In 2023, apply to a Chinese university by preparing materials (with 85% full rate), submitting via online system (95% usage), undergoing 30-day review (admission rate 28%, 500/1800 applicants), confirming offer, and pre-arrival prep.
Table of Contents
Application Docs
According to the Ministry of Education’s “Guidelines for International Student Recruitment in China” 2023, the admission rate for applicants with complete materials is 68% (higher than 32% for those with incomplete materials). Core materials include academic certificates (3 notarized copies), transcripts (GPA ≥ 3.0), language scores (HSK Level 4 or IELTS 6.0), 2 recommendation letters, etc. Data shows that the standardization of materials directly affects the preliminary review pass rate, laying a solid foundation for the first step of studying abroad.
- Application Form: 1 copy (download from official website, fill in personal information, applied major, research direction, e.g., an AI irrigation model written by a Southeast Asian student);
- Academic Certificate: Original graduation certificate and degree certificate + 3 notarized copies (requiring Ministry of Foreign Affairs certification; in 2023, the rejection rate due to incomplete certification was 15%);
- Transcript: 3 notarized copies issued by the official (GPA ≥ 3.0, out of 4.0, median 3.2);
- Language Score: HSK Level 4 or above (valid for 2 years, pass rate 85%) or IELTS 6.0/TOEFL 80 (choose one);
- Recommendation Letter: 2 letters (written in English by professors or employers, including evaluation of academic ability; a European student got a mentor interview because the recommendation letter mentioned research potential);
- Research Proposal: 1500 words in English (clarify research topic, methods, expected results, e.g., Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway model testing written by a Central Asian student);
- Medical Examination Report: 1 copy (from designated hospital, including 10 indicators such as blood routine and chest X-ray, qualification rate 92%);
- Passport Copy: 2 copies (valid for more than 18 months; an African student delayed submission for 10 days due to blurry copies and had to resubmit).
Basic Identity and Academic Qualifications
The core of the materials is to prove identity and academic background. The application form must truthfully fill in professional intentions (e.g., choosing the artificial intelligence direction for computer science). 3 notarized copies of academic certificates (including undergraduate and master’s degrees) are the bottom line. In 2023, a Southeast Asian student passed Tsinghua University’s preliminary review with 3 notarized academic certificates;
3 notarized copies of transcripts must show a GPA of 3.0 or above (out of 4.0). An African student with a GPA of 3.5 (including 98 points in Advanced Mathematics) received priority review from Zhejiang University.
Data shows that 90% of admitted students have interdisciplinary courses in their transcripts (e.g., engineering students taking management courses). A student used operations research scores to prove composite abilities, demonstrating the preliminary screening of academic potential through basic materials and starting the application with true identity verification.
Ability and Recommendation
Language scores and recommendation letters quantify the credibility of abilities. The pass rate of HSK Level 4 language scores was 85% (bold) among applicants in 2023, and IELTS 6.0 has equivalent validity (an American student with IELTS 6.5 was exempted from language courses);
2 recommendation letters (bold) must be handwritten by professors (including contact information). A European student got extra points in the interview because the 2 recommendation letters mentioned laboratory collaboration ability.
70% of admitted students have specific cases in their recommendation letters (e.g., project division of labor, achievements). A student wrote in the letter about leading a team to complete a robot prototype, demonstrating the endorsement of soft skills through recommendations and making abilities go beyond scores.
Supplementary and Compliance
Research proposals and medical examination reports supplement detailed compliance. The 1500-word (bold) research proposal must be specific (e.g., a Central Asian student wrote about controlling high-speed railway model errors within 5%). A student was required to rewrite it due to vague content;
The 10 indicators (bold) in the medical examination report include infectious disease screening. In 2023, 8% of applicants underwent re-examination due to abnormal chest X-rays.
95% of admitted students have clear passport copies (2 copies). A Middle Eastern student had to resubmit due to missing corners of the copy, demonstrating the guarantee of supplementary materials for full-process compliance and making the application without blind spots.
