The lowest-barrier entry point and the most flexible: start any semester, any level, with a placement test on arrival. Many students use it as a bridge year before a degree.
Chinese language study is the lowest-barrier entry point and the most flexible: start any semester, any level, with a placement test on arrival. Many students use it as a bridge year before a degree, and it is the natural route for anyone whose Chinese is not yet at degree level. It is also the most social and the most immediately useful part of studying in China. The language year is where most international students make their network, learn how the country actually works, and decide whether a full degree is worth it.
Duration, teaching language, annual tuition band and the language certificate each track asks for.
| Programme | Level | Duration | Language | Tuition / yr (CNY) | Language requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intensive Chinese (long-term) | Non-degree | 1 semester – 2 years | Chinese | 12,000–25,000 / yr | None · placement test |
| Short-term Chinese (summer / winter) | Non-degree | 2–8 weeks | Chinese | 3,000–8,000 / course | None — open to all levels |
| Business Chinese | Non-degree | 1 semester – 1 year | Chinese | 14,000–26,000 / yr | HSK 3 recommended |
| Teaching Chinese (TCSOL) | Master | 2 years | Chinese or English | 18,000–30,000 / yr | HSK 5 |
| Chinese for Academic Purposes | Non-degree | 1 year | Chinese | 12,000–22,000 / yr | None · pre-degree preparation |
Each card opens the full profile with tuition, Chinese requirement and scholarship status.
Xiamen · est. 1960 · National overseas-Chinese university · not 985/211
Founded for the Chinese diaspora, with the highest proportion of overseas students in the country.
Tuition: CNY 15,000–28,000 / yr
Chinese: None for English-taught · HSK 4–5 for Chinese-taught
CSC host: yes — Type B
Beijing · est. 1962 · Double First-Class (language)
The specialist Chinese-language university: the largest intake of language students in the country.
Tuition: CNY 16,000–26,000 / yr
Chinese: Placement test on arrival · HSK 4 for degree entry
CSC host: yes — Type B
Guangzhou · est. 1906 · Project 211 · Double First-Class
Historically the university for overseas Chinese students; a well-established English-taught MBBS track.
Tuition: CNY 18,000–30,000 / yr
Chinese: None for English-taught · HSK 4 for Chinese-taught
CSC host: yes — Type B
Shanghai · est. 1951 · Project 985 · 211 · Double First-Class
Education, psychology, geography and a well-regarded Chinese language centre for foreigners.
Tuition: CNY 20,000–32,000 / yr
Chinese: None for English-taught · HSK 4–5 for Chinese-taught
CSC host: yes — Type B
Beijing · est. 1956 · Double First-Class (TCM)
The standard reference for Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture and Chinese pharmacy.
Tuition: CNY 20,000–32,000 / yr
Chinese: HSK 4–5 for TCM degrees · language year available
CSC host: yes — Type B
Beijing · est. 1902 · Project 985 · 211 · Double First-Class
Education, psychology and Chinese-language teaching; a common first stop for future teachers.
Tuition: CNY 22,000–34,000 / yr
Chinese: None for English-taught · HSK 4–5 for Chinese-taught
CSC host: yes — Type B
Jinan · est. 1950 · Shandong provincial key · not 985/211
A teacher-training university with a long language-teaching tradition and a large Chinese programme.
Tuition: CNY 22,000–27,000 / yr
Chinese: None for English-taught · HSK 4–5 for Chinese-taught
Common next steps for graduates of this field in China and at home.
Tell us your level, budget and intended intake. We will say whether this field is realistic for you and which universities teach it in your language.