Education system
China
described and compared with
the Dutch system
Education system
| Evaluation chart
Education system China
This document contains information on the education system of China.
We explain the Dutch equivalent of the most common qualifications from
China for the purpose of admission to Dutch higher education.
Disclaimer
We assemble the information for these descriptions of education systems with the
greatest care. However, we cannot be held responsible for the consequences of
errors or incomplete information in this document.
With the exception of images and illustrations, the content of this publication is
subject to the Creative Commons Name NonCommercial 3.0 Unported licence.
Visit www.nuffic.nl/en/home/copyright for more information on the reuse of this
publication.
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
Education system China
Ph.D. 博士
(PhD)
L8
postgraduate
3
Entrance examination
L7
Master degree 硕士
(university education)
L7
2-3
undergraduate
Entrance examination
Undergraduate program 本科
Bachelor degree 学士
(university education)
L6
L6
4
3
L5
3-4
L4
Vocational senior middle school L3
中专
(senior secondary vocational
education)
3
Junior middle school 初中
(junior secondary education)
Primary school 小学
(primary education)
0
L6
1-2
Non-degree zhuanke 专科
(higher professional education)
National entrance examination 高考
(entrance examination)
L4
Senior middle school 高中
(senior secondary general education)
Upgrade to Bachelor 专升本
(higher professional education)
Vocational senior middle school L3
中专
(senior secondary vocational
education)
4
L2
3
L1
6
Duration of education
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
Evaluation chart
The left-hand column in the table below lists the most common foreign
qualifications applicable to admission to higher education. The other columns
show the Dutch equivalent along with the corresponding levels in the Dutch and
European qualifications frameworks.
Degree or qualification
Dutch equivalent and NLQF level
EQF
level
Vocational senior middle school
MBO diploma (qualification
graduation certificate (zhongdeng
level 2 or 3)
2/3
2/3
HAVO diploma
4
4
2 years of HBO
5
5
3 years of HBO
5
5
Graduation certificate from a
HBO bachelor’s degree
6
6
bachelor’s programme (4 years)
or 2 years of WO
Graduation certificate from a
WO or HBO bachelor’s
6
6
bachelor’s programme at a Project 211
degree
7
7
zhuanye xuexiao biye zhengshu)
(3 to 4 years)
Senior middle school graduation
certificate (gaozhong)
Graduation certificate from a zhuanke
programme (2 years)
Graduation certificate from a zhuanke
programme (3 years)
institution (4 years)
Graduation certificate from a master’s
WO master’s degree
programme (2 years)
NB
•
The information provided in the table is a general recommendation from
which no rights may be derived.
•
NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework. EQF = European Qualifications
Framework.
•
The EQF/NLQF level is not so much a reflection of study load or content;
rather, it is an indication of a person’s knowledge and skills after having
completed a certain programme of study.
•
Information about Dutch equivalent qualifications can be found on our
website: education and diplomas the Netherlands.
•
The Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and the
Labour Market (SBB), evaluates statements on foreign qualifications and
training at VMBO and MBO level. The evaluation may vary if SBB evaluates the
diploma for admission to VET schools or the labour market in the Netherlands.
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
Introduction
In 1949 Mao Zedong called out the People's Republic of China. Since then,
there has been a centrally planned political and economic system based
on a one-party system and state-owned and managed production
resources.
The Chinese education system has a very centralised structure and is supervised
by the Ministry of Education, which was called the State Education Commission
from 1985 until 1998. The Ministry creates the policy, which is then implemented at
provincial level by the provincial educational authorities.
Education
The Chinese education system took its current form between 1977 and 1980. The
total duration of primary and general secondary education was set at 12 years,
and a national higher education entrance examination instituted. Universities
started with 4-year bachelor’s programmes and 3-year master’s programmes.
Language
The official language of education is Mandarin (putonghua), which is taught to all
pupils at school. The written language has been standardised, and since 1949 has
been written using simplified characters. Recognised national minorities use their
own language as the language of instruction. The Chinese characters can be
transliterated into the Roman alphabet using the standardised Hanyu pinyin
system. Where possible, Chinese educational terminology and the names of
institutions in this document will be presented in characters and Hanyu pinyin (in
brackets).
General features
•
Compulsory education: 6 to 15 years.
•
Language: Mandarin or a minority language (from recognised minorities) in
primary and secondary education, and Mandarin only in higher education.
•
Duration academic year: September to July (2 semesters of 20 weeks).
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
Primary and secondary education
Primary education lasts 6 years and is intended for children aged 6-12.
Subsequently, pupils move on to the 3-year junior middle school (初中 chuzhong),
which marks the end of compulsory education.
