China Study Abroad Guide

China Study Abroad Online Guide for EU Students

Do you like to challenge yourself? If your answer is yes, then maybe you should take a trip to the most populous city on earth, China!

With Covid-19 originating here, people have been hesitant to trust China again. But there is no need for prejudice! China has the longest written history of the planet, and it is one of the world’s first civilizations.

Chinese culture is a lot more than what we see on TV or what we hear on the news. Did you know there are countless educational opportunities for international students here? The country welcomes 500,000 foreign students each year. China’s higher education system is the largest in the world, offering thousands of degrees in English. It is also the most popular destination in Asia for international students.

• Best Universities in China (C9 League)

Tsinghua University

It is a research university located in Peking, the capital city of China. It has a 13% rate of international students. Tsinghua University is especially competitive when it comes to sciences, economic management, humanities, and law.

Peking University

Peking University shares the title of Best University of China with Tsinghua University.

Fudan University

It is a university in Shanghai under direct protection of the Ministry of Education.

Zhejiang University

It is one of the first modern examples of higher education in China.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

It is an engineering-oriented research university.

University of Science and Technology of China

Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) leads this institution. USTC was founded to improve China’s economy, science, and technology education.

Nanjing University

Nanjing University is also under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Education. Many knowledgeable personalities who have an important role in the development of the country graduated from NJU.

Harbin Institute of Technology

HIT was an institution centered around engineering and science, but with a new multi-disciplinary and open-minded approach to education, it is now becoming one of the leading universities of China and the world.

Xi’an Jiaotong University

XJTU is a university especially concerned with engineering, technology, and management. It offers programs in nine areas:

• 1. • Science
     • Engineering
     • Medicine
     • Economics
     • Management
     • Art
     • Law
     • Philosophy
     • Education

• Visa Process

You should apply for a Chinese student visa right after you get your acceptance letter from your university. It doesn’t matter whether you are a EU citizen or not; you still have to apply.

The first step is to decide to apply for an X or F visa.

An X Visa is for students staying in China for more than six months, while an F visa is for ones staying less than six months.

Make sure to prepare all the necessary documents months before you arrive.

European nationals or students from the UK, Canada, and Australia can apply for a student visa through CVASC (Chinese Visa Application Service Center). If you’re from somewhere else, apply to your nearest Chinese embassy or Consulate Office.

• 1. Documents Needed:
     • Passport with at least six months of remaining validity
     • Passport photo
     • Your admissions notice from the university
     • Physical Examination Form

Application fees change depending on your home country, but the general price is about 140 USD.

The application process is fast, and it takes about a week to process your application.

• Most popular student cities in China:

1. Shanghai
2. Beijing
3. Shenzhen
4. Hong Kong
5. Chengdu
6. Hangzhou

International students generally choose to stay in student dormitories offered by their universities, the cost of which ranges between 150-400 USD per month. Renting a flat is also an option, but it is much more expensive depending on the location.

If you really want to save money during your time in China, you should consider living with a Chinese family! It is a fantastic opportunity to understand society and culture.

• Tuition

The cost of education is reasonable when compared to other countries. You can even study for free! Bachelor’s degrees are very affordable, especially. When it comes to Master’s/MBA degrees, the price can go up.

• Bachelor’s: 2,000 to 10,000 USD per year
• Private Universities: up to 30,000 USD per year
• MBA: up to 40,000 per academic year

Look up the tuition fees of the universities you’re especially interested in!

• Scholarships

Here are some links if you’re considering applying for a scholarship.

• The Confucius Institute Scholarship
• The CAS-TWAS Scholarship
• The Chinese Provincial Government Scholarship
• The Chinese Government Scholarship—Great Wall Program
• The Chinese Government Scholarship—Bilateral Program

Sources & Additional Links:

• Study in China: A Guide For International Students
• STUDYING IN CHINA: EDUCATION IN CHINA
• Tsinghua University
• STUDY IN CHINA: STUDENT VISAS & PERMITS
• STUDY IN CHINA: HOUSING & LIVING COSTS
• STUDY IN CHINA: TUITION FEES & SCHOLARSHIPS
• China’s Ivy League：C9 League
• Pure Academic

Yağmur Korat

StudyIngram Editor