China has become a major study destination over the past two decades, driven by generous government scholarships, growing global university rankings, and an increasing number of programs taught entirely in English for international students.

Why Students Choose China

  • Generous scholarships: The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) and many provincial and university-level scholarships offer full or partial funding.
  • Rising university rankings: Tsinghua, Peking, and Fudan now rank among the world's top institutions in several fields.
  • Growing English-taught programs, particularly in engineering, business, and medicine.
  • Lower cost of living compared to most Western study destinations, even outside scholarship funding.

Costs to Budget For

  • Tuition: Roughly $2,500-$10,000/year for most programs without a scholarship.
  • Living costs: Roughly $300-$600/month depending on the city — Beijing and Shanghai cost noticeably more.
  • Accommodation: Many universities offer on-campus dormitories at low cost.

Language Requirements

Chinese-taught programs typically require HSK 4 as a minimum, with HSK 5-6 for more competitive programs — see our HSK levels explained guide. English-taught programs typically require IELTS or TOEFL instead.

How to Apply

  1. Research programs via each university's international admissions office.
  2. Meet the language requirement for your chosen program track.
  3. Apply directly to the university, and separately to any scholarship program — see our CSC scholarship guide.
  4. Apply for your student visa once you receive an admission letter.

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