Studying abroad is a popular method chosen by many to venture overseas and expand their international perspective. Countries chosen by international students each have certain advantages in terms of education. Among them, China is considered a top destination for many Vietnamese students and young people due to its world-class education system. In this article, the Dong Phuong Chinese Language Center will provide you with the latest information on the conditions, costs, and pathways for studying in China.
Latest Conditions for Studying in China 2024
How to study in China smoothly is a question many young people are asking. However, to study at any Chinese university, you need to meet certain academic and financial conditions.
Academic Requirements
The academic requirements for studying in China depend on your language proficiency and the educational system you choose. If studying in Korea requires a TOPIK certificate, an HSK certificate is essential for studying in China. Most educational systems have specific HSK level requirements, and obtaining an HSK certificate will make studying abroad easier.
Chinese Language Requirements
One of the essential conditions for studying in China is proficiency in Chinese. Requirements for studying Chinese in 2024 include:
- Having an HSK certificate is a significant advantage.
- High school transcripts and diploma.
- A passport with no criminal record.
- Valid documents for social activities, research, or to enhance your application.
- Health certificate free of infectious diseases.
Requirements for Undergraduate Programs
If you wish to participate in an undergraduate program, you need to meet the following basic conditions:
- Chinese language certificate at HSK level 4 or higher.
- High school graduation average score of 7.0 or higher.
- Complete a health check and be free of infectious diseases.
- Study recommendation letters from a professor or PhD holder.
- A clean passport with no criminal record.
- Documents proving social activities, research, or enhancing your study application.
Requirements for Master’s Programs
The conditions for studying a master’s program in China include:
- HSK certificate level 5 or higher.
- Undergraduate transcripts with an average score of 7.0 or higher.
- Health certificate free of infectious diseases.
- Two study recommendation letters from professors or PhD holders.
- A clean passport with no criminal record.
- Documents proving social activities, research, or enhancing your application.
Requirements for PhD Programs
The conditions for studying a PhD program in China include:
- HSK certificate level 5 or higher.
- Master's degree transcripts with an average score of 7.0 or higher.
- Health certificate free of infectious diseases.
- Two recommendation letters from associate professors or professors.
- A clean passport with no criminal record.
- Documents proving social activities, research, or enhancing your application.
Financial Requirements for Studying in China
Many people are curious about the financial proof required before studying in China. Financial proof and monthly income are needed to ensure you can cover tuition fees and living expenses during your studies. Documents required for financial proof include:
- One original and one copy of the savings account book, and one original balance confirmation in English provided by the bank.
- The savings account must have a minimum balance of $10,000. The submission date must be six months before the application.
- Transferred or endorsed savings books or those from credit unions are not accepted.
- Financial sponsorship is only accepted from parents or siblings.
Visa Requirements for Studying in China
The visa requirements depend on whether you choose a short-term or long-term course. Here is what you need to know.
Types of Student Visas for China
The conditions for applying for a long-term and short-term student visa in China differ slightly. Choose the visa type based on your study plan.
- **X1 Visa for Long-Term Studies:** Issued to international students planning to study in China for more than 180 days. Most students opt for the X1 visa for one-year Chinese language courses, undergraduate, master's, or PhD programs.
- **X2 Visa for Short-Term Studies:** Issued for short-term courses, allowing students to stay in China for less than 180 days. The X2 visa is often chosen by those wanting to obtain a certificate from short courses, vocational schools, or universities.
#### Visa Application Documents for China
For the two types of visas, the required documents also differ. Documents needed for an X1 visa include:
- A passport valid for at least the length of the study period with a minimum of two blank pages.
- Visa application form with a 4x6 photo on a white background.
- Admission letter from the Chinese university.
- Scholarship holders need to submit visa application forms JW201 and JW202.
Documents needed for an X2 visa include:
- A passport valid for at least the length of the study period with a minimum of two blank pages.
- Visa application form with a 4x6 photo on a white background.
- Original and photocopy of the admission letter from the university.
- Valid health certificate.
- Valid ID card.
In addition to the required documents, prepare the following documents to facilitate the visa approval process:
- Study plan in Chinese.
- Self-introduction in Chinese, including address, phone number, occupation, and workplace.
- Documents proving the occupation and monthly income of the financial sponsor.
- Savings book.
- Original and translated financial guarantee statement from parents or siblings.
### Duration of Study in China
Chinese universities generally have two intakes: March and September. The duration of study varies by program:
- **PhD Programs:** Typically 3-4 years. Including an additional language preparation year, it can be 4-5 years. The first 1-2 years focus on coursework, and the subsequent years on research and thesis writing.
- **Master's Programs:** Typically 2-3 years. Including an additional language preparation year, it can be 3-4 years. The first 1-2 years focus on coursework, and the final years on thesis writing.
- **Undergraduate Programs:** Typically 4 years. Including an additional language preparation year, it can be 5 years. Students need to complete all coursework, internships, and a thesis.
- **College Programs:** Typically 3 years. If language proficiency is insufficient, language preparation is conducted alongside the first year of the program.
- **Language Programs:** Typically 1 year for language courses (10 months including the New Year break) or less than 5 months for a single semester.
