Quick tips You Should Know before Applying to study in China.

Do you want to study abroad in China? Reflect over issues like the admission requirements and whether the education requirements match your current education level. For the progress of your study, it is also essential that you get approval from your educational institution to take your credits abroad if you are just taking a semester or year abroad program. This article will guide you through vital tips on application requirements to study in China.

Almost a quarter of university students in Europe go abroad for their studies, the Central Bureau of Statistics announced earlier this year. They either join an internship, an exchange, or take an extra semester at a foreign university. Students remain enrolled in their current study country and do not have to pay additional tuition fees. The majority of these students end up in China. Taking full education in China requires more than just studying at home. Because you may not affiliate with a European university, you have to arrange everything yourself and pay the local tuition fees.

1. Choose to study in a language you understand.

Not all courses at Chinese universities are English taught, but also Chinese taught. Especially in China, although many of their universities became more international in the past decade, there are still be some studies that are only taught in Chinese. Therefore, it is imperative to choose a study that is taught in a language you can understand. It is much easier if you already speak Chinese before applying, it is alright to opt for Chinese taught programs.

International students who wish to take their Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in the Chinese Language have a year-long intensive HSK preparation course. HSK is the Chinese Language proficiency. It is always ideal to factor in Chinese Language learning period into the years you will spend abroad

2. Consider an increase in your tuition and living expenses.

Studying in China could vary in price. Many studies are around €2500 to €8000 per academic year, depending on the program, course, and school. It could be cheaper than the amount listed above. Also, when planning to study in China, You should know there are other expenses as well. Although China is a relatively cheap country to live, it could still be a valuable experience if you want to live a luxurious life. The apartment costs heavily depend on which city you want to live in. For example, Beijing and Shanghai could cost around €500 per month, while Hangzhou and Tianjin would only cost about €300 per month. Students living in university campus dormitories will spend far less compared to the private apartments.

Other expenses in China are usually cheap unless you want to eat western food often. A typical Chinese meal would cost around €1 – €2, and in a restaurant, you would typically pay approximately €10 altogether.

If you are studying on scholarship in China, your burden will also reduce. Some international students get Full Chinese Government scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, and monthly allowances as well as insurance.

3. Prepare for language tests and assessments.

For Non-native English speakers, take note. Chinese universities usually require proof of your English language level in the form of a test result, in case you want to do an English taught study. The British IELTS and the American TOEFL are accepted almost everywhere. They test the parts writing, speaking, listening, and reading skills, and last about three hours. The minimum required score varies from the University: for example, top schools in China are stricter than the lesser high ranked schools.

The costs for such a test – 150 euros, excluding practice material – are at your own expense. The results must not be more than two years.

Also, if you want to do a Chinese taught study, you will need to have proof of your Chinese language exam results. Chinese language skills are measured in HSK levels from 1 to 6, with 1 being the lowest level and six being the highest. Usually, Chinese universities require an HSK level of 5 or 6, depending on the quality of the study.

4. Make sure you have all the documents on time.

Count on a copy of your grade list, a cover letter, a copy of your passport, and often one or two letters of recommendation from professors or employers. Some studies require a portfolio or examples of created work – if this is written text, you will need to translate it.

Again, the higher the Chinese University is ranked, the stricter they could be. China is currently known for its rapid advance in the world’s university rankings, due to the increasing quality of its Universities. Therefore, it would probably become harder and harder to get into high ranked Chinese schools in the upcoming years. Having the correct documents is of utmost importance because China is usually stringent when it comes to sharing information.

5. Decide whether you want university accommodation or go looking for housing yourself.

This is important to know on time because it will influence your entire experience when studying in China. Living on campus is cheap, and you will share a room with other international students. On the other side, living in a private apartment can be fun and will give you complete privacy, which could also be one of your preferences.

Whichever decision you make, make sure you know it in time, because postponing this decision will bring a lot of stress. It is best to have all the requirements long before you travel to give you a good feeling about your study in China.

