Frequently Asked Questions

Studying abroad is not only a great way to experience other cultures while you study, it's can also greatly improve your employability. In a world that is increasingly globalised, studying abroad can give you an edge in the job market by giving you experience of living and studying in an international environment. It shows flexibility, and can also make your resume/CV more unique, helping you distinguish yourself from others.

From experiencing life in China to learning the language or just to experience something new; there are a plethora of reasons to study in China. Here are just a few reasons why you should study in China.

- In the 21st century China is a gold star on your resume and can increase your employability
- Mandarin is a valuable language and a rare skill to possess
- China is rich in culture with a history over 5,000 years old
- China’s astounding natural beauty and countless diverse cities and villages to discover makes China a great place to travel
- China is cheap, making your money go further

And, why not! Why not study in another culture? Why not learn about the world’s fastest developing new superpower? Why not eat delicious food all day, save money, and see the wonders of the ancient world? Why not learn a new language, and meet new people, and practice Kungfu? There are millions of reasons to study in China.

Studying in China is an incredibly rewarding and exciting experience. That being said, finding the right courses and applying to Chinese universities can still be a bit tricky. ChinaUnviersities.com is a service and can help you get through the application and preparation stages of coming to study in China.

ChinaUniversities.com was created by international students and in collaboration with Chinese universities to make the application process easier and accessible to you.

We are not the only way to apply, and you absolutely can apply directly. But we maintain it is easier through our platform, and luckily for you we actually care and are there to help. Check out out Testimonials Page for proof!

Where in China you want to study depends entirely on what you want from your course. If you are studying a degree program and want to go to the most prestigious universities (Tsinghua University and Peking University) then you will most likely chose Beijing. Beijing is also the capital and considered the international and cultural hub of China and so is the most popular destination for students.

Shanghai is a thriving metropolis and could be described as the New York of China. Shanghai has a vibrant international community and is connected.

But, there are many more choices than just Shanghai and Beijing.

You also have Chongqing, Guangzhou, Wuhan and more great yet less explored cities each with their own unique characteristics.

If you want to avoid big cities like Beijing and Shanghai smaller yet vibrant cities like Xi’an, Nanjing and Dalian (and many more) offer rich and diverse histories as well as being really cool places to live.

The south of China is renowned for its natural beauty. the provinces Chengdu and Yunnan in particular are huge domestic tourist destinations and are worth considering if you enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.

Yes! Each course taught in English (which is all of the courses on offer at CSA except those learning Chinese) has a Chinese counterpart. During the registration of your program you can choose to take it in Chinese rather than English.

Registration dates will depend on the university and course. Generally, registration day/days is the week before your course begins. The date of registration can be found on your acceptance letter from the university.

You can simply fill out the Open Application form and we'll get back to you with programs that match your requirements.

You can also browse through our university and courses on our site. By using the filters you can sort by program, price, duration, type of qualification you wish to gain. If you would like to know about a course or have any questions please contact CU and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

You can contact any university directly yourself by searching for their website. However, Chinese Universities can hard to get hold of and it is uncommon to have good functional sites in English.

Our recommendation, get in touch with us (book a time to chat here) and let us know what you need, and we'll call them directly (we speak Chinese, which is helpful too!)

This can be slightly overwhelming and it is exactly why we are here to help!

The easiest way is to find suitable university programs is to fill out this short inquiry form here, telling us some of your preferences.

Then book a time to chat with one of us here so we can understand more about you and motivation for studying in China. As well as answer any questions you may have. From there we can start narrowing down the university and course options best suited to you.

Too easy right!

Yes.

Degree Programs

Like other internationally accredited universities, you will receive your certificate once you have completed your program at graduation.

Language Programs

Once the course is completed you will be given a certificate of completion showing your grades, attendance and hours completed.

The short answer is yes.

Non--Degree Language Programs:

The universities that program participants attend are internationally accredited; therefore most international universities accept credit received from these universities. You won't typically be granted credit before you leave for the program, but on completion of the course you will receive an official certificate showing how many hour of class as well as final grades. This can be taken back to your home institution to apply for credit.

Typically a 4 week language program in China is equivalent to about a semester's worth of classes. Ultimately it is up to your home institution to decide how many credits to offer.

Bachelor's and Master's degrees:

If you begin a program in China but do not complete it. You can take your transcripts back home to a university registrar and see what credits they will apply for you. The universities in China are all internationally accredited, so they are valid for credit in most other countries.

All the courses we offer in China are taught in English.

If you would like to take a degree program taught in Chinese, please let us know as there are plenty of those as well!

Yes! Degrees in China are internationally recognised qualifications.

