International students can study medicine in China in English only on an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) programme at a university that China's Ministry of Education has authorised to recruit for it. The most recent published list, for the 2023/24 intake, names 44 universities with 3,048 places; a university outside the list may not enrol international students on English-taught clinical medicine or award a degree marked "MBBS". The programme lasts six years including a clinical internship year, and 2026/27 tuition at the six listed universities whose brochures we checked ranges from $4,470 to $6,380 (¥30,000–42,800) a year. A Chinese medical degree does not by itself give you the right to practise anywhere else, so plan the licensing route in your home country before you apply.
This guide covers how to check a university, official 2026 fees, the new CSCA entrance test, and what graduates face in Russia and Kazakhstan, with pointers for other countries.
Five decisions to make before applying
| Decision | Why it matters | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| English-taught MBBS or clinical medicine in Chinese | Language determines the list of universities, cost, length and how you cope in the hospital | The university's admission brochure (招生简章) |
| Is the university on the Ministry of Education list | Without authorisation, English-taught MBBS for international students is not allowed | Ministry notice plus written confirmation from the university for your intake |
| Where you will practise after graduating | Each country assesses foreign medical degrees under its own rules | Your national medical regulator |
| Which tests you need | From the 2026 intake many universities require CSCA; almost all require English | University brochure and csca.cn |
| Can you fund six years | First-year fees are only part of the cost | The university's official fee table, housing and insurance terms |
Two routes: MBBS in English or medicine in Chinese
| Criterion | English-taught MBBS | Clinical medicine taught in Chinese |
|---|---|---|
| Who may recruit | Only universities on the Ministry list | Universities admitting international students to Chinese-taught degrees |
| Language of teaching | English; Chinese language and "China Overview" are compulsory subjects | Chinese from year one |
| Language entry requirement | Usually IELTS 6.0 or equivalent | HSK 4 or higher (Xinjiang Medical University asks for HSK 4 with at least 180 points) |
| Length | 6 years including a hospital internship year | 6 years, often plus a preparatory Chinese year |
| Fee (one university, both routes) | $4,480 (¥30,000) a year | $2,980 (¥20,000) a year |
| Main risk | Talking to patients in Chinese during clinical rotations | High language threshold and long preparation |
The example fees come from Xinjiang Medical University's 2026 brochure, which lists both routes.
The Ministry explicitly bans "bilingual teaching" used as a workaround to teach international students in English without authorisation. If a university offers "medicine in English and Chinese" but is not on the list, stop and ask for documents.
Besides clinical medicine, universities admit international students to dentistry, pharmacy and traditional Chinese medicine. English-taught dentistry is rare: Fujian Medical University, for example, recruits 40 students to a five-year programme in 2026. Traditional Chinese medicine is almost always taught in Chinese.
The Ministry of Education list for English-taught MBBS
For each academic year the Ministry of Education sets which universities may recruit international students for English-taught clinical medicine and how many. The latest notice published on the Ministry's website (教外厅函〔2023〕10号) covers 2023/24. As of our check on 23 September 2026, no newer list has been posted there, so use the table as a filter and ask the university to confirm its authorisation for your intake in writing.
