Chinese ability at graduation: the levels in the quality standards

The Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) (来华留学生高等教育质量规范（试行）), issued by Ministry of Education notice 教外〔2018〕50号, set the Chinese level expected at graduation. For a programme taught in Chinese, Part 1 says graduates shall reach level 5 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards (《国际汉语能力标准》). For a programme taught in a foreign language, Part 1 says bachelor's students shall reach at least level 4, and master's and doctoral students at least level 3.

See also Routes on this site.

The graduation paragraph in Part 1

Part 1 of the Standards has a sub-heading, 语言能力 (language ability), and two paragraphs. The English below is this site's translation of the Chinese text.

In programmes where Chinese is the language of instruction, international students shall be able to complete their study and research tasks in Chinese, and shall have the ability to work in the field in Chinese. At graduation, their Chinese shall reach level 5 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards.

In programmes where a foreign language is the language of instruction, international students shall be able to complete their study and research tasks in that language, and shall have the ability to work in the field in that language. At graduation, undergraduates' Chinese shall reach at least level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards. Master's and doctoral students' Chinese shall reach at least level 3.

The entry requirement in section 1.2

Section 1.2 covers the language requirement in universities' entry standards. For disciplines taught in Chinese, section 1.2 says the Chinese ability requirement in the entry standards shall be at least level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards.

For disciplines taught in a foreign language, section 1.2 sets no Chinese level. It says the university shall state the foreign-language ability it requires in its entry standards.

What the Standards are and what they cover

The preface says the Standards are formulated on the basis of the Higher Education Law, the Degree Regulations of the People's Republic of China (《中华人民共和国学位条例》), and the Management Measures for Schools Admitting and Training International Students (《学校招收和培养国际学生管理办法》).

The preface gives the scope as higher education for international students in China, including higher vocational education. It calls the Standards the basic standards for higher education institutions running this education. It also says they are the basic basis for those institutions' internal quality assurance and self-evaluation, and for evaluation bodies assessing this education.

The preface says the Standards complement and fit with other teaching standards for higher education. It also says they respect differences between regions and schools, the autonomy of schools in running their institutions, and the room schools need for their own character.

Questions

Does the Standard give an HSK level for graduation?

Part 1 and section 1.2 give levels of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards. Neither provision converts those levels to HSK levels. This site does not describe HSK or HSKK test content; the tests are described on the official test site.

What does the preface name as the scope of the Standards?

The preface names higher education for international students in China, including higher vocational education, as the scope.

Sources

• Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial), Ministry of Education of the PRC

Checked 11 October 2026.

This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, and is not published by the Ministry of Education or any other body named here. If the official text and the instructions of the body handling your case differ from this page, the official text and those instructions prevail.