China still has no single national application system: applications go directly to each university, and the entry requirements are set by the individual programme. What has changed is that undergraduate admission now has a shared entrance test, the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA), organised by the China Scholarship Council. For applicants to the Chinese Government Scholarship at bachelor's level the rule is explicit: sit the CSCA and upload a valid score report with the application. Which subjects to sit is decided not by the test but by the chosen programme: at Fudan University, Physics calls for Chinese for Science Majors, Maths and Physics, while the English-taught degree in international organisations calls for Maths alone, taken in English. Universities outside the scholarship route use the result differently: Tsinghua University lists the CSCA alongside SAT, ACT, A-level, AP and IB as one of the results that can evidence academic performance. From 2028, according to the official notice, the test becomes a requirement for all undergraduate applicants, with minimum admission standards established.
- The CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) is a standardised test for international students applying for undergraduate degrees in mainland China. It is organised by the China Scholarship Council, and the official site is csca.cn.
- There are five subjects: Professional Chinese for humanities, Professional Chinese for STEM, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are offered in both Chinese and English, and the language is chosen according to the target university's requirements.
- Which subjects are needed is decided by the programme, not by the test. The China Scholarship Council states plainly that applicants should contact the target institution for the required subjects.
- Each subject is marked out of 100. The test itself sets no pass mark: universities set their own admission criteria, and they can see each applicant's percentile ranking among test-takers worldwide.
- Scores are valid for two years, there is no limit on attempts, and applicants may submit their best valid score, subject to the receiving institution's policy.
- From 2026 the test runs five times a year: in January, March, April, June and December. Fees are 450 RMB for one subject and 700 RMB for two or more.
- An English-taught programme does not automatically mean no CSCA. Fudan University requires the CSCA for its English-taught degrees, taken in English, alongside proof of English: for the IOGG programme the thresholds are TOEFL 90, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo English Test 110 or PTE Academic 61.
- There is no single national deadline: Tsinghua University ran two application rounds, Fudan University two short application windows in January and late February to early March. Each university publishes its own 2027 calendar.
What has changed for 2027 entry
For a long time, applying to China had no common element at all. Each university decided for itself which documents it accepted, which language it required, when it opened and closed applications, and whether it ran an entrance examination of its own. That is still largely true. In one respect, though, the system has changed.
From the 2026/2027 academic year, international undergraduate applicants have a shared entrance test: the CSCA. The official embassy notice puts the rule plainly: applicants for bachelor's degree studies in China must take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment before submitting their application. The test is organised by the China Scholarship Council together with academics from Chinese universities, and it appears in the scholarship application as a required document.
Being required and being uniform are two different things. The China Scholarship Council sets neither a common list of subjects nor a pass mark. Both are left to universities, and each answers them in its own way. That is precisely why applying to China for 2027 cannot be planned at the level of the country, only at the level of the programme.
| Question | Who decides | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| That the CSCA exists, and must be sat before applying | China Scholarship Council, by official notice | On the scholarship route at bachelor's level, the test must be sat before the application is submitted |
| Subjects, test language, duration, scale and fees | China Scholarship Council, uniform for everyone | Five subjects, marked out of 100, 450 or 700 RMB, five sittings a year |
| Which CSCA subjects a given programme requires | The university | The China Scholarship Council directs applicants to the chosen institution for the list |
| The pass mark, and how much the score weighs in selection | The university | The test sets no pass mark; each university sets its own criteria |
| Whether the CSCA is accepted in place of other tests | The university | Tsinghua University lists the CSCA alongside SAT, ACT, A-level, AP and IB |
| Language requirements: HSK, IELTS, TOEFL | The university and the programme | Levels differ even between programmes at the same institution |
| Deadlines and the structure of the intake | The university | There is no single national deadline |
| Tuition fees | The university and the programme | The gap between the Chinese- and English-taught routes reaches a factor of four |
| Whether the CSCA becomes universal for undergraduate entry | China Scholarship Council, date announced officially | From 2028, with minimum admission standards established |
Can you apply to China straight from school?
Yes. Chinese universities admit international applicants to undergraduate programmes directly from school, and the basic eligibility statements are short. Fudan University sets out three conditions: a non-Chinese citizen holding an ordinary passport, a high school graduate with eligibility for university application, and an applicant who is physically and mentally healthy with no criminal record.
