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Study in China

China has established itself as a true global economic superpower in recent decades. This economic growth has been followed by an increased focus on education. The government has invested large amounts in higher education in recent years, and pledged to have 500,000 international students enrolled in their universities by 2020. China is the perfect destination for international students looking to explore a new culture.

Why choose China as an international student

China offers plenty of options at all levels of higher education, from Bachelor’s to PhD. Most programs and courses are not taught in English, so it helps to be fluent in Chinese. However, there are an increasing number of courses taught in English. Take a look at the universities that offer a course that suits you, and make sure to double check it is taught in the language you require!

The majority of higher education institutions in China are public. This means that they are governed by the Ministry of Education and the Chinese government. They can be split into three different categories; research universities, comprehensive universities, colleges of professional training and higher vocational education.

China has many universities that rank well in the QS World University Rankings. There are 28 Chinese universities in the top 500, and 6 in the top 100. The highest ranked is Peking University, which comes in at 12th.

The Chinese education system has their own ranking for their universities. It is known as the C9 League and is comparable to the Ivy League in America. If you wish to gain employment in China after your studies, it might be useful to explore your study options at one of the C9 ranked institutions, as they are can be more highly regarded by Chinese employers.

China is quickly developing and emerging as a nation of world class quality education. It’s no surprise it’s becoming a popular destination for international students. Due to their aim to attract more international students, there are many exciting scholarships offered, making studying in China a realistic goal for international students.

China requires all international students to obtain either an X1 or X2 visa to study in the country. For more information about this, see our China Student Visa Guide.

Search for courses in China

Highlighted courses in China

Master Program in Design Arts and Application MA

Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University China

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Food Science and Engineering Bachelor Degree

Jiangsu University Overseas Education College China

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Finance (Actuarial Science and Risk Management) MEcon

University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) China

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PhD in Artificial Intelligence and Optimisation PhD

University of Nottingham Ningbo China China

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Bahcelor of Software Engineering and Technology Bachelor Degree

Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) China

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Industrial Design (part time) MDes

Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) China

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Globalisation and Development BSocSc (Hons)

Globalisation and Development Programme, United International College (Beijing Normal University - Hong Kong Baptist University) China

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English Language and Literature Studies BA (Hons)

United International College (Beijing Normal University - Hong Kong Baptist University) China

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View all courses in China

More information about China

Capital City Beijing
Currency CNY, Renminbi
Language(s) Standard Chinese
Universities on StudyLink 10 universities
Major Student Cities Shanghai

Language Requirements

The official language is Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin. It is spoken across the country, but most communities also speak a local dialect. Although many young people and students speak English, don’t miss out on the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Chinese language and culture. The ability to speak Chinese is widely desired, with it becoming an important business language.

Courses and programmes are offered in English and Chinese. If you choose to study in Chinese, you will have to prove that your language skills will meet the teaching standards. The same rule applies if you choose to study in English but it is not your native language. It is common for institutions to offer language courses to allow students to improve their required language. Contact your chosen institution if you need to take a language course prior to your studies.

Photos from universities in China

Read more about studying in Asia

Study in Asia

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