Chinese universities

In recent years, Chinese Universities have surged in the provision of quality education in various fields. It has improved the admission of international students to study PhD in China. The government of China has made available funding to expand and improve the capacity of these universities. Very recently, the global rankings have seen several Chinese universities surge in popularity and ranking. In 2019, over 500,000 international students studied in China. There are over 2000 Universities in China and that could be categorized into 3 main groups. Universities in China could be classified into

• Public Universities – belonging to the government and solely funded by the government
• Private Universities – purely private owned or a subsidiary of international university
• Sino-joint ventures – this is a partnership between local Chinese universities and their counterparts abroad

Chinese Universities are further classified according to Government support projects

• 211 projects – This is the first Chinese government project to support the internationalization of Chinese education
• 985 Projects – this is the latest of all projects that propelled the popularity of Chinese education. Not all universities are in this category
• Ordinary Universities – they benefit from national support but are not under the control of the central government
• C9 League – this is the 9 elite universities in China compare with the ivy-league of the USA. The C9 League of institutions are Tsinghua University, Peking University, Zhejiang University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, University of Science and Technology of China and Xi’an Jiatong University.

   

Higher Education in China

Higher education in China is likened to other study destinations in terms of structure, content, requirements and admission processes. International students need to complete high school to qualify for a bachelor’s Degree, then Master’s or Graduate Programs, then Ph.D. or other post-graduate programs. We believe that Chinese education will keep rising and producing quality breakthrough research and development. Projects like Project 958 which targeted 39 Chinese universities and transformed them to become world-class universities have seen so much success. It is then followed by the Double First-Class University plans that is designed to transform 42 Chinese universities into top global universities. It is an indication of China’s willingness to

Chinese university ranking

Ranking	China Ranking	University
23	1	Tsinghua University
24	2	Peking University
=80	3	University of Science and Technology of China
=107	4	Zhejiang University
109	5	Fudan University
=144	6	Nanjing University
=157	7	Shanghai Jiao Tong University
251–300	8	Sun Yat-sen University
301–350	9	Beijing Normal University
301–350	10	Huazhong University of Science and Technology
301–350	11	Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech)
351–400	12	Nankai University
351–400	13	Wuhan University
401–500	14	Central South University
401–500	15	Harbin Institute of Technology
401–500	16	Hunan University
401–500	17	Tongji University
501–600	18	Beihang University
501–600	19	East China Normal University
501–600	20	Renmin University of China
501–600	21	Shenzhen University
501–600	22	Soochow University
501–600	23	South China University of Technology
501–600	24	Southeast University
501–600	25	Tianjin University

 

Do ranking matter for PhD study?

To some extent, rankings should be used as a measure of what university international students should study PhD in China. Your University choice also impacts the experience you will get while studying in China. There are other very important factors to look at when deciding the university to select for your Phd in China. Rankings could be misleading sometimes. We encourage students to dig deep into the courses taught by the universities and how their departments are established to bring the best out of students. Consider budget, city, and location as well as the experience you want. If you want to stay and work in China after graduation, you may prefer some of the bigger cities. If you are on a budget and could not secure a scholarship for your Phd in China, you should consider 2^nd- tier cities

PhD Program Content in China

As established before, the content of your PhD in China is usually same as what your counterparts will study in the USA, UK, and other European countries. The core of the syllabuses may reflect Chinese contents and statistics. You are supposed to select a research area from the start of the program and select a supervisor to that effect. You are expected to dive deeper into the detailed topic selected. Ph.D. students in China are supposed to submit the final dissertation and also publish a few papers before graduation.

 Length of PhD in China

Ph.D. Programs in China will take about -4 years to complete all research curriculum activities and also publications. You are required to commit fulltime to the study and attend conferences. In China, PhD students are supposed to finish their research and defend their final conclusions before being cleared to graduate

Fees and funding

The cost of studying PhD in China depends on your selected research area, city of study and University. Your ability to secure PhD scholarships in China will also affect your cost of expenditure. Courses in liberal arts and social sciences charge fees ranging from $2000 to $6000 while technical Engineering and Medical Programs cost about $3000 upward. You may apply for Scholarships to off-set the cost of studying PhD in China

Living costs

The cost of studying and living in China is very low relative to other cities. Scandinavian Universities have a lower cost of tuition but expensive daily expenses while Universities in Eastern Europe charge higher fees but you are guaranteed a cheaper cost of living. Between these extremes is China. You may spend between $200 to $400 per month on food transport and entertainment. These rates make China very attractive to international students.

