Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) accepts international students to bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs, taught in both Chinese and English. According to the international office, applications go through an online system and the fee is 800 RMB. Below we cover programs, tuition, CSCA, documents, the dates of the two application rounds and housing.
Key points • Chinese-taught bachelor's programs cost 26,000–31,000 RMB per year, and English-taught ones cost 26,000 or 39,900 RMB per year. • Bachelor's applicants need a CSCA result: Chinese and mathematics for most Chinese-taught programs, mathematics only for English-taught ones. • There are two rounds: the autumn intake runs from March 10 to June 15 and the spring intake from October 15 to December 15. • The application fee is 800 RMB and is non-refundable. • Insurance is mandatory: 400 RMB for half a year or 800 RMB for a year. |
What is Beijing Foreign Studies University and who is it for
BFSU is in Beijing's Haidian district. In its brochure for international students the university describes itself as having a long history in foreign language education and the widest range of language majors in the country, and stresses that it is directly administered by China's Ministry of Education. It trains graduates for diplomacy, translation, international business, journalism, law and finance.
It suits applicants interested in languages, translation, international relations or business. If you are still comparing universities, start with our overview of the top universities in China.
Programs open to international students
The standard bachelor's takes four years, and the maximum study span under university rules is three to six years. The university publishes the full list of majors on the undergraduate programs page. Here is what the brochure says.
Chinese-taught bachelor's
- Diplomacy (political science, School of International Relations): 26,000 RMB per year, CSCA in Chinese and mathematics, autumn intake.
- Computer Science and Technology (Language Intelligence): 26,000 RMB per year, CSCA in Chinese and mathematics.
- International Business, Accounting, Business Administration: 31,000 RMB per year, CSCA in Chinese and mathematics.
- Foreign Language and Literature (Arabic, German, Russian, Italian and others): 26,000 RMB per year.
- Chinese Language and Literature (Chinese language education, Chinese language, Chinese-English translation): 26,000–28,000 RMB per year, spring and autumn intakes. For Chinese-related majors, a valid HSK 4 report exempts you from the Chinese test of the CSCA.
English-taught bachelor's
For English-taught programs the university lists CSCA in mathematics only. International Business, Finance, International Trade and Business Administration (International Business School) cost 39,900 RMB per year and admit in spring and autumn. English and Advanced Diplomatic Translation and Interpreting (School of English Language) cost 26,000 RMB per year and admit in autumn.
Program | Language | Tuition per year, RMB |
Diplomacy, computer science, foreign languages | Chinese | 26,000 |
International business, accounting, business administration | Chinese | 31,000 |
Chinese language and literature (education, translation) | Chinese | 26,000–28,000 |
English, advanced diplomatic translation and interpreting | English | 26,000 |
International business, finance, international trade, business administration | English | 39,900 |
Source: BFSU 2026 bachelor's prospectus
Master's and doctoral programs
A master's usually takes 2–3 years and a doctorate 4 years. The data below come from the master's and doctoral prospectus. You need a bachelor's or master's degree recognized in China. The list of majors, languages of instruction and prices is published in a separate program catalogue, and the language requirements are set by the admitting schools. See the university's master's programs page for the list.
Is CSCA required
Bachelor's applicants need an official CSCA report, and the university refers applicants to the official exam website. Chinese-taught programs require Chinese and mathematics; English-taught ones require mathematics only. We explain how the exam works in our CSCA guide.
Language requirements
The university sets language requirements by major: the brochure says the certificate must match the language of instruction of the chosen program (HSK for Chinese, IELTS or TOEFL for English). The exact thresholds are published on the schools' pages, so open your school's page before applying. The only exception the university names in its major table is that a valid HSK 4 report exempts you from the Chinese test of the CSCA for Chinese-related majors.
Who can apply
An applicant must be a foreign citizen with a valid foreign passport who has completed high school, is healthy and has no criminal record. For applicants of Chinese origin the university sets separate rules: foreign nationality must have been held for at least four years, with more than two years of residence abroad in the last four years (the cut-off date is April 30, 2026; a year counts if you lived abroad for at least nine months). See the page on nationality documents for details. If you are under 18, you need school approval and notarized documents on a local guardian in China, as described in the notice for applicants under 18.
When to apply
Applications are accepted through the university's online system, which you can complete in English. Dates for the 2026 intake:
Intake | Application period |
Autumn (bachelor's) | March 10 – June 15, 2026 |
Spring (bachelor's) | October 15 – December 15, 2026 |
Master's and doctorate | October 15, 2025 – May 31, 2026 |
Source: BFSU bachelor's, BFSU master's and doctorate
The university publishes the 2027 calendar later, so use these dates as a guide for now. The spring bachelor's round started on October 15, 2026.
