Destination Overview

Explore Studying in China

Find out if China fits you: its universities, teaching languages, costs and the cities where students live. Then use the guides below to plan each step.

Universities, courses and student life in China

The China Advantage

Why Choose China for Your Studies?

Top universities

Several Chinese universities rank high worldwide.

Key Benefits

Fudan University: 30th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 (a yearly list that ranks universities).

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU): 47th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

English-taught programmes

Most courses are in Chinese, but top universities teach some in English.

Key Benefits

Tsinghua University: 40 English-taught master's and doctoral programmes for 2027.

SJTU: over 100 graduate programmes taught in English and Chinese.

Scholarships

The Chinese Government Scholarship can cover tuition, a dormitory room or money for housing, a monthly allowance (stipend) and medical insurance.

Key Benefits

Monthly allowance for living costs (stipend): CNY 2,500 (Chinese yuan) for bachelor's, CNY 3,000 for master's, CNY 3,500 for doctoral.

University fees

Fees for international students are set in Chinese yuan (CNY).

Key Benefits

Tsinghua Chinese-taught master's 2027: CNY 28,000 to CNY 33,000 a year.

Zhejiang University (ZJU) MBBS (the medical degree to become a doctor): CNY 42,800 a year.

2,952

Regular higher education institutions (June 2026)

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Student Experience

Student Life in China

Most international students live in their university's dormitory, eat in canteens and pay by phone.

Universities give you a campus card when you enrol. Many museums, parks, buses and subways give student discounts with it.

Register your address with the local police within 24 hours of arriving.
Apply for your residence permit (the card that lets you live in China) within 30 days of entering China.
Every international student must have insurance.
Off-campus work or internships need a note on your residence permit.

Campus life

Your campus card, your student card from the university, pays for meals, laundry and printing, and opens gates, labs and gyms.

Low-cost meals

A healthy canteen lunch usually costs CNY 10 to CNY 20.

Mobile payments

WeChat, Alipay and UnionPay (a Chinese bank card network) are used in shops, restaurants and on transport.

Popular Destinations

Student Cities

The cities where the universities in this guide are.

Beijing

Capital

Home to Tsinghua University and Peking University.

Key Highlights

Tsinghua dormitory: CNY 30 to CNY 40 a day for one bed.

Top Universities:

Tsinghua University

Peking University

Shanghai

City

Home to Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Key Highlights

Fudan dormitory: from CNY 80 a day for a double room (long stay).

Top Universities:

Fudan University

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Hangzhou

City

Home to Zhejiang University.

Key Highlights

ZJU single room: CNY 24,000 for the whole academic year (long stay).

Top Universities:

Zhejiang University

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Quick Reference

China for Students: Key Facts

The basics to know before you apply.

Country Overview

Teaching language	Mostly Chinese; some English-taught programmes
Currency	Chinese yuan (CNY, also called RMB)
Emergency numbers	110 police, 119 fire, 120 ambulance

Academic & Student Info

Main intake	September
Study visa	X1 visa (for study of more than 180 days)
Application fee	Usually CNY 800
Bachelor's test	China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA), a school-subject test, from 2026/2027

Explore Living Costs in Detail