Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and COVID-19 are different diseases caused by different coronaviruses. Respiratory physician and public health expert Dr. Zhong Nanshan played a prominent role in China’s responses to both outbreaks. In January 2020, he publicly confirmed that the virus causing COVID-19 could spread from person to person.
Dr. Zhong’s work illustrates the importance of medical education, clinical expertise, and an effective public health response. For students considering medicine abroad, China offers several undergraduate medical programs for international students, including English-taught MBBS programs and Chinese-taught Clinical Medicine programs.
Before pursuing an MBBS in China, you should compare each program’s teaching language, duration, internship arrangements, admission requirements, tuition fees, and recognition by the medical regulator in the country where you intend to practice. This article explains the principal steps involved.
Types of Medical Degrees
Medicine encompasses many qualifications, specialties, and career paths. Degree titles and training structures vary significantly by country, so prospective international students should confirm how a qualification is recognized in the country where they plan to practice.
| MEDICAL DEGREE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|
| Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) | A primary medical qualification offered in many countries. Program structures vary, but the English-taught MBBS programs discussed below at Fudan University, Nanjing Medical University, and Guangzhou Medical University are six years long. |
| Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) | A professional medical degree primarily offered in the United States. Osteopathic medical school generally follows a four-year curriculum and includes additional training in osteopathic principles and practices. Graduates subsequently complete residency training. |
| Doctor of Medicine (MD) | A professional medical degree whose entry level and structure vary by country. In the United States, applicants generally complete an undergraduate degree before entering medical school. An MD is not universally a postgraduate degree taken after an MBBS. |
| Master of Public Health (MPH) | A graduate degree focused on population health, epidemiology, disease prevention, health policy, and related fields. Program length varies by institution and study format. |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | A research doctorate that prepares graduates to conduct original academic or scientific research. It is not, by itself, a qualification to practice clinical medicine, and its duration varies by university and research project. |
The remainder of this article focuses on undergraduate MBBS and Clinical Medicine programs available to international students in China.
How to Apply for an MBBS in China
Select Schools/Universities that Offer MBBS Program
China has a large number of medical schools, but their programs are not interchangeable. Some offer an English-taught MBBS, while others offer Chinese-taught Clinical Medicine degrees. Before applying, confirm the program’s teaching language, length, clinical internship arrangements, and eligibility for medical licensing in your intended country of practice.
The following five universities are examples of institutions that admit international students to undergraduate medical programs. They are not presented as an official ranking, and the program details differ considerably.
Check the Admission Requirements
After selecting a medical school, review its current admissions notice carefully. Requirements are university- and program-specific, and applicants should not rely on a single set of general language scores or documents.
| DOCUMENT OR REQUIREMENT | CURRENT DETAILS |
|---|
| High School Diploma | Undergraduate applicants generally need a completed high school qualification. Universities may accept a provisional or expected-graduation certificate during the application process but require the final diploma before enrollment. |
| Valid Passport | Applicants must submit a clear copy of a valid foreign passport. Passport-validity rules differ by university and admission cycle. |
| Academic Transcripts | Universities generally require complete high school transcripts. Documents that are not in Chinese or English may need notarized translations. |
| Language Proficiency | Requirements differ substantially. Fudan’s MBBS requires at least a TOEFL score of 90, an IELTS score of 6.5, a PTE Academic score of 61, or a Duolingo English Test score of 110. For its English-taught programs, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University lists TOEFL iBT 86, IELTS 6.0, or Duolingo 110. Guangzhou Medical University lists TOEFL 85 with at least 15 in each section, IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.0 in each component, or Duolingo 115. Peking University Health Science Center’s 2026 Clinical Medicine program is Chinese-taught and requires HSK Level 5. |
| Entrance or Standardized Assessment | Fudan University and Peking University Health Science Center require China Scholastic Competency Assessment scores for their medical admissions. The required subjects and examination languages differ by program. |
| Letters of Recommendation | This is not a universal undergraduate requirement. Fudan’s 2026 MBBS application requires two recommendation letters, while some other universities in this article do not list recommendation letters among their standard undergraduate documents. |
| Financial Documentation | Some universities require specific evidence of financial capacity. Fudan’s instructions specify a bank deposit certificate of at least RMB 100,000 from the financial guarantor. Peking University Health Science Center requires proof equivalent to at least RMB 400,000. |
| Health and Criminal-Record Documents | Requirements vary. For example, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University requires a physical examination report and a police clearance certificate issued within the previous six months. |
Application Process and Admission Timeline
Application periods differ by university and may change each year. Always use the admissions notice for your intended intake.
- Review current deadlines before preparing your application.
- Create an account in the university’s application system, complete the application form, and upload all required documents. Carefully check translation, notarization, file-format, and passport-validity rules.
- Pay the correct fee, where applicable. Fudan University and Peking University Health Science Center each list a nonrefundable RMB 800 application fee for 2026, while Zhejiang Chinese Medical University lists RMB 600. Nanjing Medical University’s official page lists a RMB 500 registration fee payable at registration rather than an application fee. Guangzhou Medical University’s program page does not list an application fee.
- Prepare for an admissions interview when required. Fudan sends qualifying applicants to an interview, Peking University Health Science Center conducts its interviews online in Chinese, and Zhejiang Chinese Medical University may arrange an online or in-person interview after reviewing the application documents.
- After receiving your admission notice and visa documentation, follow the application instructions for the appropriate Chinese student visa. More information is available in our guide to Chinese student visas.
