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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# Master's in China: Requirements, Deadlines and Fees for 2027

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A master's degree in China takes two to three years, and you apply with a bachelor's degree through each university's own online system. Besides the diploma and transcript, almost every university asks for two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors, a study plan and a language certificate: usually HSK 5 for Chinese-taught programmes and IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80–90 for English-taught ones. The 2027 cycle is open: Tsinghua accepts applications from September 2026 to February 2027, and Fudan closed its first phase on 12 December in the last cycle.

Price depends on language and programme type. A Chinese-taught year at Tsinghua costs $4,180–4,920 (CNY 28,000–33,000), English-taught engineering programmes most often cost $5,820 (CNY 39,000) a year, and professional programmes such as an MBA are priced separately and can reach tens of thousands of dollars. Below: requirements, calendar, fees at three universities, scholarships and the mistakes that cost strong candidates a year.

The ivy-covered old library building of Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. Photo: そらみみ (Soramimi) / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_library_of_Tsinghua_University.JPG), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

## Master's in China at a glance {#section-1}

| Item | What applies | Example from an official source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Length | 2–3 years | HIT: 2–3 years, September intake only |
| Who can apply | Holders of a bachelor's degree or equivalent | Tsinghua, Fudan, HIT |
| Age | Usually under 35 | HIT: under 35; under 30 for the HIT scholarship |
| Language | HSK 4–5 for Chinese-taught, IELTS 6.0–6.5 for English-taught | HIT: HSK 4 with 210+ or IELTS 6.0; Fudan: HSK 5 with 210–240 or IELTS 6.5 |
| References | Two, from a professor or associate professor | HIT, Fudan, Tsinghua |
| Study plan | Essay on goals and research interests | HIT: at least 1,500 words on the university template |
| Application windows | From September–October to February–May | Tsinghua: September 2026–February 2027 |
| Tuition | From $3,876 a year in Chinese | Fudan, Tsinghua, HIT |
| Application fee | $60–120 (CNY 400–800) | HIT 400, Fudan and Tsinghua 800 |

Dollar amounts use ECB reference rates for 29 September 2026 ($1 = CNY 6.7034) and are rounded.

## Academic vs professional master's {#section-2}

Chinese master's programmes follow two tracks that differ in price, format and purpose.

| Type | What it is | Price | Who it suits |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Academic (xueshu xing) | Research-oriented degree in a discipline such as engineering, physics, economics or linguistics, with a thesis and a supervisor | On the university's standard scale: $4,175–4,920 a year at Tsinghua, $3,876–7,156 at Fudan | Future PhD students and researchers |
| Professional (zhuanye xing) | Applied degree: MBA, Master of Finance, Master of Public Administration, LLM in Chinese law, Teaching Chinese | Separate fees: Tsinghua's Master of Finance and Global MBA are each $29,540 (CNY 198,000) for the programme | Careers in business, finance or public service |

Fudan states that its standard fees apply to academic programmes and that professional programme fees are set by each school. Establish the programme type before you compare prices.

## Entry requirements {#section-3}

### Degree and grades

You need a bachelor's diploma or a certificate of expected graduation; the diploma itself is shown at registration. Upload the full transcript, and if it does not show your overall GPA, Tsinghua asks for a separate GPA certificate.

Tsinghua also applies a requirement you will see more often: an overseas degree must be authenticated by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) under the Ministry of Education. Graduates submit the authentication with the application; final-year students bring it before registration. Allow time for this on top of the apostille.

### Language

| University | Chinese-taught | English-taught |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HIT, 2026 intake | HSK 4 with 210+, valid for two years | IELTS Academic 6.0 (no band below 5.5) or TOEFL iBT 80 |
| Fudan, 2026 intake | HSK 5 with 240+ (humanities) or 210+ (science, engineering, medicine), or HSK 6 with 180+ | TOEFL 90, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 110, PTE 61; some programmes require IELTS 7.0 |
| Tsinghua, 2027 intake | Set by each department in the programme catalogue | Set by each department in the programme catalogue |

If your bachelor's was taught in English or Chinese, most universities accept a letter from your university instead of a test score. For Chinese tests, see our [HSK guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-hsk-exam-guide).