After completing an entrance examination, pupils can choose between the 3year senior middle school (高中 gaozhong) or a 3 or 4-year vocational
programme (中专 zhongzhuan) at a vocational senior middle school
(中等专业学校 zhongdeng zhuanye xuexiao).
Senior middle school concluded with what was called the huikao (会考)
examination until 2010. It was taken in 9 subjects: politics, Chinese, mathematics,
a foreign language (often English, otherwise Japanese, Russian, French or
German), physics, chemistry, biology, history and geography. Pupils also
completed practical examinations in physics, chemistry, and biology and were
assessed on their moral, ideological and political development.
At the end of the general programme, pupils are awarded the senior middle
school graduation certificate (普通高中毕业证书 putong gaozhong biye
zhengshu).
In terms of level, the senior middle school graduation certificate
is comparable to a HAVO diploma.
At the end of the vocational programmes, pupils are awarded the vocational
senior middle school graduation certificate.
In terms of level, the vocational senior middle school graduation certificate
is comparable to an MBO diploma at qualification level 2 or 3,
depending on the specialisation.
General ability test
In 2002, the Ministry of Education decided on a curriculum reform and changes to
the examination system, which gradually replaced the huikao examination with
the general ability test. In 2010 the system was introduced nationally.
During this reform, a credit system was introduced for the 3 years of senior
secondary education. In total, pupils must obtain 144 credits in order to complete
the programme (116 from compulsory subjects and 28 from electives).
Furthermore new subjects were introduced in the curriculum, including research
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skills, social service, social work experience placements, physical education, and
art subjects. Each subject is made up of various 36-hour modules which are worth
2 credits, except for the art and physical education modules, which are worth 1
credit.
Subjects are also subdivided into 8 areas of study, namely: language and
literature, mathematics, humanities and society, science, technology, art,
physical education and health, and a combination of practical activities (see the
table on the next page).
A distinction is now drawn between compulsory and elective subjects. For each
subject 100 points can be obtained (sometimes less for electives, this differs
between provinces). The points score is then converted into a letter according to
a slightly modified assessment system made up of 4 letters:
Letter grade
Points
Description
Meaning
A
100-85
优秀
Excellent
B
84-70
良好
Good
C
69-60
合格
Satisfactory
D
59-0
不合格
Unsatisfactory
The name of the final examination is no longer huikao (会考), but has been
replaced by the name xueye shuiping kaoshi (学业水平考试), in English usually
translated as ‘general ability test’. There are several provincial variants, including
学业水平测试,学业基础会考 (general ability basic huikao), and Beijing is the only
region to use the variant 模块考核 (modular test).
The examination is conducted twice per year, and excellent pupils can sit the
exam from the second year of senior middle school onwards (except for the 3
compulsory subjects of Chinese, mathematics, and foreign language; these must
be examined in the third year). The highest score obtained in any subject is the
one that counts.
The results for electives are only valid for the same year, as opposed to the results
of compulsory subjects, which are valid for 3 years.
The curriculum is as follows:
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Area of study
Language and literature
Subject
Compulsory
Elective
credits
credits
Chinese
10
Foreign language
10
Mathematics
Mathematics
10
Technology (incl.
8
Technology
computer sciences and
practical technology)
Politics
8
History
6
Geography
6
Physics
6
Chemistry
6
Biology
6
Art
Art/Music/Fine arts
6
Physical education and
Physical education and
11
health
health
Humanities and society
Science
Research-based learning
Combination of practical
activities
15
activities
Social service
2
Social practice
6
Total amount of credits
116
28
The year is made up of 41 weeks of study (including 1 week of social work
experience) and 11 weeks of holiday. Practical examinations are taken for
science subjects, technology subjects, and arts subjects. In most provinces,
students can choose from the following foreign languages: English, Japanese,
Russian, Spanish, German, and French. The subject ‘research-based learning
activities’ encourages pupils to analyse and solve problems independently and
to develop study skills.
Examination in Jiangsu
A major exception to the implementation of this system is the province of Jiangsu.
The schools there have introduced the reformed curriculum from autumn 2005
onwards, but without the 3 compulsory subjects (Chinese, mathematics, a foreign
language) and art subjects, physical education and practical activities. The 3
compuslory subjects are examined during the gaokao examination in the
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province of Jiangsu. In addition to the general ability test, Jiangsu also has a
comprehensive quality assessment (综合素质评价) that covers the arts subjects,
physical education, and the practical activities.

Admission to higher education
Admission to higher education is mainly based on the result of the national
entrance examination (高考 gaokao).
Gaokao and baosong
The gaokao) is conducted once a year. Only a select group of students whose
academic performance is outstanding, can be granted an exemption from the
entrance examination by a special recommendation from the school to the
university of their choice (保送 baosong). Some private institutions are exempted
from the gaokao and accept all students who can afford the tuition fees.
