From language student to degree student: applying under the brochure, and transfer
A language student who wants a degree applies to the university as a degree applicant, under that university's own admission brochure. Article 12 of Order No. 42 has the school examine the applicant and decide admission. Moving to a different school is a separate step, which needs the consent of both schools under Article 13 and section 10.5 of the Quality Standards.
See also Routes on this site.
This page is based on two Chinese-language official documents. The quotations and wording here are this site's own English translation of the Chinese text, and the Chinese text prevails.
Degree and non-degree categories
Article 9 of Order No. 42 lists the categories of international students in two groups.
| Group | Categories named in Article 9 |
|---|---|
| Degree categories (接受学历教育) | Junior college students (专科生), undergraduate students (本科生), master's students (硕士研究生), doctoral students (博士研究生) |
| Non-degree categories (接受非学历教育) | Preparatory students (预科生), advanced study students (进修生), research scholars (研究学者) |
Article 9 names no language course among these categories. Each category is listed by the name the article gives it, and the article does not connect any of them to a specific course type.
Applying under the brochure
Article 11 says that a university formulates and publishes its international student admission brochure under the national admission rules. It admits international students under the conditions and procedures set in that brochure.
Article 12 sets three duties for the school:
- The school shall examine the admission qualifications and the economic guarantee certificate of each foreign citizen who applies.
- The school shall carry out an examination or an assessment of the applicant.
- The school decides admission, and a school may not admit applicants who do not meet the admission conditions.
This page gives no university's dates, fees, class hours or requirements. Under Article 11, each university's own brochure sets its admission conditions and procedures.
Transfer from another school
Article 13 of Order No. 42 says that a school may, with the consent of the original admitting school, accept international students admitted by another school or transferring from another school.
Section 10.5 of the Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) covers the transfer procedure in more detail:
- The student applies for the transfer.
- The original school and the receiving school must both agree.
- The original school shall fully and truthfully give the receiving school the student's academic performance and conduct records, if the student meets the conditions for transfer out.
- In principle, the receiving school reviews the transfer application on the basis of an admission standard not lower than its own standard for international students, a match with its training requirements, and its capacity to train the student.
- The two schools handle student status, immigration and entry-exit matters under national rules and their own duties, and hand over copies of the documents and files.
Section 10.5 is part of a trial standard addressed to universities. It sets out what each university shall do.
Changing major
Article 17 of Order No. 42 covers changing major after enrolment. After a student applies and the school agrees, the student may change major. The school sets the conditions and procedures for changing major.
Article 17 does not cover moving to another school. Transfer between schools is covered by Article 13 and section 10.5.
Questions
Does a language course count as a degree category?
Article 9 names no language course among its categories. It lists degree categories and non-degree categories as separate groups.
Who decides whether a degree applicant is admitted?
Article 12 says the school decides admission. It also says the school may not admit an applicant who does not meet the admission conditions.
Who must agree before a student transfers to another school?
Article 13 requires the consent of the original admitting school. Section 10.5 requires the consent of the original school and the receiving school.
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). Publisher: Ministry of Education of the PRC.
- Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) (Ministry of Education notice Jiaowai [2018] No. 50). Publisher: 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.