Beijing Normal University (BNU) accepts international students to bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs. Bachelor's programs are taught in Chinese, while the master's level also has English-taught programs. According to the university, you apply through an online system and then also mail paper documents. Below we cover programs, tuition, HSK and CSCA requirements, documents and deadlines.
Key points • Chinese-taught bachelor's: 40 majors, 4 years, tuition of 24,000 or 27,700 RMB per year. • Bachelor's applicants need CSCA and HSK: HSK 4 for Chinese as a second language and HSK 5 for other majors (at least 180 points). • The application fee is 500 RMB for a bachelor's and 600 RMB for a master's or doctorate, and it is non-refundable. • After the online application the university asks you to mail paper documents. • English-taught master's programs exist: 2 years, tuition of 60,000 RMB for the whole program. |
What is Beijing Normal University and who is it for
BNU is a university in Beijing that, as its bachelor's brochure states, is directly administered by China's Ministry of Education. The university describes itself as a comprehensive research university, and the brochure says that 40 majors are available to international bachelor's students, from education and languages to artificial intelligence, mathematics and physics.
It suits applicants who are choosing a university in Beijing and are ready to study in Chinese at the bachelor's level. If you are still comparing options, start with our overview of the top universities in China.
One bachelor's major, teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages, is taught not in Beijing but on the Zhuhai campus in Guangdong province.
Bachelor's programs
The bachelor's takes four years and is taught in Chinese. In the major catalog the university groups majors by school and faculty. Here is the overview:
- languages and linguistics: Chinese language and literature, English, Japanese and Russian, Chinese as a second language;
- humanities and social sciences: journalism and communication, philosophy, history, law, sociology, education;
- business: international economics and trade, business administration;
- arts and sports: theatre and film, digital media arts, calligraphy, fine arts, design, musicology, dance, physical education;
- science and engineering: psychology, computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, statistics, physics, astronomy, geography, chemistry, environmental science and engineering.
For English, Japanese and Russian, the university requires that the applicant's native language is not the language of the major.
HSK requirements
For the bachelor's the university names two thresholds. The majors Chinese as a Second Language and Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages require HSK 4 with at least 180 points, and all others require HSK 5 with at least 180. The exam date on the certificate must not be earlier than November 1, 2023. For psychology the university adds another condition: the average of your mathematics and physics grades on the high school transcript must be at least 80%, and both subjects must be clearly listed.
Is CSCA required
Bachelor's applicants need a valid CSCA result, and the set of subjects depends on the major and is listed in the catalog. For details the university refers applicants to the official exam website. In the bachelor's brochure CSCA is called the written part of the entrance examination, and the second part is an interview: if you apply for two majors, you take the interview for each. We explain how the exam works in our CSCA guide.
Bachelor's tuition
Tuition depends on the major. For humanities and social science majors the university lists 24,000 RMB per academic year (12,400 RMB per semester), and for science, engineering and arts majors 27,700 RMB per year (14,250 RMB per semester). See the major catalog for the full list of prices. For a full budget, see our breakdown of the cost of studying and living in China.
Group of majors | Tuition per year, RMB |
Humanities and social sciences | 24,000 |
Science, engineering and arts | 27,700 |
Source: BNU bachelor's brochure
Who can apply for a bachelor's
An applicant must be a foreign citizen with a valid foreign passport, aged 18 to 40 (born after August 31, 1986), with a high school diploma or higher and no criminal record. If you are under 18 on September 1, 2026, you need a guardian in China: the notarized guardian document is issued in Beijing for Beijing programs and in Guangdong province for programs in Zhuhai. For applicants of Chinese origin the university sets separate requirements about residence abroad, which you can find in the brochure.
Deadlines and stages
For the 2026 intake the online bachelor's application was open from November 15, 2025 to March 15, 2026. After the initial review the university asks you to send the paper documents promptly, and if you are late the review stops. You can apply for two majors. For mailing within China the university recommends EMS or SF Express, and from abroad EMS, DHL, FedEx or UPS. Admission results were sent through the system and by email from June 2026; results for master's applications are not given by telephone. The university publishes the 2027 calendar later, so use these dates as a guide for now.
Documents for a bachelor's
All materials must be in Chinese or English; other languages need a notarized translation. The university lists this package:
1. The international student application form generated by the system after the online application.
2. A notarized or authenticated high school diploma, or a certificate of expected graduation.
3. A transcript for every year and all courses in high school.
4. A CSCA result.
5. Copies of the HSK certificate and transcript.
6. A recommendation letter from a teacher, head teacher or school leader.
7. A personal statement: print the form and fill it in by hand in Chinese; a printed version is not accepted.
8. A copy of the passport page (valid until at least March 31, 2027).
9. A certificate of no criminal record or a letter of commitment.
10. A notarized guardian document, if you are under 18.
The university does not process applications without the fee payment or with incomplete documents, and submitted materials are not returned. Applicants for the Chinese Government Scholarship also need a medical examination form on the foreigner's form, valid for six months.