The teaching quality does vary from university. The top tier universities, such as Peking university, Tsinghua University and Wuhan University, will have very high quality teaching standards. Below the top universities still provide a good level of teaching, but can vary widely.

As for what you can get from your course, be it degree or language programs can depend on how much effort you put in, and how proactive you are as a student.

In language programs, all your teachers will be Chinese native speakers. In Degree programs, most of your professors will likely be Chinese; most of which will have likely studied abroad in Europe or the US.

The academic literature you use will typically be a mixture of both Western and Chinese.

Yes! Most universities offer Chinese courses that you can take along side your program.

Yes you can, but there are limitations.

• Most courses require you have at least HSK 3, 4 or 5 to take a degree in Chinese (if you don't know what an HSK is, get in touch!).
• Though there are several Chinese Language degree programs where you can start with zero Chinese and finish with fluency, and a Bachelor's degree.
• Many programs will let you come to the university for a year first to study Chinese only and get you to a level where you can take classes in Chinese. This will usually add at least a year to your degree. Please get in touch with us to find out more!

Unfortunately not. Most are 2 or 2 and a half year.

Though, many of the programs only have classes during the first year, with the second year mainly for writing your thesis. That second year can also be used for learning Chinese or interning.

It does vary. The cheapest programs can will be about US$2000 for a year tuition. The most expensive, which are usually dual program with foreign universities can be US$14000 or so.

Most good universities are around the US$4-5000 per year mark though.

It is good to note that housing and living costs in China are pretty low, so a full year (or two) of expenses will most likely be dramatically lower than your home country.

And of course there are plenty of scholarships available too!

It is easy to find programs for less than US$3000 for tuition per year. Though an MBA or a few business related degrees can jump up to about US$10000. And more so for dual programs with foreign universities.

It is good to note that housing and living costs in China are pretty low, so a full year (or two) of expenses will most likely be dramatically lower than your home country.

And of course there are plenty of scholarships available too!

There is range depending on subjects and level of degree. If you are looking for the cheapest, you can find courses for about $2000 per year.

Most good programs will be around $5000 per year.

Top end, dual programs with foreign universities will go up to about $15000 per year.

Unfortunately not. We believe this will change in the near future, but currently you have to take a full program, and can't apply previous credits to courses in China.

We will definitely be shouting from the rooftops about it when this change happens!

Yes and no. Some universities offer airport pick up services and "buddy" programs on arrival, but most do not.

Lucky for you, we do help with this too. Chat to your advisor as we have a range of add-ons to fit what you are looking for.

Here are just a few of them:

• Airport pickup
• Visa Processing (USA, UK, AUS)
• Arrival Assistance & First Month 24 Hour Support
• Arrival Assistance & Semester 24 Hour Support
• Help finding housing (room/apartment)
• Dorm Booking Fee
• Homestay
• Internship placements
• Backpacking Tours

Degree Programs (taught in English):

• Non-Chinese national
• High school graduate (for a Bachelor's degree)
• Bachelor's Degree (for a Master's degree)
• If your want a degree taught in Chinese, you may be required HSK level 3, 4 or 5 depending on the university and course.

Semester or Year Language Programs:

• Aged between 18-60
• Have completed high school or equivalent (exceptions are sometimes granted)

For Summer, Winter or Short Term Language Programs at Universities

• Students over the age of 15 are eligible to apply and attend with parental consent.
• There is no age minimum or limit for the private language school programs offered through CSA as they cater to all students.

Different universities have different deadlines. As a general rule you should aim to hand all of your documents at least 6 months before your course begins.

Some universities have much later deadlines so if you are within the 6 months, please get in touch with us asap.

This varies for a language program and for degree programs.

LANGUAGE PROGRAMS - We can usually tell you in the first few days if you have been accepted, however you may not get your admission documents back for 3-4 weeks. If you apply very early for a program, you might have to wait longer. Often universities have to begin the prior semester before processing the documents for the following semester.

DEGREE PROGRAMS - Usually about 4 weeks after you have submitted everything required. In some instances it may be longer, especially if you have applied more than 6 months from the starting date of the program.

SCHOLARSHIPS - Usually in July or August before the start of the program in September. This is very late to know, but these scholarships are issued by the government and this is out of our control.

The requirements may vary slightly by university and course.

Typically these are the items you'll need to apply to most university degree programs here.

• a passport-sized photo
• a copy of your passport information page
• a copy of a school diploma or certificate that shows your educational level - often with official transcripts
• if you are not a Native English speaker we also need your English test scores (IELTS/TOEFL, etc)
• 2 Recommendation letters - signed by teachers/professors
• 1 personal statement (600-800 words on why you want to study Chinese as a degree, and why in China)
• Physical examination form showing your general health

Some Master's degrees will require you have a relevant bachelor's degree or completeion of specific courses to apply for a program.

