Master's Degrees in China

Study in China

More than 2,000 years ago, there were students from East Asia and the Arab States who came to China to study. From the 19th century onwards, China began to build modern universities. After the founding of The People's Republic of China in 1949, an increasing number of universities were established. During the 1950s, Chinese universities began to accept students from Vietnam and Eastern European countries.
Today, around 600 of China's roughly 3000 universities are enrolling students from around the world. As China's economy continues to develop, coming to China to study has become increasingly popular. In 2009, there were about 240,000 international students studying in China. Some pursue their degree here; others attend short-term programs to study Chinese language and culture.

Internationally recognized qualifications

China's higher education system boasts a strong reputation worldwide, while China's manufacturing industries are renowned for their international competitiveness. Chinese university graduates are welcomed by leading universities in North America, Europe, Japan, Australia and other countries. Every year, there are about 20 thousand students graduates in China who go to study or work in countries all over the world.
As of April 2009, the Chinese government has signed mutual recognition agreements with 64 countries and regions.

General application requirements

International students who want to study at Chinese universities must meet the general requirements set out by both the Chinese government and the university they apply to.
Required documents:
  • A notarization of guarantor for minors (for applicants under 18 years of age): Any student under 18 is required to submit one.
  • A notarization of guarantor in China/Guardian's Letter of Guarantee: If the student is 18 or over, this should be completed and signed by the student's parents, and uploaded along with the other application documents.
  • Economic guarantee: A guarantee that the tuition fees will be paid. If the student is self-financed, the person paying the tuition fees must complete and sign this form. If the student has a scholarship, please ask the relevant organization to show proof that the student has won a scholarship and upload the document.
  • HSK test scores: HSK results prove a student's Chinese proficiency.
  • IELTS or TOEFL test scores: Applicants for programs taught in English must provide IELTS or TOEFL test scores.
  • Physical Examination Record: Students do not need to submit a physical examination record with their application to a Chinese university. However, you will either need to submit it to the Chinese embassy when you apply for visa or after you arrive in China when you apply for a residence permit.
  • Resume or personal statement: It should be approx. 500-1000 words in length and describe your personal qualities, interests, educational background, why you want to study in China, your future academic or career plans, and so on.
  • Letter or Recommendation: Some universities require applicants to provide one or two letters of recommendation as a character reference.
Universities may have additional application requirements. Make sure you ask for detailed information before applying.

Academic organization

Universities in China are usually public universities, and only public universities can award degrees.
China is striving to build more excellent universities, and investing heavily in higher education.
Chinese universities offer degrees in Chinese language, traditional Chinese medicine, martial arts, history, philosophy, sports, and Chinese folk arts (music, dance, painting, etc.), as well as subjects such as mathematics, engineering, science and medicine, in addition to economics, finance, trade and management. Chinese MBAs are especially highly regarded.
Study programmes offered by Chinese universities include short courses, language studies, undergraduate or associate programmes, masters and doctorates. In China, undergraduate study programmes take 4 to 5 years to complete, while associate degrees are awarded after 2 or 3 years of study. Master programmes take 2 to 3 years, while doctorates require at least 3 years of research to complete.

Languages of instruction

There are three major languages in China: Cantonese, Hokkien and Mandarin, the latter being the most commonly spoken in the country.
However, China has some 450 higher education institutions qualified to accept international students. Of these, more than 30 institutions offer courses taught in English to foreigners looking to study abroad in China. English-taught courses in China are offered in such fields as business, computer science, economics, engineering, environmental sciences, international communications, and more.
Essentially, there are three options for prospective students looking for English-taught programmes in China:
  1. International courses provided by Chinese universities exclusively for foreign students.
  2. English-taught courses provided by foreign universities in China comprising an international curriculum and international academic credits and degrees. Besides foreign students, these institution also recruit top local Chinese students through the national College Entrance Examination of China.
  3. The Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong is a well-known centre of education in Asia and has been using English as medium of instruction for over 100 years.
To find and compare English language courses visit: www.languagelearningportal.com

Study Visa

Foreign students studying in China are required to hold an ordinary passport and either a X1 visa (study period of more than 180 days) or a X2 visa (study period of no more than 180 days.).
Applicants should apply for a Chinese visa from their nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate.
Documentation required for the X1 visa:
  • Original passport and photocopy.
  • One completed Visa Application Form with a recently taken colour passport photo.
  • Proof of legal stay or residence status.
  • Original and photocopy of the Admission Letter issued by a school or other entities in China.
  • Original and photocopy of "Visa Application for Study in China" (Form JW201 or Form JW202).
Besides the documentation mentioned above, other documents might be required by visa officers in order to decide whether to issue the visa on a case-by-case basis.
X1 Visa holders have to apply for a student's Residence Permit at the local Chinese Police Station where they will be leaving during their studies.
For detailed information about the Chinese study visa contact your local Chinese embassy or consulate.
For more details visit: http://help.cucas.edu.cn/index/detail?id=2738

