4 min read · Updated July 2026
China has become one of the world's top destinations for international students — thousands of degrees taught in Chinese or English, generous funding, and universities climbing global research rankings fast. If you're just starting to look, here's the simple version.
Why study in China?
Affordable tuition compared to the US, UK or Australia; scholarships that many students win (often covering tuition, housing and a stipend); modern campuses; and a real edge from learning Mandarin and living in a major global economy.
What does it cost?
Public-university tuition for international undergraduates is often roughly ¥20,000–¥40,000 per year, with living costs varying a lot by city. Scholarships like the CSC can cover tuition, accommodation and a monthly stipend — so the real cost is frequently far below the sticker price.
The basic steps
1) Shortlist universities that fit your major and budget. 2) Prepare the CSCA entrance exam and, for Chinese-taught programmes, HSK. 3) Gather documents (passport, transcripts, language certificates, study plan, references). 4) Apply through each school's international office and, in parallel, for scholarships. 5) Get your admission letter and student visa.
Chinese-taught or English-taught?
You can study fully in English at many top schools (great if you don't speak Mandarin yet), or in Chinese with HSK. English-taught degrees are common in business, engineering and medicine; Chinese-taught opens the widest choice of programmes.
Ready to take the next step?
Start exploring universitiesRequirements, dates and score bands vary by university and change year to year, and CSCA figures are estimates while the exam is new. Always confirm on each university’s official admissions page.
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