### Chinese Government Scholarships
There are various scholarships available for studying in China. Popular scholarships include:
- Confucius Institute Scholarship (CIS).
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC).
- One Belt One Road Scholarship.
- Provincial Scholarships.
- One-Year Chinese Language Scholarship.
- University Scholarships.
- Silk Road Scholarship.
In addition to government scholarships, there are scholarships from support funds, organizations, and enterprises. To increase your chances of getting a scholarship, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old with a good health certificate and no infectious diseases.
- Have an average or above-average academic performance.
For full or partial scholarships (70%, 50%), you also need:
- A self-introduction letter in English or Chinese.
- Transcripts in English or Chinese.
- The highest degree diploma.
- Relevant social activity certificates.
- Valid language certificates.
### Steps to Apply for a Scholarship
1. Research scholarship information from reliable websites. Check all Chinese scholarships on the CampusChina website.
2. Prepare the required documents for each scholarship.
3. Fill out the required information, including personal details, academic background, work experience, language proficiency, and application category.
4. Attend an interview and await the results. The interview process and content depend on the university. By meeting these requirements and preparing thoroughly, you can successfully apply to study in China.
### Top Universities in China
China is home to many world-renowned universities known for their teaching quality, facilities, and campus environments. Here are some of the most notable ones:
#### Peking University (PKU)
Established in 1898, Peking University, or "Beida," is considered the best university in China, known for producing many talented individuals. Key advantages of Peking University include:
- **Top-notch education**: It ranks among the best in China and the world.
- **Diverse programs**: The university offers 5 main faculties, 12 departments, 93 undergraduate programs, 2 double degree programs, 199 master's programs, and 173 doctoral programs.
- **Modern facilities**: With 30 libraries housing nearly 6 million books, the university boasts excellent resources and a beautiful, traditionally Chinese campus.
#### Zhejiang University (ZJU)
Established in 1987 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University attracts a large number of students. Its key features are:
- **Large faculty**: Over 8,700 faculty members as of 2015.
- **High enrollment**: More than 24,000 undergraduate students and 14,000 graduate students.
- **Diverse programs**: The university offers 108 professional training programs.
#### Tsinghua University (THU)
Founded in 1911, Tsinghua University is one of the most prestigious institutions in China. Its highlights include:
- **National education and research center**: Known for significant scientific research projects.
- **High-quality facilities**: The university has 47 research institutes, 29 research centers, and 5 national key laboratories.
- **Wide range of programs**: Tsinghua offers various disciplines, with strengths in architecture, science, civil engineering, information technology, languages, and electronics.
#### Renmin University of China (RUC)
Renmin University of China is a key university focusing on humanities and social sciences. Its main advantages are:
- **Strengths in humanities and social sciences**: Known for its programs in humanities, social sciences, management, and philosophy.
- **Comprehensive education**: Offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs with a focus on key areas.
- **Highly qualified faculty**: Over 1,300 full-time faculty members, including more than 400 professors and 520 associate professors, with many holding significant positions in national research institutes.
#### Nanjing University (NJU)
Located in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing University has three campuses: Xianlin, Gulou, and Pukou. Key features of NJU include:
- **Modern facilities**: The university has a large, modern campus.
- **Extensive library**: The library covers over 1,000 square meters and holds more than 340,000 volumes.
- **Diverse programs**: The university offers 16 colleges and 43 departments.
### Total Annual Cost of Studying in China
How much does it cost to study in China for a year? Many students and parents ask about the total expenses, which include tuition fees, living costs, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses.
#### Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending on the university. Public universities in China generally have reasonable fees:
- **Language programs**: $1,500 – $4,000 per year.
- **Undergraduate
- **Undergraduate programs**: $2,000 – $4,000 per year.
- **Graduate and doctoral programs**: $3,000 – $4,000 per year.
#### Living Costs
Living expenses depend on the city. Provinces like Guangxi and Guangdong have relatively low living costs. For those living frugally, monthly expenses can be as low as $200. However, in major cities like Beijing, monthly expenses can reach $500. Students can save money by eating at the school canteen or cooking at home.
#### Transportation Costs
China promotes the use of public transportation, which is widely used by students and workers. Commonly used transportation includes buses, trams, and subways. To save money, students can purchase a monthly pass for $5 – $15.
In summary, studying in China offers a range of top universities with excellent facilities and diverse programs, coupled with relatively affordable living and tuition costs compared to many other countries.
### Methods of Communication
Staying connected with your family is an important task you need to prepare for before going to China. In China, you are not allowed to use social media platforms like Zalo and Facebook openly without using a VPN. However, you are allowed to use WeChat for communication. Therefore, you should install WeChat for your family before going to China.
### Using the Internet
The search engines in China are not Google or Bing. Instead, you will use Youku and Baidu to search for all information regarding news, events, study materials, living experiences, etc. You should also download e-commerce platforms like Taobao and learn how to use them to make shopping more convenient.
### Essential Items to Prepare
For those who are new to China, prepare essential items such as medicines, instant food, an online Chinese dictionary, and skincare products. Note that you should avoid bringing bulky electronic items like rice cookers and electric kettles, as they are cumbersome and you often won't need them.