Academic Finances (Tuition and Other Costs)
| INSTITUTION | APPLICATION OR REGISTRATION FEE | ANNUAL TUITION |
|---|
| Fudan University | RMB 800 application fee | RMB 75,000 |
| Peking University Health Science Center | RMB 800 application fee | RMB 45,000 |
| Zhejiang Chinese Medical University | RMB 600 application fee | RMB 25,000 for Clinical Medicine |
| Nanjing Medical University | RMB 500 registration fee | RMB 34,000 on the official MBBS page; confirm the current intake with the university |
| Guangzhou Medical University | Not listed on the 2026 program page | RMB 40,000 |
Tuition is only one part of the total cost. Applicants should also budget for accommodation, insurance, medical examinations, residence-permit procedures, textbooks, utilities, meals, transportation, and other personal expenses. Universities may revise their fees, so confirm the amount in the current admissions notice and offer letter before making a payment.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Scholarships may help reduce the cost of studying in China, but availability is not automatic for every university or MBBS program. Applicants should verify the eligible degree, application route, nationality conditions, academic requirements, and coverage directly with the scholarship provider and university.
| SCHOLARSHIP NAME | CURRENT COVERAGE OR VALUE | IMPORTANT CONDITIONS |
|---|
| Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) | For a full scholarship where available: tuition, university accommodation or an accommodation subsidy, a monthly undergraduate stipend of RMB 2,500, and comprehensive medical insurance | Eligible universities, medical programs, application routes, and country-specific nomination procedures vary. Applicants must confirm that their intended MBBS or Clinical Medicine program is covered. |
| International-Student Scholarships at Zhejiang Chinese Medical University | Multiple provincial and university scholarship categories with different benefits | The latest official notice located is for enrolled students and applies academic-ranking and other conditions. It does not support presenting the scholarship as a single flat RMB 3,000 award. |
| GlobalScholarships.com $3,000 Scholarship for International Students | USD 3,000 for one recipient | The current scholarship is for eligible prospective or current international students enrolled outside their country of citizenship or permanent residence in Fall 2027. The application deadline is May 31, 2027, and payment is made directly to the recipient’s institution. |
Living Expenses in China
Living expenses in China vary widely by city, university, housing arrangement, and lifestyle. A single national monthly average can therefore be misleading. The following figures are current examples from university sources rather than guaranteed prices throughout China.
| EXPENSE | CURRENT OFFICIAL EXAMPLES | NOTES |
|---|
| University Accommodation | Zhejiang Chinese Medical University estimates approximately RMB 2,700 per bed per year for a four-person room or RMB 5,400 for a two-person room. Guangzhou Medical University lists RMB 4,000 to RMB 6,000 per academic year, depending on the campus. Nanjing Medical University’s MBBS page lists RMB 6,000 per year for a double room. | Availability and final prices can change. Peking University Health Science Center states that self-funded undergraduate students are not guaranteed university accommodation and may need to arrange off-campus housing. |
| Meals | A Fudan University information page gives an example of RMB 8 to RMB 14 for a meal in a university dining hall. | Food costs depend on the city, dining venue, and personal preferences. |
| Transportation | The same Fudan source gives examples of RMB 2 for a bus ride and RMB 3 to RMB 8 for a metro ride. | Actual fares and travel frequency vary by city and route. |
| Other Living Costs | A Fudan summer-program page estimates RMB 500 to RMB 900 per week, excluding accommodation. | This is a program-specific budgeting example, not a national average. Long-term students should prepare an individualized budget covering insurance, utilities, communications, textbooks, personal items, and emergencies. |
Applying for a Chinese Student Visa
Students entering China for a degree lasting more than 180 days generally need an X1 student visa. Application procedures, fees, appointments, and biometric requirements can differ by country, so follow the current instructions of the Chinese embassy, consulate, or authorized visa application center responsible for your place of residence.
- Confirm the correct visa category. An X1 visa is intended for study lasting more than 180 days, while an X2 visa is generally used for study lasting no more than 180 days.
- Prepare the documents required by your local Chinese mission. For an X1 visa, the core study documents generally include the Confirmation Form for Study in China, commonly known as the JW201 or JW202 form, and a copy of the admission letter. A passport, visa application, photograph, and any locally required supporting documents may also be necessary.
- Submit the application through the embassy, consulate, or authorized visa center specified for your location. Do not assume that every country uses the same appointment, online-review, biometric, processing-time, or fee procedure.
- After arriving in China, complete the required accommodation registration. A hotel normally handles registration for its guests, while a foreign national staying in a private residence must generally complete local registration within 24 hours. Students whose visas require a residence permit must apply to the local exit-entry administration within 30 days of entering China, usually with assistance from their university.
Tips for Your Arrival in China
Before traveling, confirm your accommodation, airport or station transportation, university registration date, insurance arrangements, and the original documents you must present at enrollment. Keep digital and paper copies of your passport, admission notice, visa documents, financial records, and emergency contacts.
After arrival, complete accommodation registration and work with the university to finish your medical examination, insurance, tuition payment, and residence-permit procedures where required. Learning basic Chinese can also make everyday communication and clinical training easier, even when the academic program is taught in English.
Studying medicine abroad is a major academic and financial commitment. Carefully compare the current university requirements, confirm that the qualification is acceptable to your intended medical regulator, and use only official admissions and government instructions when completing your application.
Hopefully, this article will be useful for students considering an MBBS or Clinical Medicine degree in China. If you are interested, visit the Study in China and Available Programs for International Students!