### References, study plan and supervisor

- Two references. HIT and Fudan accept letters only from professors or associate professors; Tsinghua from associate professors and above or senior professionals in the field. You upload them or send the referee an online link.
- Study plan. At HIT it is a document of at least 1,500 words on the university template; at Tsinghua a personal statement in the application form.
- Supervisor acceptance letter. Optional at HIT, which nevertheless encourages applicants to contact professors before applying and publishes a template. For research programmes such a letter noticeably strengthens an application.

A short email to a potential supervisor works best: who you are, the topic you want to work on, how it links to their research, plus your CV. Universities publish staff contacts on department pages.

### Other documents

Passport, the foreigner physical examination form and a police certificate no older than six months, proof of funds (at HIT at least $4,480 (CNY 30,000), in a bank account) and, if parents pay, a financial sponsor form. Documents must be in Chinese or English or come with a notarised translation. The full list, including apostille rules, is in our guide to [applying to Chinese universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-chinese-universities).

## Deadlines for the 2027 intake {#section-4}

Each university sets its own windows, and deadlines sometimes differ by department.

| University | Application window | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tsinghua, 2027 | Generally September 2026–February 2027; each department's deadline is in the catalogue | Winter break 21 January–17 February 2027: the system stays open but checks slow down, so apply 2–3 weeks early |
| Fudan, 2026 | Phase 1: 13 October–12 December 2025; phase 2: 1–31 March 2026 | Phase 1 also accepted applications for the Chinese Government Scholarship high-level graduate programme; one major per cycle |
| HIT, 2026 | Year-round; deadline 31 May 2026 for September | CSC Type B through the university: stages closing 31 December 2025 and 20 February 2026 |

The Fudan and HIT dates refer to the 2026 intake and show the rhythm; 2027 dates are usually published in the autumn. The rule of thumb: plan around the earliest deadline on your list, which is usually a scholarship deadline.

### A 12-month plan

1. September–October 2026. Pick 4–6 programmes and note the language, type (academic or professional), fee, deadline and degree requirements for each.
2. October–November 2026. Take HSK or IELTS, start the apostille and translation, and begin CSCSE authentication if required.
3. November–December 2026. Draft the study plan, line up referees, contact potential supervisors.
4. December 2026–February 2027. Submit scholarship applications and apply in the first university windows.
5. Spring 2027. Interviews and decisions; at Fudan departments review files and sometimes interview.
6. June–August 2027. Admission notice and JW202 form (JW201 for CSC scholars), X1 visa, housing. Visa steps are covered in our [Chinese student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-china).

## How much a master's in China costs {#section-5}

| University | Chinese-taught, per year | English-taught | Dormitory | Application fee |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tsinghua, 2027 | $4,920 (CNY 33,000) science, engineering, medicine; $4,473 (30,000) economics and management; $4,175 (28,000) humanities | Engineering programmes most often $5,820 (CNY 39,000) a year; overall range from $4,480 (CNY 30,000) a year to $34,010 (CNY 228,000) for a whole programme; Global MBA $29,540 (CNY 198,000) for the programme | $134–179 a month ($4–6 (CNY 30–40) per bed per day in triple or double rooms) | $120 (CNY 800) |
| Fudan, 2026 | $3,876 (26,000) humanities, $4,473 (30,000) sciences, $7,156 (48,000) medicine | $7,460–40,260 (CNY 50,000–269,900) a year | Online booking | $120 (CNY 800) |
| HIT, 2026 | $4,180 (CNY 28,000) | $5,070 (CNY 34,000) | $120–150 (CNY 800–1,000) a month, utilities extra | $60 (CNY 400) |

Sources: [Tsinghua 2027 fees](https://yzbm.tsinghua.edu.cn/publish/s05/s0501/detail/bb745c8c-e817-4532-8cc1-70fa21bae1b5) and [other costs](https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/Costs/Miscellaneous_Expenses.htm), [Fudan English-taught](https://iso.fudan.edu.cn/isoenglish/7b/e4/c51328a752612/page.htm) and [Chinese-taught programmes](https://iso.fudan.edu.cn/isoenglish/7b/e6/c51328a752614/page.htm), [HIT](https://studyathit.hit.edu.cn/18359/list.htm). Insurance at all three is $120 (CNY 800) a year.

