Chinese Higher Education

Chinese higher education is undergoing tremendous growth and changes. There are over 2000 institutes of higher education in the country and the government is working towards transforming a handful of schools into world-class institutions. Research in the areas of science, technology and medicine are at the forefront of these reforms. College enrolment continues to climb as more spaces are made available.

Foreign students are increasingly choosing to study in China. China is the 6th largest host of international students in the world. China receives many students from elsewhere in Asia such as Korea, Japan and India, as well as from countries like the United States, France and Russia. The number of foreign students in China has multiplied several times in the past decade.


College Life and Academics

College life in China has some differences when compared to college life in many other countries. Unlike in North America and Europe, almost all Chinese college students live in dorms on campus, especially undergraduate students. Foreign students have the option of living in special dorms with other international students, renting an apartment outside the school, or even arranging a home stay with a Chinese family.

Students in Chinese universities are allowed to choose classes, but a heavy emphasis is placed on one’s major. Generally there is less choice as to what classes a student will take. Changing one’s major can be difficult or impossible, depending on the school and the student’s situation.

Chinese college students typically take more hours of class than students in some other countries. For example, a typical class load for an American undergraduate student is 15 hours a week. This would be considered quite light in China, with averages of 20 – 25 hours a week being more common. For this reason it is fairly uncommon for Chinese students to get part-time jobs while in school.

Chinese schools are based on a semester system. The first semester of an academic year runs from September until January. Schools stops for around a month for the Chinese New Year, when most students return to their hometowns. The second semester runs from February to May or June.

There is a strong emphasis on test scores over class grades in Chinese institutions. As more and more students attend college in China, these tests are becoming more competitive. Even a small difference in grades can mean the difference between getting into a good college or graduate program or receiving a scholarship.

In other ways, Chinese college life is similar to that in other countries. Numerous clubs, organizations, volunteer activities and sports are available. The school serves as a center for both academic and social activity for college students.