Wondering how to study in China for free or at a low cost? Given the abundance of higher education alternatives available to students at comparatively affordable tuition costs, China may be one of your strongest options for obtaining higher education.
Studying in China can be an excellent choice for international students. As some countries increase tuition costs, international students can take advantage of affordable universities without compromising the quality of their education. Moreover, scholarships are not limited to local Chinese students; private organizations, government bodies, and universities fund scholarship programs for international students. With the help of online communities and websites, getting information on how to study for free in China has never been easier, and aspiring international students can use these opportunities to reach their academic goals.
Here is a practical overview of tuition-free and low-cost study options in China for international students!
How to Study in China for Free
Let’s discuss the international student application process for studying in China in this part.
1. Submit Necessary and Supplementary Documents
To have a strong application, you must prepare general documents before applying to Chinese universities. These documents include your academic transcripts, a letter of recommendation, an SOP, and any other required credentials. To make your application stand out, prepare program-specific documents early.
Sometimes, the program or major may affect the required language proficiency score. Peking University, for instance, recognizes five categories of English competence certificates for Yenching Academy applicants: IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English Scale, CET 6, and TEM 4. It is important to note that each university sets its own minimum requirements, and achieving a higher score may strengthen your application.
2. Submit a Scholarship Application
One of the best ways to study in China for free is to apply for scholarships. Some universities do not require separate scholarship applications. However, for some fully funded or government-issued scholarships, students need to complete a separate scholarship application form. For example, the Schwarzman Scholars Program, which offers a fully funded one-year master’s degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University, requires applicants to apply through its online application portal.
3. Enroll in an Affordable University
If you do not receive a large scholarship to help pay for your education, an alternative choice is to enroll in affordable colleges. For overseas candidates, many public universities in China are cost-effective. These universities often charge reasonable tuition so that students from around the world can pursue their goals without excessive academic and living expenses. For example, at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College, current graduate tuition is 28,900 CNY per year for master’s applicants and 45,500 CNY per year for Ph.D. applicants. The linked Global College undergraduate fees page now lists estimated 2026 tuition at 120,000 CNY per year, with first-, second-, and third-class scholarships covering 100%, 50%, or 25% of tuition, respectively. These figures are program-specific, so applicants should always confirm the exact fee on their chosen program page.
Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in China
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in China are not automatically tuition-free, but many students reduce or fully cover their costs through national, provincial, municipal, and university scholarships. Some universities offer partial tuition awards, while major scholarships can cover tuition and other expenses. For example, Wenzhou University lists scholarship awards for international undergraduate and master’s students that cover 70%, 40%, or 20% of one year’s tuition. Zhengzhou University also lists several scholarship routes for international students, including university and government scholarship options.
Here are some of the students who were able to study a bachelor’s degree in China for free!
Here is what Bachelor’s Scholarship Recipients in China Say:
“This prestigious scholarship provides comprehensive financial support, covering not only tuition fees but also accommodation and living expenses.”
Eric Tianto
“Knowing the local language can open additional opportunities, but it’s not strictly required academically. In China, I didn’t know Chinese at first, but learning it during the first year helped with daily life and integration.”
Ana T. Paredes
Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in China
China offers generous support to overseas students at the graduate level. Many international students relocate to China every year in hopes of pursuing master’s degrees and successful careers. For instance, Fudan University provides a variety of scholarships, including the Shanghai Government Scholarship, the Confucius Institute Scholarship, and the Chinese Government Scholarship, to students from other countries. For international applicants, Peking University also lists scholarship options such as the Chinese Government Scholarship, Beijing Government Scholarship, and Peking University Scholarship for International Students, with coverage depending on the award type.
Here are some of the students who were able to study a master’s degree in China for free!
- Marvin Mirzaliyev from Azerbaijan earned the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) at Shanghai University, covering tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend to study a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
- Md Rabbi Al Islam from Bangladesh earned the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) at Harbin Engineering University, covering tuition, accommodation, health insurance, a monthly stipend, and Chinese language training to study a Master’s in Underwater Acoustic Engineering.
- Pallavi Sareen from India earned the Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, covering tuition, housing, food, travel, health insurance, and a stipend to study a Master’s in Global Affairs.
- Christy Un from Macau SAR earned the Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University, covering tuition, flights, housing, food, and a living stipend to study a Master’s in Global Affairs.
Here is what Master’s Scholarship Recipients in China Say:
“This fully funded scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend.”
Marvin Mirzaliyev
“To prepare, I focused on assessing my own capabilities and made a list of universities that matched my grades and strengths.”
Hendri Wibowo
“A well-structured research proposal is crucial, so ensure your topic is relevant, feasible, and contributes to real-world challenges.”
Md Rabbi Al Islam
Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in China
China offers substantial competitive scholarship funding for many Ph.D. students, similar to postgraduate scholarship options. Researchers are welcomed to the country to investigate new fields of knowledge and produce work of global value. One such initiative is the ANSO-CAS PhD Scholarship in China. The broader CAS-ANSO Scholarship degree program supports 300 Ph.D. students each year, while the ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO Ph.D. subcategory selects up to 40 Ph.D. students from developing countries annually. Ph.D. support can last up to four years and may include tuition waiver, monthly stipend, health insurance, application fee waiver, international travel allowance, and visa support.
Here are some of the students who received Ph.D. scholarships in China or China-related Ph.D. scholarship offers that made funded study possible!
- Anees Ahmad from Pakistan earned the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) at Chongqing University in China, a fully funded award covering tuition, accommodation, health insurance, and a monthly living stipend to pursue a Ph.D. in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermodynamics.
- Muhammad Umar Nadeem from Pakistan was awarded the ANSO Doctorate Scholarship from China, a fully funded Ph.D. offer.
- Omer Tariq was awarded the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO) Scholarship and a Chinese Government Scholarship.
Here is what Scholarship Recipients for PhD in China Say:
“This scholarship, administered by Chongqing University, provides full tuition coverage, comprehensive medical insurance, accommodation, and a monthly living stipend,…”
Anees Ahmad
“I was also awarded the ANSO Doctorate Scholarship by the Chinese Government, further validating my dedication to global climate research.”
Muhammad Umar Nadeem
FAQs: Studying in China as an International Students
Are there Opportunities for International Students to Study in China?
Yes. China admits international students through a wide range of degree and non-degree programs and scholarship routes. China reported 3,074 higher-educational institutions in 2023. By choosing this nation, students can access major public universities, English- and Chinese-taught programs, and scholarship opportunities.
However, education is not automatically free at universities such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Fudan University. Instead, international students should look for competitive scholarships such as the Chinese Government Scholarship, Beijing Government Scholarship, Shanghai Government Scholarship, university scholarships, and program-specific awards.
How Much is the Annual Academic Cost in China?
Costs depend heavily on the university, city, degree level, and major. Many standard public-university programs can fall around $2,000 to $10,000 per year, but engineering, medicine, MBA/professional, English-taught, joint, and elite-institution programs can cost more. For example, the linked Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College undergraduate page lists estimated 2026 tuition at 120,000 CNY per year, while its graduate tuition page lists 28,900 CNY per year for master’s programs and 45,500 CNY per year for doctoral programs.
Scholarships may cover full or partial tuition, accommodation, insurance, and stipends, depending on the award type. To find the scholarship you are looking for, review the Available Scholarships in China for International Students.
Free education in China is possible for some students, but it usually depends on winning a competitive scholarship and meeting the award conditions.
We hope that this article on how to study in China for free was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students and Study in China!
