Studying | Healthcare | Accommodation | Travel | Visa | Student Voice
Chinese universities are open to foreign students who generally come from the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, South Korea and the developing regions of Africa and Southeast Asia. Throughout the academic year, there exists various exchange programs between a number of Chinese universities and foreign universities.
If you intend to attend classes in China for a specific degree of Chinese language course, you are required by universities to take the HSK (han vu Shui ping Kao shi or pin yin) language test.
If you intend to study literature, history, philosophy, medicine or traditional Chinese pharmacology, you are required to have studied basic Chinese for 2 years. For all other subjects, a minimum of 1 years Chinese is required.
For a list of establishments that welcome foreign students, visit China Today.
Upon application, a copy of you last qualifications, translated into either Chinese of English, has to be presented. In application for a Master's or Doctorate, two letters of recommendation from your professor has to be included. Following your application, the university should send you a letter of acceptance and a JW 202 form, both of which are needed to apply for your student visa while studying in China.
A Western healthcare infrastructure is yet to be established throughout China. You will not need health insurance as long as you get healthcare attention in the special medical centres for foreigners. However, it is strongly recommended to register with a repatriating insurance and a health insurance company in your home country, so that in the case of an illness you can always return home.
If you regularly need a particular medicine, make sure that you pack enough supplies as it can be very difficult, or impossible, to get the same or similar product. For small everyday sicknesses, the traditional Chinese medicine is very impressive. One can find traditional practitioners everywhere, and their services are paid for in cash.
Tip: Even if you are based in one of the big cities, it is still advisable to drink bottled water, or water that has been boiled. Always follow the rule of 'cook it, boil it, and peel it' and there will be no reason for you to get sick.
University residency on campus is the favored place for the Chinese student. Through the means of the university student association, students themselves manage the residencies. These associations themselves depend on the national student federation, which all registered students must join.
Generally, the university encourages international students to live on campus, with a special residency reserved for them. The international relations office at your university should help you sort out your accommodation.
The best means of travel into/out of China is by air. There are several international airports; Peking, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The CSC (the organisation that manages grants given by the Chinese government) can be in charge of your transport costs from your country to an international airport in China and then to your university city. As soon as you know where you are going, check with the CSC for any travel assistance they may give you.
Your university should offer several organised trips for you as international students, giving you a great opportunity to discover the cultural heritage and the country.
Trains offer a good option if you wish to travel around and explore China for yourself. However, it is advisable to reserve tickets in advance during holiday periods; beginning of May and October, and the Chinese spring festival.
Apply to your local Chinese Embassy or Consulate for the necessary visa form. Complete and return this form together with the following documents:
- A valid passport (which is valid for at least 6 months after the date of arrival into China).
- A recent passport photograph.
- The JW 201 or 202 form
Students participating in a program that lasts longer than 6 months must get a type X or F visa. For students participating in a program of less than 6 months, you will need the type X visa.
A type A visa is obligatory for all foreigners who want to enter China, whichever nationality or origin. For those of Chinese origin but of another nationality, you must follow the same formalities as all foreigners.
Note: You must apply for a visa at least 30 days before your arrival date into China, and a minimum of 5 working days is needed to issue a visa. Visas are valid for 3 months.
Note: You must complete a declaration of health. Persons suffering from mental illnesses, AIDS, venereal diseases, tuberculoses or other contagious illnesses are not allowed to enter China. Within 30 days of arrival into China, a declaration of residency must be made at the department of public security in your residential area. It is forbidden to work in China without authorisation.Learn from the experiences of other students and share your experiences of going overseas at International Student Blogs and Forums.