The Chinese Government Scholarship Programs

The Chinese Government has created a student scholarship scheme for international students. This scholarship is available to international students who apply to study for a doctoral degree for up to three years. Applications must have a Masters's degree and excellent academic records. They must not be in receipt of any other scholarships. There are two types of scholarships partial and full. The full scholarship includes:

• Costs of tuition, registration, experiment, accommodation, and consumable fees are covered.
• The same as Chinese students, recipients receive the provision of out-patient medical fees and Chinese Government Scholarship Foreign Medical Insurance 600 Yuan (USD $85) per year.
• Travel fees will be arranged for international students for entry into the city from their own.
• A one-off resettlement allowance of 600 Yuan(USD $85) when the school opens.

You should apply for the scholarship in your own country at either the government department in charge of overseas study, related organisation or the Chinese embassy. Applications care open between February and April.

PhD Scholarships and other funding Options available

As we write this article, there are over 16 scholarships in China targeted at International students who wish to study in China. If you want to study PhD in China, you might probably spend time researching some of these government sponsored opportunities. If you apply through China Scholar, we will help you through the application process. Here is a list of China University scholarships

• Chinese Government Scholarship Council
• Local Government Scholarships
• University Sponsored Scholarships
• Confucius Institute of Chinese Language Program
• MOFCOM Scholarship
• Belt and Road (BRI) Scholarship
• Bilateral Program
• Great Wall Program (UNESCO)
• EU Program
• AUN Program
• PIF Program
• WMO Program

These scholarships have become very competitive. We encourage you to apply on time and also prepare application documents before due dates. China Scholar provides scholarship application support for students, get the full admission package for peace of mind to study in China.

About China

Before deciding to study bachelors in China, it is ideal to understand what China is about and the role it is playing in modern day global development. It is also important to debunk all the conspiracies and stereotypes before deciding to study in China. China has over 5000 years of history and culture - it has been through all stages, the poor, developing and developed. China now has the best opportunities for international students who want to study in a progressive environment with Job opportunities. The people of China speak Mandarin as their official language so you are sure to meet this language on the street. But there are English taught Bachelors Degree for international students

Applying for a PhD in China

Now that you are ready for an application, you will need to understand the options available for an application to study PhD in China. There are over 2000 Universities in China and more than 40 cities with 15,000 PhD Projects in China. Knowing where what and when to study will not an easy choice so you need support to navigate these choices to maximize your experience in China. There are 2 ways you can apply to study in China.

• Apply Directly to the University – this means you need to study the universities yourself, understand their requirements and prepare the application documents to begin the process. You are likely to have access to an admission officer who will help you through.
• Applying through a professional placement agency – Just Like China Scholar, Placement agencies are professional organizations to assist you through the entire process of preparing for admission into Chinese Universities. If you apply through China Scholar, we help you apply to the right university and also secure career and internship coaching services. We have added several services to make the process engaging and supportive. Check our approach and philosophy as well as know more about us

Admission requirements for PhD in China

The PhD requirements in China are similar to most universities. The qualifications might be higher in some universities. Here are a few things to look out for:

• You should have completed a Master Degree with Satisfactory grades
• Language Proficiency requirements – There are several English taught Ph.D. Programs in China. Native English speakers do not need to prove their proficiency but Non-natives may have to write SAT/ TOEFEL or IELTS
• Interviews – You should pass your entry interviews with the university
• You need a Supervising professor – You need to secure a professor at the University who is willing to work with you to explore your selected research area

Choosing a PhD supervisor

To select the right PhD Supervisor, several universities make available a list of professors who support their students through their PhD Projects.

• Go through the list provided
• Pick a Supervisor who has interest in your area of study
• Speak with them to discuss your research outlines and their expctations
• If they agree to supervise you, write a thank you note to them

The China Ph.D. Application Processes

Before beginning an application to study PhD in China, you need to first identify your research area, Select a city and the right universities

• Then discuss your research with professors whose research falls in line with yours-
• Finally, get a supervisor
• Proof of the previous study – Submit your academic transcripts and certificates of your previous study
• Submit recommendation letters from your previous tutors
• Complete University’s application form– provide all details
• Completed health checks
• Financial Statement

Interviews

The entry requirement of PhD in China is to successfully pass PhD interview. These conversations are held over the internet through video conferencing apps. The university will like to know you are ready for the experience and also discuss your desired research areas with you

Student Visa For Studying Ph.D. in China

International students who want to study masters in China need a student Visa called the x1 visa. Soon after admission, you are allowed to submit your visa application to the Chinese embassy in your country. It takes just 1 week to get your visa after submitting your documents.

Documents needed to apply for the X1 Visa

To start the visa process, you need the following documents

• Passport with validity period not less than 6 months
• 4 – 2-inch passport size photograph that’s not more than 6 months old
• Admission Letter
• JW 202 from the ministry of Education. Provided by your University
• Financial statement if you don’t have a scholarship
• Completed Application Form

Can I work while I study?

You cannot be employed as a full-time worker with a company while holding a student visa. International students could intern with an organization and will need approval from the university International student’s office. China Scholar will support you to secure an internship while studying your masters in China