Study in China: A Student’s Guide

A student’s guide to Study in China is brought to you by scholarship forum team to give you an idea of the Chinese Education system and the cost of living in China for a student as well as some insights on career options in China for international students. The study in China guide enables you to find out fully-funded Chinese Scholarships and self-sponsored courses in more than 280 Chinese Universities to begin your journey to study in China.

Our team at Scholarship Forum has written a detailed student’s guide to study in china. This guide will give you guidance on the Chinese education system, how to apply for study in China,

China, the country with beautiful landscapes, brilliant civilization and ancient history offers an affordable study for students from all over the world. Over the last few years, China has been concentrating and investing considerably in the education sector. Due to their alliance or partnership with the universities from the U.S and UK, the number of international students studying in China is rising enormously.

This is why the Chinese Government is offering a numerous number of fully-funded scholarships to attract International talent into their Universities and this is why it can be considered that it is quite affordable for international students to study in China. It must be noted that it is moderately difficult to get fully funded scholarships in top universities of China.

How much does it cost to study in China?

Application Fee in Chinese Universities: an Application fee for different degrees varies in different universities and will be around 90 to 150 USD. Normally, this does not exceed 200USD. Some Chinese universities do not charge an application fee and the list of Chinese Universities without application fee was published that features all the universities without the application fee for CSC Scholarship.

Tuition Fee in Chinese Universities:  Compared to the universities of the US and UK, the tuition fee of Chinese Universities is quite low. Depending on the subjects and the rankings of Chinese universities, the expected average tuition fee per year will be around 20000 RMB to 60,000 RMB (3300USD to 9900USD). However, engineering, business and medicine programs will cost more if you are not on a fully-funded CSC Scholarship.

So, the cost of education is quite reasonable if you wish to study in China.

Is IELTS required for CSC Scholarship?

No, IELTS is not required for the Chinese Government Scholarship. Applicants can submit an English Proficiency Certificate which is considered as an alternate of IELTS to apply for CSC Scholarship.

What is the English Proficiency Certificate?

English proficiency certificate is a document that certifies that your latest course degree was taught in the English language in your last attended college or University.

How to obtain an English Proficiency Certificate?

An applicant of the CSC Scholarship can visit the registrar office of the last attended University to ask for English Proficiency Certificate that certifies that the last attended degree was taught in the English language.

Age Requirement for CSC Scholarship for undergrad, Master, and Ph.D. Programs:

• What is the age requirement for the CSC Scholarship for a bachelor’s degree?

The maximum age requirement for the undergrad degree program to apply for CSC scholarship is 25 years.

• What is the age requirement for the CSC Scholarship for a Master’s degree?

The maximum age requirement for the master’s degree program to apply for CSC scholarship is 35 years.

• What is the age requirement for the China Scholarship for a Ph.D. program?

The maximum age requirement for Ph.D. (doctoral) program to apply for CSC scholarship is 40 years.

CSC Scholarships Applicant Deadline

The deadline for CSC Scholarships in all Chinese Universities is prior to April 30th every year.

Question Answers for Self Sponsored Students to Study in China are as follows:

Does China offer free education?

China follows a nine-year compulsory learning policy. This provides free education at primary and junior secondary levels for all the children above six years of age. Though the schools charge some miscellaneous fees, tuition is completely free and is funded by the Chinese government.

A college education is not free in China. Although, Chinese colleges and Chinese Universities provide thousands of fully-funded scholarships every year to international students. The Chinese government also sponsor Chinese students to study abroad under the CSC Scholarships scheme and exchange programs.

Is college expensive in China?

China’s college expense is comparatively low considering the Western & European Universities. The education quality is improved and that is why China is becoming one of the biggest international student’s hubs. China is the third-largest country in terms of awarding fully funded and partially funded scholarships to international students to study in China.

It is because education in China is not as expensive as in the West. China offers a large amount of fully-funded scholarships as well. The 243 Universities in China offers Chinese Government Scholarships to sponsor your entire education and living expense. With that, Chinese Universities offer numerous other fully funded and partially funded scholarships.

Does China offer free education to international students?

Chinese Scholarship Council sponsors free education for international students under Chinese Government Scholarships. All the Chinese universities associated with the Chinese Scholarship Council admit the international students under CSC scholarship program. International students can apply for the CSC Scholarship simultaneously in many Chinese Universities to increase their chance of selection.

Apart from the CSC scholarship, Chinese universities award Provincial Government Scholarships to international students. Different other scholarships such as Confucius Scholarship, Great Wall program, AUN program, EU program, and PIF program provides full scholarships for the international students.

The full scholarship in China includes free-living expenses, tuition, accommodation, and medical insurance.

