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Meta title: Beijing Normal University (BNU): Admission and Fees
Meta description: Beijing Normal University for international students: 40 Chinese-taught majors, $3,580–4,130 a year, HSK 5 and CSCA, 15 March deadline, BNU scholarships.
Last modified: 2026-09-30

# Beijing Normal University (BNU): Admission, Fees and Scholarships

Beijing Normal University (北京师范大学, BNU) is one of China's strongest comprehensive universities: a 985, 211 and "Double First-Class" institution ranked 125th in the THE World University Rankings 2027. Despite the name, it trains far more than teachers: international students can choose from 40 bachelor's majors, from education, psychology and Chinese to computer science, environmental science and the arts. All bachelor's teaching is in Chinese, and tuition is $3,580 (CNY 24,000) a year for humanities and $4,130 (CNY 27,700) for science and arts programmes. Applicants need HSK 5 (HSK 4 for the two Chinese-language programmes), the CSCA and an interview. For the 2026 intake, online applications ran from 15 November to 15 March.

The library of Beijing Normal University. Photo: Nick Challoner / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beijing_Normal_University_Library.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Campuses | Beijing, 19 Xinjiekouwai Street (Haidian District); Zhuhai campus in Guangdong Province |
| History | since 1902, from the Education Department of the Imperial University of Peking |
| Status | Ministry of Education university; 985, 211, Double First-Class (2017, renewed in 2022) |
| Size | more than 34,000 full-time students |
| Ranking | THE World University Rankings 2027: 125th |
| Bachelor's | 4 years, Chinese-taught only; $3,580 or $4,130 (CNY 24,000 or 27,700) a year |
| Language | HSK 5 (180+); HSK 4 (180+) for Chinese as a Second Language and Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages |
| Age | 18–40 for bachelor's; up to 50 for self-funded master's |
| 2026 deadlines | bachelor's 15 November – 15 March; master's 15 November – 10 March |
| Chinese courses | $1,730 (CNY 11,600) per semester; spring 2027 applications close on 15 December 2026 |

## How BNU differs from other Beijing universities {#section-1}

BNU grew out of China's first higher-education institution for teachers and has kept strong basic sciences and humanities: education, psychology, Chinese philology, history, philosophy, geography and environmental science.

International applicants can choose from a broad set of humanities and social science bachelor's degrees, down to pre-school and special education, educational technology, sociology and law. BNU has admitted international students since the 1960s, and a separate School of International Chinese Language Education handles Chinese as a foreign language. The main filter is language: there are no English-taught bachelor's programmes.

BNU suits students who:

- want to study in Chinese and can reach HSK 5;
- plan to teach Chinese or work in education or psychology;
- prefer a strong academic humanities university in Beijing rather than an engineering one.

If you need a technical profile or English-taught study, look at [Beihang University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-beihang); for pure language immersion, [Beijing Language and Culture University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-blcu). Our guide to [universities in Beijing](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-beijing) compares the capital's options, and the [study in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-china) page lists all profiles.

## Bachelor's degrees: 40 majors and what to sit {#section-2}

| Group | Majors | CSCA | Language | Tuition per year (2026 catalogue) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Chinese for international students | Chinese as a Second Language | mathematics | HSK 4, 180+ | $3,580 (CNY 24,000) |
|  | Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (Zhuhai campus) | Humanities Chinese, mathematics | HSK 4, 180+ | $3,580 (CNY 24,000) |
| Philology | Chinese Language and Literature | mathematics | HSK 5, 180+ | $3,580 (CNY 24,000) |
| Humanities and social sciences | communication, philosophy, history, education (incl. pre-school, special education and educational technology), English, Japanese and Russian, law, sociology, international economics and trade, business administration, physical education | Humanities Chinese, mathematics | HSK 5, 180+ | $3,580 (CNY 24,000) |
| Arts | theatre, film and TV writing, digital media, calligraphy, fine arts, design, musicology, dance | Humanities Chinese, mathematics | HSK 5, 180+ plus evidence of skills | $4,130 (CNY 27,700) |
| Sciences and IT | psychology, computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics, statistics, physics, astronomy, geography, chemistry, environmental science and engineering | Science Chinese, mathematics | HSK 5, 180+ | $4,130 (CNY 27,700) |

Two conditions from the catalogue matter. Psychology, computer science and artificial intelligence require an average of at least 80% in both mathematics and physics on your school transcript, and both subjects must appear there. English, Japanese and Russian majors do not accept native speakers of those languages, so a Russian citizen cannot take the Russian major. Arts programmes require supporting materials.