Prestigious universities (key institutions) maintain higher admission standards, and
therefore require higher gaokao scores than other institutions. Admission to these
institutions is extremely competitive.
Gaozhong
To take part in the entrance examination, students must have a senior middle
school graduation certificate, sometimes also translated as ‘general secondary
education certificate’ (gaozhong). In general, students with a vocational middle
school certificate are officially allowed to take the gaokao. However, the
entrance examination scores of pupils with this certificate are generally lower
than those of pupils with a senior middle school graduation certificate, mainly
due to the more limited number of general subjects in the programme.
The 3+X model
A number of changes to the national entrance examination (gaokao) were
implemented in 2003, known as the ‘3 + X model’. The number ‘3’ stands for the
number of compulsory examination subjects (Chinese, mathematics and a
foreign language), and the letter 'X' for the following 6 subjects: chemistry,
physics, biology, politics, history, and geography. Every provincial-level
examination authority was able to choose its own combination from these 6
subjects.
Usually, 3 standard combinations were chosen:
• humanities (3+文科综合, consisting of politics, history, and geography);
•
science (3+ 理科综合, consisting of physics, chemistry, and biology); or
•
a combination of humanities and science.
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The 3+3 model in 2020
From 2020 onwards, in most provinces (the rest will follow 1 or 2 years later) the X
will be replaced by 3 separate electives. This new model is called 3 + 3. The
distinction between the 2 profiles of humanities and science disappears and
students can choose from the subjects of politics, history, geography, physics
chemistry and biology (based on the admission requirements for the desired
degree programme).
Gaokao scores
The gaokao examination offers a maximum of 750 points:
•
150 points for each of the compulsory subjects: Chinese, mathematics, and
foreign language;
•
100 points for each subject in the humanities or science combinations (i.e. 300
points per combination).
There are several exceptions, amongst which Jiangsu province. In this province
the total number of points in the gaokao examination is 440:
•
160 points for Chinese;
•
160 points for mathematics;
•
120 points for a foreign language.
Nationally, the better universities demand a gaokao score of 330 from candidates
from the Jiangsu province. In the Hainan province the maximum score is 900
points, in Zhejiang province 810 points and in the municipality of Shanghai 630
points. The subject mathematics differs for humanities and science.
For other provinces, the better universities demand a gaokao score of 550 or over;
however this score fluctuates per year. The admission scores for the zhuanke
programmes are lower than those for the bachelor's degree programmes.
In the 3 + 3 model, the total score of 750 points will remain for most provinces.
Exceptions are these 3 provinces:
•
Jiangsu (700 points);
•
Shanghai (660 points);
•
Xizang (660 points).
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
Higher education
Higher education (高等教育 gaodeng jiaoyu) is offered at institutions that call
themselves ‘university’, ‘college’ or ‘school’. These include degree-awarding
institutions (including several hundred research institutes), specialised institutions,
professional universities, military institutions, medical schools and colleges (both
regular and military), and executive training schools, which train staff for state-run
companies and ministries.
Independent colleges
Since 2008 official legislation made it possible for all independent colleges
(独立学院, duli xueyuan) to issue their own diplomas and bachelor’s degrees.
Before that date the university they cooperated with would issue the diploma and
the degree.
The programmes of the independent colleges are considered to be equal to the
ones offered in regular higher education in China. In 1991, the first recognised
independent college was established. There are about 265 recognised
independent colleges (as per 31/5/2017).
This kind of education institutions cooperate with well known universities, private
organisations or private investors and does not obtain any governmental funding.
Furthermore, the tuition fees for the students are higher than for students at
regular higher education institutions. According to law, independent colleges
must offer programmes at minimally the level of 4-year, professionally oriented
undergraduate programmes, they are not allowed to offer programmes at
zhuanke level. The programmes offered by independent colleges, including
English, computer science, international economy and business, are very popular
among the students.
Admission to these independent colleges is through the national entrance
examination for higher education, similar to regular higher education institutions.
The scores required for admission are however lower than those required by the
universities. Further information on the official legislation, including a list of
independent colleges can be found on the website of the Chinese government.
Institutions that operate directly under the supervision of the Ministry of Education
are the most prestigious (such as Peking University and Tsinghua University). The
concepts of ‘college’ (学院 xueyuan) and ‘university’ (大学 daxue) are
sometimes used interchangeably, yet ‘college’ usually implies a less prestigious
institution than a university. The Chinese word for ‘university' (大学 daxue) is
sometimes also translated as 'college'.
