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CSCA for 2027 Undergraduate Admission in China: Requirements, Fees and Exam Guide

CSCA for 2027 Undergraduate Admission in China: Requirements, Fees and Exam Guide

Sep,11 2026

For international students planning to apply for undergraduate programmes in China in 2027, the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) has become an increasingly important part of the admission process.

During the 2026 admission cycle, 306 Chinese universities have required international undergraduate applicants to take the CSCA, and the number of universities adopting the assessment has continued to increase. For students preparing for 2027 admission, understanding the CSCA requirements early can help with university selection, subject planning and application preparation.

The CSCA is currently held five times a year, and CSCA results are valid for two years. This gives students some flexibility when planning their examination and university application timeline.

Important: Admission requirements may change from one intake to another. Students applying for 2027 admission should always check the latest requirements published by their target university and the official CSCA information.

What Is the CSCA?

The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is an academic assessment for international students applying for undergraduate study in China.

It assesses applicants' academic knowledge and competency in subjects relevant to undergraduate study. In recent admission cycles, more Chinese universities have introduced CSCA requirements for international undergraduate admission.

For students preparing for 2027 admission, the CSCA should therefore be considered alongside university and major selection from the beginning of the application process.

What Subjects Are Included in the CSCA?

The CSCA currently includes five subjects:

  • Mathematics

  • Physics

  • Chemistry

  • Chinese (Humanities)

  • Chinese (Science)

Students do not necessarily need to take all five subjects. The required combination depends on the university and undergraduate programme.

For example, applicants to science, engineering or medical programmes may have different subject requirements from those applying for business, economics or humanities programmes.

Students should identify their target universities and majors first, then check which CSCA subjects are required.

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Is CSCA Required for International Undergraduate Applicants?

CSCA requirements have become increasingly widespread among Chinese universities.

During the 2026 admission cycle, 306 Chinese universities have required international undergraduate applicants to take the CSCA. More universities have adopted the assessment, and the number is continuing to increase.

Individual universities may specify:

  • whether CSCA is required;

  • which subjects applicants must take;

  • the language in which the examination is offered;

  • minimum or recommended scores; and

  • any additional admission requirements.

Applicants should therefore check the requirements of each university and major, rather than relying only on a general CSCA list.

How Many Times Is the CSCA Held Each Year?

The CSCA is currently held five times a year.

Multiple examination sessions allow international students to plan their preparation around their university application schedules.

As of 11 September 2026, the specific dates for the upcoming CSCA examination cycle have not yet been announced. Students should check the latest official CSCA information when planning their examination.

How Long Are CSCA Results Valid?

CSCA results are valid for two years.

This means students have some flexibility when planning their examination and university application. They do not necessarily need to take the examination immediately before submitting an application.

However, applicants should still confirm that their target university accepts the relevant CSCA result for the intended admission cycle.

How Much Does the CSCA Cost?

The current CSCA examination fee is:

  • RMB 450 for one subject

  • RMB 700 total for two or more subjects

The fee remains unchanged. Applicants should check the official registration information before applying in case examination arrangements or fees are updated.

When Should I Take the CSCA for 2027 Admission?

Students planning to apply for undergraduate study in China in 2027 should start checking CSCA requirements early.

A practical preparation process is:

1. Choose your intended major

Consider the field you want to study, such as medicine, engineering, business, economics, Chinese language or humanities.

2. Shortlist Chinese universities

Find universities offering suitable undergraduate programmes and check their latest international student admission requirements.

3. Check the CSCA requirements

Confirm whether CSCA is required and which subjects are required for each target programme.

4. Select an examination session

The CSCA is currently held five times a year, allowing students to choose a suitable session according to their preparation and application schedule.

5. Prepare for the examination

Focus on the subjects required by your target programmes and work through relevant practice questions and preparation materials.

6. Complete the university application

Submit your CSCA result together with the other documents required by your target university.

Do I Need to Take All Five CSCA Subjects?

No.

Applicants should take the subjects required by their intended university and programme.

For example, students should not automatically register for all five subjects simply because they are available under the CSCA.

This is particularly important for students applying to several universities, as different programmes may have different subject requirements.

Is CSCA Required for English-Taught Undergraduate Programmes?

An English-taught programme is not automatically exempt from CSCA requirements.

Some universities may require international applicants to provide a CSCA result even when the undergraduate programme is taught in English.

Students applying for English-taught programmes should therefore check both the programme's language requirements and its CSCA requirements.

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Is CSCA Required for MBBS in China?

International students applying for MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) and other medical undergraduate programmes should pay particular attention to CSCA requirements.

Medical programmes may have specific subject requirements, which can include Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry depending on the university.

Students interested in studying MBBS in China should check the latest admission requirements of each target university before registering for the CSCA.

CSCA preparation should also be considered alongside other MBBS admission requirements, including academic qualifications, language requirements and any university-specific assessment.

Is CSCA Required for Master's or PhD Programmes?

The CSCA is designed for undergraduate admission.

Students applying for master's or PhD programmes should follow the admission requirements published by their target universities. Undergraduate CSCA requirements should not be assumed to apply to postgraduate applicants.

Can I Use One CSCA Result for Different Universities?

A valid CSCA result may be used when applying to universities that accept the relevant result and subject combination.

However, universities may have different requirements for CSCA subjects and scores.

Students applying to several Chinese universities should therefore compare the requirements of each programme before taking the examination.

Does a CSCA Score Guarantee University Admission?

No.

Where required, a CSCA result is only one part of the undergraduate admission process.

Universities may also consider:

  • high school qualifications;

  • academic transcripts;

  • language proficiency;

  • CSCA results;

  • personal and supporting documents;

  • interviews or other assessments; and

  • programme-specific requirements.

Meeting the CSCA requirement does not by itself guarantee admission.

How Can Students Prepare for the CSCA?

Good preparation starts with understanding the requirements of the intended university and major.

Students should first determine which subjects they need to take and then focus their preparation on those subjects. Working through practice questions and becoming familiar with the examination format can also help students prepare more effectively.

For international students who are unfamiliar with China's undergraduate admission system, professional guidance can help with university selection, CSCA subject planning and application preparation.

SICAS CSCA Support

SICAS provides support for international students preparing for undergraduate study in China, including CSCA preparation and university application guidance.

The SICAS CSCA training platform provides bilingual learning resources, practice questions, video courses and other preparation materials to help students prepare for the relevant subjects.

For students planning to apply for 2027 undergraduate programmes, early preparation can help them coordinate CSCA preparation with university selection and application deadlines.

Prepare for Undergraduate Study in China in 2027

The CSCA has become an increasingly important part of international undergraduate admission in China.

During the 2026 admission cycle, 306 Chinese universities have required international undergraduate applicants to take the CSCA, and more universities have adopted the assessment.

For 2027 applicants, a good starting point is to identify your intended major and universities, then check their latest CSCA requirements before choosing your examination subjects.

The CSCA is currently held five times a year, and results are valid for two years. As of 11 September 2026, the specific dates for the upcoming examination cycle have not yet been announced.

Students should always refer to the latest official CSCA information and the admission requirements published by their target universities before registering for an examination or submitting an application.

About SICAS

SICAS (Study In China Admission System) is a platform for international students interested in studying in China. It provides information on Chinese universities, degree programmes, scholarships and admission requirements, helping students explore study opportunities across China.

SICAS has 17 years of experience supporting international students interested in studying in China and works with more than 600 Chinese universities and colleges. Its services include university information, admission guidance and application support for students exploring study opportunities across China.

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Last updated: 11 September 2026