You may apply for two majors and will be interviewed for both. Besides Beijing, BNU teaches in Zhuhai, where the Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages programme is based. Do not confuse BNU's Zhuhai campus with the separate Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (UIC). For background, see [bachelor's degrees in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-china).

## Requirements and documents {#section-3}

Eligibility: foreign citizens aged 18–40 (born after 31 August 1986 for the 2026 intake) with a secondary-school certificate. Applicants under 18 on 1 September of the entry year need a guardian in China with a notarised guardianship certificate, from Beijing for Beijing programmes or Guangdong for Zhuhai.

Documents are uploaded online and, after initial screening, sent on paper by courier (EMS, DHL, FedEx or UPS):

1. the BNU application form printed from the system and signed;
2. a notarised school certificate or expected-graduation certificate, with the original checked at registration;
3. transcripts for all high-school years (original or certified copy);
4. CSCA score report;
5. HSK certificate copy, taken no earlier than 1 November 2023;
6. a signed recommendation from a teacher, form tutor or head teacher;
7. a personal statement on BNU's form, handwritten in Chinese; printed versions are rejected;
8. a passport copy valid until at least 31 March of the following year;
9. a criminal record certificate or a signed commitment letter;
10. for minors, a notarised guardianship certificate.

Documents not in Chinese or English need notarised translations. The application fee is $75 (CNY 500); applications are not processed until it is paid, and neither documents nor fees are returned. Chinese Government Scholarship applicants also submit the CSC form and a copy of the medical examination form. See [applying to Chinese universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-chinese-universities).

Entrance assessment has two parts: the written part is the CSCA, whose result you upload to BNU's system, and an interview run by the university. For the 2026 intake, results were released from June. Preparation tips are in our [CSCA exam guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-csca-exam-guide) and the [HSK exam guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-hsk-exam-guide).

## When to apply {#section-4}

| Programme | 2026 intake | What it means for 2027 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bachelor's | online 15 November 2025 – 15 March 2026, then the paper file | sit the CSCA between November and January (sessions on 14–15 November and 19–20 December 2026 and 23–24 January 2027; scores within 10 working days) |
| Master's and doctoral | 15 November 2025 – 10 March 2026 | Chinese Government Scholarship applicants by 25 January |
| Chinese courses, spring 2027 | 10 October – 15 December 2026 (supplements by 20 December) | applications open on 10 October 2026 |
| Chinese courses, autumn 2026 | 10 March – 30 June 2026 | expect the same window for autumn 2027 |
| Dormitory booking | 1 July – 15 August 2026 | only after the electronic admission letter |

BNU's deadline is early: bachelor's applications close in mid-March and the paper file must still be posted (for comparison, Beihang accepted applications until 30 June 2026). Plan the CSCA, HSK and notarisation from September or October of the previous year.

## Master's and doctoral degrees {#section-5}

Self-funded master's applicants may be up to 50; Chinese Government Scholarship applicants must be under 35 for master's and under 40 for doctoral study. Chinese-taught programmes set these thresholds:

| School | Master's | Doctoral |
| --- | --- | --- |
| School of International Chinese Language Education | HSK 6, 220+ and advanced HSKK 65+ | HSK 6, 240+ and HSKK 65+ |
| School of Chinese Language and Literature | HSK 5, 210+ | HSK 5, 210+ |
| Other schools | HSK 5, 195+ | HSK 5, 195+ |

