Degree student or non-degree student: where a Chinese language programme sits

Article 9 of Order No. 42 does not use the words "language student." It sorts international students into degree categories and non-degree categories, and it does not say which category a language-only programme falls under. The route types themselves are on the Routes page.

This is an unofficial guide. It is not affiliated with any ministry, embassy, scholarship body, test body or university. The English wording of the provisions below is this site's translation of the Chinese text.

The two lists in Article 9

Article 9 gives two lists. The first covers degree education (学历教育): junior-college, undergraduate, master's and doctoral students. The second covers non-degree education (非学历教育): preparatory students, advanced students and research scholars.

Article 9 lists these categories without describing them.

Chinese in degree education

Article 16 of Order No. 42 says that Chinese and an overview of China shall be compulsory courses in higher education for degree study (高等学历教育). The same article says international students shall take part in course study according to the university's course arrangements and teaching plan, and shall take the graduation examinations or assessments required under the rules.

Certificates under Article 21

Article 21 of Order No. 42 names two kinds of certificate. The first is the educational certificate (学历证书) or another academic certificate (其他学业证书), which the university issues under national rules. The second is the degree certificate (学位证书), which the university issues to international students who meet the conditions for conferral of a degree. Article 21 does not mention a language course.

Preparatory education under the 2018 Quality Standards

Section 3 of the Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial), issued by Ministry of Education notice 教外〔2018〕50号, is headed preparatory education. It says that higher education institutions shall attach importance to preparatory education. It says that they may set up preparatory programmes for international students who meet appropriate standards. Such a programme teaches Chinese and basic subject knowledge, so that students reach undergraduate entry standards and adapt to study in China. Preparatory programmes shall meet the corresponding education and teaching standards and norms.

Length of study

Article 45 of Order No. 42 defines short-term study as study at a Chinese school for no more than 180 days, counting 180 days (含). It defines long-term study as study at a Chinese school for more than 180 days.

Questions

Is a language student a degree student?

Article 9 of Order No. 42 does not use the words "language student." It lists degree categories and non-degree categories. It does not say which category a language-only programme falls under.

How long is short-term study under Order No. 42?

Article 45 of Order No. 42 defines short-term study as study at a Chinese school for no more than 180 days, counting 180 days.

Sources

• Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42 of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security) – Ministry of Education of the PRC
• 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 bodies named. If the official text or the instructions of the body handling your case differ from this page, the official text and those instructions prevail.