Accommodation costs to Study in China:

Even though Beijing and Shanghai are included in the most expensive cities in the world to live, there are other affordable living options in these metro cities.

The commonly used accommodation options in China:

• Hostels in China – Usually international students choose this as a temporary option and the rates for a private room will be around 18 -300 USD per night.
• Homestay in China – Staying in private homes in China might cost you around 200 – 500 USD per month.
• Renting a flat in China – Depending on the location and facilities, a single bedroom apartment will cost around 200 – 1000 USD per month.
• Students living halls in China– The price range for this residence hall varies from 100 – 500 USD per month.

Many of the international students in China opt to live with a roommate to save money. All the accommodations (especially apartments and residences for the students) demands a security deposit of around 300 – 500 USD. Chinese Utility bills on electricity, gas, and water which come about USD 50 per month will have to be paid by students living on or of campus.

Average living costs in China – Accommodation Expense in China

The living cost in China varies from region to region where you are. In the metropolitan cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Shanghai, the cost may be quite high. It also depends on the lifestyle you choose. To live in one of the most expensive city Beijing, you’ll need around 600 USD to 1200 USD per month as a student.

Meanwhile, with an average of 850 -1350 USD, you can cover one month’s expense in the second most expensive cities, Shenzhen and Shanghai. In any other Chinese city, you can easily manage your living with around 400 – 800 USD per month. If you choose a dormitory room to live, then the cost will be decreased even further.

How much does food cost in China?

China is famous for its fascinating and varied cuisine at an affordable price. But the price still depends on the restaurant and the Chinese city you are in. A meal at any Chinese fast-food chain, small local restaurant or university canteen will cost around 2 – 200 USD.

Medium ranged dine options include both international and Chinese cuisine at a price range of 4 – 350 USD. On average, food bills from the Chinese local or international supermarkets will cost between 80 – 300 USD per month. You can get a bag full of vegetables and fruits with 5 – 15 USD if you buy it from the Chinese local fresh food markets.

How is the education system in China?

The Chinese system of education is considered the most competitive and challenging one in the world. Here, the education structure is divided into 3 years of kindergarten, primary schooling for 6 years and 3 to 6 years of secondary schooling. Higher education is usually continued for several years after secondary schooling.

Whereas, the education system in Chinese Universities for undergraduate and postgraduate students are also considered competitive as compared to the Western education system. In most of the Chinese Universities, it is a mandatory requirement for postgrad students to get their research published in SCI affiliated scientific journals in order to get their degrees. This is why China is now a well-emerging nation when it comes to talking about scientific research and publications.

In China, children usually attend kindergarten or pre-school for 1 – 3 years and at the age of 7 (or 6 if they live in Shanghai, Beijing or other major cities), they begin their primary schooling. Between the age of 12 and 17, the children will attend secondary schooling. Preparing their students for higher education is the main aim of these secondary schools. Apart from their regular studies, these secondary school students should also prepare for ‘Gaokao’, which is the entrance examination for selecting the students to the institutions offering higher education.

Can an international student work while studying in China?

As international students at Chinese University, if you wish to work part-time then you need a NOC letter from your professor to submit it to the international student office in order to obtain the license to work as a part-time student in China.

As per the official notice published by the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Security China, the students who have graduated with a master’s degree or a higher degree from a Chinese university (or from a recognized university abroad) may get an employment license and work permit and they will be permitted to work in China.

Can I study while working in China?

Yes, you can study while working in China. But before 2013, part-time jobs or internships in China for international students were not allowed while studying. As the government realized that this policy prevents international students from taking admissions in the country, they changed the law.

And now, international students can easily find part-time English language teaching jobs or other part-time jobs in China while studying at any Chinese University. To make it legal, you need a NOC letter from your supervisor and then submit it to the international student office to obtain a part-time job license alongside your studies.

As of now, if you need a part-time job, you must have a student visa or X – Visa. There are two types of X-Visas. X1 Visa is issued to the international students coming to China for their advanced study that has a course duration of six months. X2 Visa is issued for the students studying a course duration of fewer than six months in China.

How much does it cost to study MBBS in China?

Most of the programs offered by Chinese universities are sponsored by the Chinese government that means international students are not required to pay tuition fees. But, medical and businessprograms are not in this category.

The cheapest program for MBBS in China costs around RMB 22000 per year; comparatively, the most expensive MBBS program in China will be RMB 50000 per year. The average MBBS program cost per year will be around RMB 30000.

A detailed analysis of Chinese Government Scholarships was discussed on our site where we answered all your questions before and if you still have any issues then post your questions down below. A quick read on the article about the student guide to study in China is highly recommended.