| # | University | City | Places 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jilin University | Changchun | 80 |
| 2 | China Medical University | Shenyang | 100 |
| 3 | Dalian Medical University | Dalian | 100 |
| 4 | Capital Medical University | Beijing | 100 |
| 5 | Tianjin Medical University | Tianjin | 100 |
| 6 | Shandong University | Jinan | 78 |
| 7 | Fudan University | Shanghai | 40 |
| 8 | Xinjiang Medical University | Urumqi | 100 |
| 9 | Nanjing Medical University | Nanjing | 100 |
| 10 | Jiangsu University | Zhenjiang | 100 |
| 11 | Wenzhou Medical University (including overseas campus) | Wenzhou | 150 |
| 12 | Zhejiang University | Hangzhou (MBBS taught in Yiwu) | 110 |
| 13 | Wuhan University | Wuhan | 50 |
| 14 | Huazhong University of Science and Technology | Wuhan | 70 |
| 15 | Xi'an Jiaotong University | Xi'an | 100 |
| 16 | Southern Medical University | Guangzhou | 100 |
| 17 | Jinan University | Guangzhou | 100 |
| 18 | Guangxi Medical University | Nanning | 100 |
| 19 | Sichuan University | Chengdu | 100 |
| 20 | Chongqing Medical University | Chongqing | 90 |
| 21 | Harbin Medical University | Harbin | 60 |
| 22 | Beihua University | Jilin City | 40 |
| 23 | Jinzhou Medical University | Jinzhou | 20 |
| 24 | Qingdao University | Qingdao | 60 |
| 25 | Hebei Medical University | Shijiazhuang | 60 |
| 26 | Ningxia Medical University | Yinchuan | 60 |
| 27 | Tongji University | Shanghai | 40 |
| 28 | Shihezi University | Shihezi | 60 |
| 29 | Southeast University | Nanjing | 60 |
| 30 | Yangzhou University | Yangzhou | 60 |
| 31 | Nantong University | Nantong | 60 |
| 32 | Soochow University | Suzhou | 60 |
| 33 | Ningbo University | Ningbo | 40 |
| 34 | Fujian Medical University | Fuzhou | 60 |
| 35 | Anhui Medical University | Hefei | 60 |
| 36 | Xuzhou Medical University | Xuzhou | 60 |
| 37 | China Three Gorges University | Yichang | 20 |
| 38 | Zhengzhou University | Zhengzhou | 20 |
| 39 | Guangzhou Medical University | Guangzhou | 60 |
| 40 | Shantou University | Shantou | 20 |
| 41 | Kunming Medical University | Kunming | 60 |
| 42 | North Sichuan Medical College | Nanchong | 40 |
| 43 | Southwest Medical University | Luzhou | 60 |
| 44 | Xiamen University | Xiamen | 40 |
What the list tells you:
- A famous name is not an authorisation. Peking University, Tsinghua and Shanghai Jiao Tong are not on the 2023/24 list, even though they top many "best medical schools in China" rankings. If such a university offers English-taught MBBS now, ask for proof of authorisation for your intake.
- Quotas are small. 26 of the 44 universities have 60 places or fewer, and that quota covers international students from every country.
- Geography shapes cost and travel. Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang and Dalian are closest to Siberia and the Russian Far East; Urumqi and Shihezi in Xinjiang are closest to Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
Four checks that matter more than rankings
- Ministry authorisation. Match the university against the list and get written confirmation for your year. The Ministry can restrict or stop recruitment at universities that break the standards.
- World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS). The directory is run by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and FAIMER. A listing shows that the school exists and trains doctors; it is not in itself programme accreditation.
- Programme accreditation. In China, medical programmes are accredited by the Ministry's Working Committee for the Accreditation of Medical Education (WCAME), which WFME recognised in June 2020, confirming that its standards and accreditation process meet WFME requirements. That status guarantees nothing about licensing in any particular country, but some countries refer to it in their rules for foreign graduates. Ask when the clinical medicine programme was last accredited and until when the decision runs.
- Your destination country's rules. Permission to practise is decided by your national regulator, not the Chinese university.
Also ask where the sixth year takes place. An internship at the university hospital, a partner hospital or in your home country appears differently in your documents, and regulators look closely at the content and volume of clinical training.
MBBS fees in China: official 2026/27 figures
The figures below come from universities' 2026 admission brochures. They cover tuition and housing only; food, books, insurance, medical checks, residence permit fees and flights are extra.
