After China lifted most of the restrictions associated with the pandemic, studying in this country became available to international students again. If the thought of a master's degree abroad haunts you, China is one of the best options! There are many highly-ranked universities, developed educational infrastructure, and scholarship opportunities.
Major Universities in China: Which One to Choose?
There are a number of educational institutions in China that occupy high positions in the QS world rankings. The choice of a university should be approached with special attention, because each of the leading schools has its own characteristics:
Tsinghua University
It is a flagship institution for those who want to study technical disciplines. If you've heard of The Three-Body Problem, you know that the main character of the novel works at this university. The university is located in Beijing, combines science and culture.
Peking University
The university makes an emphasis on humanities and social sciences, but technical areas are also at their best here. Distinctive feature: high requirements for the language, at the level of leading Western universities.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
University in Shanghai offers strong technical programs. Shanghai is a more comfortable city in terms of climate and life for foreigners. If you want to study in a modern metropolis, this choice is right for you.
Fudan University
Another university in Shanghai, a competitor to Jiao Tong in many specialties.
Zhejiang University
It is located in Hangzhou, a beautiful and developed city.
Tsinghua and Peking University are consistently fighting for the first place, but the rest of the educational institutions are also highly ranked.
How to choose the language of instruction?
In Chinese universities, you can choose a program in English or Chinese.
Programs in English
Almost 30% of all programs in China are taught in English. In such areas, knowledge of Chinese is not required, but it is necessary to pass a language test:
- TOEFL — 80-85 points (for most programs);
- IELTS is a similar level.
Peculiarity: Peking University has exceptional requirements: here you need a minimum of 100 TOEFL points for admission, which is higher than at MIT.
Even if you choose to study in Chinese, some of the lectures, textbooks, and materials will still be in English, so you can't get away from it completely.
Programs in Chinese
For admission, you will need an HSK certificate (international test in Chinese):
- HSK Level 5 is mandatory for most technical majors;
- HSK 6 is needed for Peking University.
If your language level meets the minimum requirements, the probability of admission remains high - it will already be possible to delve deeper into the language during the learning process.
What documents will be needed?
Preparation of documents is a key stage. Pay attention to the deadlines: applications are accepted in November, and scholarships must be submitted by mid-December. If you do not need financial support, then you can have time to submit before spring.
List of documents for the master's program includes:
- Transcript with grades (for students in the final year – current list),
- Diploma of higher education (or a certificate from the university with an approximate date of graduation),
- Personal statement — a short essay about why you want to study at this university and in this program,
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty,
- Language proficiency certificates (TOEFL/IELTS or HSK),
- Additional documents confirming achievements (articles, participation in projects, certificates).
Interview
If your application is approved, the university will schedule an interview. In the case of Tsinghua and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the answers come quickly: the first by January 3, the second about a week after that.
The interview is conducted through the Voov video service. You can answer in both English and Chinese. What questions are asked?
- On the topic of the diploma. If you have posts, you'll be asked to share them.
- Theoretical questions: These are usually about your specialty and test general knowledge.
- Finance and scholarship. Make sure you understand how to plan your expenses.
Scholarships
Studying in China is relatively affordable: about 30,000 yuan per year, but most students still seek a scholarship.
The main program is the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC). To apply for it, in addition to the basic documents, you need:
- Educational plan. Similar to a personal statement, only in more detail,
- Certificate of no criminal record. It is better to prepare in advance, it is done for about a month,
- Medical questionnaire. It is necessary to undergo an examination, which indicates the absence of infectious diseases and mental disorders.
Please note: if you have received invitations from several universities, then you can apply for a scholarship to only one. This is an important decision, since it is impossible to withdraw the application.
After enrollment
When all the stages are completed, the stage of obtaining a visa begins. With questions about visa documents, you can contact the university directly - the staff will help and provide complete information.
China as an alternative
For those looking for a quality education abroad, China is an increasingly popular choice. High academic standards, affordable tuition fees, and the chance to get a scholarship make it attractive even against the background of European and American universities.