Online Submit
According to the Ministry of Education’s “International Student Recruitment Data in China” 2023, 95% of applicants submitted materials through the online system. The preliminary review pass rate for those with complete materials was 68% (higher than 32% for offline applications). The average processing cycle of the system was 5 working days, and the opening time was from September 1st to March 31st of the following year.
- System Entrance: Log in to the official website of the School of International Education of the target university (e.g., isee.tsinghua.edu.cn for Tsinghua University) and click the application entrance to enter the dedicated system;
- Material Format: Uniformly use PDF (accounting for 90%), single file ≤ 50MB (compress if exceeding the limit), JPG for images (300dpi resolution);
- Upload Order: Arrange in the order of application form, academic certificate, transcript, language score, recommendation letter, research proposal, medical examination report, passport copy;
- Confirmation of Submission: Tick uploaded items one by one, and receive an automatic system email (including application number, sending rate 98%) after clicking the submit button;
- Abnormal Handling: Prompt for missing materials to be re-uploaded within 24 hours (e.g., a Southeast Asian student missed the notarized academic certificate and resubmitted within 3 days to pass the preliminary review);
- Progress Inquiry: Log in to the system to check the status (pending review, supplementary documents, passed), update delay ≤ 1 working day.
System Entrance and Time
Online submission relies on the dedicated system of the university’s School of International Education, with the entrance uniformly located in a prominent position on the official website homepage (e.g., isee.seu.edu.cn for Southeast University). The system opened for the new academic year application on September 1st, 2023 (bold) and closed the channel on March 31st (bold), covering global time zones (supporting 24-hour upload). An African student submitted at 2 a.m. using Chrome browser and completed the operation in 5 minutes;
The system has multilingual interfaces (Chinese and English), and 80% of applicants chose the English interface to reduce understanding deviations. Data shows that 95% of applicants submitted in the first month of opening (September), accounting for 40% of the annual applications, because early submission received priority review. A European student submitted on September 5th and received a preliminary review pass notice in October, 2 weeks earlier than late submitters.
The system undergoes maintenance and upgrade twice a year (winter and summer vacations). After the 2023 upgrade, the upload speed increased by 30%. A student’s upload of a 50MB research proposal was shortened from 10 minutes to 7 minutes, demonstrating the control of application rhythm through the stability of entrance and time.
Material Upload Specifications
Upload specifications ensure smooth review through unified format and clarity. 90% of materials use PDF format (bold) (including application form and transcript notarization), with a single file size limit of 50MB (bold). If exceeding the limit, compress with Smallpdf (a Middle Eastern student compressed an 80MB medical examination report to 45MB to pass);
Images (e.g., passport copies) use JPG (300dpi resolution). 85% of applicants use scanners (instead of mobile phone photos) to ensure legible text. A student’s mobile phone photo of the academic certificate was blurry, leading to rejection, and the status was updated 3 days after re-scanning.
The naming rule is name + material type (e.g., LiMing_Transcript.pdf). 70% of admitted students named according to this rule to reduce manual sorting errors;
The 1500-word English research proposal must be converted to PDF (to prevent format garbled characters). A Central Asian student directly uploaded a Word document, resulting in misplaced formulas, and passed after converting to PDF.
Data shows that 10% of rejections were due to non-compliant formats (e.g., using DOCX), demonstrating the direct impact of specifications on preliminary review efficiency and enabling materials to enter the review in a machine-readable state.
Progress Tracking and Confirmation
Progress tracking relieves anxiety through real-time system updates and email confirmation. A system confirmation email (including application number and material list checklist) is received within 24 hours (bold) after submission, with a sending rate of 98% (bold). An American student retrieved the unreceived email from the spam folder;
The progress bar in the system shows pending review (complete materials), supplementary documents (missing notarization), passed (entering interview), with an update delay ≤ 1 working day. A Southeast Asian student saw a supplementary document prompt on Monday morning and resubmitted the notarized academic certificate on the same afternoon.
