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How to Study for a Bachelor's Degree in China in 2027
Oct,02 2026
To study for a bachelor's degree in China in 2027, you apply directly to a Chinese university between roughly November 2026 and April 2027, with your high school certificate, a valid passport, language proof (HSK or IELTS/TOEFL) and, at a growing number of universities, a CSCA result. For students who want to study in China, the process has been straightforward once the steps have been clear. Below we have explained every step of studying for a bachelor's degree in China, from choosing a programme to applying for your student visa.
Why study for a bachelor's degree in China?
China has become one of the most popular destinations for international students who want to study in China. In recent years, hundreds of thousands of students from around the world have chosen to study in China, and the number of English-taught bachelor's programmes has grown steadily.
Costs are another reason why students have chosen a bachelor's degree in China. Tuition fees and living costs have generally stayed lower than those in Western countries, and a wide range of scholarships has been made available to international students. According to the Chinese government's official "Study in China" portal, CampusChina, the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) has covered tuition fees, accommodation and a monthly allowance for eligible students. University and provincial scholarships have offered further support.
Chinese cities have also been considered safe, and university campuses have offered modern laboratories, libraries and sports facilities. For many families, studying for a bachelor's degree in China has combined quality education with reasonable costs.
When should you apply for 2027 entry?
Most Chinese universities have opened applications for the September 2027 intake between November 2026 and April 2027. However, application windows have differed between universities and programmes, and some popular programmes have closed earlier than others.
For this reason, students who are planning a bachelor's degree in China for 2027 should start preparing their documents now. Those who wait until the spring have often found that places in their preferred programmes have already been filled. Applicants who want a Chinese Government Scholarship have needed to apply even earlier: the CSC application has usually run from November to March, depending on the country, through the portal at studyinchina.csc.edu.cn.
What do you need to apply for a bachelor's degree in China?
Although requirements have varied between universities, most bachelor's programmes in China have asked for the following documents:
A high school diploma (or proof that you will graduate in 2027) and your academic transcripts
A valid passport
Language proof: English-taught programmes may require IELTS or TOEFL scores if you are not a native English speaker and have not studied in English before. Chinese-taught programmes usually require an HSK certificate (often Level 4 or above). The HSK has been organised through the official Chinese test website, chinesetest.cn, where a new version, HSK 3.0, has been scheduled to launch on 13 December 2026.
CSCA results, where your target university has required them (see below)
A personal statement, recommendation letters or a physical examination form, depending on the university
According to the Chinese Government Scholarship rules published on CampusChina, undergraduate applicants have generally needed to hold a high school diploma and to be under the age of 25 when they apply.
What is the CSCA exam, and has it become necessary for 2027?
Since the 2026/2027 academic year, the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) has become an important part of planning a bachelor's degree in China. According to a notice published by Chinese embassies, the CSCA has been organised by the China Scholarship Council on behalf of the Ministry of Education, and students who apply for Chinese Government Scholarship universities at undergraduate level have been required to take it before they submit their application. A growing number of self-funded programmes have also asked for CSCA results.
The CSCA has offered four main subjects:
Professional Chinese (Humanities Chinese or Science Chinese)
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry have been available in both Chinese and English. The subjects that you need to take have depended on your target university and programme. Registration and the latest schedule have been published on the official website, csca.cn. The exam fee has been CNY 450 for one subject and CNY 700 for two or more subjects.
How much does a bachelor's degree in China cost?
Tuition fees for English-taught bachelor's programmes have generally ranged from RMB 18,000 to RMB 40,000 per year, depending on the university, the city and the programme. Programmes such as MBBS have usually cost more.
Living costs have also varied by city. In most cities, students have spent between RMB 1,500 and RMB 3,000 per month on accommodation, food and transport.
Scholarships can reduce these costs a lot. Some scholarships have covered the full tuition fee and have also provided a monthly living allowance. Because scholarship requirements and deadlines have differed, you should check the latest information on CampusChina and on the official pages of each university before you apply.
How to apply for a bachelor's degree in China, step by step
You can apply directly to Chinese universities online through SICAS. The process has been simple:
Create a SICAS account and choose the bachelor's programme that you want to apply for.
Complete the online application form, which has included your personal details, education background, language proficiency and financial guarantee.
Upload your documents, including your passport, transcripts, certificates and language test results.
Submit your application and track your admission status online at any time.
Receive your admission letter and JW202 form. Universities have usually emailed the scanned copies first and have posted the originals afterwards.
Apply for your student visa (X1) at the Chinese embassy, consulate or China Visa Application Service Centre in your country, using the admission letter and the JW202 form. You can find your nearest service centre on visaforchina.org.
The SICAS system has saved the information that you have entered, so if you apply for more than one programme, you will not need to fill in everything again.
What happens after you have been accepted?
Once your visa has been issued, you can book your flight and prepare for your departure. After you arrive in China, your university will help you with registration, and you will need to apply for a residence permit within 30 days.
Studying for a bachelor's degree in China in 2027 has required early planning, but the process has been straightforward for students who have prepared step by step.
Official sources
CampusChina – the official "Study in China" portal (China Scholarship Council)
CSC online application system (China Scholarship Council)
CSCA official website (China Scholastic Competency Assessment)
chinesetest.cn – official HSK registration (Chinese Testing International)
China Visa Application Service Centre
The content of this article has been last updated in October 2026. Admission requirements, fees and deadlines have differed between universities and have changed over time, so please confirm the current details on the official sources above.
Apply Now to create your SICAS account and begin your application for a bachelor's degree in China today.
About SICAS
SICAS (Study In China Admission System) is a platform for international students who are interested in studying in China. It provides information on Chinese universities, degree programmes, scholarships and admission requirements, helping students explore study opportunities across China.
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