Universities in China

China has the largest higher-education system in the world by enrolment. According to the Ministry of Education's statistical bulletin for 2025, the country had 3,167 higher-education institutions and 48.73 million students in all forms of higher education, and the gross enrolment rate in higher education reached 61.30%. For international students, Chinese universities offer full degree programmes taught in Chinese, a growing number of programmes taught in English, Chinese language courses and exchange semesters.

Five of the eleven universities listed on SpainExchange are in Shanghai, among them Fudan University, Tongji University, East China Normal University (ECNU) and Shanghai Normal University (SHNU). The others are in Beijing (Tsinghua University), Changsha (including Central South University, CSU), Fuzhou, Harbin and Huai'an.

Types of institutions

The Ministry of Education groups higher education into several kinds of institution. Of the 3,167 institutions counted in 2025, 1,278 were regular undergraduate universities (including 149 independent colleges), 87 were vocational universities at bachelor's level, 1,554 were higher vocational colleges and 248 were adult higher-education institutions. In addition, 234 research institutes train postgraduate students. Most institutions are public; the ministry counted 831 private higher-education institutions, 26.24% of the total.

Universities vary in profile. Fudan and Tsinghua are comprehensive research universities, SHNU began as a teacher-training college, and Harbin Engineering University focuses on fields such as the shipping industry, ocean exploration and nuclear applications.

Degrees and languages of instruction

Chinese universities award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. A bachelor's programme normally takes four years: at Tsinghua, undergraduate programmes are four years of full-time study, except architecture and sculpture, which take five, and the degree is awarded after the coursework and a thesis defence.

Most degree programmes are taught in Chinese, but English-taught options are growing. Tsinghua states that international students can choose from more than 60 undergraduate, 100 master's and 90 doctoral programmes, of which 21 master's and 8 doctoral programmes are taught fully in English. Fudan publishes separate lists of English-taught undergraduate programmes, such as its MBBS medical degree and an international programme in economics, and of Chinese-taught programmes.

Admission for international students

International students apply directly to each university, usually online. For a bachelor's degree you need a high school diploma or its equivalent. For programmes taught in Chinese, universities ask for proof of Chinese through the HSK test: Central South University's undergraduate guide (2022), for example, required at least 220 points in HSK 4 for science and engineering, 260 points in HSK 4 for medicine and other arts subjects and 200 points in HSK 5 for Chinese language and literature. Students without the required level can take a one-year preparatory Chinese course first. Fudan, for example, runs a pre-university programme for international students.

Full-degree students need a student visa. China issues the X1 visa for long-term study of more than 180 days and the X2 visa for short-term study of up to 180 days. Fudan University tells new students to apply at a Chinese embassy or consulate with a valid passport, the university's admission notice and the visa application form (JW201 or JW202), and to apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival if they hold an X1 visa.

Costs and scholarships

Tuition fees for international students are set by each university and depend on the subject and language of teaching. At Tongji University, for example, Chinese-taught bachelor's programmes cost 24,600 yuan a year in the sciences and 20,000 yuan in some humanities subjects, while Chinese-taught master's programmes in the sciences cost 28,700 yuan a year. Tongji also charges an application fee of 600 yuan and insurance of 400 yuan per semester. At Fudan, compulsory insurance for long-term international students costs 800 yuan a year.

The main public funding is the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS). Tsinghua explains that it is open to degree and non-degree students and that the full scholarship covers tuition, a university dormitory or accommodation subsidy, a stipend and medical insurance. Universities add their own awards: ECNU, for example, lists the Chinese Government Scholarship, the Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship and its own university scholarship.

Recognition of Chinese degrees

Chinese higher-education qualifications can be verified through CHSI, run by the Center for Student Services and Development of the Ministry of Education, which issues verification reports in Chinese and English for degree certificates and transcripts. The reports can be used for employment, study abroad and further studies. Check with the recognition authority in your own country how a Chinese degree is assessed there.

How to choose a university

• Language: decide whether you will study in Chinese, with HSK preparation, or choose one of the English-taught programmes.
• City: most universities listed here are in Shanghai, but Beijing, Changsha, Fuzhou, Harbin and Huai'an offer different settings.
• Subject profile: compare comprehensive universities with specialised ones in engineering, medicine or teacher education.
• Funding: check scholarship application deadlines early, as they often fall well before the start of the academic year.
• Support: look at the international student office's help with visas, residence permits, housing and insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study at a Chinese university in English?

Yes, but the choice is smaller than in Chinese. Tsinghua, for example, teaches 21 master's and 8 doctoral programmes fully in English, and Fudan has English-taught bachelor's programmes such as medicine (MBBS) and economics.

How much Chinese do I need for a degree taught in Chinese?

Each university sets its own level, usually as an HSK score. Central South University's 2022 guide asked for HSK 4 or HSK 5 depending on the subject, and students who are not yet at that level can take a preparatory year of Chinese.

Which visa do I need to study in China?

The X1 visa is for study of more than 180 days and the X2 visa for study of up to 180 days. You apply at a Chinese embassy or consulate with your university's admission notice.

Are there scholarships for international students in China?

Yes. The Chinese Government Scholarship can cover tuition, accommodation, a stipend and medical insurance, and many universities and local governments, such as Shanghai, offer their own scholarships.