China hosts many world-class universities that are active in research and innovation. This creates strong competition among domestic and international applicants seeking admission to programs at leading Chinese universities. One common requirement for English-taught programs is proof of English language proficiency. IELTS Academic is a widely recognized English language proficiency exam, and many Chinese universities accept IELTS scores with program-specific band requirements. This article provides an overview of IELTS band requirements at selected top universities in China.
Minimum IELTS Band Requirements for Universities in China
Each Chinese university or program has its own criteria for accepting IELTS scores. Below are selected top universities in China with their IELTS band requirements.
| INSTITUTION NAME | MIN. SCORE (UNDERGRADUATE) | MIN. SCORE (GRADUATE) |
|---|
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) | 6.0 | 6.0 overall, with some program-specific exceptions |
| Fudan University | 6.5 for many English-taught bachelor’s programs | 6.5, with some programs requiring 7.0 or higher |
| Tsinghua University | Program-specific; no universal IELTS band is listed on the general undergraduate eligibility page | 6.5 for listed English-taught graduate programs checked |
| Zhejiang University | 6.0–6.5, depending on the program | 6.5 |
| Nanjing University | 5.5 for English major applicants; most undergraduate majors are Chinese-taught | 6.0 for English-taught master’s programs |
1. Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is a prominent public university and is regularly listed among China’s leading universities in major global rankings.
SJTU offers undergraduate and graduate programs across fields such as engineering, medicine, computer science, economics, and management. For English-taught admissions, applicants should check both the university-wide language requirement and the requirements of their chosen program because some graduate programs have special IELTS requirements.
2. Fudan University
Established in 1905, Fudan University is a highly regarded institution in China. It offers programs across disciplines such as economics, management, law, medicine, science, engineering, and the humanities.
Fudan University offers several English-taught undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Program pages checked for this update list IELTS Academic 6.5 for non-native English-speaking applicants, with waivers in some cases for applicants whose previous education was taught and assessed entirely in English. Some programs may require IELTS 7.0 or higher, so applicants should verify the requirements of their chosen program.
3. Tsinghua University
Located within the former imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty in Beijing, Tsinghua University is one of the most prestigious universities in China with global recognition. It is consistently ranked at or near the top in China and among the top institutions in Asia, with a strong emphasis on engineering, computer science, materials science, and chemistry.
Tsinghua offers numerous programs across degree levels, including English-taught graduate programs. Non-native English speakers applying to English-taught programs should check the specific program page. The general undergraduate eligibility page asks applicants to provide official English proficiency test results for English-taught undergraduate programs, while some English-taught graduate program pages list IELTS Academic 6.5 as the minimum.
Here is what Tsinghua University Scholars say about IELTS:
“you must meet the following minimum thresholds in order to be considered for the scholarship: TOEFL: 100; IELTS: 7; …”
Michael Gallo
4. Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University, located in Hangzhou, is ranked among the best universities in China and offers multiple English-taught programs. Requirements vary by program. In the current English-taught undergraduate catalog, Clinical Medicine and Biomedical Engineering list IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with 5.0 in each component, while Communication lists IELTS Academic 6.5. Zhejiang University’s graduate language requirements list IELTS Academic 6.5 for English-taught graduate programs.
5. Nanjing University
Nanjing University, also known historically as Nankin University, is among the oldest universities in China, with campuses including Xianlin and Gulou and a wide range of degree programs.
Nanjing University’s current undergraduate admissions page states that undergraduate majors are taught in Chinese; English major applicants need IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL 70. For English-taught master’s programs, the current admissions page lists IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL 85, TOEFL Essentials 9, or Duolingo 100. Applicants interested in doctoral study should check the current doctoral and school-level pages because the general doctoral page lists Chinese proficiency requirements rather than a universal IELTS requirement.
IELTS Scores of Students Studying in China
FAQs about Studying in China
What IELTS score do Chinese universities usually ask for?
Many English-taught programs at the universities checked for this article list IELTS scores around 6.0–6.5, but requirements are program-specific. For example, Shanghai Jiao Tong University lists IELTS 6.0 overall for most English-taught graduate programs, while Zhejiang University lists IELTS 6.5 for English-taught graduate programs.
Is IELTS mandatory for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)?
Not always. Chinese Government Scholarship applicants for non-Chinese-taught programs generally need to provide relevant language proficiency documents, such as IELTS or TOEFL, according to the requirements of the university. This means the university and program requirements are the key documents to check.
Can I be exempted from submitting IELTS if I studied in English before?
Yes, some programs allow exemptions when an applicant’s previous education was taught and assessed in English. However, exemption rules vary by university and program, so applicants should check the official admissions page for the program they plan to apply to.
If IELTS isn’t available, what other proofs of English will Chinese universities accept?
Alternatives commonly accepted by the universities checked for this article include TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, PTE Academic, TOEFL Essentials, or an official certificate showing that previous education was taught in English. Accepted alternatives vary by university and program.
We hope this overview of IELTS band requirements in Chinese universities was helpful. Visit our English Language Proficiency Exams page to learn more about IELTS and how to improve your score. If you’re interested, explore our Study in China page and the Available Courses for International Students!
