Insurance, health check and fees: what Order No. 42 requires of universities and international students

Order No. 42 requires universities to publish the fee items, fee standards and refund rules for international students, and to price fees and refunds in renminbi (Article 14). It requires international students to complete a health check record or physical examination at enrolment (Article 39). It requires every international student to buy insurance, and it sets out what happens to a student who does not (Article 40).

This page sets out those three articles and the matching sections of the 2018 quality standards. It gives no amounts, because each university publishes its own figures. For how to check a university's own published figures, see this directory's section page.

The Chinese wording below is quoted from the official texts. The English is this site's own translation of the Chinese, and the English titles of the documents are this site's renderings too.

The two documents

Order No. 42 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. Its promulgation text states that it takes effect from 1 July 2017.

The quality standards are 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）). They are attached to Ministry of Education notice 教外〔2018〕50号, dated 3 September 2018. The standards are addressed to higher education institutions and are a trial version.

Fees and refunds

Article 14 of Order No. 42 has two sentences. The first says that the fee items and fee standards that a higher education institution sets for international students follow national rules. The second says that the institution shall publish the fee items, the fee standards, and the refund rules for withdrawal and transfer. Article 14 adds that fees and refunds are priced in renminbi.

Article 14 sets no fee amount.

Section 13.1 of the quality standards says that universities shall formulate fee policies and specific management measures for international students in accordance with national rules.

Health check at enrolment

Article 39 of Order No. 42 says that an international student shall, on enrolment, follow the rules of China's health administration department. The student goes to the China health quarantine authority to complete confirmation of a Foreign Nationals' Physical Examination Record (外国人体格检查记录), or undergoes a physical examination.

Article 39 continues: if the examination confirms a serious mental disorder, infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, or another infectious disease that may cause major harm to public health, as set out in the Exit-Entry Administration Law of the PRC, the public security authority handles the case according to law.

Article 39 does not name the examination items.

Insurance

Article 40 of Order No. 42 says that the school runs a full-coverage insurance system for international students. Each international student must buy insurance under national rules and the school's own requirements.

Section 15.4 of the quality standards says that universities shall implement the full-coverage insurance system under Order No. 42, ensure that students have insurance protection that meets the required standards during their studies, and provide the necessary assistance with insurance matters.

Section 15.5 says that universities shall draw up an emergency assistance plan for international students who face serious illness, accidents or other emergencies in China, and shall actively help with rescue and medical care.

Article 40 sets no premium and names no insurer.

What happens to a student who has not insured

Article 40 sets out two cases.

For a student who has not bought insurance as required, the school gives a deadline to insure. If the student does not insure by the deadline, the school does not admit the student.

For a student who is already studying at the school, the article says the student shall be made to withdraw or shall not be registered.

Article 40 gives no length for the deadline.

Questions people ask

Does Order No. 42 set tuition amounts?

No. Article 14 sets no fee amount. It says that fee items and standards follow national rules, and that each university must publish its own items, standards and refund rules.

Are fees and refunds priced in renminbi?

Yes. Article 14 of Order No. 42 states that fees and refunds are priced in renminbi.

Does an international student need a health check at enrolment?

Article 39 says an international student shall, on enrolment, complete confirmation of a Foreign Nationals' Physical Examination Record or undergo a physical examination, following the rules of China's health administration department. Article 39 does not name the examination items.

What does Article 40 say about students who have not bought insurance?

Article 40 says the school gives a deadline for the student to insure. If the student does not insure by the deadline, the school does not admit the student. A student who is already studying is made to withdraw or is not registered. Article 40 gives no length for the deadline.

Sources

• Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42) — Ministry of Education of the PRC
• Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) — Ministry of Education of the PRC

Checked 11 October 2026.

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