学费 · Tuition fees
What it costs to study in China
We have checked tuition at 17 universities against their own pages and brochures. Bachelor's programs start at ¥10,000 a year, and at a typical university the cheapest one costs ¥22,000. With insurance, a dorm room and living costs, plan on about ¥59,000 for the first year.
Tuition per year, by level
Bachelor's
from ¥10,000
Typical: ¥22,000
Up to ¥90,000
17 universities
Master's
from ¥20,000
Typical: ¥26,000
Up to ¥89,000
13 universities
PhD
from ¥25,000
Typical: ¥32,000
Up to ¥84,000
11 universities
Chinese language program
from ¥14,000
Typical: ¥16,000
Up to ¥26,000
9 universities
Tuition by university, cheapest first
| University | Bachelor's | Master's | PhD | Chinese language program | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yunnan University云南大学 · Kunming | ¥10,000–20,000 | — | — | — | 24 Oct 2026 |
| Southwestern University of Finance and Economics西南财经大学 · Chengdu | ¥16,000–20,000 | ¥20,000–25,000 | ¥25,000–30,000 | ¥16,000 | 25 Oct 2026 |
| Huazhong University of Science and Technology华中科技大学 · Wuhan | ¥18,000–40,000 | ¥25,000–40,000 | ¥30,000–50,000 | ¥15,000 | 24 Oct 2026 |
| Northeastern University (China)东北大学 · Shenyang | ¥18,000–21,000 | ¥22,000–26,000 | — | ¥14,000–15,000 | 25 Oct 2026 |
| Zhejiang Normal University浙江师范大学 · Jinhua | ¥18,000 | ¥22,000–26,000 | ¥25,000–27,000 | ¥14,000 | 24 Oct 2026 |
| Nankai University南开大学 · Tianjin | ¥20,000–35,000 | — | — | ¥14,000 | 24 Oct 2026 |
| Wenzhou Medical University温州医科大学 · Wenzhou | ¥20,000–33,000 | ¥42,000 | ¥50,000 | — | 25 Oct 2026 |
| Nanjing University南京大学 · Nanjing | ¥21,000–42,000 | ¥25,000–48,000 | ¥30,000–54,000 | — | 24 Oct 2026 |
| East China Normal University华东师范大学 · Shanghai | ¥22,000–54,000 | — | — | — | 24 Oct 2026 |
| Northwestern Polytechnical University西北工业大学 · Xi'an | ¥22,000–25,000 | ¥30,000–33,000 | ¥38,000–42,000 | ¥20,000 | 25 Oct 2026 |
| Beijing Institute of Technology北京理工大学 · Beijing | ¥23,000–30,000 | ¥32,000–36,000 | ¥44,400 | — | 25 Oct 2026 |
| Fudan University复旦大学 · Shanghai | ¥23,000–42,000 | ¥26,000–48,000 | ¥30,000–54,000 | — | 24 Oct 2026 |
| Renmin University of China中国人民大学 · Beijing | ¥24,000–36,000 | ¥28,000–89,000 | ¥32,000–84,000 | ¥24,000 | 24 Oct 2026 |
| Xiamen University厦门大学 · Xiamen | ¥24,000–90,000 | ¥26,000–45,000 | — | ¥26,000 | 24 Oct 2026 |
| Shenzhen University深圳大学 · Shenzhen | ¥26,000–40,000 | ¥30,000–45,000 | ¥34,000–52,000 | ¥22,000 | 25 Oct 2026 |
| Sun Yat-sen University中山大学 · Guangzhou | ¥26,000–48,000 | — | — | — | 24 Oct 2026 |
| Nanjing Medical University南京医科大学 · Nanjing | ¥30,000–34,000 | ¥30,000–35,000 | ¥38,000 | — | 24 Oct 2026 |
Fees change every year and differ by program. Confirm on the university's site before you apply.
Other costs
- Application fee
- ¥400–800, paid once. 10 universities on this page publish it.
- Medical insurance
- Universities require it of international students. Where the price is published it is ¥800–1,000 a year; ¥800 is the most common rate.
- On-campus housing
- ¥4,400–21,900 a year for a dorm room, from the 7 universities that publish prices (charged by the day, month, semester or year).
- Living costs
- Food, transport and phone. The Chinese Government Scholarship pays ¥2,500 a month to bachelor's students, ¥3,000 to master's and ¥3,500 to PhD students: a fair starting budget.
The first-year estimate adds the typical bachelor's tuition, ¥800 insurance, the median published dorm price (¥6,000) and 12 months of living costs (¥30,000).
Paying less
The Chinese Government Scholarship covers tuition, a dorm room and insurance, and pays a monthly allowance; provincial and university scholarships cover part of the cost. See all scholarships.
Questions about tuition in China
Which Chinese university has the lowest tuition for international students?
Of the 17 universities we have checked, Yunnan University in Kunming has the lowest bachelor's tuition: ¥10,000 a year. Next come Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (¥16,000), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (¥18,000).
How much does a master's degree cost in China?
At the 13 universities we checked that publish master's fees, the cheapest program starts at ¥20,000 a year and is ¥26,000 at a typical university; some business and English-taught programs cost up to ¥89,000.
How much money do I need for a year of study in China?
About ¥59,000 for a bachelor's student: tuition ¥22,000, insurance ¥800, a dorm room ¥6,000 and living costs of ¥30,000. A scholarship can cover most of it.
Can I study in China for free?
Yes, with the Chinese Government Scholarship: it covers tuition, a dorm room and insurance, and pays ¥2,500–¥3,500 a month depending on your level. It is competitive, so also apply for provincial and university scholarships.