The differences begin after that. Tsinghua University requires applicants to be aged 18 or above by 1 September of the year of entry; those under 18 must present supporting documents at registration. Fudan University requires applicants who will be under 18 on 1 September to submit a Guarantee Statement from an adult living in mainland China with a stable source of income.
A separate set of rules applies to applicants born to a parent who held Chinese citizenship at the time of birth. Fudan University requires such applicants to evidence at least two years of actual residence outside mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan within a defined period, verified by entry and exit stamps. This is not a formality: it follows from the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China and is checked against documents.
A school-leaving qualification opens the application, not the programme. What is actually available to an applicant is decided by the subjects studied, the language of instruction and the entry requirements of the particular course.
What the CSCA is
The CSCA is the China Scholastic Competency Assessment, a standardised test designed for international students who plan to pursue undergraduate degrees in mainland China. It is organised by the China Scholarship Council, and csca.cn is both the official site and the only place to register.
What follows is what you need to know about the exam when planning an application. The mechanics of the exam itself, the syllabus for each subject, the registration rules and a comparison of what Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong and Zhejiang require are set out in a separate article on the CSCA.
| Subject | Test language | Duration | Questions | Score range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Chinese, humanities | Chinese | 90 minutes | 80 | 0–100 |
| Professional Chinese, STEM | Chinese | 90 minutes | 80 | 0–100 |
| Mathematics | Chinese or English | 60 minutes | 48 | 0–100 |
| Physics | Chinese or English | 60 minutes | 48 | 0–100 |
| Chemistry | Chinese or English | 60 minutes | 48 | 0–100 |
All questions are multiple choice. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are offered in two languages, and the language should be chosen to match the university's requirement rather than the applicant's preference: Fudan University, for instance, states that applicants for Chinese-taught programmes must select the Chinese version and are not allowed to select the English one.
In short
- The CSCA is the China Scholarship Council's entrance test for international applicants to undergraduate degrees in mainland China.
- Which subjects are required is set by the chosen programme, not by the test. The China Scholarship Council directs applicants to the target institution for the list.
- Who sits it: applicants to the Chinese Government Scholarship at bachelor's level are told to do so directly, and so are applicants to universities that require or accept the result. From 2028, according to the official notice, the test becomes a requirement for all undergraduate applicants, with minimum admission standards established.
- Who cannot register: holders of Chinese passports and of residence permits for Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan.
- There is no age limit; candidates under 14 need parental consent and assistance to complete registration.
How a university uses the result is also its own decision. The China Scholarship Council's own wording is careful: test results serve as a reference, and universities set their own admission criteria based on individual programme requirements. Admissions officers additionally see each applicant's percentile ranking among all global test-takers, which is a position relative to the international field rather than an absolute figure.
Peking University shows why the CSCA cannot be discussed in the abstract: in the published 2026 rules, CSCA is required for undergraduate Chinese Government Scholarship applicants and is also listed as one of the national exam routes for admission without written examination, while PKU still keeps its own entrance-examination route.
Three technical details shape the planning. CSCA scores are valid for two years, there is no restriction on the number of attempts, and the best valid score may be submitted, subject to the receiving institution's policy. Results for online and on-site computer-based tests are released within seven working days; paper-based results take up to fourteen.
CSCA dates and fees
The first global CSCA sitting took place on 21 December 2025. From 2026 the test runs on a regular basis five times a year, in January, March, April, June and December. Every session begins simultaneously worldwide, so the December, April and June dates fall more conveniently for the Asia-Pacific region and the January and March dates for Europe and the Americas. Specific dates are released at the start of each year.
| Number of subjects | Fee |
|---|---|
| One subject | 450 RMB |
| Two or more | 700 RMB |
There are three formats: a remote-proctored home-based test, an on-site computer-based test and a paper-based test. Initially the home-based format predominates, with on-site centres being established gradually; the first opened in Vietnam and Thailand in December 2025. The home-based test cannot be chosen where a centre already exists: it is available only in countries and regions where centralised testing is not yet accessible.
