Is China safe for international students?

Yes, by international measures. In Gallup's 2025 Global Safety Report, 94% of adults in China said they feel safe walking alone at night where they live, one of the highest shares in the world (the global figure was 73%).

Is it cheaper to study in China than in the West?

Usually. At the universities whose fees we have checked, bachelor's tuition starts at ¥10,000 a year and is about ¥22,000 at a typical university. The Chinese Government Scholarship covers tuition, a dorm room and insurance, and pays a monthly allowance.

Can I study in China in English?

Yes. Many master's and PhD programs are taught in English, and 44 universities may teach medicine (MBBS) in English. Most bachelor's programs are taught in Chinese and usually ask for HSK 4 or 5.

What is China best for?

Engineering, computer science and AI, the natural sciences, and medicine. Tsinghua University is ranked first in the world for engineering and for computer science in U.S. News's 2026–2027 subject rankings, and China produces more high-quality natural-science research than any other country in the Nature Index.

Why Study in China? 8 Reasons, With the Numbers

World-leading engineering, computer science and AI, strong medicine and life sciences, low fees, full scholarships, safe cities and a rich student life.

About half a million international students were studying in China before the pandemic: 492,185 from 196 countries at 1,004 universities and colleges in 2018, according to the Ministry of Education. Here is why so many choose it, with the evidence for each reason.

1. World-class universities

In the THE World University Rankings 2027, Tsinghua University is 11th in the world and Peking University 13th. Of the universities on this site, 16 are in the top 200. See where each one stands on our rankings page.

2. Engineering and computer science at the very top

In U.S. News's 2026–2027 Best Global Universities by subject, Tsinghua University is No. 1 in the world for both engineering and computer science. Many other Chinese universities are strong in engineering too, especially Harbin Institute of Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Zhejiang University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

3. Artificial intelligence

Stanford University's AI Index 2025 reports that China leads the world in the number of AI research publications, and that as of 2023 China accounted for 69.7% of all AI patents granted. Computer science, AI and data science programs at Chinese universities sit close to that work: the labs, the companies and the internships.

4. A research powerhouse in science

In the Nature Index 2025 Research Leaders, which counts papers in leading natural-science and health-science journals:

China is first among countries, ahead of the United States.
Four of the top five universities are Chinese: Zhejiang University (2nd), Tsinghua University (3rd), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (4th) and the University of Science and Technology of China (5th).
The Chinese Academy of Sciences is the top research institution in the world. It is first in chemistry, physical sciences and Earth and environmental sciences, and second in the life sciences.

For students of biology, chemistry and physics, that means well-equipped labs and plenty of research projects to join.

5. Medicine, taught in English

China's Ministry of Education allows 44 universities to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English, through a six-year program with a year of hospital internship. See MBBS in China for the list, requirements and recognition at home.

6. Low fees and full scholarships

At the universities whose fees we have checked, bachelor's tuition starts at ¥10,000 a year and a typical university's cheapest bachelor's program costs about ¥22,000. Everything included, plan on roughly ¥59,000 for the first year. Compare all checked fees on our tuition fees page.

The Chinese Government Scholarship covers tuition, a dorm room and insurance, and pays ¥2,500–3,500 a month depending on your level. Provinces and universities offer their own scholarships too. See all scholarships.

7. Safe cities

In Gallup's 2025 Global Safety Report, 94% of adults in China feel safe walking alone at night where they live. That is one of the highest shares in the world; the global figure is 73%. The emergency numbers are 110 (police), 120 (ambulance) and 119 (fire).

8. A rich student life

More than 50 university cities on this site, from Beijing and Shanghai to Kunming and Harbin, each with its own food, dialect and history. See our city guides.
High-speed rail: about 48,000 km of lines by the end of 2024, so weekend trips to other cities are easy.
Cheap campus canteens, food from every region of China, and mobile payment for almost everything.
Clubs, sports, festivals and classmates from all over the world.
Chinese, a language that will set you apart. See the HSK requirements.

Good to know before you decide

Language. Most bachelor's programs are taught in Chinese and usually ask for HSK 4 or 5. Many students spend a year in a Chinese language program first.
Apps and websites. Many foreign apps and sites, including Google services, are not accessible in China. You will use WeChat, Alipay and local apps instead.
Paperwork. You need an X1 or X2 visa, and with an X1 a residence permit within 30 days of arrival. See student visas and the residence permit.
Work. Part-time work is allowed only with approval. See part-time work and internships.

Not sure where to start? Our free study plan matches universities to your grades, HSK level and budget.