Study in China for International Students 2027: Admissions, Visa and Costs

Every year we sit down with students who have already decided on China but have no idea where to start. The country has more than 3,000 higher education institutions, programs taught in Chinese and English, a scholarship system that is genuinely generous, and a visa process that looks scary until you have done it once. This guide on how to study in China for international students walks through the whole process the way we explain it in our consultations, from choosing a university to collecting your residence permit after you land

The short version? China is affordable, safe in daily life and strong in engineering, medicine and business. The catch is that you need to plan early, because the best scholarships close months before most students even start looking

Why international students choose China

Cost is the first reason most families mention. A bachelor’s degree at a solid provincial university can cost less per year than a single semester in the UK, and living costs outside Beijing and Shanghai are moderate. The second reason is quality. Tsinghua, Peking University, Zhejiang University and Shanghai Jiao Tong now sit comfortably in global top-100 tables, and a few dozen more universities are strong in specific fields like civil engineering, computer science or traditional Chinese medicine

Then there is the language itself. Graduates who leave with HSK 5 or HSK 6 Chinese and a Chinese degree are rare in most job markets, and employers in trade, logistics and manufacturing notice it. If you want a wider view before committing, our comparison of the top Chinese universities for foreign applicants breaks down rankings, cities and strengths

Chinese-taught or English-taught programs?

This is the first real decision, and it shapes everything else. Chinese-taught degrees are the standard option. They are cheaper, there are far more of them, and scholarships are easier to win. Most universities ask for HSK 4 for bachelor’s programs and HSK 4 or 5 for master’s, although medicine and humanities sometimes want more. If you do not have Chinese yet, you can take a one-year foundation or language program first and then continue into the degree

English-taught programs exist at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD level, especially in MBBS (medicine), engineering, international business, economics and computer science. They usually ask for IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80, though some universities accept a medium-of-instruction letter or run their own English test. Fees are higher, often 20 to 40 percent above the Chinese-taught equivalent

A practical rule we use

If you plan to stay in China after graduating or work with Chinese companies, go for a Chinese-taught degree even if it costs you a preparatory year. If you need a quick, recognised degree to take home, English-taught programs make sense. Students without IELTS should read our guide to getting a Chinese scholarship without IELTS, because many universities accept alternatives

Admission requirements and documents

Chinese universities admit international students directly. There is no national entrance exam like the Gaokao for foreigners, so your file is what matters. A typical application includes the following

• Valid passport with at least 18 months remaining (some universities ask for more)
• Highest diploma and transcripts, notarised and translated into Chinese or English
• Foreigner Physical Examination Form, completed by a doctor and usually valid for six months
• Non-criminal record certificate issued within the last six months, now required by most universities
• Study plan or personal statement, around 800 words for bachelor’s and 1,000+ for postgraduate
• Two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors for master’s and PhD
• Language certificate: HSK for Chinese-taught, IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught
• Application fee, usually 400 to 1,000 RMB depending on the university

Age limits matter too. Bachelor’s applicants are normally between 18 and 25, master’s under 35 and PhD under 40, especially for government scholarships. Self-funded applicants get more flexibility, but check each university’s admission brochure

Application timeline for the 2027 intake

Most universities open their online portals between November and January for the September intake. The deadline for self-funded students tends to fall between April and June, while scholarship deadlines arrive much sooner. The mistake we see most often is students starting in May, finding the scholarship window closed, and paying full fees that a little planning would have covered

Tuition fees and scholarships

Fees differ a lot by city and program. As a rough guide, Chinese-taught bachelor’s programs run from about 15,000 to 30,000 RMB a year, English-taught bachelor’s from 20,000 to 45,000 RMB, and MBBS from roughly 30,000 to 60,000 RMB. Top universities in Beijing and Shanghai sit at the upper end. Chinese language programs usually cost 10,000 to 30,000 RMB per year. These are ranges, so always confirm on the university’s international admissions page

Scholarships come in several layers. The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) covers tuition, accommodation, insurance and a monthly stipend, and you can apply through the Chinese embassy in your country or directly through a university. Our full guide to the Chinese Government Scholarship for 2027 explains both routes. Below that sit provincial scholarships such as the Shanghai Government Scholarship or the Jiangsu Jasmine Scholarship, university scholarships that cover full or partial tuition, and the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship for language study

The student visa: JW202, X1 and residence permit

Once you are admitted, the university sends you two documents: the admission notice and the Visa Application Form for Study in China. Scholarship students receive form JW201, self-funded students JW202. With both originals, plus your passport, photo and the physical exam form, you apply at the Chinese embassy or visa centre for an X1 visa if your program lasts longer than 180 days, or an X2 visa for shorter courses

The X1 visa itself is only valid for entry. Within 30 days of arriving you have to apply for a student residence permit at the local Exit and Entry Administration Bureau, and the university’s international office usually handles the appointment. Expect a local health check if your exam report is not accepted, and keep the original admission documents with you, because they ask for them again

Living as a student in China

Most first-year students live in the international dormitory on campus. A shared double room costs roughly 4,000 to 12,000 RMB a year, while a single room in Beijing or Shanghai can easily go higher. Health insurance is mandatory and usually costs around 800 RMB per year through the university’s group plan. For a full monthly budget by city, see our breakdown of the real cost of living for students in China

Daily life runs on your phone. WeChat and Alipay are used for almost every payment, from canteen meals to train tickets, and both now let foreigners link international cards. Many Western apps and sites are blocked, so download what you need before you fly. Part-time work is allowed only with your university’s approval and a note on your residence permit, so do not build your budget around a job

Learning Chinese while you study

Even on an English-taught program, learn the language. Taxi drivers, hospital receptionists and landlords outside the big cities rarely speak English. Most universities offer free or cheap Chinese classes for degree students, and preparing for the HSK exam gives you a clear target to work towards

Common mistakes we see

1. Applying only to the top five universities and getting no offers, when strong provincial universities would have given a full scholarship
2. Leaving the non-criminal record certificate until the last week, then waiting a month for it
3. Uploading blurry scans of transcripts that the portal accepts but the admissions office rejects
4. Choosing an English-taught program without checking whether clinical training is also in English, which matters a lot for MBBS students
5. Flying in on a tourist visa and assuming it can be changed, which normally means going home to reapply

Your next step

Start with two decisions this month: which language you will study in, and whether you are aiming for a scholarship or paying yourself. Those two answers narrow a list of hundreds of universities down to about ten. From there, book your language test, order your criminal record certificate and draft your study plan. If you want a second opinion on your shortlist, our team at Saya Group reviews student files every week and can tell you honestly where your chances are strongest

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study in China without knowing Chinese?

Yes. Many universities offer English-taught bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programs, especially in medicine, engineering and business. You will still need basic Chinese for daily life, and most universities provide free classes

How much does it cost to study in China per year?

Tuition usually ranges from about 15,000 to 45,000 RMB per year for most programs, with MBBS higher. Add roughly 2,500 to 5,000 RMB per month for living costs depending on the city

Is there an entrance exam for international students?

No national exam is required. Universities assess your diploma, grades, language certificate and study plan, and some hold an online interview or their own written test for competitive programs

Can international students work in China?

Part-time work and internships are allowed with approval from your university and a work annotation added to your residence permit. Working without that approval can lead to fines or losing your permit

When should I apply for the September 2027 intake?

Start preparing in autumn 2026 and submit scholarship applications between December and March. Self-funded applications are often accepted until May or June, but popular programs fill earlier