A bachelor's degree in China is open to you straight after high school: with a school-leaving certificate you can join a four-year programme taught in Chinese or English. The big change for the 2027 intake is the CSCA exam, which many universities now require from all international bachelor's applicants. Below are real requirements from university guides, costs, documents, deadlines and what to do if you don't speak Chinese yet. For the overall process at every level, see How to Apply to Study in China in 2027.
Key facts • You can apply right after high school with a school certificate (or expected-graduation certificate), a language certificate and CSCA results. • A bachelor's degree takes 4 years, 5 for some majors. • Language: HSK 4 for Chinese-taught programmes, IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 75–80 for English-taught ones. • Self-funded tuition at the universities reviewed is RMB 18,000–33,800 (about USD 2,500–4,700) a year; medicine costs more. • If you will be under 18 on 1 September, you need a notarised guardianship document. |
What is a bachelor's degree in China?
The bachelor's degree (本科) is the first level of higher education in China, followed by a master's and a PhD. International students study alongside Chinese students or in separate English-taught groups.
It takes 4 years, and 5 for some engineering and medical majors. Harbin Institute of Technology lists 4–5 years, for example.
Three routes after high school
Three routes lead from high school to a Chinese university. Your choice depends on whether you already have Chinese or English at the required level.
Route | Best for | What you need | Time to degree |
Straight into a Chinese-taught bachelor's | You have HSK 4 | HSK 4, CSCA, school certificate | 4–5 years |
Straight into an English-taught bachelor's | Strong English | IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 75–80, CSCA, school certificate | 4–5 years |
Language year, then bachelor's | No Chinese yet | School certificate; learn Chinese in China | 5–6 years |
Source: Harbin Institute of Technology
The language-year route suits graduates without Chinese: a year of intensive Chinese in China gives you time to prepare for the HSK level required for admission. Read more in Language Year in China and How to Apply to China Without Knowing Chinese. For younger students there is also an earlier route — see Studying in China After Grade 9.
The CSCA exam: a new mandatory requirement
International bachelor's applicants now take the CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment), a standardised academic exam organised by the China Scholarship Council under China's Ministry of Education.
Harbin Institute of Technology makes taking CSCA the first step of its application process for all bachelor's applicants and publishes the required subjects for each major. Sun Yat-sen University and Zhejiang Normal University also list CSCA results as a mandatory requirement in their 2026 bachelor's guides. Subjects depend on the major and typically include mathematics, physics, chemistry and professional Chinese or English. Dates, registration and format are on the official CSCA website and in our guide The CSCA Exam in 2027.
Important Prepare for CSCA alongside your language test, 6–12 months before applying. Without a CSCA score, many universities will not consider a bachelor's application. |
Entry requirements for a bachelor's degree
Requirement | Harbin Institute of Technology | Sun Yat-sen University | Zhejiang Normal University |
Age | Under 30 (under 25 for HIT scholarship) | Under 18 — guardian commitment letter | Generally 18–25 |
Chinese-taught programmes | HSK 4, 210+ | HSK 5, 180+ | Valid HSK certificate |
English-taught programmes | IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5) or TOEFL iBT 80 | — | TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo |
CSCA | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |
Funds in your account | At least RMB 20,000 | — | At least RMB 30,000 |
Source: Harbin Institute of Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhejiang Normal University
Other universities set their own thresholds — for example, a lower HSK score but a stricter age limit or a minimum GPA. Always check the guide of each university on your list.
Documents for a bachelor's application
1. Passport scan (photo page).
2. High school diploma, or an expected-graduation certificate if you are still at school.
3. High school transcripts.
4. Notarised translations into English or Chinese, if the originals are in another language.
5. CSCA score report.
6. HSK, IELTS or TOEFL certificate.
7. Medical form and police clearance certificate (usually valid for 6 months).
8. Bank statement showing the required funds.
9. If you will be under 18 on 1 September — a notarised certificate of guardianship.
If you are under 18
Many school graduates apply at 17 — Chinese universities allow this but require a guardian. Harbin Institute of Technology asks for a notarised certificate of guardianship from all applicants who will not turn 18 by 1 September 2026.
The guardian is usually an adult living in China. Check the university's requirements early: preparing and notarising the document takes time.
How much does a bachelor's in China cost?
