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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# Chinese Language Programmes in China: University Courses, 2026 Fees, Visas and Scholarships

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Most Chinese language courses in China are run by universities as non-degree programmes (汉语进修) lasting a semester or an academic year, with intakes in September and March, 18–20 teaching hours a week and classes set by a placement test. At Fudan University and SISU in Shanghai, a semester costs about $1,490–1,565 (¥10,000–10,500) in 2026 and a year about $2,980–3,130 (¥20,000–21,000), excluding housing. Courses of 180 days or more need an X1 visa and a residence permit; shorter ones an X2. Private language schools start almost every week and usually price by the week, and the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship can fund study if you already have an HSK result.

This guide covers course formats, official 2026 fees and deadlines, entry requirements, visas and scholarships, and how to choose between a language course and a foundation year.

The historic teaching building of Tianjin Foreign Studies University on Machang Road, Tianjin, China. Photo: Suginami / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:天津外国语大学马场道校区（前河北大学教学楼）.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

## Types of Chinese language programme {#section-1}

| Format | Length | Best for | Key points |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Long-term university programme | Semester or year, starting September and March | Future degree students, HSK candidates, serious learners | Placement test, levelled groups, 18–20 hours a week, completion certificate |
| Short university course | 1–3 months, or 2–4 weeks in summer and winter | Trying China out or a holiday boost | Runs on an X2 visa; housing not always provided |
| Practical Chinese / "Chinese + skills" | 4 weeks to a year | Learners who need Chinese for work | E.g. at [Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-blcu): 20 hours a week including specialised-purpose Chinese |
| Pre-degree preparation | Usually a year | Students planning to enter the same university's bachelor's | Language plus subjects; BLCU runs a separate CSCA preparation programme |
| Private language school | A week to a year, near-weekly starts | Flexible schedules and small groups | Weekly pricing; check whether the school can support a study visa |
| Online courses from Chinese universities | Semester or short course | Learners who cannot travel yet | No visa involved; a good start before moving |

If your goal is a Chinese-taught degree, a university programme is the logical choice: clear levels, visa support and usually an HSK centre on campus. For the difference between a language course and a foundation year with subjects, see our [foundation year guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-foundation-year-in-china).

## 2026 fees: official examples {#section-2}

Official 2026 fees at two Shanghai universities, excluding housing, insurance, medical checks and residence permit costs:

| University | Semester | Academic year | Short course | Application fee |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Fudan University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-fudan), Shanghai | $1,565 (¥10,500) | $3,130 (¥21,000) | — | $60 (¥400) |
| Shanghai International Studies University (SISU), Hongkou campus | $1,490 (¥10,000) | $2,980 (¥20,000) | 1 month $670 (¥4,500); 2 months $1,045 (¥7,000); 3 months $1,265 (¥8,500) | $75 (¥500), non-refundable |

How to read these fees:

- A year is simpler than two semesters. One X1 visa and one residence permit instead of two entries.
- Housing is separate. Fudan leaves language students to arrange accommodation and points to options near campus; SISU does not house students joining for 1–3 months mid-semester.
- Application fees are non-refundable.

We use two Shanghai universities as examples because their 2026 fees are fully published; elsewhere, check the specific university's brochure. For city-by-city budgets, see [the cost of studying in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-china) and [student life and housing in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-life-and-housing-in-china). Dollar figures use the ECB rate of 23 September 2026 and are rounded.

## What classes look like {#section-3}

Fudan. Ten levels: four elementary (A–D), four intermediate (E–H) and two advanced (I–J). Each level lasts about nine weeks, so a semester covers two. Students take an online placement test on arrival. About 18 hours a week of intensive reading, extensive reading, listening and speaking and writing, with news and press reading at higher levels, culture electives and some undergraduate courses open to advanced students. An on-campus HSK centre offers several test dates.

SISU. Mornings: core Chinese at four levels (beginner, elementary, intermediate, advanced) covering grammar, vocabulary, reading and speaking. Afternoons: free electives such as Shanghai dialect, calligraphy, phonetics, tai chi, paper cutting and a Chinese corner. 20 teaching hours a week, each 45 minutes.

