The education system in China

The People's Republic of China is one of the world's economic leaders, and the constant development of the state needs nourishment in the person of the highest class specialists. Teaching and training standards have reached the world level, and today 4 Chinese universities (Peking, Tsinghua, Fudan and Shanghai) are included in the top 100 according to various international rankings.

The main advantages of studying in the country

1. The Chinese language is becoming more and more in demand in the world, gradually catching up with English. Foreign graduates of the local universities by the end of their studies are fluent in the local language.
2. Education in Chinese universities is also conducted in English.
3. Based on the number of patents for inventions and the citation index of articles on scientific topics, China has already come close to Japan.
4. Diplomas from Chinese universities are quoted all over the world, which allows you to find a good job while still studying.

The standard of living and education in China is growing at a tremendous pace, and more and more people leave there not only to study, but also remain in the future to work.

Higher education

You can enter a Chinese university only after 18 years of age: this is the minimum threshold for studying in a bachelor's degree. Further degrees (magistracy, postgraduate studies) are received by the student at the age of over 20.

Terms of education:

• Studying for a bachelor's degree takes from 3 to 5 years, depending on the direction;
• Masters study a little less - from 2 to 3 years;
• The term of study in postgraduate study, which is essentially a doctoral study, is 3 years.

For all types of degrees, the academic year period is approximately the same. Study begins on September 1, ends in late June - early July.

China has strict discipline, which translates into a clear schedule of classes and choice of courses. Recently, the number of additional items has increased. On the other hand, the training system allows you to have enough free time (for example, in the undergraduate course, classes are held mainly from 8 am to 12 noon), and students can earn extra money (although this is officially prohibited) and improve their knowledge of the Chinese language through communication.

The academic year is divided into 4 semesters, for successful graduation you need to receive a certain number of credits. Each item costs between 1 and 3 credits. In addition, they are received for the successful delivery of seminars, exams, and practical work.

The work on scientific research is specific: communication with the supervisor is maintained mainly remotely, via e-mail, and personal meetings are rare, and this causes certain difficulties, especially in the pre-defense period.

Education programs

Study in China for foreigners consists of several types of programs:

• Summer camp (including preschool);
• Language school;
• Secondary education;
• Programs for admission to a university;
• Bachelor's degree;
• Master's degree;
• Doctorate.

You may need to study in college when entering a university if the applicant has insufficient knowledge of the Chinese language or lacks one or two years of study in secondary educational institutions (for example, if only 9 or 10 grades of school are completed).

Bachelor's degree is the first academic degree in the system of higher education, studies last 4-5 years, you can enter only after 18 years, having in your hands a diploma of secondary education. Required.

Master's degree - the second degree, allows you to seriously deepen your knowledge and skills, the emphasis is on the practical part of the work. Not required, bachelor's degree required.

Postgraduate studies (doctoral studies) - the third academic degree, today is equivalent to PHD (Doctor of Philosophy) in American universities. Serious scientific works are defended, it allows you to become a specialist of a very high level, but, as a rule, in a rather narrow field of science.

Conditions for admission

Knowledge of the Chinese language at a good level (not lower than HSK level 3) is almost always required for admission to a bachelor's degree; for master's and doctoral studies, levels 4 and 5 are required, respectively.

There are training programs in English, where knowledge of Chinese is not so important, but the cost of such programs is several times higher.

The availability of entrance exams or tests depends on the university and the chosen program, but in the vast majority of cases they do not pass. To enter a university, it is usually enough to contact the chosen place of study and send them the necessary documents. After considering them, the applicant receives an answer and instructions in case of a positive decision.

Russian schoolchildren cannot enter a Chinese university after the 9th grade, since they do not have a diploma of complete secondary education. However, they have the opportunity to study at a Chinese college, after which university studies are available. For direct participation in the competition from Russia, you must complete 11 grades of school.

List of required documents

For admission to universities in China, a translated diploma of secondary education will not be enough. This applies not only to Russians, but also to citizens of other CIS countries - Kazakhstanis, Belarusians, Ukrainians, etc.

In addition to the diploma, you will or may need to:

• Documents confirming the level of knowledge of the Chinese and English languages;
• Documents received for academic achievement or in non-academic activities (for example, sports);
• Recommendations of teachers (when transferring from another university);
• Help about financial capabilities;
• A copy of the passport of the applicant and one of the parents;
• Study permit issued by the PRC government.

If you enter a Chinese university, already having a bachelor's degree, you must translate the diploma and documents on its assignment. Accordingly, upon admission to doctoral studies, you will also need a master's degree.

It is possible to request an additional number of papers, depending on the requirements of a particular university.

A study permit, or study visa, is issued at a visa center run by the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs. How much it will cost depends on citizenship, on average it is paid from 20 to 100 euros, terms - up to 3-7 working days.