The difficulty of the entry requirements depends on the University. The top Chinese universities are highly ranked globally and are difficult to get into for degree programs.

Many (if not most) universities outside the top 5 universities in China are relatively open to accepting foreign students as long as the application materials are complete.

LANGUAGE PROGRAMS:

Unless you are applying to the top 5 universities in China, most universities will accept you if you meet the requirements of the course and get all your application materials submitted before the deadline.

Prices below do not include Application Fees to the universities.

Most universities have an Application Fee varying from about 400rmb to 800rmb (about US$55-$110).

US$95 Consulting Fee

• Discuss background, goals, preferences and requirements over a phone or video call.
• Create a shortlist of 'best fit' universities.
• Answer any ongoing questions about studying in China.
• We assist with programs:
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Master’s Degree
  • Chinese Langauge Programs (summer, semester, year or custom programs)
  • Internship programs

US$450 Application & Scholarship Assistance

• Includes above Consulting Fee service.
• Documentation collection and application to the university.
• Oversee and manage the application process.
• Oversee and apply to available scholarships (Government, Province, City or University Scholarships)
• Assistance with on-campus Dormitory Booking
• Provide ongoing post-application support.
• The fee covers the first university application, each additional university costs US$150.

US$1500 Arrival Assistancee

• Off-Campus Housing advice & assistance.
• Airport Pickup.
• Designated Liaison.
• Assistance with dorm check-in & university registration.
• Arrival errands (SIM Cards, buying a bike, setting up a bank account etc.).
• Contacts for extracurricular activities.
• Ongoing support for the first semester

US$950 University Tours

• Work with your requirements and budget to arrange a college tour itinerary in China.
• Book all international and domestic travel.
• Book hotels (based on your budget).
• Arrange university and Admission Department visits.
• Optional sightseeing activities (based on length of stay and budget).

Payment Options:

• HSBC Hong Kong Bank Transfer - please email us to request details
• Paypal
• Bitcoin

Services Fees

Consultation Only $95.00 USD Consultation, Application & Scholarship $450.00 USD University Tour Planning $950.00 USD Arrival Assistance $1,500.00 USD

You have to pay the application fee in advance.

Many universities are starting to require international students to pay a deposit to hold their place on the program. Often they will require this before releasing the visa documents to the student.

The amount of the deposit varies, but it would be good to expect about a 10000rmb deposit (about US$1400). This deposit will go towards your annual tuition.

Tuition and dorm fees will be due on arrival at registration.

We have an option to pay us in your home country and currency, then we'll pay the university for you in China. Ask us about this for more details!

The short answer is no.

However they must be at least in English. So if you are applying from a non-English speaking country, it is likely you will have to have them officially translated.

This does depend on the university though, so please check with us before you spend anything on official translations! We also may be able to get them translated for less here in China for you.

Yes.

All the programs we offer are for non-Chinese speakers.

Degree programs are taught in English, and the language programs can begin from absolute beginner level.

There are a wide range of scholarships available in China. The best available include both full tuition and housing, as well as offering a living stipend, which is usually around US$500 or so.

Then there is a range below that too, some just offer the tuition coverage without housing. And some just offer a percentage of the tuition off.

We'll help find whatever we can, but have no guarantees what level of scholarship we can find. Much depends on the quality of your application!

Unfortunately not. This would be nice, but it just isn't something the universities offer.

Quite a lot of paperwork. But we got you. We've tried to simplify it as much as possible and will handle the grunt work for you. All you have to do is get us all the information on the Scholarship Application Form here, and we'll do the rest.

We do charge US$250 for doing it all for you, but also offer a refund if you don't get a scholarship.

There is a range. The main one we always apply for is the full scholarship which covers the following:

• - tuition
• - dorm (sometimes single, sometimes double, depending on the university)
• - mandatory university insurance
• - textbooks
• - monthly stipend (usually 3000rmb - plenty to cover food!)

We also keep our eye out for other scholarships too, so if you apply to late for the main government scholarships, many universities still run their own. These are usually just for tuition though, so you would still have to pay for housing.

Yes. These take a lot of time and man hours to do.

We charge $250 to do this, but we do offer it back if we don't get you a scholarship.

That fee also covers the actual Application Fee to the university directly. So if for some reason we do have to refund you, it will be less that university application fee which is usually around US$50 or so - but don't worry, we'll show you the receipt to prove it!

The Chinese government doesn't release the scholarship results until about June or July before the beginning of the academic year starts in September.

We've spoken to multiple Chinese officials about this, and unfortunately this is just the way it is. It causes mayhem for plans in general, and booking flights. But the flip side, it is still definitely worth it for a full degree (Bachelor's or Master's) and housing and a stipend...

