Chinese terms a language student meets: a short glossary from the official texts
The Chinese terms on a language student's papers are defined in Order No. 42, the Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students, and in a Ministry of Education reply of 15 February 2008 on forms JW201 and JW202. The table below lists each term as printed, with an English rendering and the article or reply where it appears. See also Routes on this site.
Terms and where they appear
The Chinese is quoted as printed. The English is this site's translation.
| Term as printed | English (site's translation) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 国际学生 | international student | Order No. 42, Article 2 |
| 学历教育 | degree education | Order No. 42, Article 9 |
| 非学历教育 | non-degree education | Order No. 42, Article 9 |
| 预科生 | preparatory student | Order No. 42, Article 9 |
| 进修生 | visiting student (advanced study) | Order No. 42, Article 9 |
| 研究学者 | research scholar | Order No. 42, Article 9 |
| 招生简章 | admission brochure | Order No. 42, Article 11 |
| 毕业证书 | graduation certificate | Order No. 42, Article 21 |
| 监护人 | guardian | Order No. 42, Article 38 |
| 外国人体格检查记录 | foreigner's physical examination record | Order No. 42, Article 39 |
| 短期学习 | short-term study | Order No. 42, Article 45 |
| 长期学习 | long-term study | Order No. 42, Article 45 |
| JW201表 | form JW201 (visa application form for foreign students coming to China) | Ministry of Education reply, 15 February 2008 |
| JW202表 | form JW202 (visa application form for foreign students coming to China) | Ministry of Education reply, 15 February 2008 |
Article 2 says that Chapters 2 to 5 of Order No. 42 apply to higher education institutions. The terms above come from those articles.
Study length
Article 45 defines short-term study as study at a Chinese school for no more than 180 days (inclusive). It defines long-term study as study for more than 180 days.
Article 9 sets the categories of international student. Degree education covers junior college students, undergraduates, master's students and doctoral students. Non-degree education covers preparatory students, visiting students and research scholars.
Admission brochure and graduation certificate
Article 11 says each university formulates and publishes its own admission brochure under the national admission rules. It says the university admits international students under the conditions and procedures set in that brochure. This page gives no university's dates, fees or conditions.
Article 21 says institutions issue academic or other certificates under state rules. For international students in higher degree education, the institution shall register their student status and graduation certificate electronically.
Guardians and the health record
Article 38 says that a school admitting an international student under 18 whose parents do not live in China permanently shall require the parents to formally entrust a guardian. The guardian must be a foreigner or a Chinese citizen who lives in China. The school also requires relevant supporting documents.
Article 39 says that on entry, an international student shall complete confirmation of the 外国人体格检查记录 with the Chinese health quarantine authority, or undergo a physical examination, under the rules of the Chinese health administration department.
Forms JW201 and JW202
The 2008 reply says form JW201 is used for students on the Chinese Government Scholarship and for those who come through government exchange channels. The China Scholarship Council secretariat handles these forms with the universities concerned.
The reply says form JW202 is used for self-funded international students. Each university handles it for students the university has admitted. Any institution that admits foreign students may provide form JW202.
The reply says both forms are important documents for the study visa, entry, enrolment reporting and residence formalities. A private university may, after applying to its local provincial education administrative department and with that department's consent, admit foreign students. It may also obtain form JW202 as needed.
The reply does not describe the layout or fields of either form.
Sources
- Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (学校招收和培养国际学生管理办法), Order No. 42, Ministry of Education of the PRC
- Ministry of Education reply of 15 February 2008 on the difference between forms JW201 and JW202, Ministry of Education of the PRC
Checked 11 October 2026.
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice, it is not published by the bodies named, and the official text and the instructions of the body handling your case prevail if they differ.