Master's and doctoral programs
At the master's and doctoral level BNU has programs taught in Chinese and in English. The data below come from the brochure for master's and doctoral students.
For Chinese-taught master's programs the HSK requirement depends on the school: the School of International Chinese Language Education requires HSK 6 with at least 220 and HSKK Advanced with at least 65, the School of Chinese Language and Literature requires HSK 5 with at least 210, and all other schools require HSK 5 with at least 195. For the doctorate only the School of International Chinese Language Education sets a higher bar: HSK 6 with at least 240 and HSKK with at least 65. For English-taught programs, applicants from non-English-speaking countries submit an English certificate according to the requirements of the specific program; if your previous degree was fully taught in English, a certificate is not needed, but you must submit a document confirming it.
A master's applicant needs a bachelor's degree recognized in China, and a doctoral applicant needs a master's degree. The age limit is 50; for the Chinese Government Scholarship it is 35 for a master's and 40 for a doctorate.
Level and language | Duration | Tuition |
Chinese-taught master's, humanities and social sciences | 3 years (academic) | 25,300 RMB per year |
Chinese-taught master's, science, medicine, engineering, arts | 3 years (academic) | 32,300 RMB per year |
English-taught master's | 2 years | 60,000 RMB for the whole program |
Chinese-taught doctorate, humanities and social sciences | 3 years | 32,300 RMB per year |
Chinese-taught doctorate, science, medicine, engineering, arts | 3 years | 41,400 RMB per year |
English-taught doctorate | 3 years | 98,000 RMB for the whole program |
Source: BNU master's and doctoral brochure
Professional master's programs take two years, and the doctorate in teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages takes four. The online application for the master's and doctorate was open from November 15, 2025 to March 10, 2026, and for the Chinese Government Scholarship until January 25, 2026. The fee is 600 RMB. After the initial review the department runs an academic examination and, if necessary, an interview. A master's applicant needs two recommendation letters from associate professors or scholars of higher rank, a degree certificate and transcript, an HSK or English certificate, the personal statement form, a certificate of no criminal record and a passport copy.
Scholarships
In the bachelor's brochure the university names five sources of support: BNU's own scholarship for new international students, the "Silk Road Muduo" scholarship, the Beijing Government Scholarship for international students, the Chinese Government Scholarship and the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship. For the Chinese Government Scholarship the university refers applicants to the China Scholarship Council website, campuschina.org, or to the Chinese embassy. Conditions are published in the scholarship section. For a broader overview, see our guide to scholarships in China.
Housing and visa
In Beijing the university offers international student dormitories with single rooms, double rooms and other types. After receiving the electronic admission notice you book a dormitory online from July 1 to August 15, 2026. Students with a full Chinese Government Scholarship or the International Chinese Teacher Scholarship do not need to book: the university arranges housing for them. If you live off campus, you must register at the police station within 24 hours. With the admission notice and the JW201/202 form you apply to a Chinese embassy or consulate for an X1 visa; read more in our guide to the China student visa.
Frequently asked questions
Does BNU accept international students without Chinese?
The bachelor's is taught in Chinese, so you need HSK. At the master's and doctoral level there are English-taught programs, which require an English certificate.
How much is the application fee?
The fee is 500 RMB for a bachelor's and 600 RMB for a master's or doctorate. It is paid online and is non-refundable.
Which HSK level do I need for a bachelor's?
HSK 4 with at least 180 for Chinese as a Second Language and Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages, and HSK 5 with at least 180 for all other majors.
Do I need to mail paper documents?
Yes. After the initial review of the online application, the university asks you to mail paper documents promptly; if you are late, the review stops. Some master's applicants with a verified degree are exempt from mailing paper documents.
Can I apply for two majors?
At the bachelor's level you can apply for two majors, and you take an interview for each.
How much does English-taught study cost?
For the English-taught master's the university lists 60,000 RMB for the whole two-year program, and for the English-taught doctorate 98,000 RMB for the whole three-year program.
When do classes start?
Students register by the dates given in the admission notice. Dormitory booking in 2026 opened on July 1.
Action plan
1. Choose the level, major and language of study.
2. Check the HSK or English requirement and the CSCA subjects in the catalog.
3. Take CSCA and prepare your HSK certificate.
4. Submit the online application and pay the fee.
5. Mail the paper documents after the initial review.
6. Take the interview and wait for the result in the system and by email.
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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