As they say in China, may ban fa (没办法 méi bàn fǎ) - which means "one can't do anything about it". A very useful phrase.

The top ranked universities in China are Peking University (Beijing University) and Tsinghua University as rated 29th and 35th in the world according to The Times University World Rankings 2017.

This depends on what country you are coming from. In the US it is not possible, but some countries allow it.

Yes! There is a box you can check while filling out the application to apply for an airport pickup. If you do select this option, we can arrange for an experienced student or staff member to pick you up from the airport and take to your school.

This option is recommended for students with little travel experience in Asia and or speak little or no Chinese.

Yes, basic insurance is required and will be included in the registration process.

Degree Programs: Like universities in your home country, yes you can leave early, but then you won't complete the degree.

Language Programs: Depending on how early you will be leaving the program you may be able to take the final exam early. If you cannot take the final examination then yes, it will affect your grade and you will likely not get a certificate of completion at the end of it. You will not get a refund for the days/weeks you have missed though.

For University Programs:

Aged between 18-60
Have completed high school or equivalent (exceptions are sometimes granted)
Peking University - Have minimum knowledge of 800 Chinese characters
For Summer / Winter / Short Term Programs at Universities

Students over the age of 15 are eligible to apply and attend with parental consent. Programs include the months of July and August only. Private Academy / School Programs

There is no age minimum or limit for the private language school programs offered through CSA as they cater to all students.

Unfortunately not. The universities have to issue student visas for a full year, and once that visa is issued, it is hard for them to retract it. Their worry is that students would apply for university courses just to get the visas, then not attend classes, or pay the tuition. So to counteract this, they make students pay each year upfront. We've never heard of any wiggle room in this.

How much it costs to study in China depends a lot on the university and course. Check the filters on the CSA website to find the course that fits with your budget. If you are on a budget, universities in the south of China are generally cheaper than they are in the North. Smaller towns and universities are likely to be considerably cheaper.

Life in China however is relatively cheap. A budgeting student in Beijing for example can live off $75-$100 a week for simple living and is cheaper still in smaller towns and cities.

Prices below do not include Application Fees to the universities.

Most universities have an Application Fee varying from about 400rmb to 800rmb (about US$55-$110).

US$95 Consulting Fee

• Discuss background, goals, preferences and requirements over a phone or video call.
• Create a shortlist of 'best fit' universities.
• Answer any ongoing questions about studying in China.
• We assist with programs:
  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Master’s Degree
  • Chinese Langauge Programs (summer, semester, year or custom programs)
  • Internship programs

US$450 Application & Scholarship Assistance

• Includes above Consulting Fee service.
• Documentation collection and application to the university.
• Oversee and manage the application process.
• Oversee and apply to available scholarships (Government, Province, City or University Scholarships)
• Assistance with on-campus Dormitory Booking
• Provide ongoing post-application support.
• The fee covers the first university application, each additional university costs US$150.

US$1500 Arrival Assistance

• Off-Campus Housing advice & assistance.
• Airport Pickup.
• Designated Liaison.
• Assistance with dorm check-in & university registration.
• Arrival errands (SIM Cards, buying a bike, setting up a bank account etc.).
• Contacts for extracurricular activities.
• Ongoing support for the first semester

US$950 University Tours

• Work with your requirements and budget to arrange a college tour itinerary in China.
• Book all international and domestic travel.
• Book hotels (based on your budget).
• Arrange university and Admission Department visits.
• Optional sightseeing activities (based on length of stay and budget).

Payment Options:

• HSBC Hong Kong Bank Transfer - please email us to request details
• Paypal
• Bitcoin

When we are quoting prices from the universities, they typically DO NOT include the following.

• Insurance - This usually costs about 400-600rmb per semester (US$60-85), and double that for the year.
• Books - Costs vary depending on your level, and some universities even automatically include these in the fee. We would say budget for about 300rmb (US$45) per semester.
• Visa - For the semester program you don’t have any extra fees once you get to China. You’ll be issued an X2 visa, and that is good for your whole stay in China. For the 1 year programs, you’ll be issued an X1 visa, and on arrival in China you'll have to do a medical exam, and swap the visa over to a Residence Permit - which means you can enter/exit China as often as you like throughout the year. The medical exam and the swap over fee usually costs about US$150-200 and is arranged directly through the university on arrival.

Unfortunately not. In China most Master's programs are 2 or 3 year programs. Typically the final year (whether that is the 2nd or 3rd) doesn't often include many classes and is for students to do their thesis. This means international students can also use this time to study more Chinese, travel a bit around China or find internships. As well as actually writing the thesis obviously!