6. Start your visa application in time.

You will almost always need a student visa if you want to study in China. Therefore, make sure to do this in time. First, check if your country has the Chinese Embassy and where it is located. If so, contact your Chinese University, where you want to study to send you the required documents to apply for your study visa. You will need a Chinese X1 or X2 visa, depending on the length of your study.

7. Think of your Health Insurance.

In principle, you are still entitled to student loans and your health insurance, if your stay is temporary and you only study. However, it is sometimes wise to insure yourself if medical care in the country you are going to is much more expensive than in your own country so that the reimbursement for medical costs increases.

If you are studying for an Undergraduate or Graduate programs in China, insurance is mandatory. The Chinese Government insures scholarship recipients on the CSC scholarships. Self-funded students should consider their insurance options. China scholar will support you procure an insurance package that fits and covers you adequately.

8. Working While Studying in China

When studying in China, you will need an X1 or X2 visa, depending on how long you will study. With both of these visas, it is forbidden to do any kind of full-time paid work in China. But you are allowed to intern while studying in China. So note the difference between an internship and a full-time job and avoid the latter. Often, it seems very appealing to do work in another country, but China will not allow you to do this. If anyone offers you a job in China during your studies, make sure to take it only after consulting with your University.

China Scholar provides legal internship placements for our clients in addition to career development support services.

How much does it cost to study in China?

This may vary considerably, but you spend around 5,000 euros a year if you are self-funding your study in China. This does not include the cost to your room (dormitory). If your University or college has a special relationship with a university in China, there are often deals possible that make you pay less. And what’s also lovely is that for studying in China, you can usually get a scholarship quite quickly. The easiest way is to apply to the Confucius Institute- Check out available scholarships in China. Often the only requirement is that you have taken a Chinese course and have a certificate in your possession.

About the cost of everyday life: in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, you spend more than in smaller cities. But on the University’s campus, there are always canteens and smaller restaurants with low prices. A meal costs between 2 and 5 euros. If you are mainly staying on campus, 8 euros will surely be enough to get you through the day. The bus and subway are cheap; it costs a quarter to a euro for a one-way ticket. Taxis are also not expensive in China. Many scholarship programs include ‘living money’. For example, you get 250 euros to get your groceries and pay for your transport for an entire month.

What to Study in China?

China Scholar has reinvented admission services in China to deliver value to international students who decide to study in China. We have combined Admission, career development, and Jobs or entrepreneurial programs under a single program. Never before, students can now study, intern, find jobs, and also set up their own companies in China. We support applicants through our streamlined admission platform and professional admission consultants, coaches, and mentors. We invest in your success.

If you want to speak with an admission consultant, fill this form, and we will be in touch to book an appointment with you.

Overview of the cost of living in Beijing

China has undergone a massive change over the recent decade with the government’s commitment to increasing the welfare of its people. Though China is modernized with quality infrastructure, most of the country is still cheaper than the majority of European countries. But studying in large metropolitan cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong are very pricey. In general, the prosperous coastal provinces are more expensive than the inland. Rural China is still very cheap. Accommodation will make up the bulk of your budget. The food is pretty cheap, especially if you eat in small restaurants. Before deciding to study in China, it will be ideal to understand the cost of studying in China. The critical question is: How much does it cost to study and live in Beijing?

The cost of living in Beijing

We all have our lifestyle and buying preferences, dependent on our daily habits. That’s why estimating the cost of living in China will be difficult, but to plan your study in China, I will try to figure out some of these critical issues. This article is primarily intended to give you an idea of what the cost of living in Beijing can be. Beijing is one of the most popular cities in China because it is the capital of the country. Every year, thousands of people troop in Beijing to experience the culture, visit touristic places and also explore life in China

What does a rental property in Beijing cost?