Living in China

  • International students in China can choose to live in the university's hotel or dormitory. You can also live off campus with the permission of your school.
  • Dormitories generally offer single rooms, double rooms or deluxe rooms. The cost of accommodation may vary from 3 to 20 EUR per day, depending on the university, the city and the type of room.
  • In Beijing, international students who choose to live off campus typically pay around 190 to 380 EUR per room per month, excluding utilities. Housing costs in smaller cities are considerably less.
  • Bargaining rental rates is acceptable practice in China.
  • The estimated average tuition fee ranges from 3300 USD to 9900 USD per year, depending on the chosen study-programme.
  • Usually, monthly living expenses average 1500 EUR per month.
  • Unique blend of ancient and modern civilization, as well as scenic beauty and bustling nightlife.
  • Modern architecture like the towering skyscrapers of Shanghai to Beijing’s Olympic Bird’s coexist with ancient structures like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.
  • Thanks to a well-developed and modern transportation infrastructure, it is convenient and inexpensive to get around in China. All cities are well-served by buses and taxis, and larger cities have modern subway systems.
  • China serves as a huge market for multinational corporations, and employers are well aware that a real understanding of China, Chinese culture and Chinese people is a big plus for those who want to become the world's next generation of leaders.
  • Chinese culture and people are extremely diverse and multicultural, consisting of 56 different ethnicities.
  • The Terracotta Army features hundreds of detailed life-size models represent the army that triumphed over all other Chinese armies and helped form a united China.
  • Tourists take river cruises on the Yangtze River, the longest river in China.
  • People interested in the history of the Silk Road may take a Silk Road adventure. During this visit, they can explore many historical sites, such as the ruins of ancient kingdoms, museums, architectures and tombs.
  • The fist and palm salute is one of the most common forms of salute in China and a form of showing respect for others.

About China

China is located at the east coast of the largest continent (Eurasia) as well as the western margin of the largest ocean (Pacific). It has a land area of about 9.6 million square km, occupying 6.5 percent of the total land area of the world. Its population of more than 1.3 billion accounts for approximately one-fifth of the world population.
China has more than 32000 km of and a boundary line of more than 20,000 km. It is bordered to the north-east by DPR Korea, to the north by Russia and Mongolia, to the west and south-west from north to south by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Sikkin, Bhutan and to the south by Burma, Laos and Vietnam.
Chinese historical records reach back into the realm of legend, 5,000 years ago. In 221 BCE, Qin Shi Huangdi assumed the throne, conquering neighbouring city-states, and unifying China. He founded the Qin Dynasty, which lasted only until 206 BCE. In the Han era, China expanded west as far as India, opening trade along what would later become the Silk Road. In 1271, the Mongolian ruler Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis) established the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). China flowered again under the Ming (1368-1644), creating great art and exploring as far as Africa.
The final Chinese dynasty, the Qing, ruled from 1644 to 1911, when the Last Emperor was overthrown. Power struggles between warlords such as Sun Yat-Sen touched off the Chinese Civil War. Although the war was interrupted for a decade by the Japanese invasion and World War II, it picked up again once Japan was defeated. Mao Zedong and the Communist Peoples Liberation Army won the Chinese Civil War, and China became the Peoples' Republic of China in 1949. Chiang Kai Shek, leader of the losing Nationalist forces, fled to Taiwan.
The climate in China is generally moderate with four distinct seasons, so it is a favourable place for habitation and living. In most areas, it is cold and dry in winter, with great differences through the south to the north, while it’s hot and humid in summer, with little differences between the south and the north. Precipitation decreases from the southeast coast to the northwest inland gradually.
The standard language in China is Mandarin Chinese, a universal language used by every ethnic group. In addition to mandarin, there are 80 languages in this multinational and multilingual nation.
The People's Republic of China is a socialist republic ruled by a single party, the Communist Party of China.
When it comes to economics, China has been the world's fastest growing country for the past 30 years. Even during the financial crisis, China's economic growth has maintained a level of 8%. The world's top 500 companies all do business in China, with many choosing to base their Asia-Pacific headquarters in the bustling Chinese cities of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.