Study and find schools in China

Studying in China

China's higher-education system is very large. According to the Ministry of Education's statistical bulletin for 2025, the country had 3,167 higher-education institutions, and total enrolment in all forms of higher education reached 48.73 million students. The gross enrolment rate in higher education was 61.3%.

For international students, China offers three main routes: a full degree at a Chinese university (taught in Chinese or, in some programmes, in English), a semester or year of Chinese language study at a university, or an intensive Mandarin course at a private language school. Our directory lists 37 schools in China, among them 11 universities and 15 language schools.

The education system in China

The Ministry of Education's 2025 figures break the 3,167 higher-education institutions down as follows:

• 1,278 regular undergraduate institutions (universities and colleges that award bachelor's degrees)
• 87 vocational undergraduate institutions
• 1,554 higher vocational colleges (zhuanke)
• 248 adult higher-education institutions

A further 234 research institutes train postgraduate students. Degrees follow the bachelor's, master's and doctorate structure. At Tsinghua University, for example, undergraduate programmes last four years of full-time study (five for architecture and sculpture), are delivered in Chinese and English, and lead to a bachelor's degree and a graduation certificate after course work and a thesis defence.

Many universities offer English-taught programmes alongside their Chinese-taught degrees. Tsinghua lists more than 60 undergraduate, 100 master's and 90 doctoral programmes open to international students, of which 21 master's and 8 doctoral programmes are taught fully in English. Fudan University publishes separate lists of English-taught and Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes for 2026, including an English-taught Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).

Universities also run non-degree Chinese language programmes. Tsinghua's Chinese Language Program is organised by semester, each of about 18 weeks, and ends with a certificate of completion and a transcript.

Admission and recognition

International students apply directly to each university, usually through its online application system, and admission requirements are set by the university and the programme. Chinese-taught degrees are taught in Mandarin. Students who do not yet speak it can start with a language programme or a pre-university programme; Fudan University, for example, runs a Pre-University Program alongside its degree admissions. English-taught programmes are an alternative for students who do not yet speak Chinese.

Exchange students come through agreements between their home university and the Chinese university. Tsinghua states that it has partnerships with over 290 universities and institutes and more than 100 exchange programmes.

Student visa and residence

China has two student visas, according to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center:

• X1, for long-term study of more than 180 days
• X2, for short-term study of no more than 180 days

Fudan University's visa guidelines give the typical documents for an X1 or X2 visa, applied for at the Chinese embassy or consulate: a valid passport, the university's admission notice, the visa application form JW201 or JW202 (or a DQ form), and a physical examination report where required. Students must enter China on an X1 or X2 visa; at Fudan, students who arrive on any other visa cannot register.

Holders of an X1 visa must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entering China. For this they need, among other documents, the admission notice, the JW201 or JW202 form, a health examination record and a registration form of temporary residence. Fudan gives the residence permit fee as usually RMB 400-800, to be checked with the local exit-entry administration. Regulations change, so always confirm the requirements with your university and the Chinese embassy or consulate before applying.

Costs

Tuition fees for international students are set by each university and programme, and are published in each university's admission information. Several scholarships help with costs. The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) is open to degree students and to non-degree visiting or exchange students; the full scholarship covers tuition, a university dormitory place or an accommodation subsidy, a stipend and medical insurance. Universities add their own awards, such as Tsinghua's tuition scholarship for graduate students.

Language schools charge by the class or by the week. At That's Mandarin, the Chinese Visa Program, which provides the documents for an X2 student visa, costs from RMB 104 per class, with four classes a day from Monday to Friday. LTL's group classes in Beijing start at USD 377 per week, and its homestays, which include meals, at USD 401 per week.

Budget also for the administrative costs of arriving: in Shanghai, according to Fudan, the physical examination costs around RMB 500, or RMB 70-400 to verify a report from your home country.

Where to study

Shanghai has the largest number of schools in our directory, with universities such as Fudan University, Tongji University, East China Normal University (ECNU), Shanghai Normal University and Donghua University, and several Mandarin schools. Beijing follows, with Tsinghua University, Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) and language schools such as That's Mandarin, LTL and Dao Mandarin; Tsinghua describes itself as having 20 schools and 59 departments.

Outside the two largest cities, the directory includes Central South University and Changsha University of Science and Technology in Changsha, Harbin Engineering University, Fuzhou University and Huaiyin Normal University in Huai'an. Language schools outside the big cities include Keats School in Kunming and the Chinese Language Institute in Guilin.

The directory also lists international schools for children of expatriate families, such as Dulwich College Beijing and Tsinghua International School, and study abroad programme providers.

Practical life

Health checks and insurance are part of the arrival process. International students with an X1 visa and those applying for a residence permit for the first time must take a physical examination or have their home-country report verified. At Fudan, students need an insurance receipt and an on-campus room number or off-campus address to obtain the introduction letter for their visa; a hotel address is not accepted. If you change your passport, you must renew your visa within ten days.

Universities support international students with dedicated offices: Tsinghua's International Students & Scholars Center gives guidance on immigration, visas, residency and campus life. Language schools usually help with housing; at LTL in Beijing, about 80% of students choose a homestay.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in China in English?

Yes, in some programmes. Tsinghua, for example, offers 21 master's and 8 doctoral programmes fully in English, and Fudan publishes a list of English-taught undergraduate programmes.

Which visa do I need to study in China?

An X1 visa for study of more than 180 days or an X2 visa for up to 180 days. X1 holders must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.

Are there scholarships for international students in China?

Yes. The Chinese Government Scholarship is open to degree and exchange students, and the full award covers tuition, accommodation, a stipend and medical insurance. Universities also offer their own scholarships.

How many universities are there in China?

According to the Ministry of Education, China had 3,167 higher-education institutions in 2025, including 1,278 regular undergraduate institutions.