Qingdao University (QU) accepts international students to Chinese-taught bachelor's programs and to an English-taught MBBS program. It is not the same institution as Ocean University of China, which we cover in a separate article. According to the university's international office, applications are submitted in an online system. Below we cover programs, tuition, HSK and CSCA requirements, documents and deadlines.
Key points • International students can apply to Chinese-taught bachelor's programs and to the six-year English-taught MBBS. • Bachelor's tuition is 18,000–20,500 RMB per year, the Chinese-plus-second-major dual-degree programs cost 27,000 RMB, and MBBS costs 30,000 RMB. • The application fee is 400 RMB for a bachelor's and 800 RMB for MBBS; bachelor's insurance is 800 RMB. • Bachelor's applicants need CSCA, and studying with Chinese students requires HSK 6 with at least 180. • The age limit for bachelor's applicants is under 25. |
Important Qingdao University and Ocean University of China are different universities with their own application rules, deadlines and prices. Do not transfer the conditions of one to the other. |
What is Qingdao University and who is it for
Qingdao University is a comprehensive university in Qingdao, a city in Shandong province. In its bachelor's guide the university lists its disciplines: philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, science, engineering, medicine, management and art. For international students it uses an "application plus examination" selection method.
It suits applicants who are choosing a university in Qingdao and are ready to study in Chinese, or in English on the MBBS. If you are still comparing options, start with our overview of the top universities in China.
Programs open to international students
In its 2026 bachelor's guide the university splits programs into two groups: programs only for international students and programs studied together with Chinese students. Studies take 4 to 6 years, and bachelor's programs are generally taught in Chinese.
Programs only for international students
The university names three of these. The first is Chinese Language and Literature, a 4-year program. It requires HSK 4 with at least 210 points and HSKK Intermediate with at least 60, and CSCA mathematics. The second and third are dual-degree programs: Chinese Language and Literature plus International Politics, and Chinese Language and Literature plus Business Administration. They require HSK 4 with at least 180 and CSCA in Chinese (humanities) and mathematics. For these programs the university notes that you can apply for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.
Programs studied with Chinese students
All bachelor's programs that the university offers to Chinese students are also open to international students. The list of majors is on the undergraduate admissions site. Studying with Chinese students requires HSK 6 with at least 180 points.
MBBS in English
Clinical medicine (MBBS) is a six-year program taught entirely in English, with its own guide. According to the university, it is one of the institutions authorized by China's Ministry of Education to enroll international students in the MBBS. You can read more in our guide to medical education in China.
What else the university offers
Besides the bachelor's and MBBS, the program section of QU's international portal lists Chinese language courses, university foundation programs, graduate programs, English-taught programs outside the MBBS and internships in China. In the scholarship section for master's and doctoral students the university has published guides to the Chinese Government Scholarship Type B programs: the Silk Road program and the high-level program for graduate students. If you need a different level, start with the page on English-taught programs outside the MBBS on the university portal.
Cost of applying and studying
The university publishes a single table of costs. The application fee is paid at the first enrollment, and tuition is quoted per academic year. Tuition is paid in cash at registration each semester, and if you leave the program for personal reasons, it is not refunded.
Program | Application fee | Tuition per year |
Bachelor's: liberal arts, science and engineering | 400 RMB | 18,000 RMB |
Bachelor's: medicine, arts, physical education | 400 RMB | 20,500 RMB |
Chinese plus International Politics or Business Administration | 400 RMB | 27,000 RMB |
MBBS, English-taught | 800 RMB | 30,000 RMB |
Source: Qingdao University 2026 bachelor's guide
Health insurance for bachelor's students costs 800 RMB per year. For a full budget, see our breakdown of the cost of studying and living in China.
MBBS costs in full
In the MBBS guide the university gives a full cost structure, and it differs noticeably from the bachelor's. Besides tuition, students pay a registration fee, accommodation and insurance.
Item | Amount |
Tuition | 30,000 RMB per year |
Registration fee | 800 RMB |
Accommodation in a double room | 12,000–14,300 RMB per year |
Comprehensive insurance (paid to the insurance company) | 600 RMB per year |
Source: Qingdao University 2026 MBBS guide
For the MBBS the registration date also differs: in 2026 it is set for October, not for the end of summer as for the bachelor's.
Requirements for applicants
For the bachelor's the university names these conditions. The applicant must be a foreign citizen with a foreign passport, a high school graduate, healthy, with no criminal record and under 25. Academic results and language ability must meet the requirements of the chosen major. For residents of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who emigrated and obtained foreign nationality, the university requires passport or nationality documents dated before April 30, 2022, proof of renunciation of Chinese nationality and a record of at least two years of actual residence abroad between April 30, 2022 and April 30, 2026. The final decision on nationality rests with the Chinese authorities.
