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Chinese-language requirements at entry and at graduation for international students

Sources checked · Unofficial summary

The 2018 Quality Standards set a Chinese-language level that depends on the language of teaching. For entry to a Chinese-taught programme, section 1.2 requires at least Level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards (《国际汉语能力标准》), and for graduation from a Chinese-taught programme, Part 1 requires Level 5. For foreign-language-taught programmes, Part 1 requires at least Level 4 at graduation for undergraduates and at least Level 3 for master's and doctoral students, while section 1.2 leaves the foreign-language entry requirement to each university.

This page explains each rule with its source. For how to check a university against the official lists, see this directory's section page. Each university's own entry requirements are set out in its admission prospectus. The English on this page is this site's translation of the Chinese texts, and the official Chinese texts are the reference.

The two documents used

The first is the Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) (来华留学生高等教育质量规范（试行）), issued by Ministry of Education notice 教外〔2018〕50号 dated 3 September 2018. Its Preface says the standards are the basic norm for higher education institutions carrying out education for international students.

The second is the Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (学校招收和培养国际学生管理办法), Order No. 42 of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security. This page cites its Article 16, Article 18 and Article 19.

Entry: Chinese level by language of teaching

Section 1 of the Quality Standards says each university sets its entry standards under the national rules and these standards, and that the entry standards include language ability.

Language of teaching Chinese-language requirement at entry Provision
Chinese-taught programmes At least Level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards Section 1.2
Foreign-language-taught programmes Each university states the foreign-language ability it requires in its entry standards Section 1.2

For foreign-language-taught programmes, section 1.2 gives no Chinese-language level at entry.

Section 1.2 and Part 1 name levels of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards. They do not name HSK levels.

Graduation: Chinese level by language of teaching

Part 1 of the Quality Standards sets three levels.

  • Chinese-taught programmes: graduates must reach Level 5 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards. Part 1 says they must be able to use Chinese to complete study and research in their subject and to work in that field.
  • Foreign-language-taught programmes, undergraduates: Chinese must be at least Level 4.
  • Foreign-language-taught programmes, master's and doctoral students: Chinese must be at least Level 3.

Compulsory Chinese and China overview courses

Section 6.2 of the Quality Standards says a programme's curriculum must include the Chinese-language level requirement and the compulsory China overview course requirement. The same section says curricula should not include national defence education or military courses, including military theory teaching and military skills training. Section 6.2 also says universities must arrange enough suitable Chinese and China overview courses for international students.

Article 16 of Order No. 42 says Chinese and China overview must be compulsory courses in higher education degree programmes. It says political theory must be a compulsory course for international students studying philosophy or political science.

Teaching language and remedial support

Article 18 of Order No. 42 says standard Chinese is the basic teaching language for international students. It says a university may provide necessary remedial conditions for students whose national language level is below the study requirement.

Article 19 of Order No. 42 says a university with the conditions may offer specialised courses taught in a foreign language. A degree thesis in a foreign-language-taught degree may be written in the corresponding foreign language, with a Chinese abstract. The university decides whether the thesis defence uses a foreign language.

Section 3 of the Quality Standards says universities may run preparatory programmes that teach Chinese and subject basics, so that students reach undergraduate entry standards.

Questions people ask

What Chinese level does the 2018 standard set for entry to a Chinese-taught programme?

Section 1.2 of the Quality Standards (Trial), issued by Ministry of Education notice 教外〔2018〕50号 dated 3 September 2018, says the Chinese-language level for Chinese-taught programmes must be at least Level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards.

Does the standard name HSK levels?

No. Section 1.2 and Part 1 of the Quality Standards name levels of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards, not HSK levels.

Where do I find a particular university's entry requirements?

Section 1 of the Quality Standards says each university sets its own entry standards under the national rules and the standards. Each university's admission prospectus sets out its own requirements, so check the prospectus of the university concerned.

Must Chinese and China overview courses be compulsory?

Article 16 of Order No. 42 says Chinese and China overview must be compulsory courses in higher education degree programmes.

Sources

Checked 11 October 2026.

This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by the Ministry of Education or any university, promises no admission outcome, and the official Chinese text and the current official list prevail if they differ.

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