At the universities reviewed, self-funded bachelor's tuition is RMB 18,000–33,800 a year, and up to RMB 48,000 for medicine. Add housing, insurance and living costs.
University | Chinese-taught, RMB/year | English-taught, RMB/year | Housing, RMB/month | Insurance, RMB/year |
Harbin Institute of Technology | 20,000 | 26,000 | 800 | 800 |
Zhejiang Normal University | 18,000 | 18,000 | — | 1,000 |
Sun Yat-sen University | 26,000 (humanities), 33,800 (sciences/engineering), 48,000 (medicine) | — | Scholarship holders only | 800 |
Source: Harbin Institute of Technology, Zhejiang Normal University, Sun Yat-sen University
The application fee is RMB 400 (RMB 600 with a HIT scholarship application). Medicine, English-taught programmes and top universities usually cost more. For a full yearly budget, see How Much It Costs to Study and Live in China.
Scholarships for bachelor's students
Bachelor's students can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship: it covers tuition, housing and insurance and pays RMB 2,500 a month, with an age limit of under 25 — as described by China University of Petroleum (Beijing). You can apply through the Chinese embassy (Type A) or directly through a university (Type B).
Universities also run their own scholarships: Harbin Institute of Technology offers tuition discounts up to a full waiver.
Application deadlines for autumn 2027
Bachelor's programmes mostly start in September. Application windows open in the autumn of the previous year and close in summer.
At Harbin Institute of Technology, self-financed applications for September 2026 closed on 15 July 2026, and HIT scholarship applications ran from 1 October 2025 to 15 July 2026. Sun Yat-sen University ran two rounds: 1 January – 28 February and 1 March – 30 April 2026, and Zhejiang Normal University accepted applications from 1 March to 15 July 2026. Expect similar windows for 2027.
You will only receive your school diploma in summer, so apply with an expected-graduation certificate and bring the original diploma when you register at the university.
How to apply for a bachelor's in China: step by step
1. The summer before your final school year — choose a major, language of instruction and 3–5 universities.
2. Autumn of your final year — start preparing for CSCA and HSK or IELTS.
3. Winter–spring — take the exams and prepare translations and documents.
4. November to July — apply to several universities and for scholarships.
5. Summer — receive your diploma, Admission Notice and JW202 form.
6. August — get an X1 visa and arrive for the start of classes.
Common mistakes
1. Leaving CSCA to the last minute — without a score, the application won't be considered.
2. Applying to only one university.
3. Not arranging the guardianship document early if you will be 17 on 1 September.
4. Waiting for your diploma before applying — an expected-graduation certificate is enough.
5. Choosing an English-taught programme without a confirmed IELTS or TOEFL score.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study in China right after high school?
Yes. With a school certificate (or expected-graduation certificate), a language certificate and CSCA results, you can go straight into a bachelor's programme. Without the language, go via a language year.
How many years is a bachelor's degree in China?
Usually 4 years, 5 for some engineering and medical majors — plus a language year if you start without Chinese.
Can I apply at 17?
Yes, but you need a notarised certificate of guardianship if you will not turn 18 by 1 September.
How much does a bachelor's in China cost?
At the universities reviewed, RMB 18,000–33,800 a year in tuition at 2026 prices (up to RMB 48,000 for medicine), plus housing and insurance.
What is the difference between a bachelor's and a master's in China?
A bachelor's is the first level of higher education after school and takes 4–5 years. A master's is the second level, after a bachelor's, takes 2–3 years and focuses more on specialisation and research.
Quick action plan
1. Choose your major and language of instruction.
2. Shortlist 3–5 universities and check their 2027 guides.
3. Start preparing for CSCA and HSK or IELTS now.
4. Prepare translations and, if needed, the guardianship document.
5. Apply for a self-funded place and for scholarships.
We'll help you get into a bachelor's programme in China GE Agency will shortlist universities for your grades, language and budget, help you prepare for CSCA and HSK, put your documents together and support you through to your visa. Book a consultation. |
Information checked on 4 October 2026. Requirements, fees and deadlines vary by university and may change — always check the university's official website before applying.
Useful articles about studying in China
- Top Universities in China for International Students: Rankings and How to Choose
- Best Cities in China for International Students in 2027
- Scholarships to Study in China: Chinese Government Scholarship, University and Provincial Grants
- Master's Degree in China for International Students: Programmes, Requirements, Costs and Admission