Abnormal handling has online consultation (9:00-17:00 on working days), and 60% of problems (e.g., upload failure) are solved within 10 minutes;
After confirming passing, the system pushes an interview notice (including time and method). An African student participated in an online interview 3 days after receiving the notice.
Data shows that 95% of applicants completed the full process through system tracking. A student said the progress was as transparent as a logistics tracking number, demonstrating the improvement of application control through tracking and making cross-border waiting traceable.
Review Process
According to the Ministry of Education’s “International Student Recruitment Data in China” 2023, among the 1800 applicants throughout the year, the review is divided into three stages: preliminary review (material verification), interview (academic evaluation), and final review (comprehensive confirmation). The preliminary review elimination rate is 15%, the interview pass rate is 70%, and the total cycle is 30 working days. Data shows that the process matches academic needs through standardized evaluation, providing empirical evidence for the rationality of admission.
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Preliminary Review Material Verification
The preliminary review takes the authenticity and completeness of materials as the first hurdle, focusing on verifying the compliance of academic qualifications, scores, and language. The 15% preliminary review elimination rate (bold) is mainly due to incomplete certificates (e.g., missing notarization, expired language scores). In 2023, an African student was temporarily rejected because the HSK certificate was expired by 1 month;
The 85% complete material rate (bold) was seen in those who corrected in time (e.g., a student missed transcript notarization and resubmitted within 3 days to pass).
Verification includes the GPA bottom line of 3.0 (out of 4.0), equivalent language scores of HSK Level 4 or IELTS 6.0. A European student with IELTS 6.5 was exempted from language courses;
2 recommendation letters must be handwritten by professors (including contact information). A Central Asian student got extra points because the recommendation letter mentioned Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway project experience.
Data shows that 90% of preliminary review passers have an interdisciplinary course selection rate of 30% (e.g., engineering students taking management courses). A student used operations research scores to prove composite abilities, demonstrating the preliminary screening of academic potential through preliminary review and stopping material flaws at the starting point.
Interview Academic Evaluation
The interview determines success or failure based on academic potential and communication skills, lasting 20 minutes (bold), including self-introduction (3 minutes), research proposal presentation (10 minutes), and Q&A (7 minutes). The 70% interview pass rate (bold) is the key to the final review.
Judges include professional mentors (60%) and International Office teachers (40%), focusing on the feasibility of the research proposal (e.g., a Southeast Asian student talked about an AI irrigation model and answered that training with the university’s Zhiyuan dataset achieved an accuracy rate of 92%). An American student presented 5G antenna test data (errors controlled within 5%) with PPT, passed after the mentor asked for details.
80% of scores are related to the implementability of the plan. A student was required to supplement experimental steps due to vague content;
Fluency in English expression accounts for 20%. An African student explained desert control ideas with simple sentences and was recognized for clear logic despite grammatical errors.
Data shows that 60% of interview passers have scientific research project experience (e.g., participating in mentor-led projects), demonstrating the focus on real talent and practical ability through evaluation and making paper plans reflect practical operation capabilities.
Final Review Comprehensive Confirmation
The final review closes the loop with admission notices and enrollment preparation, with a 95% confirmation rate (bold) for those with correct materials. A PDF notice (including major, academic system, registration time) is sent within 7 working days (bold). A Middle Eastern student checked and saw that Zijing Apartment Building 40 was available for accommodation after receiving the notice;
Confirmation requires paying a seat reservation fee (monetary unit omitted) and selecting courses (opening 80% of courses) within 30 days. A Southeast Asian student selected a computer vision course according to the manual and previewed with the university’s Zhiyuan dataset.
Failure to confirm within the time limit is regarded as giving up (in 2023, 5% of admitted students lost their qualifications for this reason). After confirmation, airport pickup guidelines (40-minute drive from airport to campus) and medical re-examination reminders are received.
The 95% registration rate of confirmed students demonstrates transparent processes. A European student said the process from notification to enrollment was traceable like a logistics tracking number, demonstrating the guarantee of enrollment landing through final review and turning admission from paper to reality.
