Attendance and examinations: what the quality standards ask of schools and students
The national texts leave attendance and examination rules for international students to each university. Sections 10.2 and 10.3 of the Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) require universities to set those rules, and the first paragraph of Article 16 of Order No. 42 requires students to follow course arrangements and sit the required exams. See also X1 or X2 on this site.
The Chinese text of each provision is rendered here in this site's own English translation.
Attendance (section 10.2)
Section 10.2 says that universities shall strictly implement the attendance system for international students and shall specify the attendance pass standard. It also says that, as required by the local education administration and the immigration administration, universities shall report on time the information on students whose attendance falls below the standard.
Section 10.2 gives no attendance percentage and no number of permitted absences. It requires each university to set its own pass standard.
The first paragraph of Article 16 of Order No. 42 says that international students shall study courses according to the course arrangements and teaching plan of their university.
Examinations (section 10.3)
Section 10.3 says that universities shall specify how course examinations and assessments are given to international students. For the same course, Chinese and international students shall be given the same examination and assessment methods.
Section 10.3 names no examination format. The choice of method is left to each university.
The first paragraph of Article 16 of Order No. 42 says that international students shall take the graduation examinations or assessments required under the rules.
Records and student status (sections 10.1 and 10.2, Articles 16 and 31)
Section 10.1 of the Quality Standards says that universities shall improve student status management under national rules and standardize it for international students. It also says that universities shall implement electronic registration of student status and academic records, and set the conditions and procedures for changing majors.
The first paragraph of Article 16 of Order No. 42 says that the school shall truthfully record the academic results and daily performance of international students.
Article 31 of Order No. 42 says that schools manage international students' student status with reference to the rules for Chinese students. If a school decides to withdraw an international student or expel them, the decision shall be filed for the record under the rules of the education administration department of the State Council.
| Document | Provision | Addressed to | What it requires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Standards (Trial), notice 教外〔2018〕50号 | Section 10.1 | Higher education institutions | Student status management, electronic registration, major changes |
| Quality Standards (Trial), notice 教外〔2018〕50号 | Section 10.2 | Higher education institutions | Attendance system, pass standard, reporting |
| Quality Standards (Trial), notice 教外〔2018〕50号 | Section 10.3 | Higher education institutions | Examination methods, same methods for Chinese and international students |
| Order No. 42 | Article 16, first paragraph | International students and schools | Course attendance, required exams, records |
| Order No. 42 | Article 31 | Schools | Filing withdrawal and expulsion decisions for the record |
Questions
Does the Quality Standards set a minimum attendance rate?
No. Section 10.2 requires each university to set its own attendance pass standard, and the section gives no rate.
Do Chinese and international students in the same course take the same exam?
Section 10.3 says that, in the same course, Chinese and international students shall be given the same examination and assessment methods.
What happens after a withdrawal or expulsion decision?
Article 31 of Order No. 42 says the decision shall be filed for the record under the rules of the education administration department of the State Council.
Sources
- Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial), notice 教外〔2018〕50号, Ministry of Education of the PRC
- Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42), Ministry of Education of the PRC
Checked 11 October 2026.
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice, and it is not published by the ministries named in the sources. If the official text or the instructions of the body handling your case differ from this page, the official text and those instructions prevail.