The home-based format carries technical requirements worth checking before paying. Two devices are needed: a computer for answering and front-facing monitoring, and a phone or tablet positioned at a 45-degree rear-side angle to capture the room. The connection must be a symmetrical 20 Mbps or better, and the test must be taken in a quiet, well-lit, enclosed room. Paper scratch sheets are prohibited; a small whiteboard with an erasable marker, or a blank sheet inside a transparent file bag, is permitted instead. The passport is the only acceptable identification, and it must be presented in original on the test day.
Do you need Chinese?
The answer depends on the language of the programme, and it is worth keeping two separate requirements apart: the language of instruction and the language in which the CSCA is sat.
Chinese-taught programmes
The HSK level required depends on the programme and the university rather than on the country, and the spread is real. Tsinghua University requires HSK Level 5 or above with scores above 60 in listening, reading and writing for its Chinese-English taught programmes; applicants with HSK Level 4 on the same terms can be admitted but must reach Level 5 within their first academic year, failing which enrolment is terminated. Fudan University lists HSK Level 5 with a score of 210 or above, or Level 6 with 180 or above, for its Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes, and states explicitly that this is not mandatory.
The scholarship route sets its own language requirements centrally: HSK Level 4 for Chinese-taught master's and doctoral programmes, and HSK Level 3 for Chinese-taught general and senior scholar programmes. For bachelor's applicants the scholarship notices do not ask for HSK at all; the CSCA has taken its place.
English-taught programmes
Degrees taught entirely in English exist at several levels, and each university publishes its own list. Tsinghua University states the position for its English-taught programmes directly: proof of Chinese language proficiency is not required, but applicants whose native language is not English must provide official English test results such as TOEFL or IELTS.
The thresholds themselves belong to the programme. Fudan University's degree in International Organizations and Global Governance lists TOEFL 90, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo English Test 110 or PTE Academic 61, with a possible waiver for applicants from schools where the major courses were taught in English.
Can you study in China without speaking Chinese?
Yes, provided the applicant chooses an English-taught programme and meets its academic and language requirements. Which programmes exist, and on what terms, differs between universities, so the search begins with the current list of English-taught programmes at each institution.
Two caveats change the planning. The first: the CSCA may be required on an English-taught programme as well, in which case it is sat in English and the subjects are set by the field of study. The second: no Chinese requirement at the application stage does not mean no Chinese in the curriculum. Fudan University's IOGG programme includes Chinese courses within its compulsory specialised education block.
There is also a practical dimension worth weighing at the selection stage: the administrative procedures that follow arrival — the residence permit, accommodation registration, medical formalities — are conducted largely in Chinese.
Which documents are needed
No universal checklist covers every university. The categories below are those that appear most often in official requirements, each marked with how universal it actually is.
| Document | How universal |
|---|---|
| Passport information page | Required everywhere. Only ordinary passports are accepted; in the 2026 cycle Fudan University required validity beyond 1 March 2027 |
| School or university qualification | Required everywhere. Applicants in their final year submit an expected graduation certificate |
| Full academic transcript | Required everywhere. Documents not in Chinese or English need notarised translations |
| CSCA score report | Required for the scholarship route at bachelor's level, and wherever the university requires it |
| Proof of language (HSK, IELTS, TOEFL) | Depends on the language of the programme and the university's rules |
| Study plan or personal statement | Required in the scholarship application: from 200 words for undergraduates, from 800 for postgraduates |
| Letters of recommendation | Two letters are required in the scholarship application for graduate programmes; at undergraduate level it depends on the programme |
| Non-criminal record certificate | Required in the scholarship application and by a number of universities; usually issued within the previous six months |
| Foreigner Physical Examination Form | Required for stays of more than six months; the result is valid for six months only |
| Proof of financial capacity | Required by some universities; a separate form applies where the applicant is sponsored |
| Nationality and residence documents | Only for applicants born to a parent who held Chinese citizenship |
| Programme-specific materials such as a portfolio | For art, design and architecture routes |
One scholarship requirement sits outside the familiar logic and deserves its own line: the Chinese Government Scholarship application requires a pre-admission document from the university — a pre-admission notice from the international admissions office, or an invitation letter from the school or a professor. In other words, the conversation with the university has to happen before the scholarship application is submitted, not after.
How the application works
The sequence below is drawn from the published procedures of Fudan University and Tsinghua University and from the scholarship notices. The order of the stages is stable; what each stage contains is set by the individual programme.