Documents for a bachelor's
All documents are uploaded as clear color scans; blurred or distorted photos are not accepted. The university lists this package:
1. A high school diploma; documents not in English must carry a certified English translation. Current students submit an enrollment certificate, and the original diploma must be handed in before registration.
2. A complete transcript; for non-percentage systems, an official score explanation.
3. An official CSCA report.
4. A language certificate matching the language of instruction (HSK, IELTS, TOEFL and others).
5. A personal statement in the language of the program, at least 500 words.
6. A passport page; applicants in China also provide a visa or residence permit and the latest entry stamp page.
7. An admission commitment letter and a sponsor guarantee letter; templates can be downloaded from the university website.
8. For working applicants, a document on termination of employment or the employer's approval to study.
9. Additional documents required by schools or scholarships.
The application is checked first by the international office and then by the admitting school, which evaluates the materials, subject preparation and language competence of the applicant. You can track the status of your application in your online account in real time.
Admission, visa and registration
After selection, the university sends the admission letter and the JW201/JW202 form to your email, and preparing the materials takes about 4 to 5 weeks. Those planning to study for more than six months need an X1 visa, and within 30 days after arriving in China you must apply at the university office for a student residence permit. Read more in our guide to the China student visa. Registration is in person: the university checks your original passport, admission letter and JW form. Failing to register without a valid reason is regarded as abandoning the place.
Insurance and housing
Mandatory medical insurance costs 400 RMB for half a year or 800 RMB for a year, and registration is rejected without it. Dormitories are booked through the online system. According to the price list, the daily rates per person are:
Building and room | Daily price, RMB |
East Campus, international dormitory, single, private bathroom | 90 |
West Campus, White Building, single, shared bathroom | 60 |
West Campus, White Building, single, private bathroom | 70 |
Double room, shared bathroom | 40 |
Double room, private bathroom | 70 |
West Campus, Domestic Mansion, single, private bathroom | 90–100 |
Source: BFSU 2026 bachelor's prospectus
If you live off campus, you must register at the local police station within 24 hours. For a full budget, see our breakdown of the cost of studying and living in China.
How to pay tuition and whom to contact
Tuition is paid by bank transfer to the university's account: the university gives the details in its brochure and asks you to keep the remittance receipt for verification. Refunds on withdrawal or transfer follow the university's regulations on fees for international students. All payments are in RMB.
For admission questions you can write to the international office: the Office of International Student Affairs, Room 201, Student Center, No. 2 Xisanhuan North Road, Haidian District, Beijing. The telephone is +86-10-88816549, the email is study@bfsu.edu.cn, and the dormitory hotline is +86-10-88816881. It is better to send questions in advance, before applications open.
Scholarships
The scholarship section of the university portal lists the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A, the Type B Silk Road program, the program for graduate students, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship and the China Studies Program), local government scholarships, BFSU's own scholarship for international seniors and enterprise scholarships. For the master's the university states that the Beijing Government Scholarship Category B covers tuition, accommodation and insurance, while Category C covers tuition and insurance. See the pages on Chinese Government Scholarships and local government scholarships for details. For a broader overview, see our guide to scholarships in China.
Frequently asked questions
Does BFSU accept international students without Chinese?
Yes. The university has English-taught bachelor's programs: international business, finance, trade, and English with advanced diplomatic translation and interpreting. They require an English certificate and CSCA in mathematics.
How much is the application fee?
The fee is 800 RMB, paid online in RMB only, and non-refundable under any circumstances.
Which CSCA subjects do I need for a bachelor's?
Chinese and mathematics for Chinese-taught programs; mathematics for English-taught ones. For Chinese-related majors, HSK 4 is enough to skip the Chinese test.
How much do English-taught bachelor's programs cost?
International business, finance, trade and business administration cost 39,900 RMB per year, while English and advanced diplomatic translation and interpreting cost 26,000 RMB per year.
How much are insurance and housing?
Insurance is 400 RMB for half a year or 800 RMB for a year. Dormitories cost 40 to 100 RMB per night per person, depending on the building and room type.
When do classes start?
The autumn intake starts classes in autumn; the spring intake is open for some majors (Chinese language and literature, and international business and related English-taught programs). The university gives exact dates in the admission letter.
Action plan
1. Choose the level, program and language of study.
2. Check the language requirements and CSCA subjects on your school's page.
3. Take CSCA and prepare your language certificate.
4. Collect your documents: scans, translations, personal statement and guarantee letter.
5. Submit the application in the online system in the right round and pay the 800 RMB fee.
6. Wait for the admission letter and apply for the X1 visa.
We can help you apply to China GE Agency will help you choose a university and program that fits your scores and budget, check your documents and submit your application without mistakes. Book a consultation. |
Information verified on October 19, 2026. Requirements, costs and deadlines depend on the university and may change — always check the official university website before applying.
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