun, Liangxiang and Xishan, with university provision also at Zhuhai. Liangxiang houses the Xu Teli Library and a museum of arts within its campus facilities.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computer science; Design; Management
- Address
- 5 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian, Beijing, China
- Website
- https://english.bit.edu.cn/
Harbin Institute of Technology
Harbin Institute of Technology is a public university operating campuses in Harbin, Weihai and Shenzhen. Engineering and aerospace are central fields alongside computing and architecture. Its specialist research includes space environment materials, while the Shenzhen campus includes an international school of design within the university.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Aerospace; Computer science; Architecture
- Address
- 92 Xidazhi Street, Nangang, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
- Website
- https://en.hit.edu.cn/
Nankai University
Nankai is a public university in Tianjin with Balitai, Jinnan and TEDA campuses. Its academic units include chemistry, mathematics, economics and business, together with the Zhou Enlai School of Government. Its research units include a laboratory for pure mathematics and combinatorics and the TEDA Institute of Applied Physics.
- Subjects
- Economics; Mathematics; Chemistry; Business
- Address
- Jinnan Campus, 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan, Tianjin 300350, China
- Website
- https://en.nankai.edu.cn/
Tianjin University
Tianjin University is a public institution with Weijin Road and Peiyangyuan campuses. Its academic organisation includes schools of architecture and chemical engineering and technology, alongside other engineering and management disciplines. The Binhai Industrial Research Institute forms another part of its teaching, research and industry-facing infrastructure.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Architecture; Chemical engineering; Management
- Address
- Peiyangyuan Campus, 135 Yaguan Road, Jinnan, Tianjin 300350, China
- Website
- https://en.tju.edu.cn/
Sun Yat-sen University
Sun Yat-sen is a public university operating across Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Shenzhen. Guangzhou includes South, North and East campuses, with medical teaching concentrated at the North campus. Its affiliated medical institutions include the Cancer Center, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center and Hospital of Stomatology, alongside general hospitals.
- Subjects
- Business; Medicine; Humanities; Science
- Address
- 135 Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
- Website
- https://www.sysu.edu.cn/sysuen/
Official references
South China University of Technology
South China University of Technology is a public university with Wushan, University Town and Guangzhou International campuses. Its teaching includes engineering, architecture, materials and business. Specialist units include the International School of Advanced Materials, the South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter and the Shien-Ming Wu School of Intelligent Engineering.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Architecture; Materials; Business
- Address
- Wushan Campus, 381 Wushan Road, Tianhe, Guangzhou 510641, China
- Website
- https://www.scut.edu.cn/en/
Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
XJTLU is a cooperative university established by Xi’an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool, with sites in Suzhou Industrial Park and Taicang. Most teaching is in English, except general and basic courses. Bachelor’s graduates receive both an XJTLU degree and a University of Liverpool degree.
- Subjects
- Business; Engineering; Design; Computer science
- Address
- 111 Ren’ai Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
- Website
- https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Nottingham Ningbo is a Sino-foreign cooperative university delivering University of Nottingham degrees in English. Its academic structure includes Nottingham University Business School China, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Engineering. Undergraduate routes include programmes completed in China and selected programmes divided between Ningbo and Nottingham.
- Subjects
- Business; Engineering; International studies; Computer science
- Address
- 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315100, China
- Website
- https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/
Official references
- https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/
- https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/about/contact-us.aspx
- https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/schools-departments/directory.aspx
- https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/study-with-us/undergraduate/home.aspx
- https://www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/humanities-and-social-sciences/schools-and-department/education-and-english/study-with-us/study-with-us.aspx
Further institutions
| Institution | Location and type | Official website | Book page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renmin University of China | Beijing / Public university | https://www.ruc.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Beijing Normal University | Beijing / Public university | https://www.bnu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Beijing Jiaotong University | Beijing / Public university | https://www.bjtu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications | Beijing / Public university | https://www.bupt.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Beijing Foreign Studies University | Beijing / Public university | https://www.bfsu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| University of International Business and Economics | Beijing / Public university | https://www.uibe.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| China University of Political Science and Law | Beijing / Public university | https://www.cupl.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| China Agricultural University | Beijing / Public university | https://www.cau.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| University of Chinese Academy of Sciences | Beijing / Public university | https://www.ucas.ac.cn/ | 119 |
| Southeast University | Nanjing / Public university | https://www.seu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics | Nanjing / Public university | https://www.nuaa.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Nanjing University of Science and Technology | Nanjing / Public university | https://www.njust.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Hohai University | Nanjing / Public university | https://www.hhu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Nanjing Agricultural University | Nanjing / Public university | https://www.njau.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Soochow University | Suzhou / Public university | https://www.suda.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Shanghai University | Shanghai / Public university | https://www.shu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| East China Normal University | Shanghai / Public university | https://www.ecnu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| East China University of Science and Technology | Shanghai / Public university | https://www.ecust.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Shanghai University of Finance and Economics | Shanghai / Public university | https://www.sufe.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Shanghai International Studies University | Shanghai / Public university | https://www.shisu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Donghua University | Shanghai / Public university | https://www.dhu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Shandong University | Jinan / Public university | https://www.sdu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Ocean University of China | Qingdao / Public university | https://www.ouc.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Jilin University | Changchun / Public university | https://www.jlu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Dalian University of Technology | Dalian / Public university | https://www.dlut.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Northeastern University | Shenyang / Public university | https://www.neu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Xi’an Jiaotong University | Xi’an / Public university | https://www.xjtu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Northwestern Polytechnical University | Xi’an / Public university | https://www.nwpu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Xidian University | Xi’an / Public university | https://www.xidian.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Sichuan University | Chengdu / Public university | https://www.scu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| University of Electronic Science and Technology of China | Chengdu / Public university | https://www.uestc.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Chongqing University | Chongqing / Public university | https://www.cqu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Central South University | Changsha / Public university | https://www.csu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Hunan University | Changsha / Public university | https://www.hnu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Lanzhou University | Lanzhou / Public university | https://www.lzu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Shenzhen University | Shenzhen / Public university | https://www.szu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Westlake University | Hangzhou / Private university | https://en.westlake.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Shanghai Sanda University | Shanghai / Private university | https://www.sandau.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Shanghai Jian Qiao University | Shanghai / Private university | https://www.gench.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Xi’an Eurasia University | Xi’an / Private university | https://www.eurasia.edu/ | 119 |
| Xijing University | Xi’an / Private university | https://www.xijing.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| Wuchang Shouyi University | Wuhan / Private university | https://www.wsyu.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| NYU Shanghai | Shanghai / Sino-foreign cooperative university | https://shanghai.nyu.edu/ | 119 |
| Duke Kunshan University | Kunshan / Sino-foreign cooperative university | https://www.dukekunshan.edu.cn/ | 119 |
| The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen | Shenzhen / Mainland–Hong Kong cooperative university | https://www.cuhk.edu.cn/ | 119 |