For the MBBS the university adds conditions: age 18 or above, an average high school score of at least 75% and at least 60% in every subject, and CSCA in mathematics and chemistry. An English certificate is also needed if you come from a country where English is not the native language. It is waived for those who studied in English and provide a certificate confirming it.
Is CSCA required
All bachelor's programs require a valid CSCA result. The subjects depend on the program: mathematics for Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese and mathematics for the dual-degree programs, and mathematics and chemistry for the MBBS. For details the university refers applicants to the official exam website. We explain how the exam works in our CSCA guide.
When to apply
Applications are accepted through the university's online system. For the 2026 intake the bachelor's deadline was May 31, 2026 and the MBBS deadline was September 4, 2026. Scholarship applicants should follow the dates in the scholarship notices. The university publishes the 2027 calendar later, so use these dates as a guide for now.
Documents you need
All documents are uploaded as color scans of originals made with a scanner: photos taken with a phone or camera are not accepted. For the bachelor's the university lists this package:
1. The international student application form, completed online.
2. A passport page; the passport must be ordinary and valid after December 2026.
3. A high school diploma, original or notarized, in Chinese or English; graduating students submit a certificate of expected graduation.
4. A transcript.
5. A CSCA result.
6. An HSK certificate (for Chinese-taught programs).
7. A financial guarantee statement and an identification document of the guarantor.
8. A foreigner physical examination form, valid for six months.
9. A certificate of no criminal record, usually issued within six months before the application.
10. For applicants under 18, documents on a legal guardian in China: an authorization and a guarantee statement.
After the initial check the university asks you to upload proof of paying the application fee, and then the department reviews the application. The MBBS package is similar, with English proficiency documents added.
How selection and admission work
First the international office checks your eligibility, then the department reviews the application. The university states that applicants must take a standard entrance examination and an interview. After you pass, the university sends an admission notice and the JW202 form for applying for an X1 visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate. Registration for bachelor's students in 2026 was expected at the end of August or the beginning of September, and for MBBS students in October.
Where to live and whom to contact
The university covers dormitory booking in a separate guide: the information and the form are available from the international office. The address of the international admissions office is Qingdao University, No. 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, China 266071. For admission questions the university gives the telephone number +86-532-85953863 and the email oip@qdu.edu.cn. It is better to send questions in advance, before the application deadline.
Scholarships
The university has four main kinds of scholarships: the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (CIS), the Shandong Provincial Government Scholarship and the QU President Scholarship. There is also a section on the Qingdao municipal government scholarship. Descriptions and deadlines are in the scholarship section. For the Chinese Government Scholarship the university published a separate guide, and applications follow the dates given in it.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same university as Ocean University of China?
No. They are two different universities in Qingdao, each with its own website, deadlines and prices. The Qingdao University conditions in this article apply only to it.
Does Qingdao University accept international students without Chinese?
The MBBS is taught in English. The other bachelor's programs on the university's page are taught in Chinese and require HSK.
How much is the application fee?
The fee is 400 RMB for a bachelor's and 800 RMB for the MBBS. It is paid after the initial check, when the university asks you to upload proof.
Which HSK level do I need for a bachelor's?
Chinese Language and Literature requires HSK 4 with at least 210 and HSKK Intermediate with at least 60, the dual-degree programs require HSK 4 with at least 180, and studying with Chinese students requires HSK 6 with at least 180.
Is there an age limit?
For the bachelor's the university states under 25; for the MBBS, 18 or above.
How much does the MBBS cost?
The MBBS costs 30,000 RMB per year, the registration fee is 800 RMB, a double room costs 12,000–14,300 RMB per year and insurance costs 600 RMB per year. The program takes six years.
Which CSCA subjects do I need?
Most programs require a CSCA result, but the subjects differ: for example, mathematics for Chinese Language and Literature, and mathematics and chemistry for the MBBS.
When do classes start?
Bachelor's registration in 2026 was expected at the end of August or the beginning of September, and MBBS registration in October; the exact date is in the admission notice.
Action plan
1. Choose a program: a Chinese-taught bachelor's or the English-taught MBBS.
2. Check the HSK or English requirement and the CSCA subjects.
3. Take CSCA and prepare your language certificate.
4. Collect your documents: color scans, a non-criminal record, the medical form and the guarantee.
5. Submit the application in the university's system on time and pay the fee.
6. Take the exam and interview, wait for the admission notice 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.
Useful articles about studying in China
- Ocean University of China for International Students: Programmes, Requirements and Fees
- Bachelor’s Degree in China After High School: Requirements, CSCA, Costs and 2027 Admission
- Scholarships to Study in China: Chinese Government Scholarship, University and Provincial Grants
- China Student Visa: X1 and X2 Visas — Documents, Process and Residence Permit