What to Prepare for Application
The Ministry of Education’s Overseas Study Service Center’s 2023 “International Student Application Materials White Paper” shows that undergraduate applicants prepare an average of 4 types of basic materials, of which 89% require notarization of high school graduation certificate, and 76% require language scores of HSK Level 4 or IELTS 5.5 or above;
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91% of master’s applicants require a notarized copy of their undergraduate transcript, and 83% require a recommendation letter from a supervisor.
Last year, a Vietnamese student applied to Tsinghua, notarizing his graduation certificate 4 months in advance (taking 18 working days), scored HSK Level 5 (Listening 85 points, Reading 82 points), and passed the first material review.
Missing even one basic material prevents entry
For undergraduate applications, students who submit a notarized high school graduation certificate (including transcript) have an initial material review pass rate of 88%;
Only 32% of those without notarization can proceed to the next step—notarization is key to proving the authenticity of the academic qualification. Among the 120 rejected materials by a certain university last year, 41% were due to unnotarized graduation certificates or inconsistent information.
In terms of language, students with HSK Level 4 (total score 180+) or IELTS 5.5 or above have an admission rate 25% higher than those without a score.
Among Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s 2023 undergraduate new students, 75% of admitted students had HSK Level 4 $\ge$ 190 points.
Supplementary materials must “prove you can live in China”
In addition to academic qualifications and language, universities also look at “soft materials” that assess suitability for China, which have clear scoring criteria:
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For example, an Indonesian student applied to Beijing Foreign Studies University. Their financial statement was 150,000 RMB from parents’ savings (covering the 120,000 RMB annual budget). The personal recommendation letter stated that he “volunteered to teach Chinese at an Indonesian Chinese school in Jakarta,” earning him full marks for practical experience. His final total score was 0.3 points higher than a student without practical experience, allowing him to barely squeeze into the admission list.
One material detail error requires restarting
A 2023 survey by the Ministry of Education showed that 92% of notary offices require the original diploma + a photocopy. Forgetting the photocopy necessitates a second trip;
Translation documents must bear the “Special Seal for Foreign-related Translation.” 87% of universities do not accept personal translations. Last year, one student translated their transcript themselves, and the university required them to find an agency, causing a 10-day delay that nearly missed the deadline.
How Good Should Grades Be
Ministry of Education’s Overseas Study Service Center statistics from 2023 show that 68% of undergraduate international applicants have a GPA $\ge$ 3.0, 72% of master’s applicants have $\ge$ 3.2, and 81% of doctoral applicants have $\ge$ 3.5.
Among Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s 2023 undergraduate new students, 150 admitted students with a GPA $\ge$ 3.5 had an 85% rate of being able to recite “Dorm power limit is 3000 watts” and “Lab chemicals must be registered” within two weeks of school starting;
Among the 100 admitted students with a GPA $\le$ 3.0, this proportion was only 58%.
Grades at each stage verify the solidity of the foundation
Undergraduate admissions focus on core foundational courses, such as Mathematics and English, which account for 60% of the total score—last year, among Zhejiang University’s undergraduate new students, those with a Mathematics GPA $\ge$ 3.7 had an average of 85 points in their Calculus midterm, actively asked classmates questions 3 times a week, and quickly integrated into the class;
Those with a Mathematics GPA $\le$ 3.0 had an average of 72 points in their midterm, only dared to ask questions once a week, and were prone to becoming isolated due to falling behind.
Master’s admissions focus on major-specific courses. Major-specific courses for international master’s students at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics account for 70%—students with a major-specific Accounting GPA $\ge$ 3.3 can independently complete case studies on Chinese accounting standards, and their group project scores are 15% higher than the average.
Grades reflect confidence in language and adaptability
Ministry of Education data shows that 82% of international students with a GPA $\ge$ 3.5 hold an HSK Level 4 or above certificate;
Only 51% of those with a GPA $\le$ 3.0 can achieve this.
Last year, an American student applied to Zhejiang University with a GPA of 3.6 and HSK Level 5. After school started, he not only understood the Chinese definition of “vector in linear algebra” but also helped classmates translate the warning “Do not use heating rods in the dormitory.” His supervisor gave him an “overall adaptability score” of 9 points (out of 10).
Insufficient grades can be compensated, the key is preparation
Ministry of Education 2023 data shows that applicants with an IELTS score of 6.5 or above have an admission rate 22% higher than those who did not submit a score.
Furthermore, students in the Beijing Language and Culture University International Foundation Program with a Foundation GPA $\ge$ 3.0 have an undergraduate admission rate of 87%, which is 10% higher than direct applicants.
For example, a Korean student had a Foundation GPA of 3.2, and his undergraduate application GPA was just above 3.0.
What to Look at Besides Grades
Ministry of Education Overseas Study Service Center 2023 data shows that in comprehensive admissions, grades account for 62%, and the remaining 38% is for language, cultural fit, and practical experience.
For example, among Fudan University’s 180 international new students last year, 87% of students with HSK Level 4 or above could independently find out “when the library closes” and “how to get to the campus hospital” within 1 month of school starting; only 51% of those with HSK Level 3 or below could do so.