- 01Profile
Establish the existing qualification, the academic record, the subjects studied, and the nationality rules that follow from it.
- 02Formal eligibility
Check the basic requirements: qualification, age, nationality and residence rules, health, absence of a criminal record.
- 03Programme selection
Draw up the list of programmes. This is the point at which the language of instruction, the CSCA subjects, the language thresholds and the cost all become known.
- 04CSCA and language tests
Register for and sit the CSCA in the right subjects and the right language, with HSK, IELTS or TOEFL alongside it where the programme requires them.
- 05Documents
Assemble the set for each programme: translations, notarisation, the medical form, the non-criminal record certificate, financial documents.
- 06Application
Applications are submitted through each university's own portal, with its own application fee. At Fudan University and Tsinghua University that fee was 800 RMB, non-refundable.
- 07Scholarship application
A separate process with its own deadlines and its own portal. It requires a pre-admission document from the university.
- 08Selection
Document screening, then an interview or comprehensive assessment. Fudan University's interview assesses overall qualities and proficiency in the language of the programme.
- 09Pre-admission and payment
A pre-admission result is confirmed by paying the first-year tuition fee — at Fudan University, within two weeks of the result being announced.
- 10Enrolment and visa
The university issues the admission notice and the visa form JW201 or JW202, which are then used to apply for the student visa.
The order of the stages is stable, but their content and timing belong to the individual programme. The scholarship route runs alongside the main application, not after it.
When to apply for 2027 entry
There is no single deadline for Chinese universities, and the CSCA has not created one. Each university publishes its own calendar, and what differs is not only the dates but the structure of the intake: some run two rounds with an interim decision, others two short application windows.
At the date of this check, the 2027 calendars had not yet been published by the individual universities. The dates below are therefore from the previous cycle, given as a guide to structure and orders of magnitude rather than as current deadlines.
| University | How the intake ran | When applications closed |
|---|---|---|
| Tsinghua University | Two rounds; design and fine arts open in the first round only | First round 28 November 2025, second round 28 February 2026 |
| Fudan University, Chinese-taught | Two short application windows | 15 January and 6 March 2026 |
| Fudan University, English-taught | The same two windows | 15 January and 6 March 2026 |
| Chinese Government Scholarship, embassy route | Deadlines set by the receiving agency in each country | 14 February 2026 in some countries |
Note the interlock that caught out unprepared applicants in the 2026 cycle. Fudan University accepted only the December CSCA result for its first application window, and the December or January result for the second. The applicant's real deadline therefore fell not in January but in November, by which point registration for the test had to be complete.
How to choose universities in China
A list of familiar names is not a method. Below are the levels we work through before a shortlist is drawn up at all.
I. Formal eligibility
Whether the applicant meets the basic requirements of the specific programme: the type of qualification, the age on the date of entry, the nationality and residence rules, and the medical and legal conditions. This level eliminates options fastest, and it has nothing to do with grades.
II. Academic fit
Whether the school or university background matches what the programme treats as prerequisite. Fudan University states that applicants to its data science degree must have an excellent Maths and Physics background, and applicants to the MBBS an excellent background in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. That is a filter, not a preference.
III. Competitiveness
How competitive the profile is within that particular selection. The mechanism matters here: a university sees not only the CSCA score but the applicant's percentile among all global test-takers. What has to be assessed, therefore, is a position relative to the international field rather than a number in isolation.
IV. Language route
Chinese or English. The choice determines the list of available programmes, the set of examinations and the language in which the CSCA is sat. Changing route midway devalues part of the preparation already completed, which is why it is fixed early.
V. Funding
Which scholarship routes are compatible with the chosen programmes and fit their deadlines. Compatibility here is literal: the Chinese Government Scholarship requires the university to be named as first priority and a pre-admission document to be obtained from it.
VI. Portfolio
How to build a list in which the options differ in selectivity but all clear the first four levels. Applying to several universities is normal practice, but each runs its own portal, its own document set and its own calendar, so the portfolio is planned as one process.
Two applicants with the same grade average end up with different strategies when one is constrained by language and the other by subject prerequisites or the timing of a funding competition.
Which universities to consider
Below are several strong Chinese universities and what is worth checking on their official pages before applying. This is not a ranking and not a recommendation: the order carries no priority.
