HOW TO STUDY IN CHINA FOR FREE AS A FOREIGNER: A BASIC GUIDE
How to Study in China For Free as a Foreigner: A Basic Guide
China has been a popular destination for international students for about two decades now. And while you may not hear much about it, depending on your circumstances, it might be worth looking into. You can be from the US or from any other part of the world. And if you’re looking for affordable or even free higher education, this might be a choice for you.
I did my Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Trade in Guangzhou, from 2007-2011. There were thousands of students from all over the world. My degree is recognized everywhere around the world, and I’ve never had problems getting jobs wherever I go. I ended up living in China for 7 years, and because of the experiences, knowledge and skills that I gained while in the country, I’ve been able to work in multiple countries around the world. This guide will provide you with all the basic information you need to start your academic journey in China.
Why Study in China?
- Affordable Education: Compared to Western countries, tuition fees and living expenses in China are significantly lower, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious students. The Chinese government also has tons of free study opportunities available.
- Global Recognition: Not all universities, but most of them offer degrees that are recognized globally, as long as you choose accredited programs. The university AND degree need to be listed HERE. If they’re not, forget about it.
- Cultural Immersion: Studying in China offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Chinese language, history, and culture.
- High-Quality Education: Fields like economics and business are particularly strong in China, and will give you an edge compared to other participants.
Study in China for Free: Scholarships and Funding Options
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS): The CGS is the most comprehensive scholarship program, covering tuition, accommodation, and living expenses. Apply through the Chinese Embassy in your country or directly to the university.
- Confucius Institute Scholarship: Ideal for students interested in learning Mandarin or pursuing studies in Chinese culture and language.
- University-Specific Scholarships: Many universities, like Zhejiang University and Fudan University, offer their own scholarships. Check their websites for details.
- Bilateral Program Scholarships: These scholarships are often part of agreements between China and other countries. Check with your country’s Ministry of Education for information.
My best tip here is to go to your Chinese embassy’s website. This is not widely advertised, and sometimes the information is difficult to find. And most of these websites look like they’re from 2010. But if you dig around you’ll find study abroad programs advertised by your embassy for citizens of your country. If you live in a large country or a country with a large Chinese population, go to the embassy page, not the consulate. This means that if you’re from the US for example, you need to visit the Washington DC page, not your regional page.
How Can I Study in China as a Foreigner?
- Choose the Right University Research universities based on your field of interest, location preferences, and accreditation. Websites like China Admissions can help you explore available programs.
- Meet Admission Requirements
– Language Proficiency: Most programs require proficiency in Mandarin (HSK levels 4-6) or English (TOEFL/IELTS for English-taught programs. Yes, there are 100% English programs.
– Academic Records: Ensure your grades meet the minimum requirements.
– Passport and Visa: A valid passport. You’ll be given the paperwork to apply for a visa in your home country. This might just be a short-term visa and you’ll get a proper one in China. - Application Process
– Visit the university’s official website to access the application portal.
– Submit the necessary documents, including transcripts, recommendation letters, and personal statements.
– Pay the application fee, if applicable.
How Can I Study in China as an American?
- Explore U.S.-China Educational Exchange Programs: Organizations like the Institute of International Education (IIE) can connect you with study-abroad programs.
- Direct Applications to Universities: Most Chinese universities accept applications from American students directly through their websites.
- Leverage Scholarships: The Chinese Government Scholarship and Fulbright Programs are great options for U.S. students.
Tuition fees when I studied in China were around $3000 USD per year, plus living expenses. If you’re from the USA, Canada or the UK, this is a bargain. If you want to graduate debt free and get an international degree, I suggest looking into this. Even if you don’t get a scholarship, living expenses are low and this is more affordable than studying at home.
Tips for Finding Scholarships
Visit the Chinese Embassy in Your Country The Chinese Embassy is a key resource for information on available scholarships and application procedures.
Check University Websites Many universities list scholarship opportunities for international students on their websites.
Research Early Scholarship Deadlines often precede application deadlines for academic programs, so start your research well in advance.
Prepare a Strong Application Include a compelling personal statement, highlight your academic achievements, and obtain strong recommendation letters.
Advantages to studying in China
International degree: This will give you an edge wherever you go. “You studied in China?!” – is a great way to get to job interviews. To break the ice, and to give you international credibility as a professional.
The language: While most people are lazy and barely make an effort to learn Mandarin, you should. At least the basics. I was the only one at my time who spoke Spanish/English and Mandarin and that opened tons of doors and opportunities for me.
Traveling: You’re now in China, and the rest of Asia is your playground. Flights are affordable and you can find yourself visiting the whole region regularly.
Business Opportunities: Because I was the only one who could speak Mandarin, I started working as a trilingual interpreter. I was 17. A few years later I had gathered enough clients to start my own exports company without any seed funding or start-up money. I was 19. These are opportunities I would have never been able to have anywhere else in the world.
International community: You’ll meet people from every corner of the world regularly. Your list of contacts will look like it came out of a UN job, and this means you’ll have friends and an open home in many countries around the world.
Broadening your horizons: We grow up with prejudices and stereotypes. Being in China was a great way to start dealing with that wrongdoing. Everything I thought I knew about the world was wrong, and I was able to discover that in China.
Downsides to studying in China
Be wary of the degree you choose: Even if you find an internationally-recognized degree, some are just not accepted and you’ll have to start from scratch. This especially goes for engineering and medical degrees. I repeat, this happens to MANY people who don’t do their research properly.
Censorship: Get used to having VPNs and not getting access to information regularly. It’s just part of the experience.
Lack of critical thinking: Education did feel very monotonous. I was encouraged to memorize and not to analyze. I feel like I did most of my learning through work and my business experiences, not in school. That was disappointing. I used the degree to level up my career, but learning there felt like an empty experience.
Toxicity: While you’ll find many people to bond with over the shared experiences of living in China, it can be an extremely toxic and competitive environment to deal with. It took me years to find a proper group of friends who were not out there trying to take advantage of my knowledge.
Far away from home: Unless your family has a certain amount of wealth, you probably won’t see them often. And most won’t be able to visit you. You will be very isolated for some time. That’s why the right support and friends are so important.
Final Thoughts
Is this for everyone? It’s not. Living in China IS challenging. However, it is nowhere near as challenging now as it was 20 years ago. This was the experience of a lifetime and the best part is that you can easily take a Mandarin course for a year, or a master’s degree for 2 years. You don’t need to do 7 years like I did.
I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for China. I learned so much, both hard and soft skills, made a good amount of money, and made lifelong friendships.
Studying in China as a foreigner is not only affordable but also a gateway to globally recognized education and cultural enrichment. With a good amount of scholarships available, including those from the Chinese government, Confucius Institutes, and individual universities, it’s possible to make your dream of studying in China a reality – even for free.
Begin by exploring programs that align with your career goals, and if you need any help, don’t forget that you can also book a 1-1 call with me. This is just one of the many free living and travel opportunities out there, and I share them all on my newsletter regularly, so don’t forget to sign up!
Hey there, and welcome to Go Global with Sibu! I’m a global citizen that has been living and traveling around the world since 2005 – all through budget travel, scholarships, study/work and living abroad opportunities. I share everything I’ve learned over the years here – to prove to you that you don’t need money or privilege to enjoy everything that this world has to offer.