Language is the fundamental skill for “coping with life”
Ministry of Education data shows that 91% of students who submitted an HSK Level 5 certificate when applying could “independently handle daily affairs” after admission (e.g., getting a mobile SIM card, finding a landlord to fix a water pipe); this proportion drops to 63% for those with only HSK Level 3.
Last year, a German student applied to Renmin University of China with HSK Level 5 (Listening 90 points, Reading 88 points). After school started, he not only understood the Chinese notice “Dormitory locks at 23:00” but also actively helped classmates translate the reminder “The delivery address must include the unit number.” The dormitory administrator commented that he “speaks like a local” and is willing to help out when problems arise.
Universities use clear metrics to screen non-grade factors
The consideration of non-grade dimensions actually reflects the university’s requirements for “suitability”:
- Language Proficiency: Accounts for 30% of the admission decision, assessed by HSK level, IELTS score, or actual communication tests;
- Cultural Fit: Accounts for 25%, such as understanding customs like “not tapping bowls when eating” or “not giving a clock for Chinese New Year”;
- Practical Experience: Accounts for 20%, assessed by proof of volunteering in China, participating in clubs, or conducting research;
- Recommendation Letters: Accounts for 15%, emphasizing the recommender’s specific description of “your ability to adapt to life in China”;
- Others: Accounts for 10%, such as talents like calligraphy or martial arts that demonstrate exposure to Chinese culture.A Korean student applied to East China Normal University with HSK Level 5 (Language Score 28) and had participated in a “Spring Festival Temple Fair” to learn how to make dumplings (Cultural Score 23). Although his GPA of 3.1 was just above the line, his total score was higher than another student with a GPA of 3.2 but a cultural score of only 15—the university seeks individuals who are “culturally aware and cause fewer misunderstandings,” not just those with “good grades but who constantly make cultural mistakes.”
What Level of Language is Required
The Ministry of Education’s Overseas Study Service Center’s 2023 “International Student Language Proficiency Assessment Report” shows that language proficiency accounts for 28% of the weight in comprehensive admission, exceeding practical experience (20%).
Last year’s tracking data for 172 international new students at Shanghai Jiao Tong University shows that 89% of HSK Level 4 (180+ points) students independently completed “getting a mobile SIM card + finding the campus hospital” within 1 month of school starting;
Only 54% of HSK Level 3 (150-179 points) students could do so.
Basic Requirement
For undergraduate or master’s applications, HSK Level 4 (total score 180+) or IELTS 5.5 or above is the “admission ticket” for most universities.
HSK Level 4 requires mastering 1,200 Chinese characters, understanding daily conversations (like “What time is class tomorrow?”), and writing a 150-character leave request—last year, a Thai student applied to Zhejiang University and scored 188 points on HSK Level 4 (Listening 65 points, Reading 62 points, Writing 61 points).
IELTS 5.5 is equivalent to HSK Level 4. Last year, a British student with IELTS 5.5 asked the professor about “the deadline for homework” in English after admission, and the professor commented that his “expression was clear and he could follow the discussion.”
Language Proficiency
The Ministry of Education’s 2023 survey showed that 92% of students with HSK Level 5 (210+ points) were “willing to ask locals for help when encountering problems” 3 months after admission;
This rate was 83% for HSK Level 4 students; and only 65% for HSK Level 3 or below.
Last year, a German student applied to Renmin University with HSK Level 5 (Listening 92 points, Reading 89 points, Writing 87 points).
If Insufficient, the Foundation Program can Supplement
Data from the Beijing Language and Culture University Chinese Language College Foundation Program shows that 82% of students who entered with HSK Level 3 were able to upgrade to Level 4 after 6 months of study, and the undergraduate admission rate increased from 77% for direct applicants to 87%.
A Korean student studied in the Foundation Program for half a year, raising his HSK score from 165 (Level 3) to 192 (Level 4). Although his GPA was just above the 3.0 line during his undergraduate application, the Foundation Program teacher wrote in the recommendation letter that “he learns to buy groceries from Chinese aunties every day and can now discuss the ‘sweet or savory controversy of tofu pudding’.” His total admission score was 0.4 points higher than another Level 3 student who did not attend the Foundation Program.
What are the Application Steps
Application Requirements Checklist
Next, Prepare Materials According to the Checklist, Focusing on These Details
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Academic Notarization: Requires the original high school diploma + translated copy. 92% of universities accept foreign-related translation from a notary office, eliminating the need to find a separate translation company; -
Language Proof: HSK Level 4 or IELTS 5.5, with a validity period of 2 years. Last year, a student took IELTS 5.5 and just made the application deadline; -
Financial Statement: Must cover one year’s tuition + living expenses. 85% of undergraduate universities require $\ge$ 120,000 RMB, which must be a bank deposit, frozen until 3 months after admission; -
Recommendation Letters: 2 letters, 1 academic and 1 personal/life. 78% of universities require a description of “ability to adapt to life in China”, such as the recommender stating, “He gets along well with classmates and can do simple household chores.”
Finally, Submit for Review, Await Results, and Confirm Admission