Finding a suitable rental property can be a challenge, especially in Beijing, where supply is quite limited, and demand is high. As a result, the prices of the rent are quite high when you want to live within the second or third ring. Depending on the neighborhood where you are looking, leases can vary from $300 to $15,000. Since you are coming to study, we will estimate that your accommodation budget should average $400

Sometimes you can be lucky with an exceptional rental price; then, it could be around 5000-6000 RMB per month. If you want to live in a community or a new and modern house, you should estimate double the price listed above.

When signing your lease, keep in mind that you often sign for just one year. Also, you are generally considered to pay a 1-month initial deposit (sometimes 2), three months rent, and a month rent as agency fees.

Daily Cost of Studying in Beijing

The cost of living is usually meager in China. So you can live fine in ten euros a day. Of course, it always depends entirely on the spending pattern during your stay. If you eat a lot in (western) restaurants, drink cocktails, beer or wine regularly in the evening, often use the taxi and stay in luxury hotels, then, of course, the costs increase considerably.

Local food and drinks are very cheap in China. However, if you buy Western products, this is much more expensive. Prices in the supermarkets are usually very low. For example, a loaf of bread costs about €1.50, a kilo of apple costs €1.20, and a can of Coke costs €0.45. A cup of coffee in a coffee shop costs about €2.50 (Cappuccino, usually about €3.50). Imported beer costs €2 per bottle, and a bottle of wine is generally starting at €10.

The cost of products and food is usually (considerably) higher in the big cities, compared to the villages in the countryside. Many more popular products are also available in big cities. Giving a tip is not culturally allowed in China, but in luxury restaurants in western parts of China, you are sometimes expected to tip a bit. We have a full article on the cost of studying in China

Local Transport Cost

Transport costs are low in China. For example, a taxi ride usually costs no more than a few euros. Public transport is dirt cheap; for a few euros, you buy a special metro card that allows you to travel cheaply (an average metro trip usually costs no more than a euro). The train is the cheapest way to travel long distances. For example, a ticket for the night train from Shanghai to Guilin costs only €30.

Between Beijing and Shanghai, you travel (by fast train during the day) for about €60. Flying is the most expensive way to travel through China. You often travel by plane, the fastest between two destinations. A plane ticket is usually close to the date of departure the cheapest. However, you run the most significant risk that tickets will no longer be available. A one-way ticket to Shanghai – Xi’an costs about €65, for example. A ticket from Beijing to Chengdu is around €80.

What is the best way to Make payment in China?

China is light years ahead of the world when it comes to payment solutions. You can go about your daily tasks in China without touching cash. Payment applications connected to your bank account is enough. Hands-free payments using Alipay or Wechat Pay are the main form of payment in China. However, cash is also still an excellent way to pay. Credit cards are not very popular in China, and except large hotels and restaurants and department stores, credit cards are hardly accepted. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are the most common.

ATMs are numerous in large cities, and every city and larger villages have an ATM. There is a daily limit on how much money you can withdraw. Taking money also costs money. If you think you can stay in China for a more extended period, it can help to open a Chinese bank account.

Internet and Mobile costs

The mobile costs can vary depending on which type of subscription you are interested in. If your call minutes tend to be high but don’t need that much data, you can tailor your plans to get a good deal compared to European prices. On average, you pay around 80 RMB per month. It is also important how long you want the subscription. Usually, the contracts will be from at least 1 or 2 years: the longer your contract, the more favorable the price. On top of that, you pay around 40 RMB per month for a VPN. The VPN is to enable you to browse the internet decently (because of the Chinese Firewall). The VPN can usually be installed on several devices.

How to Study in China

So you are aware that despite China’s glamour, rich culture, beautiful cities, and scenery, the cost of living and studying in China is meager. Opportunities available for International students who study in China is mind-blowing.

To study in China, you can apply through China Scholar or directly to the universities. If you apply through us, we assist your entire application process of securing admission to top Chinese Universities. Our service packages include Admission Support, Internships, and Career Consulting, Assimilation into China, Airport pickup, visa support services, and so much more. China Scholar is the largest service provider in China with decades of experience. If you want to study in China with professional support, Send us an inquiry to speak with one of our Admission Consultants.