Tsinghua University admissions requirements now have a separate EDMONT page because its undergraduate rules, 2027 graduate admissions, CSCA position, HSK requirements and English-taught routes should not be collapsed into one generic China checklist.
| University | City | What to check before applying |
|---|---|---|
| Tsinghua University | Beijing | Whether the programme exists in the required language; the HSK 5 requirement for Chinese-English taught programmes; which test is accepted as evidence of academic performance; the structure of the application rounds |
| Peking University | Beijing | The list of programmes and the Yuke preparatory route; application periods by semester; the requirements of the individual school |
| Fudan University | Shanghai | The CSCA subjects for the chosen programme; the test language; the IELTS or TOEFL thresholds for English-taught degrees; the application windows |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University | Shanghai | Entry conditions at the level concerned; the university's own application portal; scholarship announcements for international undergraduates |
| Zhejiang University | Hangzhou | Whether the field is available in English; language requirements; the application calendar |
| Nanjing University | Nanjing | The list of programmes open to international students; language requirements; deadlines |
| University of Science and Technology of China | Hefei | Subject prerequisites in the sciences; the language of the programme; entry conditions |
| Tongji University | Shanghai | Engineering and architecture routes; portfolio requirements where they apply; the language of instruction |
| East China Normal University | Shanghai | Programmes for international students; language routes; entry conditions |
The third column matters more than the first. What separates Chinese universities from one another, from an applicant's point of view, is not prestige but the requirements each places on the same candidate.
Scholarships and funding
Funding in China is organised on several levels, and they are connected neither by deadline nor by procedure.
A fuller explanation of CSC, university scholarships, Schwarzman, Yenching and the differences between bachelor's, master's and PhD funding is now handled in EDMONT's page on scholarships in China for international students.
The Chinese Government Scholarship
The Chinese Government Scholarship is administered by the China Scholarship Council, and campuschina.org is the only official application portal. Several routes exist; the most common for school-leavers is Type A, applying through the Chinese embassy or consulate in the applicant's country.
Age limits are set centrally and checked at the point of application: under 25 for undergraduate programmes, under 35 for master's, under 40 for doctoral. Language and testing requirements differ by level: the CSCA for bachelor's applicants, HSK Level 4 for Chinese-taught master's and doctoral programmes, and language certificates as required by the university for programmes taught in other languages.
One restriction is rarely discussed and worth stating plainly: holders of the Chinese Government Scholarship may not simultaneously hold other scholarships established by Chinese government bodies at any level or by the admitting university, one-off awards excepted. Where this is found, the scholarship is cancelled and the funds received must be returned.
University and regional scholarships
Universities award scholarships of their own on the basis of the admissions assessment. Fudan University lists four routes for international undergraduates: the Chinese Government Scholarship under the bilateral programme, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, the Shanghai Government Scholarship and Fudan University's own International Students' Scholarship — the last two awarded by the university on the strength of academic performance and the admission evaluation, without a separate application.
Tsinghua University spells out a mechanism that is easy to miss: when completing the government scholarship application form, the applicant should select Tsinghua University as the first priority institution. Formally that is one line on a form; in practice it is a decision that cannot be taken after the application has been submitted.
What this section cannot offer is a promise of full funding. The number of places and the terms differ by country and follow bilateral arrangements: one embassy notice described four places across all levels of study, another thirty. What has to be checked is the notice of the embassy through which the application will actually go.
What it costs
Costs vary several times over, depending on the university, the field, the level and the language of instruction. There is no meaningful average for China, so the figures below are those published by individual universities for the 2026 cycle.
| University and field | Language | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Fudan University, arts and humanities | Chinese | 23,000 |
| Fudan University, sciences and engineering | Chinese | 26,000 |
| Fudan University, medical fields | Chinese | 42,000 |
| Fudan University, economics and fintech (UIPE, GBF, UIPDB) | English | 80,000 |
| Fudan University, international organisations (IOGG) | English | 100,000 |
| Fudan University, medicine (MBBS) | English | 75,000 |
| Tsinghua University, economics, management, law and certain colleges | Chinese and English | 26,000 |
| Tsinghua University, engineering and sciences | Chinese and English | 30,000 |
| Tsinghua University, arts | Chinese and English | 40,000 |
| Tsinghua University, clinical medicine, foundation stage | Chinese and English | 40,000 |
The pattern is visible at once: within a single university, the gap between the Chinese-taught and the English-taught route reaches a factor of four. Both universities note separately that the figures are for reference and that the exact amount is confirmed at enrolment.