The city barely affects public tuition but strongly affects housing: a Tsinghua dormitory bed costs about $1,633–2,177 a year, a Harbin bed $1,431–1,789. A full budget with housing, visa and living costs is in our guide to the [cost of studying in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-china).

## Scholarships for master's students {#section-6}

Funding options are wider than for bachelor's students, partly because many English-taught programmes accept scholars.

- Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC): tuition, housing or a housing allowance, insurance and $450 (CNY 3,000) a month. You apply either through the Chinese embassy or your country's dispatching authority (Type A) or through a university (Type B).
- Provincial and city scholarships. Fudan recommends applying for the government scholarship and the Shanghai Government Scholarship at the same time; the age limit for master's applicants is 35.
- University scholarships. For 2026 HIT offered master's students tuition waivers of 100%, 50%, 30% or 20% with a 31 May deadline. You cannot apply for CSC and the HIT scholarship at the same time.

Two details people miss: the application fee is not covered by the scholarship, as Tsinghua states explicitly, and scholarship windows close before self-funded ones, so documents must be ready by December–February. More funding options are in our overview of [scholarships abroad](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026).

## Master's in English {#section-7}

At master's level the choice of English-taught programmes is much wider than for bachelor's degrees. Tsinghua and Fudan publish separate English-taught catalogues, and HIT teaches management, materials science, civil, mechanical and chemical engineering and electronics in English. English costs more: a typical English-taught engineering programme at Tsinghua is $5,814 a year against $4,175–4,920 in Chinese, and Fudan's start at $7,454. See [English-taught degrees in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-china) for full lists and how to tell fully English-taught from bilingual programmes.

Even on an English-taught programme you will need Chinese in daily life and internships; some students take a parallel course at their university (see [Chinese language programmes in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-chinese-language-programs-in-china)).

## How study works and what comes next {#section-8}

HIT's academic year has an autumn term (August–January), a spring term (February–June) and a summer term (July). On academic programmes, required courses come first, followed by research and a thesis under a supervisor, which is why the choice of supervisor matters more in China than in countries where a master's consists only of courses.

After graduation there are three paths:

- PhD. At Tsinghua, 39 departments even admit bachelor's graduates directly to doctoral programmes; for master's graduates the route is standard.
- Work in China. During study, off-campus part-time work and internships require university approval and an endorsement on your residence permit from the immigration authorities. See [work and internships for students in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-work-and-internships-for-students-in-china).
- Returning home. Russia and Kazakhstan have mutual recognition agreements with China: in Russia education covered by such a treaty is recognised without a recognition procedure, in Kazakhstan through simplified recognition. Details, including Uzbekistan, are in our guide to the [bachelor's in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-china).

## Common mistakes {#section-9}

- Comparing prices without checking programme type. A professional master's at the same university can cost several times more than an academic one.
- Starting degree authentication late. If the university requires CSCSE authentication, the apostille and translation must be done early and extra time allowed.
- Wrong referees. A letter from an internship manager without an academic title will not work at HIT or Fudan.
- One scholarship as the only plan. If the CSC result is negative, some self-funded windows may already be closed.
- Staying silent before applying. A candidate who has not contacted any professor looks weaker than one with a supervisor's acceptance letter.
- Expired documents. The medical form and police certificate are valid for six months.

## How StudyU helps {#section-10}

Only the initial consultation is free. Programme selection for your degree, checking department requirements, the study plan, references, the application calendar and application support are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission is decided by the university, scholarships by the CSC, provincial authorities or the university, and visas by the Chinese consulate. See [Study in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-china) and profiles of [Harbin Institute of Technology](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hit), [Shanghai International Studies University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-sisu), [Tsinghua](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tsinghua), [Fudan](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-fudan) and [Zhejiang University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-zhejiang). If you are weighing China against Hong Kong, start with [Study in Hong Kong](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-hongkong) and the [Hong Kong University of Science and Technology](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hong-kong-university-of-science-and-technology) profile.

