Chinese Language
Learn Chinese First, Then Start Your Degree: The Language-Year Route
How to go from little or no Chinese to a Chinese-taught degree: language programs, preparatory years, the HSK level to aim for, visas, costs and timing.
4 min read · Updated 29 Oct 2026 · Verified
Most degree programs in China are taught in Chinese, and English-taught options are fewer. If you have little or no Chinese, the usual way in is to study Chinese full-time in China first and start the degree once you reach the required level. This guide explains how that works.
The rule behind it
China's 2018 quality standards for international students set the entry bar for Chinese-taught programs at level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standard (国际汉语能力标准). Universities turn this into their own HSK requirement. Most ask for HSK 4 for a Chinese-taught bachelor's, and top universities often HSK 5 (see our HSK guide).
Some examples from our program search:
- Zhejiang University's Chinese-taught bachelor's programs in Computer Science and Automation: HSK 5 with at least 180 points
- Sun Yat-sen University's Chinese-taught bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence: HSK 5 with at least 180 points
Universities can also offer extra Chinese classes to students who need them (Order No. 42, Art. 18).
Three ways to do it
| Route | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese language program | Full-time Chinese at a university, one semester to two years, as a non-degree student | Self-funded students who want HSK 4–5 before they apply |
| Preparatory year (预科) | One year of Chinese and subject basics that brings you to the bachelor's entry standard | Bachelor's applicants; part of the Chinese Government Scholarship for Chinese-taught bachelor's programs |
| Language year at your degree school | Some schools let you study Chinese with them first and start the degree after you pass HSK 4 | Students who have already chosen their school |
Language programs accept every level, including complete beginners. Many have HSK classes. Northwestern Polytechnical University's 2026 program, for example, runs an HSK Level 4 Pass Class for students who already have HSK 3.
Preparatory years are what China's quality standards call preparatory education: Chinese plus basic subject knowledge, so that students reach the bachelor's entry standard and adjust to life in China.
A language year at the same school is offered by some schools, including vocational colleges. Changzhou Vocational Institute of Engineering's brochure, for example, lets applicants without HSK 4 study Chinese there for a year and start their major after passing HSK 4.
If you have the Chinese Government Scholarship
- Bachelor's, taught in Chinese: scholarship students take a one-year preparatory course at one of ten universities appointed by the Ministry of Education, and must pass its test before starting their major. You can ask to skip it if you finished secondary school in Chinese or hold a valid HSK certificate that meets your university's requirement.
- Master's and PhD, taught in Chinese: the 2027/28 round requires HSK 4 when you apply. Do your language year first, then apply.
- Taught in English: no language year is needed.
The ten preparatory universities named on the Beijing government's scholarship page are Tianjin University, Nanjing Normal University, Shandong University, Central China Normal University, Tongji University, Beijing Language and Culture University, Northeast Normal University, Beijing International Studies University, Capital Normal University and the University of International Business and Economics. The page dates from 2020, so check the current list with your embassy or university.
Costs
Among the 21 universities in our database that publish it, tuition for a year of Chinese ranges from 11,000 to 26,000 CNY. Some examples:
| University | Language program, per year |
|---|---|
| Nankai University | 14,000 CNY |
| Zhejiang University | 18,000 CNY |
| Northwestern Polytechnical University | 20,000 CNY (10,000 per semester) |
| Beijing Language and Culture University | 25,800 CNY |
Add housing, insurance (often 800 CNY a year) and living costs. Use each university's page to check its full first-year cost.
Visa
- A language program longer than 180 days: X1 visa, then a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
- 180 days or less, such as one semester: X2 visa, with no residence permit.
See our X1 vs X2 guide.
A typical timeline from zero
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 (September – January) | Beginner Chinese; aim for HSK 2–3 |
| Semester 2 (March – June) | Move up to HSK 4; take the test by June |
| Semester 3 (September – January) | HSK 4–5 class. Collect documents and apply for the degree and scholarships (deadlines run from December to April). Bachelor's applicants also take the CSCA |
| The following September | Your degree starts |
If you start with some Chinese, you can often apply during your second semester. Remember that applications for a September start close the winter before, so plan the HSK test and the CSCA around the deadlines, not the end of the language program.
Tips
- Choose your degree first, then work back to the HSK level and score it needs.
- Study where you want to apply. Being a current student often makes the application and the paperwork easier.
- Keep going after you start the degree. The standards expect Chinese-taught graduates to reach level 5, so keep studying Chinese.
- Not sure which route fits? Our study planner builds this route for you from your current HSK level and target degree.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply to a Chinese-taught degree with no Chinese?
Not directly. China's 2018 quality standards set the entry bar for Chinese-taught programs at level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standard, and universities turn that into an HSK requirement, usually HSK 4 or higher. Study Chinese first, or choose a school that lets you take its language year before the degree starts.
How long does it take to reach HSK 4?
About 1 to 1.5 years of full-time study from zero, by the estimates in our HSK guide. If you already have some Chinese it is shorter.
Does the Chinese Government Scholarship pay for the language year?
For bachelor's scholarship students in Chinese-taught programs, a one-year preparatory course is part of the scholarship, and you must pass its test before starting your major. For Chinese-taught master's and PhD programs, the 2027/28 round asks for HSK 4 when you apply, so the language year has to come first.
How much does a year of Chinese cost?
Among the 21 universities in our database that publish it, tuition for a year of Chinese ranges from 11,000 to 26,000 CNY. Housing, insurance and living costs come on top.