Frequently Asked Question
Applications to Chinese Universities
Can O-level students be accepted by universities in China?
If O-level means Cambridge IGCSE/O-level, which represents the diploma of the secondary education, universities can not admit students with O-level for undergraduate programs.
They can however, admit students holding IGCSE A-level results.
Does the Foundation program guarantee you to get direct admission to the university?
It depends on the regulations of each university. Some universities don’t require entrance examinations for students who completed foundation courses. Top universities usually require entrance examination for degree programs.
Peking university doesn’t offer specific programs for both foundation and undergraduate applicants who can only apply to schools with specific study fields. Applicants will be dispatched to specific programs according to their performances in 1 year’s study.
For students under 18, do we need a Guardian Letter when submitting the application in university?
Yes, a Guardian Letter must be submitted if an applicant is under 18 upon registration to a university.
Can a student under 18 use her/his family member who is also studying in China as a guardian?
No. Universities in China commonly accept Chinese adult citizen with regular income as a proper guardian.
Is it mandatory to submit a physical examination form during the application process?
Yes. It’s mandatory to submit a physical examination record when applying to both degree programs and scholarships.
Where can I get a non-criminal record certificate & physical examinations?
Non-Criminal Record (or Police Clearance Certificate) is issued by the local public security (such as the police station).
Foreigner Physical Examination Form (printed by Chinese quarantine authorities ) can be downloaded from application portals of universities or scholarship granting entities.
What documents must be brought to China to register for the university?
The documents include, but are not limited to:
• Admission letter issued by university
• Passport & personal ID card or other valid identification document as certification
• The diploma/graduation certificate of highest degree
• The original or notarized translation copy(either in Chinese or in English) of transcript for all the courses in the previous school
• The original language certificates
• Other original application documents for universities reviewing qualifications
• Applicants under the age of 18 should bring the notarized Letter of Guardian Guarantee
*Documents required upon registration vary with different universities, degrees, programs.
Is there any university in China has a spring intake?
For degree-programs applicants, universities in China may admit new students in the spring semester. However, it is not as common as fall semester admissions.
Spring semester admissions are generally more limited and may be restricted to certain programs or departments. For non-degree programs such as mandarin courses, spring intake is more common.
Scholarships in Chinese Universities
What does the application procedure for applying to scholarships in China look like?
The general application procedure is as follows:
Step 1 – Choosing degree or non-degree programs from universities which applicants are eligible to apply.
Step 2 – Find available scholarship options of universities/programs you choose. One specific program in an university includes several available scholarship options.
Step 3 – Choose one of the available scholarship options which the applicant is eligible to apply.
Step 4 – Apply to both universities programs and their respective scholarships.
What specific documentations are required for scholarship application?
It varies with both scholarship granting entities (e.g. Chinese Scholarship Council, Shang Hai Government Scholarship or specific university) and specific scholarship program you are applying to.
For example, CSC-Chinese Government scholarship program commonly requires documentation as below:
• Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship ( filled in CSC official template online);
• A clear scanned copy of Non-Chinese citizens’ valid passport page with personal info
• Diploma and certificate of highest education (notarized photocopy)
• Academic transcripts of highest education with notarized translations in Chinese or English
• Certificate of Language proficiency
• Admission documents or pre-admission letter issued by applying universities.
• Published academic paper or other prove of academic achievements (required for postgraduate applicants )
• A study or research plan written in Chinese or in English
• Recommendation letters in Chinese or in English from teachers in previous school or potential supervisors from applying schools.
• An applicant under the age of 18 shall submit the legal documents of his/her legal guardian(s) in China
• Non-criminal record (or Police Clearance Certificate) issued by the local public security within 6 months• Physical examination record
What is the minimum score to get a scholarship for a Public/Private School? What is the minimum score for students with the A-Level/IB certificate?
Scholarships in China are not granted only according to minimum score. Qualifications for scholarships include but not limit to below:
• Language proficiency certificate & scores to meet the applying specific university/program’s requirements
• Transcripts of previous schools
• For undergraduate applicants: the minimum score of International Standard Tests(SAT/ACT/T/A-Levels/IB,etc) varies by university.
• For postgraduate applicants: the previous universities profile(world rankings) & published academic papers are also essential.
What are the application deadlines for scholarships, particularly for fully funded opportunities?
For September intake, deadline of undergraduate-programs’ scholarships offered by middle-ranking universities is usually around June. Deadline of top-ranking universities & scholarships are earlier.
For example, when applying to Tsinghua university’s (CN Top 1 University) bachelor’s degree & Chinese Government Scholarship, it’s highly recommended to apply during 1st round, deadline is October of the previous year
If a student does not secure a scholarship for the first year at a Chinese university, is it still possible to obtain one for subsequent years?
It varies with different universities / programs. Some universities might grant scholarships to students of specific programs after registration. Some universities award excellent students based on their academic performance in the school.
If a student is awarded a scholarship covering tuition and dormitory, but chooses to live off-campus, can the dormitory fee be converted into cash or applied towards insurance or living expenses?