Beyond tuition, the budget includes the application fee — 800 RMB at both Fudan University and Tsinghua University, non-refundable; compulsory insurance, published by Tsinghua University at 800 RMB a year; accommodation, which is booked separately and within a set period, failing which the student must find housing off campus; and everyday living costs, which depend on the city and are not estimated here, since no official source supports such an estimate.
Undergraduate and master's: different filters
| What is assessed | Undergraduate | Master's |
|---|---|---|
| Base qualification | School-leaving qualification carrying university entry rights | Bachelor's degree; for doctoral study, a master's |
| Entrance test | CSCA: required on the scholarship route, subjects set by the programme | The CSCA does not apply |
| Language, Chinese-taught | Requirements set by the university; HSK is not required for bachelor's on the scholarship route | HSK Level 4 on the scholarship route, plus any further university requirement |
| Language, English-taught | IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent as the programme requires | The same, as the programme requires |
| Age limit on the scholarship route | Under 25 | Under 35 for master's, under 40 for doctoral |
| References | As the programme requires | Two letters from professors or associate professors on the scholarship route |
| Supporting statement | Study plan from 200 words in the scholarship application | Study plan or research proposal from 800 words |
| Subject fit | School subject prerequisites | Fit of the previous degree and of the coursework completed |
The difference is one of principle: undergraduate selection tests academic readiness through a standardised examination, while master's selection tests the fit between a previous degree and the chosen field, and the substance of the research proposal.
How EDMONT assesses a case
Before a university list is drawn up, we work through four levels. The order is not editorial: each level is only worth reaching once the previous one is clear.
- Formal eligibility. Whether the existing qualification and the applicant's status meet the requirements of specific programmes, taking account of the nationality, age and documentation rules.
- Competitiveness. How the academic profile stands against the level of the chosen universities, in a selection where the panel sees both the score and the percentile within the international field.
- Language and testing route. Which CSCA subjects, in which language and by which date; which language certificates each programme requires.
- Funding. Which scholarship routes are compatible with the chosen programmes in their criteria, their priority rules and their deadlines.
This is why two applicants with the same grade average can end up with entirely different strategies. For one the binding constraint is the physics prerequisite, for another the language, for a third the scholarship age limit, for a fourth a mismatch between the application window and the test date.
The student visa
The visa stage begins after admission. The university issues the admission notice and a visa form — JW201 for scholarship holders, JW202 for self-funded students — and these are used to apply for the visa at a Chinese diplomatic mission.
The category depends on the length of study. An X1 visa is issued for study of more than 180 days, an X2 visa for study of fewer than 180 days. The critical detail of the X1 is that the visa itself is valid for 30 days from the date of entry, and a residence permit for study must be obtained within those 30 days. Missing that window constitutes illegal residence.
Tsinghua University warns separately about the mistake that costs most: entering China on another type of visa may make it impossible to obtain a student visa or residence permit and therefore to register at the university, and the consequences fall on the student.
Visa rules and document lists change, so they are checked again before each stage against official sources: the page of the consular mission and the page of the applicant's own university international office.
Frequently asked questions
Can school-leavers apply to a Chinese undergraduate degree for 2027 entry?
Yes. Chinese universities admit international applicants to undergraduate programmes directly from school: the basic requirement is a completed secondary education carrying the right to enter university in the country where it was obtained. Further conditions are set by the university: Tsinghua University requires applicants to be 18 or above by 1 September of the year of entry, while Fudan University requires applicants under 18 to provide a Guarantee Statement from an adult living in mainland China.
What is the CSCA, and is it needed to apply to China?
The CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) is a standardised entrance test for international applicants to undergraduate degrees in mainland China. It is organised by the China Scholarship Council, and registration is only through csca.cn. There are five subjects — Professional Chinese for humanities and for STEM, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry — each marked out of 100. It is not yet a universal requirement: on the scholarship route it is compulsory, while away from that route the university decides, and the requirements of five leading institutions differed in the 2026 cycle. Those differences, and how subjects are chosen, are set out in a separate article on the CSCA.
