Four ways to study Chinese in China

Non-degree study at a university

The Measures divide international students in higher education into degree students (junior college, bachelor's, master's, doctoral) and non-degree students. The non-degree categories are preparatory students (预科生), advanced students (进修生) and research scholars (研究学者).

Universities set their own enrolment plans, publish a brochure, and recruit by the conditions and procedure in it. The school examines the applicant's qualifications and proof of financial support, tests or assesses the applicant, and decides admission.

MOE Order No. 42 · Articles 9 to 12

Short programmes

Short-term study means study at a school in China for 180 days or fewer. Schools may accept short-term students who come as a group, but must sign an agreement with the sending organisation first.

MOE Order No. 42 · Articles 38 and 45

A preparatory or language year before a degree

Chinese is the basic language of instruction. A school may provide remedial study for students whose Chinese falls short of what the course needs. The Chinese Government Scholarship covers Chinese language (preparatory) study as well as the major, and says the language courses last one year.

MOE Order No. 42 · Article 18CSC Application Guide · Section II(II)

Scholarship study programmes run by CLEC

The International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship has non-degree study programmes of four weeks, one semester and one year. Applicants are non-Chinese citizens aged 16 to 35 on 1 September of the intake year in the 2025 guidelines, and every category asks for an HSK score report. Applications need a reference letter from the head of a Recommending Institution.

CLEC 2025 Guidelines · Sections I and II, Appendix 2

General scholars under the Chinese Government Scholarship

The Chinese Government Scholarship sponsors undergraduates, postgraduates, general scholars and senior scholars. A general scholar applicant holds a high school diploma or higher and is under 45. Its Student Exchange Program supports general and senior scholars for a training session of no more than 12 months.

CSC Application Guide · Sections I(IV), II(I) and IV, item 5