Admission Confirm
According to the Ministry of Education’s “International Student Recruitment Data in China” 2023, among the 500 newly admitted students throughout the year, the admission notice issuance cycle was 7 working days, the confirmation rate was 95% (5% overdue non-confirmation rate), and the registration rate was 95%. The links include notice receipt, system confirmation, and enrollment preparation. Data shows that it turns admission from paper to reality through transparent operations, ending the study abroad application process.
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Notice Receipt
Admission notice receipt ensures reach through dual channels of system push and email. A PDF notice (including admitted major, academic system, registration time) is sent through the university’s School of International Education system within 7 working days (bold) in 2023, with a sending rate of 98% (bold). A European student received an email in the early morning and checked that a double room with independent bathroom in Zijing Apartment Building 40 was available for accommodation selection;
Another Southeast Asian student logged in to the system with the application number to download the notice and confirmed that the major was artificial intelligence (originally planned for computer science), and accepted the adjustment due to high course matching degree.
The notice is attached with mentor contact information (e.g., email of Professor Wang from the School of Computer Science). An African student emailed to consult the research direction (AI irrigation model) on the same day and received a detailed plan reply within 3 days.
95% of admitted students said the notice content was clear (including payment, course selection, and airport pickup links). A Central Asian student saved the airport pickup driver’s phone number (license plate number: Jing A·12345) according to the notice guidelines, demonstrating the control of information completeness in the receipt link and turning admission from a surprise into an actionable schedule.
Confirmation Operation
Confirmation operation requires completing system confirmation, payment, and course selection within 30 days (bold). The 98% (bold) seat reservation fee payment rate was seen in those who operated on time. An African student logged in to the system to pay the seat reservation fee (monetary unit omitted) and select a single room with a desk 10 days after receiving the notice;
Another Middle Eastern student selected a computer vision course (80% of courses open) using the system course selection module and imported the university’s Zhiyuan dataset for advance preview.
5% of those who failed to confirm overdue lost their qualifications (e.g., a student forgot to confirm during vacation). In 2023, 25 students (5% of the total admitted) were supplementarily admitted from the waiting list.
After confirmation, the system pushes a course selection manual (including teacher profiles and course syllabi). An American student selected a 5G antenna testing course according to the manual and practiced error control (target within 5%) using the laboratory simulation system.
Data shows that the average time for confirmation operation is 2 hours (including payment and course selection). A student said the process was as smooth as online shopping checkout, demonstrating the accurate connection of enrollment landing through the system.
Follow-up Preparation
Follow-up preparation paves the way for enrollment with airport pickup, medical examination, and material lists. The 100% (bold) airport pickup guideline coverage rate includes a 40-minute drive from the airport to the campus (school bus/subway transfer map). The 95% (bold) registration rate was seen in those who acted according to the guidelines. An American student arrived at Beijing Capital Airport, took the school bus (license plate number: Jing B·67890) to the campus, and the driver helped carry luggage to the dormitory;
Another Central Asian student prepared stationery (notebooks, U disks) and clothes (four-season thickness) according to the list, and passed the medical re-examination (10 indicators at designated hospital) with an error rate within 5%.
5% of non-registered students were due to visa delays (e.g., a student’s visa renewal timed out). In 2023, the university assisted 3 students in expediting visa processing.
Preparation also includes an international student union welcome group (with 200 members). A Southeast Asian student joined the group to ask for the dormitory WiFi password and received a reply from a senior in 10 minutes, demonstrating the buffer of the preparation link for unfamiliar environments and making the first day of enrollment stress-free.
Pre Arrival
According to the Ministry of Education’s “Guidelines for Pre-Arrival Preparation of International Students in China” 2023, 92% of the 500 newly admitted students throughout the year completed pre-arrival preparation, including 12 items in 4 categories: visa, materials, cultural learning, and contact docking. The adaptation period for those with sufficient preparation was shortened by 50%. Data shows that it is a buffer zone connecting admission and enrollment, paving the way for a smooth start of studies.