| University (city) | Tuition per year | Housing per year | Other points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zhejiang University (Yiwu) | $6,380 (¥42,800) | not listed in the programme table | The 2026 deadline was 31 May; CSCA in mathematics and chemistry taken in English; 70%+ in school maths, physics, chemistry and biology |
| Guangzhou Medical University | $5,960 (¥40,000) | $600–900 (¥4,000–6,000) depending on campus | Applications 1 March–30 August 2026; age 18–25; CSCA in maths and chemistry required |
| Fujian Medical University (Fuzhou) | $5,220 (¥35,000) | $600 (¥4,000), double room | Applications 20 December 2025–1 July 2026; application fee $120 (¥800) plus 20% tuition prepayment; a CSCA score replaces the university's written test |
| Jiangsu University (Zhenjiang) | $5,070 (¥34,000) | $730 (¥4,900), double room | CSCA in maths and chemistry required; graduation requires HSK 4 with at least 180 points |
| Xuzhou Medical University | $4,920 (¥33,000) | $720 (¥4,800), double room | Applications 26 January–30 June 2026; insurance $120 (¥800) a year; first-year university scholarships for new MBBS students: up to 50% receive $4,920 (¥33,000), up to 30% $2,460 (¥16,500) and up to 20% $1,230 (¥8,250) |
| Xinjiang Medical University (Urumqi) | $4,470 (¥30,000); Chinese-taught $2,980 (¥20,000) | $370–1,340 (¥2,500–9,000) for 10 months | The 2026 deadline was 30 June; spring intake available for MBBS; CSCA required; 6-month bank statement with at least $5,220 (¥35,000) |
How to read the numbers:
- Six years cost six times the first year. Even the cheapest option above adds up to more than $29,000 for tuition and housing alone. Universities may revise fees by enrolment, so ask for the invoice for your year.
- Prepayments are often non-refundable. Fujian Medical University keeps the application fee and deposit if you decline the place. Xuzhou asks for a non-refundable $775 (¥5,200) deposit within two weeks of pre-admission, later credited against registration and first-year housing.
- Full scholarships for MBBS are uncommon. For Central Asian nationals, Xinjiang Medical University lists a scholarship funded jointly by the Ministry and the Xinjiang government that covers tuition, housing and insurance and pays $4,480 (¥30,000) a year for living costs. For the overall budget, see our guide to the cost of studying in China.
Dollar figures use the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026 and are rounded.
CSCA and other entry requirements
From the 2026 intake, Chinese universities moved to a common entrance test for international bachelor's applicants, the CSCA (来华留学本科入学学业水平测试), run by the China Scholarship Council on behalf of the Ministry of Education. For MBBS, universities usually require mathematics and chemistry, and the test can be taken in English.
| Requirement | What 2026 brochures say |
|---|---|
| CSCA | Required at Zhejiang, Guangzhou Medical, Jiangsu and Xinjiang Medical; recommended at Xuzhou and exempts you from its online test; replaces the written test at Fujian Medical |
| Age | Usually 18–25 (Guangzhou, Xuzhou, Urumqi); 18–30 at Fujian Medical |
| English | IELTS 6.0 (Guangzhou, Zhejiang, Urumqi, Jiangsu); TOEFL 70–85 depending on the university; Duolingo accepted only at some |
| Grades | Average of 70% or GPA of 2.0–3.0 out of 4; Zhejiang asks for 70% in each of four science subjects |
| Health | Foreigner Physical Examination Form (外国人体格检查表), valid for 6 months |
A typical application (Guangzhou Medical University's list): online form, notarised school certificate and transcript translated into English or Chinese, CSCA score report, English certificate, recommendation letter from the principal or a teacher, study plan of at least 500 words, passport scan, the medical form, a police clearance certificate, a financial guarantee and a 3–5 minute self-introduction video in English. Applicants under 18 on 30 August 2026 need a notarised guardianship authorisation. See also our guide to application documents for Chinese universities.
After admission the university issues an admission letter and an electronic JW202 form. You use them to apply for an X1 study visa and then apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entry, as explained in our China student visa guide.
English-taught MBBS still means learning Chinese
Under Ministry of Education rules, Chinese language and "China Overview" are compulsory for international degree students. Xuzhou Medical University's MBBS curriculum, for example, includes basic Chinese, medical Chinese and China Overview. Some universities make Chinese a graduation condition: Jiangsu University awards the MBBS only if the student has HSK 4 with at least 180 points.
Lectures are in English, but patients in a Chinese hospital speak Chinese. If you start the language only before clinical years, the internship becomes observation. Levels and dates are covered in our HSK guide.
