Preparatory programmes for international students in China: what the quality standards provide
Sources checked · Unofficial summary
Preparatory education (预科教育) is a programme that a higher education institution may open for international students. Section 3 of the 2018 quality standards says the programme teaches Chinese and basic subject knowledge so that students reach undergraduate entry standards and adapt to study and life in China. Article 9 of Order No. 42 lists preparatory students (预科生) under non-degree education. For how this directory is organised, see this directory's section page.
What this page uses
This page uses two Ministry of Education texts only.
- 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.
- 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.
The English on this page is this directory's own translation of the Chinese text. The Chinese text is the official version.
What section 3 says
Section 3 (预科教育) has three sentences. In English they say the following.
- Higher education institutions shall attach importance to the role of preparatory education in improving the quality of undergraduate student sources and expanding the scale of student recruitment.
- Higher education institutions may open preparatory programmes, admit international students who meet appropriate standards, and teach Chinese and basic subject knowledge, so that students reach undergraduate entry standards and adapt to study and life in China.
- A preparatory programme of a higher education institution shall meet the requirements of the corresponding education and teaching standards and norms.
Section 3 sets no length for a programme and gives no fee. Section 3 does not define the "appropriate standards" for admission.
The entry language requirement in section 1.2
Section 1.2 (语言能力要求) covers language requirements in the entry standards for international students.
- For programmes taught in Chinese, the Chinese-language requirement in the entry standards shall be at least level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards (《国际汉语能力标准》).
- For programmes taught in a foreign language, the higher education institution shall state the foreign-language requirement in its entry standards. Section 1.2 gives no level for that requirement.
Section 1.2 does not equate the levels of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards with HSK levels. Section 3 does not refer to section 1.2.
Categories of students in Article 9
Article 9 sets out the categories of international students that higher education institutions admit. It sorts them into two groups.
| Group (教育类别) | Categories listed in Article 9 (类别) |
|---|---|
| Degree education (学历教育) | Specialist (junior-college) students (专科生); undergraduate students (本科生); master's postgraduate students (硕士研究生); doctoral students (博士研究生) |
| Non-degree education (非学历教育) | Preparatory students (预科生); advanced-study students (进修生); research scholars (研究学者) |
Chinese-language support in Article 18
Article 18 states that the common spoken and written language of the PRC (中华人民共和国通用语言文字) is the basic teaching language for higher education institutions in training international students.
For an international student whose command of the national common language does not reach the study requirement, Article 18 says a school may provide the necessary remedial conditions (补习条件).
Article 18 sets no length, fee or amount for these remedial conditions. Article 18 does not use the term 预科 (preparatory).
How the provisions relate
Section 3 concerns preparatory education. Section 1.2 concerns the entry language requirement. Article 9 concerns the categories of students. Article 18 concerns remedial conditions for language. Each provision is cited on this page by its own number.
Checking a university
Being on a list does not show that a university enrols international students in a given programme. Fees, deadlines, language scores and programme details are set out in each university's own admission prospectus. For how to check a name against the Ministry of Education list, see how to check a Chinese university on the MOE list.
Questions people ask
Does section 3 set how long a preparatory programme lasts?
Section 3 sets no length for a preparatory programme. It says the programme teaches Chinese and basic subject knowledge so that students reach undergraduate entry standards and adapt to study and life in China.
What Chinese-language level does section 1.2 set for programmes taught in Chinese?
Section 1.2 says the Chinese-language requirement in the entry standards for programmes taught in Chinese shall be at least level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards (《国际汉语能力标准》). Section 1.2 does not equate these levels with HSK levels.
Does Article 18 require a school to provide remedial Chinese support?
Article 18 says that a school may provide the necessary remedial conditions for an international student whose command of the national common language does not reach the study requirement. The word used is 可以, which is "may".
Sources
- 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）), Ministry of Education of the PRC
- 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, 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. The official Chinese text and the current official list prevail if they differ.