Does every international applicant have to sit the CSCA?
Not yet. At present the requirement applies directly to applicants for the Chinese Government Scholarship at bachelor's level, and to universities that have written the CSCA into their own admission rules. Tsinghua University, for example, lists the CSCA alongside SAT, ACT, A-level, AP and IB as one of the results that can evidence academic performance. From 2028, according to the official notice, the test becomes a requirement for all undergraduate applicants, with minimum admission standards established.
Can I study in China without Chinese?
Yes, if you choose an English-taught programme and meet its academic and language requirements. An English-taught programme does not automatically exempt you from the CSCA, however: Fudan University requires the CSCA in English for its English-taught degrees, and the subjects depend on the field, ranging from Maths alone to Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
Is HSK required?
The HSK level required depends on the programme and the university. Tsinghua University requires HSK Level 5 with scores above 60 in listening, reading and writing for its Chinese-English taught programmes, admitting applicants at Level 4 on condition that they reach Level 5 within the first academic year. Fudan University lists HSK Level 5 with 210 or Level 6 with 180 for Chinese-taught undergraduate study and notes that this is not mandatory. On the scholarship route, HSK Level 4 is required for Chinese-taught master's and doctoral programmes.
Is IELTS or TOEFL required?
For English-taught programmes a university will usually require proof of English where it is not the applicant's native language. The test and the threshold are set by the programme: Fudan University's IOGG degree lists TOEFL 90, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 110 or PTE Academic 61, with a possible waiver for applicants from schools whose major courses were taught in English.
Which documents are needed for a 2027 application to a Chinese university?
There is no universal list. A passport, the school or university qualification, a full transcript and proof of language as the programme requires are needed almost everywhere. Depending on the university and the route, the set also includes the CSCA score report, a study plan, references, a non-criminal record certificate, the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, proof of financial capacity, and nationality documents for applicants born to a parent who held Chinese citizenship.
When should I apply for 2027 entry?
There is no single deadline: each university publishes its own calendar, and at the date of this check the 2027 calendars had not yet appeared. In the previous cycle Fudan University closed applications on 15 January and 6 March, and Tsinghua University closed its second round on 28 February. Plan backwards from the test date: the CSCA must be sat before the application is submitted, and a university may accept results only from particular sittings.
Can I get a scholarship to study in China?
Funding exists: the Chinese Government Scholarship through campuschina.org, universities' own scholarships, and regional schemes such as the Shanghai Government Scholarship. Each has its own criteria, procedure and deadlines, and the decision rests with the awarding body. The government scholarship carries age limits — under 25 for bachelor's, under 35 for master's, under 40 for doctoral study — and prohibits holding other Chinese government or university scholarships at the same time, one-off awards excepted.
Can I apply to several Chinese universities in the same cycle?
Yes, and it is normal practice. But each university runs its own portal, its own document set, its own application fee and its own deadlines, so parallel applications are planned in advance and brought into a single calendar. The scholarship application, meanwhile, requires a first-priority institution to be named.
How much does it cost to study at a Chinese university?
The range is wide and depends on the field and the language of instruction. On figures published for the 2026 cycle: Fudan University's Chinese-taught programmes ran from 23,000 to 42,000 RMB a year and its English-taught programmes from 75,000 to 100,000; Tsinghua University's range was 26,000 to 70,000 RMB a year depending on the field and the stage of study. To tuition are added the non-refundable application fee, insurance, accommodation and everyday living costs.
Does EDMONT help with the visa after admission?
Yes. Once a place is confirmed we establish the procedure for the particular case, check the current requirements against official sources and help prepare the documents — including the JW201 or JW202 form from the university and the residence permit that follows, which on an X1 visa must be obtained within 30 days of entry.
An admissions strategy does not start with a list of universities
For one applicant the binding constraint will be the academic record, for another the CSCA subjects, for a third the language, for a fourth a scholarship age limit or a clash of dates. The requirements themselves can be researched independently: they are published, and this guide names the primary sources.
What remains a separate piece of work is establishing, for one particular profile, the workable combination of programme, university, language route, examinations, funding and application calendar. That is what applying to universities in China with EDMONT involves: we begin with an assessment of the profile, then build the university list and the application strategy, and keep scholarships and funding on the same calendar.