Recognition in Russia
A graduate of a foreign medical school may practise in Russia after two decisions: on the equivalence of education and on passing specialist accreditation. Since 1 January 2023 the procedure is:
- Recognition of the degree. Russia and China have an agreement of 26 June 1995 on mutual recognition of education documents. Nostrification by Rosobrnadzor is needed only when the education is not covered by such agreements, so for a Chinese degree it is normally not required. The agreement does not map Chinese degrees onto Russian levels, and it states that recognition does not exempt the holder from other national requirements.
- Roszdravnadzor decision. The graduate applies to Roszdravnadzor, the federal healthcare regulator, to confirm that the foreign education meets the qualification requirements for each specialty. Review takes up to 25 working days.
- Accreditation commission. With a positive decision, the graduate applies for primary or primary specialised accreditation under Ministry of Health Order No. 709n, with certified Russian translations of foreign documents.
- Admission and dates. The accreditation centre publishes the admission decision and dates within 10 working days of registering the documents.
- Preliminary stage. At least 30 test items.
- Accreditation. Testing, practical skills in a simulated setting and clinical case problems.
Note the difference between systems: in China the MBBS is an undergraduate (本科) programme leading to a Bachelor of Medicine, whereas Russian physicians train on a six-year specialist (specialitet) programme. Roszdravnadzor compares the content and volume of your programme with Russian requirements, and its decision cannot be predicted in advance.
Keep these from day one: a transcript with hours per subject and a description of clinical rotations, a certificate of internship with hospital and dates, and the curriculum for your intake year.
Recognition in Kazakhstan
- Recognition of the degree by the National Centre for Higher Education Development (NCHED, ENIC Kazakhstan), applied for through eGov.kz or a public service centre. It takes 15 working days via eGov for an apostilled document and 35 if the centre must query the university; via a service centre, 25 and 45 working days. The state fee for higher education is 10 MCI (monthly calculation indices).
- Recognition is not a licence to practise. NCHED states that internship, residency, certification and employment are governed separately.
- Professional readiness assessment and specialist certificate. Under Ministry of Health Order No. ҚР ДСМ-274/2020, a graduate educated abroad may apply for certification once the education is recognised. The file includes documents confirming the "Doctor" qualification and/or completed internship or residency, the professional readiness assessment result, and notarised translations into Kazakh or Russian. For graduates in general medicine, the rules name a certificate of completed internship as a mandatory condition for clinical practice.
The rules do not say whether the clinical year of a Chinese MBBS counts as that internship. Before enrolling, ask NCHED and the Kazakh Ministry of Health, preferably in writing, how a six-year MBBS with an internship abroad will be treated and whether extra internship or residency in Kazakhstan will be needed.
Other countries
If you plan to practise elsewhere, check your regulator's rules for foreign graduates before choosing a university: some look at WFME-recognised accreditation of the school, the length of clinical training and a national licensing exam. If you are comparing destinations, see medicine in Italy and the IMAT, studying medicine in Germany and medicine in Turkey. For an overview of Chinese universities, start with universities in China for international students and our China country page.
Who China suits
| A good fit | Consider another route |
|---|---|
| Strong in biology and chemistry, with English at B2 or above | Expecting admission without entrance tests or with weak grades |
| Ready to learn Chinese from year one | Unwilling to learn the language of the hospital |
| Budgeting for six years with a reserve | Budget covers only year one |
| Already checked the licensing route at home | Not prepared for licensing at home to take time and possibly extra training |
Common mistakes
- Choosing by ranking instead of the list. A research-strong university may not be authorised for English-taught MBBS.
- Accepting "bilingual medicine". The Ministry bans it as a workaround.
- Leaving CSCA too late. Many universities do not review applications without it, and sessions are limited.
- Counting only year one. Six years of fees, deposits and insurance add up quickly.
- Skipping Chinese. You need it for clinical work and sometimes to graduate.
- Not keeping recognition documents. A transcript with hours and internship records may be needed urgently six years later.
- Confusing recognition with a licence. Recognising the degree is only the first step to practising.