English requirements for English-taught programmes are listed per major; graduates of English-medium degrees need a certificate from their university instead of a test. Academic Chinese-taught master's degrees take three years, English-taught and professional degrees two. The application includes two recommendation letters, a personal statement, and a notarised degree and transcript; after screening, the department sets an academic examination and, if needed, an interview. The fee is $90 (CNY 600).

| Master's | Tuition (2026 brochure) |
| --- | --- |
| Chinese-taught, humanities and social sciences | $3,770 (CNY 25,300) a year |
| Chinese-taught, sciences, medicine, engineering, arts | $4,820 (CNY 32,300) a year |
| International Chinese Language Education | $9,700 (CNY 65,000) for two years |
| English-taught | $8,950 (CNY 60,000) for two years |

See also [master's degrees in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-china).

## Chinese language courses {#section-6}

The programme accepts all levels, including complete beginners: seven levels, classes of 15–20 students and a placement test at registration, plus courses on Chinese history, literature and geography and cultural visits. Applicants must be 18–45 with a secondary-school certificate.

| Item | Rule |
| --- | --- |
| Length | one semester or one academic year |
| Spring 2027 | applications from 10 October to 15 December 2026 |
| Tuition | $1,730 (CNY 11,600) per semester, $3,340 (CNY 22,400) per year |
| Application fee | $67 (CNY 450) |
| Documents | form, passport, latest diploma or enrolment certificate, transcript, criminal record certificate |

For comparison, see [Chinese language programmes in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-chinese-language-programs-in-china).

## Costs {#section-7}

The 2026 catalogue sets bachelor's tuition at $3,580 or $4,130 (CNY 24,000 or 27,700) a year. The admission brochure also lists semester amounts of $1,850 (CNY 12,400) and $2,130 (CNY 14,250), which add up to more than the annual rate, so confirm the payment schedule for your intake in the admission letter.

Housing. In Beijing, BNU has several international student buildings with single and double rooms, shared kitchens and laundries; current rates are published by the International Students Office in its online booking system. Book between 1 July and 15 August after receiving the admission letter; students who miss the window are treated as declining campus housing and must register with the local police within 24 hours of moving into private accommodation. In Zhuhai a bed costs $1,120 (CNY 7,500) a year and is assigned by the campus school.

Insurance is mandatory for the full visa period and must be bought before registration.

Beijing is one of China's most expensive cities for students; see the [cost of studying in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-china) for city benchmarks, and [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia) for payment routes.

## Scholarships {#section-8}

- BNU New International Student Scholarship: tuition waiver, monthly living stipend and insurance for the full programme; bachelor's awards depend mainly on entrance assessment results.
- BNU "Silk Road Muduo" Scholarship: the same coverage for citizens of Belt and Road countries.
- Beijing Government Scholarship for international students.
- Chinese Government Scholarship: Type A via embassies or dispatching authorities, Type B via the university, plus research fellowships.
- International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship and the China Studies Program of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation.

University scholarships are reviewed every May; a student who fails the review loses the award for a year. Deadlines follow the admission brochure. Decisions rest with BNU's scholarship committee or the China Scholarship Council. See also [scholarships abroad in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026).

## Visa and arrival {#section-9}

With the admission letter and JW201 or JW202 form you apply for an X1 study visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate, then for a residence permit after arrival. See our [China student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-china).

## Common mistakes {#section-10}

- Typing the personal statement. BNU accepts only a handwritten version in Chinese.
- Missing the paper file. If you do not post it after initial screening, BNU ends the review.
- Applying for Russian as a native speaker. The catalogue explicitly excludes this.
- Ignoring mathematics and physics grades. Psychology and IT programmes require at least 80% in both.
- Waiting until April. Online bachelor's applications for 2026 closed on 15 March.

## FAQ {#section-11}

### Does Beijing Normal University offer English-taught bachelor's degrees?

No. All 40 bachelor's majors for international students are taught in Chinese, so you need HSK 5 with 180 points, or HSK 4 with 180 for Chinese as a Second Language and Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages. English-taught options exist at master's level.

