Nursing Schools and Programs in China

Nursing Studies in China

Nursing in China is a university subject taught in the nursing schools of large universities, usually next to a medical school and its teaching hospitals. The degrees follow three levels: a bachelor's degree, a master's degree in an academic or a professional track, and a doctorate.

Our directory lists 2 universities in China that teach Nursing: Central South University (CSU) in Changsha and Fudan University in Shanghai. Both publish information in English, but CSU asks undergraduate applicants for a Chinese language certificate, so the language requirement is the first thing to check.

How Nursing degrees are organised

The bachelor's degree is a full-time programme based on credits. At CSU's Xiangya School of Nursing the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) lasts 4 years. The first year covers general education, the second and third years the core subjects (basic, medical, surgical, obstetric, paediatric and community nursing, health assessment, ethics and law), and the fourth year the clinical placement and nursing management. According to the school, the programme includes more than 1,000 hours of clinical practice and prepares students to become general registered nurses with the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China.

After the bachelor's degree, both schools offer two kinds of master's degree: an academic one, based on research, and a professional one, oriented to practice. Both also offer a PhD in nursing.

Where to study

• Changsha: the Xiangya School of Nursing of Central South University was founded in 1911 by the Yale-China Association. The school has four affiliated hospitals, three general hospitals and a cancer hospital, where students do their practice. It offers the BSN, master's degrees by research and by coursework, and a PhD in Nursing.
• Shanghai: the School of Nursing of Fudan University, at 305 Fenglin Road, goes back to a nursing school founded in 1920. Its undergraduate programme started in 1985, the master's programme in 1995 and the doctoral programme in 2008. Today it offers the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNS), an academic and a professional master's degree, and a PhD in Nursing Science.

Admission and language

International students apply to the university's office for international students. CSU's admission page for undergraduate programmes (the 2022 guide, the latest on its site) asks for a high school diploma or its equivalent, an age between 18 and 25, a clean criminal record, a medical examination form and proof of Chinese. For medical majors, which include nursing, it requires a minimum score of 260 in HSK 4. Applicants who do not reach the level take a one-year preparatory Chinese course first.

At Fudan, the International Students Office publishes separate 2026 lists of Chinese-taught and English-taught undergraduate programmes, together with the CSCA test subjects required for the Chinese-taught ones. Applicants should check on those lists whether Nursing is open to international students in the year they apply.

Requirements change from year to year. The current application guide of each university is the document that counts.

Costs and scholarships

Each university sets its own tuition fees for international students and publishes them as a fee list with its application guide. CSU also lists the funding options: the Chinese Government Scholarship and the university's own scholarship. A full scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, medical insurance and living expenses; a partial one covers some of these items. Students can also enrol as self-supporting.

Student visa

Chinese embassies issue two study visas. The X1 visa is for those who intend to study in China for more than 180 days; the X2 visa is for stays of no more than 180 days. For the X1 visa, students in higher education present the Confirmation Form for Study in China (form JW201 or JW202) and the admission letter from the university. The X2 visa requires the admission notice. The passport must be valid for more than 6 months and have at least 2 blank visa pages. These requirements come from the Chinese Embassy in the United States (updated in September 2025); the embassy or consulate of the applicant's country of residence gives the list that applies there.

Careers and recognition

CSU states that its BSN graduates are qualified to work as registered nurses in hospitals and community settings, and that postgraduate study leads to roles such as nurse specialist, nurse consultant, clinical manager or educator. That statement refers to China. A graduate who wants to practise in another country has to apply to that country's nursing regulator, which decides whether the degree is recognised and which exams or extra training are needed.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Nursing degree take in China?

The bachelor's degree at Central South University is a 4-year full-time programme. Master's and doctoral studies follow after it.

Do I need to speak Chinese to study Nursing in China?

At CSU, yes. Its undergraduate admission guide asks for at least 260 points in HSK 4 for medical majors and offers a one-year preparatory Chinese course to applicants below that level.

Which visa does a nursing student need?

The X1 visa for studies of more than 180 days and the X2 visa for shorter stays. The X1 application needs the JW201 or JW202 form and the university's admission letter.

Can I work as a nurse in my own country with a Chinese degree?

That depends on the nursing regulator of each country, which decides on recognition and any additional exams. Check before applying.