Best universities in China 2024

Today, more and more foreign students choose studying in China as it guarantees wide career opportunities in the future. SMAPSE offers more than 70 best universities in China where international students can get high-quality higher education. Higher education received in China allows to become in-demand expert that has great chances to get well paid job in the international labour market. Due to the list of TOP-70 prestigious universities in China, you will definitely find the most appropriate option. Please, don't hesitate to contact SMAPSE experts at any time as they are always ready to answer all your questions. 

Chinese education is rightfully considered the "great-grandfather" of the European, because the first academies appeared on the territory of the country about one and a half thousand years ago. Of course, today, the system of higher education in China has transformed, borrowing the best features from a Western school, and includes colleges, higher schools and universities.

As in the familiar Bologna system, students of Chinese universities can gradually get three degrees depending on the duration of study: Bachelor (4-5 years), Master (2-3 years), Doctor of science (3-4 years).

At all universities in China, the school year begins on the first of September, but it is worth taking care of the submission of documents in advance, from late February to early March. Entrance requirements are not difficult: an applicant must have a secondary school certificate. Applicants for graduate studies must additionally submit letters of recommendation from a professor or supervisor.

If university studies are conducted in Chinese, then the main requirement for applicants will be an HSK certificate confirming the proper level of Chinese proficiency. 

In order to receive a certificate, a prospective student must pass an exam and master one of six difficulty levels. The minimum level for admission to Chinese University is HSK 4, which requires knowledge of a thousand words and relatively fluent oral language.

For those who are not yet ready to take the HSK, universities and language schools in China offer annual preparatory courses for exam preparation. However, there are some programs that are fully taught in English - as a rule, these are Master's courses related to world politics and economics.

The school year of Chinese students traditionally consists of two semesters, but summer vacations begin only in July. In addition to listening to lectures by teachers, an important role is given to self-study and homework. Most universities use a Western credit system. For each discipline you need to score a certain number of points in order to be admitted to the exam and transfer to the next course.

The educational program consists of basic and optional subjects: the first category is studied by all students, without exception, subjects from the second category can be chosen at will. This allows students from the first year to determine the direction and specifics of their activities, while not missing key knowledge.

The Chinese education system is built on strict discipline: students are not allowed to be late, miss classes without good reason and leave the classroom before the teacher. A special case is the passing of a state exam: a student found to be cheating or using a cheat sheet instantly loses the right to take an exam in the next three years, and may also be sentenced to a real prison term.

The higher educational system in China is represented by more than 2,000 institutions, and the level of education received can make healthy competition to European universities. However, not every university has the right to accept foreign students for study: this is due to the passage of serious licensing and financial costs. The largest universities included in the ranking of the most TOP universities in the world are:

• Peking University (Peking University, Beijing)
• Tsinghua University (Tsinghua University, Beijing)
• Zhejiang University (Zhejiang University, Zhejiang)
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Shanghai Jao Tong University, Shanghai)
• Fudan University (Fudan University, Fudan)
• Nanjing University (Nanjing University, Nanjing).

A foreign student, studying at a university in China, will spend several times less on tuition and living than a student at an American or European university. The cost of Bachelor's programs starts at $3000 per year, a Master's program will cost no more than $8000. However, it is better to familiarize yourself with the prices of a particular university, because the cost is affected by its location and ranking.

Chinese universities offer students accommodation on the campus that will cost about $1000 per year, and usually there are libraries, sports facilities, a dining room on the territory. The student residence room can accommodate from 2 to 4 people, but it is worth remembering that male and female dormitories are located separately.

Students who wish to study in China for more than 6 months must apply for a student visa. Typically, Chinese universities provide visa support and this doesn't become a problem for foreign students. 

Also, the Chinese government has established special scholarships for foreign students, receiving higher education at any level in China. Monthly payments can range from $100 to $280 and greatly facilitate the life of a foreign student. To become a candidate for a scholarship, you must send a package of necessary documents to the Chinese Embassy or the China Scholarship Council - and wait for the final decision.

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