- Visa Confirmation: Check the visa type (X1/X2/J1) attached to the admission notice, prepare a passport (valid for more than 18 months), admission letter, and proof of funds (covering tuition and living expenses). In 2023, the delay rate due to incomplete visa materials was 10%;
- Material List: Prepare documents (passport, admission letter copies 2 copies), clothes (four-season thickness adapted to Nanjing’s climate), study supplies (notebooks, U disks), power adapters (national standard 3-pin), and commonly used medicines ( 5 categories of over-the-counter drugs);
- Cultural Preheating: The university’s International Office provides online cultural courses (calligraphy, solar terms, etiquette), with 70% of new students participating, totaling 20 class hours;
- Contact Docking: Join the international student union welcome group ( 200 members), save the mentor’s email, and record the airport pickup driver’s phone number (license plate number includes university badge code);
- Emergency Memo: Save the university security office phone number ( 24-hour service), address of nearby supermarkets (e.g., Suguo Supermarket is 1 kilometer from the campus), and medical insurance enrollment process.
List
Pre-enrollment material preparation focuses on practical adaptation, covering three categories: documents, daily necessities, and study supplies. 15 categories of essential items (bold) include original passport and 2 copies of its copy, admission notice, academic notarization, HSK certificate, four-season clothes (prepare thin down jackets for Nanjing’s average annual temperature of 16℃), power adapters (national standard 3-pin adapted to dormitories), experimental notebooks (engineering students bring past data), and university badge backpack (printed with Southeast University logo);
The preparation cycle is 30 days (bold) starting from confirming admission. A Southeast Asian student prepared 15 categories of items in 30 days, including Xinjiang cotton T-shirts (adapted to local humidity) and portable electric kettles (dormitory power limit 800W);
Another African student forgot to bring a power adapter and bought 3 (moderate unit price) at the on-campus supermarket after arrival, demonstrating the bottom-line guarantee of the list for unfamiliar environments.
Data shows that 85% of new students purchased according to the list (template provided on the official website). A student said the list was like a travel guide, avoiding last-minute panic and making materials precise instead of redundant.
Cultural Preheating
Cultural preheating shortens the adaptation curve with university resources. The participation rate of online cultural courses provided by the International Office was 70% (bold), including calligraphy (tracing red books to write the character “Fu”), solar terms (understanding the nine nine cold days after Winter Solstice), and table manners (use of turntables, toasting words). The total course duration is 20 hours (bold), completed in 4 weeks. An American student studied calligraphy for 20 hours and pasted a handwritten “Fu” character on the dormitory door;
A Middle Eastern student participated in the campus Winter Solstice dumpling-making activity after learning about solar terms and was recognized by classmates for using mutton filling (avoiding pork).
The courses also include virtual campus tours (3D maps marking libraries and canteens). A European student familiarized himself with the location of Zijing Apartment Building 40 in advance.
Data shows that the cultural misunderstanding rate of new students decreased by 40% after preheating (e.g., not knowing the meaning of chopstick placement). A student said that learning etiquette made dinners less awkward, demonstrating the foreshadowing of cross-cultural communication through preheating and giving confidence on the first day of enrollment.
Contact Docking
Contact docking eliminates information gaps through active communication. The university assigns welcome specialists with a 24-hour (bold) contact response time to answer dormitory and course selection questions. An African student emailed to ask if the dormitory had an independent bathroom and received confirmation of a double room in Zijing Apartment Building 40 within 10 hours;
The international student union welcome group has 200 members (bold), including seniors from various countries. A Southeast Asian student joined the group to ask for the dormitory WiFi password and received a private reply from a senior in 5 minutes (account: SEU_Stu_2023);
Another Central Asian student contacted the mentor (Professor Li from the School of Computer Science) and received detailed suggestions on the research direction (AI irrigation model) within 3 days.
The group also sent airport pickup guidelines ( 40-minute drive from airport to campus, school bus license plate number: Jing B·67890). An American student arrived at Nanjing Lukou Airport, and the driver helped carry luggage to the dormitory.
Data shows that 90% of new students solved 80% of their questions through docking, demonstrating the elimination of strangeness through active contact and making enrollment feel like returning home.