## FAQ {#faq}

### Can I do a master's in China without Chinese?

Yes, on a fully English-taught programme with IELTS or TOEFL: at least 6.0 and 80 at HIT, 6.5 and 90 at Fudan. If your bachelor's was taught in English, many universities accept a letter from your university instead of a test score.

### Can I change field for a master's in China?

The general requirements at HIT, Fudan and Tsinghua do not state that your bachelor's must be in the same field: you need a bachelor's degree, and the department judges whether your preparation is sufficient. Explain a change of field in the study plan and show relevant courses on the transcript.

### How much does a master's in China cost?

At public universities in Chinese, $3,876–7,156 a year at Fudan and $4,175–4,920 at Tsinghua. English-taught ones usually cost more: $5,814 a year for Tsinghua's engineering programmes and from $7,454 at Fudan. Professional programmes such as an MBA are priced separately.

### When should I apply for 2027?

In autumn and winter 2026. Tsinghua accepts applications from September 2026 to February 2027, Fudan opened its first phase in October in the last cycle, and scholarship windows close in December–February. HIT accepts self-funded applications year-round but closed September 2026 admissions on 31 May.

### Do I need a supervisor before applying?

Not always. HIT calls a supervisor's acceptance letter optional but recommends contacting professors in advance. For research programmes and scholarships such a letter noticeably strengthens the application.

### Are there age limits?

Yes. HIT admits master's applicants under 35, and under 30 for its own scholarship. For Fudan and Shanghai Government scholarships the limit for master's applicants is also 35.

### Is a Chinese master's recognised in Russia?

Yes. The 1995 Russia–China mutual recognition agreement is in force, and according to Rosobrnadzor such education is recognised without a separate procedure. For use in Russia, get the diploma apostilled in China and translated into Russian.

## Sources {#section-12}

- [Tsinghua: graduate application requirements](https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/Admissions/How_to_Apply.htm), [application fee](https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/Costs/Application_Fee.htm), [2027 fees](https://yzbm.tsinghua.edu.cn/publish/s05/s0501/detail/bb745c8c-e817-4532-8cc1-70fa21bae1b5), [housing and insurance](https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/Costs/Miscellaneous_Expenses.htm) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Fudan: English-taught postgraduate programmes 2026](https://iso.fudan.edu.cn/isoenglish/7b/e4/c51328a752612/page.htm) and [Chinese-taught programmes 2026](https://iso.fudan.edu.cn/isoenglish/7b/e6/c51328a752614/page.htm) — checked 23.09.2026
- [HIT: master's admission for international students, 2026](https://studyathit.hit.edu.cn/18359/list.htm) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Haidian District Government, Beijing: Chinese Government Scholarship standards](https://en.bjhd.gov.cn/studyinhaidian/startyourlearningjourney/scholarshipapplications/202512/t20251209_4796614.shtml) — checked 23.09.2026
- [National Immigration Administration of China: study residence and student work](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147423/n147478/n147715/c158270/content.html) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Russian National Information Centre: 1995 Russia–China agreement](https://nic.gov.ru/ru/docs/foreign/confirmation/idokb_2577_225553) and [Rosobrnadzor: recognition of foreign education](https://obrnadzor.gov.ru/gosudarstvennye-uslugi-i-funkczii/gosudarstvennye-uslugi/priznanie-inostrannogo-obrazovaniya-i-ili-inostrannoj-kvalifikaczii/) — checked 23.09.2026
- [Kazakhstan: rules for recognition of higher education documents (as amended 30.04.2025)](https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/V2300032800) — checked 23.09.2026
- [ECB reference rates](https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/euro_reference_exchange_rates/html/index.en.html) — 29.09.2026: €1 = $1.1355 = CNY 7.6117

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

## Next steps

- [Bachelor's Degree in China: How to Apply for the 2027 Intake](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-china)
- [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)
- [English-Taught Degrees in China: Programmes, Universities, Fees and Requirements](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-china)
- [Applying to Chinese Universities: Documents Checklist for 2027](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-chinese-universities)
- [Scholarships abroad 2026: where international students study for free](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026)
- [Studying in China for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-china)

Updated: September 2026