Cost of education

It is much cheaper to study in China than in Europe or the USA. The cost (including accommodation and general expenses) can be 3-5 times lower.

1. In Beijing, on average, undergraduate studies will cost about 5,000 dollars, the total costs for the year will be about $ 13,000.
2. In Shanghai, study will cost at 3,500 dollars per year, campus accommodation, meals, travel, Internet will cost more about $ 6,000.
3. You will have to pay for master's and doctoral studies from 4,000 to 5,000 dollars (for each degree).

Prices in private and public universities have minimal differences.

Is it possible to get education for free

Despite the availability of budget-funded places in state educational institutions, it is almost impossible for a foreign citizen to take them and study for free, since local residents from the groups that fall under the concepts of:

• Gifted child;
• A child from a poor family;
• Olympiad winner.

What are the scholarships and grants for foreigners

The Chinese authorities are conducting more and more programs to attract foreign students to their country, as a result of which they are willing to provide grants and scholarships for them. They can be allocated both by the government itself (Chinese Government Scholarship), and by universities, private corporations or international foundations (UNESCO Foundation, Chinese Culture Research Fellowship Scheme), and sometimes they can cover up to 80-90 percent of all annual expenses for tuition, room and board.

Features for internship and study exchange programs

Leading Russian and Chinese universities have agreements on the exchange of students and the provision of internships for training. In such cases, tuition is paid for by government, international or private funds.

Internships most often last one academic year and allow you to stay in the country (or come some time after completing your studies at your home university) to obtain the next degree, but at your own expense or after receiving a grant.

The attention to exchange students or internships is not so close and does not imply obtaining a degree in a Chinese university. The academic year in China is counted towards the duration of the study in the home place of study.

Accommodation and meals for students

For international students, Chinese universities offer accommodation in dormitories located on campuses. This is the most convenient option because of the walking distance to both the place of study and libraries, gyms and other things. Sometimes there is no need to leave campuses for several weeks in a row. This is the cheapest accommodation option.

It is also possible to rent an apartment or room outside the university campus or live with a family. If a student moves, then he must be sure to notify the district police department at the new place of residence of his arrival and check-in within 24 hours. This does not apply to moving from campus to campus.

Homestay can help improve your Chinese language proficiency dramatically. It may even be free, depending on the host or special program, but such cases are rare.

Not a lot of money is spent on food in China. On average, in Beijing and Shanghai, it will take about 300-400 dollars... Eating on campuses is even cheaper.

Top universities in the country

• Peking University (北京大學) is the most famous university in the country, occupying one of the highest places in the world ranking among Chinese educational institutions. One of the features is its location - north of the city, in the area of ​​the former imperial gardens. According to Wikipedia and the opinion of some experts, this is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The official website is pku.edu.cn.
• Qingdao Institute (青岛 理工 大学 琴岛 学院) is a university dedicated to training specialists in technical sciences. It has a large number of partner programs with universities around the world, including Russian ones. University website - www.qdc.cn.
• Tsinghua University (清華大學) is a leader in the world top universities among Chinese universities. Located in Beijing, along with Beijing, it is included in the so-called "League C9" - an analogy with the elite universities of the "Ivy League" in the United States. Website - www.tsinghua.edu.cn.
• Shanghai University (上海 交通 大学) - also a member of the C9 League, is the home university of many Chinese scientists and politicians, as well as the most famous Chinese basketball player Yao Ming. University page - en.sjtu.edu.cn.
• Fudan University (復旦大學) - located in Shanghai, is a member of the elite C9 League. It is famous for its faculties of physical, mathematical and medical sciences. It has a large number of hospitals and medical centers on its territory. The official website is www.fudan.edu.cn/.

Reviews about studies

Karina:China has very nice people who maintain good neighborly relations with foreigners. This helps a lot in the course of studying and studying the country, solving everyday issues. Also, despite the low cost of education, education is very high quality, and many of my friends got a job at prestigious places around the world.

Anastasia: Too much free time relaxes, it is difficult to force yourself to study when everyone is idle around. But it's better to work and cram, otherwise it will be difficult there, especially at first.

Kseniya: I was struck by a certain lack of performance of teachers and especially scientific leaders, sometimes I thought that they did not care at all what and how I write in my diploma. On the other hand, their level of knowledge is impressive and they willingly share it with students.

Education in China has become very prestigious, but it does not cease to be available. About 10 percent of the country's budget is spent on scientific research, and leading Chinese universities carry out most of the work in this direction. Despite the complexity of the language, it is quite possible to learn it, especially while continuously in the country. Financial assistance from the PRC authorities and plans to attract even more foreign students, coupled with the highest quality standards of education, make Chinese universities an excellent choice for obtaining knowledge and specialties.