China
With a rapidly growing economy and increasing investment in higher education, China is becoming a popular study destination, offering quality programs, especially in science, technology, engineering, and medicine.
General Information for China
- Academic Requirements: A Bachelor’s degree is required for Master’s programs. A minimum GPA of 2.8 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), or around 70%, is usually expected.
- English Proficiency: For English-taught programs, a minimum of IELTS 5.5 – 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 75-80 is required.
- Accommodation: University dormitories are widely available and affordable, costing €150 – €400/month. Renting a private apartment can cost €300 – €700+/month depending on the city.
- Bank Savings / Statement Requirements: There is no mandatory blocked account. Applicants need to show a bank statement with sufficient funds to cover tuition and living costs for one year (typically $3,000 – $5,000 USD is a safe amount to show). An official sponsorship letter is also acceptable.
- University Payment: Upon receiving the admission letter and JW202/JW201 form (visa application form), some universities may require a seat confirmation deposit of $200 – $800 USD. The main tuition fee is usually paid after arriving in China.
- Application Deadlines: Deadlines for the September intake are generally between March and late June.
- Embassy Fees: Visa fees vary significantly based on nationality and type of service (e.g., standard vs. express). It can range from $30 to $140 USD.
- Mock Interview Process: There is typically no visa interview for the Chinese student visa (X1 for long-term, X2 for short-term). The decision is made based on the submitted documents. However, the embassy reserves the right to call an applicant for an interview.
- Job Opportunities:
- Weekly Job Hours: Officially, international students on a study visa are not allowed to work off-campus. However, universities can arrange for on-campus part-time work or internships. To legally undertake an off-campus internship, students must obtain permission from their university and the Public Security Bureau (PSB).
- Per Hour Salary: Varies greatly. Internships may be paid or unpaid. Unauthorized work is risky and not recommended.
- Document Notary & Attestation: Academic transcripts and certificates must be notarized. Depending on the home country, further attestation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy might be required.
Top Universities in China
University Name | University Area Name | Avg. Tuition Fees (English-Taught) | Application Fee | Lowest English Score (IELTS) |
Peking University | Beijing | €4,000 – €5,000/year | ~€110 (800 RMB) | 6.5 – 7.0 |
Tsinghua University | Beijing | €4,000 – €6,000/year | ~€110 (800 RMB) | 6.5 |
Fudan University | Shanghai | €3,500 – €7,000/year | ~€110 (800 RMB) | 6.5 |
Shanghai Jiao Tong University | Shanghai | €3,500 – €5,000/year | ~€110 (800 RMB) | 6.0 |
Zhejiang University | Hangzhou | €3,000 – €5,000/year | ~€110 (800 RMB) | 6.5 |
Nanjing University | Nanjing | €3,000 – €4,500/year | ~€110 (800 RMB) | 6.0 |
Wuhan University | Wuhan | €3,000 – €5,000/year | ~€110 (800 RMB) | 6.0 |
Sun Yat-sen University | Guangzhou | €3,000 – €6,000/year | ~€85 (600 RMB) | 6.5 |
Harbin Institute of Technology | Harbin | €2,500 – €4,000/year | ~€85 (600 RMB) | 5.5 |
Xi’an Jiaotong University | Xi’an | €3,000 – €5,000/year | ~€110 (800 RMB) | 5.5 |