Timeline for a 2027 start
- September–December 2026. Decide where you will practise and study its rules. Shortlist 3–5 listed universities and compare their brochures. Start preparing for CSCA (maths and chemistry) and IELTS.
- December 2026–March 2027. Take CSCA and English tests. Translate and notarise your school documents, do the medical check on the Chinese form and get a police certificate.
- January–June 2027. Apply early in each window: Xinjiang Medical's first round opened on 1 December, and Zhejiang closed on 31 May in the 2026 cycle.
- May–August 2027. Accept pre-admission, pay the deposit on time, receive the admission letter and JW202.
- August–September 2027. Get the X1 visa, enter China and apply for a residence permit within 30 days.
FAQ
Yes, on an English-taught MBBS at a university on the Ministry of Education list. The usual English requirement is IELTS 6.0 and no Chinese is needed to enter, but Chinese is a compulsory subject and some universities require HSK 4 to graduate.
Six years, including a hospital internship year. A Chinese-taught degree often adds a preparatory language year.
Only those authorised by the Ministry of Education. The latest published list, for 2023/24, has 44 universities, from Jilin University to Xiamen University. Ask your university for written confirmation for your intake.
Official 2026 brochures show tuition from $4,470 (¥30,000) a year at Xinjiang Medical University to $6,380 (¥42,800) at Zhejiang University. Housing costs $370–1,340 a year; food and insurance are extra.
CSCA is the common entrance test for international bachelor's applicants that many universities require from the 2026 intake. MBBS usually needs mathematics and chemistry. Some universities make it mandatory; others accept it instead of their own exam.
The degree is recognised as an education document under the 1995 Russia–China agreement. To work as a doctor you need a Roszdravnadzor decision on equivalence to the qualification requirements and specialist accreditation at a Russian accreditation centre. The Roszdravnadzor outcome cannot be predicted in advance.
NCHED first recognises the degree via eGov or a public service centre; then the graduate passes the professional readiness assessment and obtains a specialist certificate for clinical practice. Recognition alone does not permit practice.
Some, mostly partial, such as Xuzhou's first-year scholarships, which not every new student receives and which vary in amount. Xinjiang Medical University lists a full scholarship with $4,480 (¥30,000) a year living allowance for Central Asian nationals. Scholarships are awarded by the funder or university and cannot be counted on in advance.
Sources
- Ministry of Education of China — notice on universities and places for English-taught MBBS, 2023/24 (教外厅函〔2023〕10号)
- Ministry of Education — WCAME awarded WFME recognition, 2020
- World Directory of Medical Schools (WFME and FAIMER)
- Ministry of Education — Measures on admitting and training international students (Order No. 42)
- Zhejiang University — English-taught undergraduate programmes 2026 (PDF)
- Guangzhou Medical University — MBBS admission 2026
- Fujian Medical University — English-taught undergraduate admission 2026
- Jiangsu University — Clinical Medicine (MBBS)
- Xuzhou Medical University — MBBS admission 2026 (PDF)
- Xinjiang Medical University — undergraduate admission for international students 2026
- Russian Federal Accreditation Centre — accreditation of people with foreign medical education
- Roszdravnadzor — equivalence of foreign medical education
- Russian National Information Centre — Russia–China agreement on mutual recognition of education documents (1995)
- NCHED (ENIC Kazakhstan) — FAQ on recognition
- Kazakhstan Ministry of Health Order No. ҚР ДСМ-274/2020 on specialist certification
- ECB euro reference rates
Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1355 = ¥7.6117, i.e. $1 ≈ ¥6.70) and are rounded.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. Apply
Next steps
- HSK Exam Guide 2026: Levels, the Switch to HSK 3.0 on 13 December, Dates, Fees and Test Centres
- Applying to Chinese Universities: Documents Checklist for 2027
- Cost of Studying in China: Tuition, Housing and a First-Year Budget
- China Student Visa: X1 vs X2, the JW202 Form, the 30-Day Residence Permit and Where to Apply
- Studying Medicine in Germany as a Non-EU Applicant: Quotas, Selection, TMS, German C1 and Approbation
- Studying Medicine in Italy in English: IMAT, Non-EU Places and the 2026/27 Rules