### How much does BNU cost?

Under the 2026 catalogue, bachelor's tuition is $3,580 (CNY 24,000) a year for humanities and social sciences and $4,130 (CNY 27,700) for science, IT and arts. Chinese-taught master's degrees cost $3,770–4,820 (CNY 25,300–32,300) a year and English-taught ones $8,950 (CNY 60,000) for two years. Chinese courses cost $1,730 (CNY 11,600) per semester.

### Which CSCA papers does BNU require?

Humanities, social science and arts majors need Humanities Chinese and mathematics; sciences, psychology and IT need Science Chinese and mathematics. For Chinese as a Second Language and Chinese Language and Literature the catalogue lists mathematics only.

### Can I apply at 17, straight after school?

Yes, but by 1 September of the entry year you need a guardian in China with a notarised guardianship certificate, in Beijing for Beijing programmes or in Guangdong for Zhuhai. The school certificate, CSCA and HSK are required as usual. See [studying in China after 11 years of school](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-china-university-after-11-years-of-school).

### When should I apply to BNU for 2027?

Based on the 2026 intake, online bachelor's applications open on 15 November and close on 15 March; master's applications close on 10 March, or 25 January for Chinese Government Scholarship applicants. Spring 2027 Chinese courses take applications until 15 December 2026.

### How can StudyU help with a BNU application?

Choosing one or two majors, checking mathematics and physics grades, planning HSK and CSCA, preparing the handwritten Chinese statement, notarising and posting the paper file, and applying for scholarships are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission and scholarship decisions rest with Beijing Normal University, and visa decisions with the Chinese consulate.

## Sources {#section-12}

- [BNU: 2026 Undergraduate Admission Brochure for International Students](https://admission-is.bnu.edu.cn/english/admissionprogram/bachelordegreeprogram/admissionbrochure/index.html): eligibility, dates, documents, assessment, fees, housing, visa
- [BNU: 2026 Major Catalog for Undergraduate International Students](https://admission-is.bnu.edu.cn/english/admissionprogram/bachelordegreeprogram/majorcatalog/index.html): majors, CSCA subjects, HSK, fees
- [BNU: 2026 Master/Ph.D. Admission Brochure](https://admission-is.bnu.edu.cn/english/admissionprogram/postgraduateprogram/masterdegree/admissionbrochure2/index.html)
- [BNU: 2027 Admission Brochure for Chinese Language Program](https://admission-is.bnu.edu.cn/english/admissionprogram/nondegreeprogram/chineselearningprogram/index.html)
- [BNU: Silk Road Muduo Scholarship](https://admission-is.bnu.edu.cn/english/international/bnuscholarships/silkroamuduoscholarship/index.html) and [New International Student Scholarship](https://admission-is.bnu.edu.cn/english/international/bnuscholarships/studentscholarship1/index.html)
- [BNU International Students Office: accommodation](http://iso.bnu.edu.cn/en/accommodation?cid=13&pid=3) and [insurance](http://iso.bnu.edu.cn/en/pages?cid=370&pid=183)
- [BNU: General Information](https://english.bnu.edu.cn/about/generalinformation/index.htm)
- [Times Higher Education: Beijing Normal University](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/beijing-normal-university)
- [CSCA website](https://www.csca.cn): 2026/27 test sessions

All dollar figures come from the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026 (EUR 1 = USD 1.1355 = CNY 7.6117; CNY 1 ≈ USD 0.1492), rounded to the dollar under $100 and otherwise to $10.

If you want to meet BNU's March deadline or find out which major your HSK level allows, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Beihang University (BUAA): Admission, Fees and Scholarships](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-beihang)
- [CSCA Exam Guide: Subjects, 2026/27 Test Dates, Registration and Preparation](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-csca-exam-guide)
- [Studying in China After 11 Years of School: Routes, Age Rules, CSCA and a Timeline](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-china-university-after-11-years-of-school)
- [Studying in China for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-china)
- [Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-blcu)
- [Universities in Beijing: Where International Students Study, What It Costs and How to Choose](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-beijing)

Updated: September 2026