For planning: at Fudan a semester covers two of the ten levels, so a complete beginner reaches the first intermediate level (E) after two semesters and the advanced levels (I–J) after four. How long it takes to reach HSK 4, often required for Chinese-taught degrees, depends on your pace and self-study, so plan for at least a year. See our [HSK guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-hsk-exam-guide) for admission levels.

## Deadlines and calendar 2026–2027 {#section-4}

| University | Spring semester | Autumn semester |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fudan | — (the autumn 2026 brochure lists an autumn intake) | Autumn 2026 applications ran 23 March–12 June 2026; classes 31 August 2026–8 January 2027 (semester) or to 2 July 2027 (year) |
| SISU | Deadline 31 December; spring 2026 ran 16 March–10 July | Autumn 2026 deadline was 30 June 2026; classes 21 September 2026–15 January 2027 |

For a spring 2027 start, work to December deadlines (SISU's spring 2026 deadline was 31 December 2025) and allow 2–2.5 months for university documents and the visa.

## Entry requirements {#section-5}

- Age. Fudan: 18–60. SISU: 18 to under 50 for semester programmes, 16–60 for short mid-semester courses.
- Education. SISU asks for a secondary school certificate; Fudan's brochure sets no education threshold.
- Chinese. None required; you are placed by test on arrival.
- Documents. Online form, passport copy (valid for the whole study period), school certificate copy, application fee. Under-18s need a notarised guardianship authorisation for a guardian in China.
- Finances. Some universities ask for a financial guarantee; Fudan provides a template.

## Which visa for a language course? {#section-6}

| Course length | University document | Visa | After arrival |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 180 days or more (long semester or full year) | JW202 | X1 | Study residence permit within 30 days |
| Under 180 days | DQ form (new short-term form) or JW202 | X2 | Usually nothing; the stay is on the visa |

Visa-free entry, available to many nationalities for up to 30 days, does not cover study. Our [China student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-china) covers applications, fees and your first 30 days. Medical insurance is compulsory for international students; universities do not register students without it.

## Scholarships for learning Chinese {#section-7}

The most accessible way to study Chinese in China for free is the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (国际中文教师奖学金), administered by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (chinese.cn). Despite the name, it is not limited to teachers. Terms at BLCU for 2026:

| Programme | Length | Language requirement | Deadline |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Four weeks | July or December 2026 | An HSK result; group applications of 15+ through a recommending institution | 15 April (July) and 15 September (December) 2026 |
| One semester | 5 months from September 2026 or March 2027 | HSK 3 from 180 points plus an HSKK result | 15 May 2026 (September) and 31 October 2026 (March 2027) |
| One year | 11 months from September 2026 | HSK 3 from 210–270, or HSK 4 from 180 with HSKK 60, depending on track | 15 May 2026 |

It covers tuition, accommodation, a monthly allowance (except the four-week programme) and medical insurance. Applicants must be 16–35 on 1 September 2026 (up to 45 for serving Chinese teachers), have a recommendation from a partner institution and HSK/HSKK results within two years. You may apply for only one Chinese government scholarship at a time, and semester or year applicants who held the same scholarship in the previous three years are generally not admitted again. The funder decides, so budget for a paid option as well.

## How to choose a course and city {#section-8}

1. Start from your goal. For admission, look for a placement test, clear levels and an HSK centre nearby; for work, practical and business Chinese; for a first look at China, a one-month course is enough.
2. Check the calendar. University programmes start twice a year; private schools almost weekly.
3. Budget with housing. Tuition is only part of the cost: Fudan's brochure, for example, leaves housing to the student and only lists options near campus for reference.
4. Check who issues the visa form. A course of 180+ days needs a JW202 from an institution authorised to admit international students.
5. Plan the next step. If you want to continue to a bachelor's at the same university, ask whether the language programme counts and whether CSCA is required.

