Transferring to another school: the consent rule

Under Article 13 of the Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42), a university may accept an international student who was admitted by, or is transferring from, another school, with the consent of the original admitting school. Section 10.5 of the Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial), issued in 2018, says that a transfer is handled after both the current school and the receiving school consent. The English on this page is this site's translation of the Chinese text. See also Routes on this site.

The consent rule in Article 13

Article 13 of Order No. 42 gives the receiving university the word "may". The consent it names is the consent of the original admitting school. Article 13 names no other consent.

What section 10.5 adds

Section 10.5 of the Quality Standards is addressed to higher education institutions. It sets the following order for a transfer of an international student:

1. The student submits a transfer application.
2. The current school and the receiving school each give consent, and the transfer is handled after both consents.
3. If the student meets the conditions for transfer out, the current school gives the receiving school the student's academic results and conduct record, truthfully and in full.
4. The receiving school reviews the application on the principle that the student meets an entry standard not lower than its own standard for international students, that the student fits its training requirements, and that the school has the capacity to train the student.
5. The two schools handle the student status, immigration and entry-exit formalities in a close and smooth connection, under national rules and their own duties, and hand over copies of documents and archives.

Fees and refund rules

Article 14 of Order No. 42 says fees for international students follow national rules. The same article says each university shall publish its fee items, its fee standards, and its refund rules for withdrawal and transfer. Fees and refunds are priced in renminbi (RMB).

Article 14 sets no refund amount. The amounts are in the rules each university publishes.

Student status records

Article 31 of Order No. 42 says a university manages international student status by reference to the rules for the status management of Chinese students. When a university decides withdrawal or expulsion, it shall file the decision for the record under the rules of the education administration department of the State Council.

Article 31 names withdrawal and expulsion. It does not mention transfer. The transfer formalities for status are in section 10.5 of the Quality Standards.

Sources

• Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42) — Ministry of Education of the PRC, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security
• Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) — Ministry of Education of the PRC

Checked 11 October 2026.

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