It depends on regulations of scholarship granting entities and universities.
For example, Shanghai Jiao Tong university（CN-Top 4）doesn’t offer free on-campus accommodation, but provide subsidy (by cash) when students being granted scholarship covering dormitory.
However SJTU’s regulation is a rare case, many universities can only provide free on-campus accommodation which can’t be converted.
In which cities can I get scholarships to study in China?
In China, scholarships are granted by various entities, such as central government, local government (provinces & cities), universities, NGOs and enterprises. As there are hundreds of cities, dozens of provinces in China granting scholarships, it is impossible to be specified in a brief answer.
Which language of instruction, Chinese or English, can help me secure a full scholarship opportunity in China?
Getting a full scholarship in China depends more on your GPA and academic performance than the language of instruction.
For undergraduate programs, the Chinese Government Scholarship usually only covers Chinese-taught courses. However, for postgraduate programs, it offers full scholarships for both English and Chinese-taught courses.
Not to worry, as many local governments, universities, NGOs, and companies offer scholarships for English-taught undergraduate programs. Some scholarships are even only for students applying to English-taught postgraduate programs.
Language Proficiency
Should I pursue a foundation program after HSK 4 for full undergraduate scholarships?
It depends on specific university/programs. HSK4 is enough to study most of undergraduate programs in middle-ranking universities. However, when applying to Master’s & Doctoral degrees, such as sciences / engineering / literature-oriented subjects, HSK 4 may not be enough to study Chinese taught programs
Do universities in China accept Duolingo as a substitute for IELTS/TOEFL?
Not all universities accepting Duolingo as a substitute for IELTS/TOEFL. The requirements of language certificates vary with different universities/programs.
Which universities offer bilingual programs taught in both Chinese and English at the undergraduate level? What scholarships are accessible for such programs?
China has over 2,600 universities, many offering bilingual undergraduate programs in Chinese and English. Scholarship options vary by university.
Can students without Chinese language skills start language studies in China, and are scholarships available for this phase?
Yes, many universities in China offer mandarin course starts form HSK 0, among which, some universities and local governments offer scholarships for these kinds of programs.
Applying to Top Universities
Is the SAT required for admission to top universities in China?
Submitting international test scores (e.g., SAT, ACT, IB) is highly recommended to apply for top universities. For example, Tsinghua University requires these scores for eligibility to take their entrance exams.
At Zhejiang University, SAT scores are required for English-taught programs and recommended for Chinese-taught programs, especially for scholarships.
What HSK level do I need to get/have to apply for Top Universities in China?
Most of Top universities require at least HSK 5 with specific scores requirements which varies by universities and their programs.
For example, Zhejiang University offers dozens of undergraduate programs taught in Chinese, each have different HSK level requirements. Some examples include:
• Bachelor in Finance requiring HSK 5≥180
• Bachelor in Law requiring HSK 6≥180
What is the admission process for top-ranking universities in China?
Top universities have rigorous application processes. For example, Tsinghua University’s process includes:
– Online Application: Submit academic certificates, including HSK for Chinese proficiency, IELTS/TOEFL for English, high school transcripts, and standardized test results (e.g., SAT, ACT, A-Level).
– Entrance Examinations: Eligible candidates take university-specific exams.
– Interviews: Applicants who pass exams undergo interviews.
China’s Top 20 universities evaluation process varies by specific programs. For instance, Peking University requires both online submissions and mailing hard copies of application materials.
What undergraduate programs in China’s Top 10 universities are taught in English, and what are the TOEFL/IELTS requirements?
Tsinghua (Top 1) and Peking University (Top 2) offer bilingual undergraduate programs, requiring applicants to have both English and Chinese proficiency. The other top 8 universities offer numerous English-taught programs with varying language requirements. For example:
Zhejiang University (Top 3): MBBS requires TOEFL ≥75 or IELTS ≥6.0, while Global Communication requires TOEFL >80.
Specific requirements vary across programs and universities, so it’s best to check individual program details.
Are scholarships available for English-taught undergraduate programs at top universities in China?
Yes, scholarships are available. To increase your chances, you must meet all entrance requirements and stand out as an exceptional applicant.
For instance, if a university requires a GPA of 91% and IELTS 6.5, having a GPA of 96% and IELTS 7.5, along with excellent entrance exam and interview performance, significantly boosts your chances of securing a scholarship.
Campus Life in China
How can I book a dormitory, and can I pay through ApplyForChina?
Most universities provide dormitory booking guides for international students. Payment methods vary and may include:
– Online payment through the university portal.
– On-site payment during registration.
Can student check-in in the dorm early before the registration date that is written in their information paper?
Some universities allow early check-in, up to 3 days before the registration date. Policies vary by university.
Are kitchens, fridges, washing machines, or drying machines available in dormitories, and what electronics can students bring?
Most universities provide canteens but no kitchens or fridges for students. Washing machines are common, but drying machines may not be available. Permitted electronic devices vary by university regulations.