For city choice, see [universities in Beijing](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-beijing) and [universities in Shanghai](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-shanghai). We also profile [Harbin Institute of Technology](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hit) and [SISU](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-sisu), and our [China country page](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-china) gives the big picture.

## Can you work during a language course? {#section-9}

Not in regular employment on a study visa. Work-study and off-campus internships require university approval and an annotation on your residence permit. X2 students can also have internships arranged through the university, but at Fudan, for example, they receive a zero-entry S2 visa for the internship period, so leaving China ends it. See [work and internships for students in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-work-and-internships-for-students-in-china).

## Common mistakes {#section-10}

- Going for a year on an X2 visa.
- Missing application windows: Fudan and SISU closed autumn 2026 applications about 2.5 months before classes.
- Not budgeting for housing when the university does not provide it.
- Counting on a scholarship without HSK and HSKK results.
- Choosing a private school only on weekly price, without checking visa support and level structure.

## FAQ {#faq}

### How much do Chinese language courses in China cost?

At Shanghai universities in 2026, about $1,490–1,565 (¥10,000–10,500) per semester and $2,980–3,130 (¥20,000–21,000) per year. Housing, insurance and travel are extra.

### Can I join a course with no Chinese?

Yes. University programmes accept complete beginners and place you by test on arrival.

### Which visa do I need?

X1 plus a residence permit within 30 days for courses of 180 days or more; X2 for shorter courses. Visa-free entry cannot be used for study.

### How many hours a week are classes?

About 18 hours at Fudan and 20 teaching hours of 45 minutes at SISU. Private schools let you choose the intensity.

### When do university language courses start?

Usually in September and March. For autumn 2026, Fudan accepted applications from 23 March to 12 June and SISU until 30 June.

### Are there scholarships for learning Chinese in China?

Yes, notably the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship for four weeks, a semester or a year. It requires HSK (HSK 3 from 180 points for a semester) and a partner institution's recommendation; the funder decides.

### Language course or foundation year?

A language course suits you if the goal is Chinese or an HSK level. A foundation year is better if you plan to start a bachelor's straight after, as it adds subjects and entrance-test preparation.

## Sources {#section-12}

- [Fudan University — Chinese language programme, autumn 2026 (PDF)](https://iso.fudan.edu.cn/_upload/article/files/6e/8a/841814af4616b1e0ee4fac2e40a7/7226ef47-b061-4b89-ac15-744dc5add697.pdf)
- [SISU — Chinese Language Program 2026, Hongkou campus](http://www.oisa.shisu.edu.cn/index.php/En/Index/lxxm/cid/135.html)
- [BLCU — non-degree Chinese programmes](https://admission.blcu.edu.cn/zqkc/list.htm)
- [BLCU — International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship 2026](https://admission.blcu.edu.cn/2026/0303/c1325a3043/page.htm)
- [Ministry of Education — Measures on admitting and training international students (Order No. 42)](http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A02/s5911/moe_621/201705/t20170516_304735.html)
- [NIA — Exit and Entry Administration Law](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147458/c155978/content.html)
- [NIA — Regulations on the Administration of Entry and Exit of Foreigners (Art. 22)](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147458/c155970/content.html)
- [Fudan University — off-campus internship procedure for international students](https://iso.fudan.edu.cn/51275/list.htm)
- [ECB euro reference rates](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/eurofxref/eurofxref-daily.xml)

Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 23 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1411 = ¥7.6538, i.e. $1 ≈ ¥6.71) and are rounded.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. [Apply](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [HSK Exam Guide 2026: Levels, the Switch to HSK 3.0 on 13 December, Dates, Fees and Test Centres](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-hsk-exam-guide)
- [Foundation Year in China: Which Format to Choose and What It Costs](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-foundation-year-in-china)
- [Work and Internships for Students in China: What a Study Visa Allows and How to Register an Internship](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-work-and-internships-for-students-in-china)
- [Cost of Studying in China: Tuition, Housing and a First-Year Budget](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-china)
- [Studying in China for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-china)
- [Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hit)

Updated: September 2026