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Programme categories
Higher education programmes are divided by the Chinese government into 12
programme categories (so-called first level programmes 一级学科):
Programmacategorie
01 philosophy
02 economics
03 law
04 pedagogy
05 humanities
06 history
07 natural sciences
08 technology
09 agriculture
10 medical sciences
11 military affairs
12 management
Among these 12 categories there are several specialisations (second level
programmes 二级学科), which in turn have their own subcategories.
Research institutes
Prestigious are the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Chinese Academy of
Social Sciences (CASS), the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS)
and the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS). These are national
research institutes that manage several research institute. The degrees and
diplomas they issue are nationally recognised. The institutes are not managed by
the Ministry of Education, but by the Ministry that belongs to the research area.
Private institutions
In 2016 there were about 750 recognised private (民办 minban) institutions in
higher education in China. These institutions are allowed to award diplomas
independently, whereas students of non-recognised private institutions must take
part in the national independent learning examination at the end of their course
in order to obtain an officially recognised state diploma.
Foreign programmes in China
The Private Education Promotion Law (in effect since 1 September 2003) made it
possible for a foreign institution to offer programmes in China through joint
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ventures with Chinese higher education institutions. On behalf of the Ministry of
Education, the Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools (CRS) publishes
lists of recognised degree programmes provided through partnerships with foreign
partners:
• bachelor's programmes
• master's programmes and PhD’s
In this way it is possible for Chinese students to obtain a foreign degree in their
own country.
Project 211
In 1992, the Chinese government introduced ‘Project 211’ (211 工程, 211
gongcheng). The number ‘21’ represents the 21st century, and the ‘1’ stands for
the 100 institutions selected for participation in the project. The aim of Project 211
was to improve the quality of education at 100 institutions to such an extent that
they satisfy the highest international standards. As national examples, these
institutions had to play a key role in China’s social and economic development
and receive financial support from the government for better facilities,
equipment, and staff.
A list of Project 211 universities can be found on page 39. The project was closed
in 2017.
Project 985
In May 1998, the Chinese government introduced ‘Project 985’ (985 工程 985
gongcheng) both as part of and as a follow-up to Project 211. The project
awarded a number of prominent institutions participating in Project 211 additional
financial support from the government, with the aim of generating first-class
research institutes able to compete worldwide in terms of knowledge and
technology. The 39 institutions on the Project 211 list marked with a * were also
part of Project 985. Project 985 was closed in 2017.
Double First Class (双 一流 shuang yiliu)
The Chinese Ministry of Education has made a new selection after Project 211
and Project 985 and published in September 2017 2 lists of higher education
institutions and programmes that have to become the best of the world:
• First Class Universities with 42 universities;
• First Discipline Universities with selected courses from 140 different universities.
Double First Class is the name of this multi-annual plan of the Ministry of Education,
which is carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the National
Committee for Development and Reform.
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With this project, China wants to strengthen the level of the selected universities
and study programmes and thereby also improve the level of the researchers
and teachers involved. In addition, the government strives for:
•
intensive cooperation with foreign higher education institutions;
•
more cooperation with the business community;
•
more innovation in higher education.
The Ministry of Finance is responsible for financing the universities directly under
the Ministry of Education, while the local departments of the Ministry finance the
other universities.
The basis of this initiative is laid down in these 3 official documents of the State
Council:
1. -《统筹推进世界一流大学和一流学科建设总体方案》from 2015, ‘Overall Plan for
Coordinately Advancing the Construction of World First Class Universities and
First Class Disciplines’.
2. -《统筹推进世界一流大学和一流学科建设实施办法（暂行）》from 2017, ‘Overall
implementation method to promote the construction of World First Class
Universities and First Class Disciplines (Interim)’.
3. -《教育部 财政部 国家发展改革委关于公布世界一流大学和一流学科建设高校及建设
学科名单的通知》from September 2018, ‘Ministry of Education, Ministry of
Finance and National Development and Reform Commission announce the
publication of a list of world first class universities and first class disciplines for
the construction of higher education institutions and disciplines’.
At the end of the last document, you can find the 2 lists (Chinese language), a list
with the selected institutions and a list with disciplines. The Ministry of Education
reviews both lists every 5 years, so they are not definitive. Below is the translated
version of the list First Class Universities.
First Class Universities
The list of First Class Universities consists of 42 universities. These are divided into 2
categories:
• category A with 36 (out of 39) former Project 985 institutions;
• category B 6 institutions with 3 former Project 985 institutions (Northeastern
University, Hunan University and Northwest A & F University), supplemented by 3
newcomers (Yunnan University, Zhengzhou University and Xinjiang University).
The category B institutions have a slightly lower status than the category A
settings. The intention is for institutions falling under category B to catch up to
reach category A.
Category A
The list of 36 participating institutions from category A:
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Chinese name of
English name of the institution
Website
北京大学
Peking University
www.pku.edu.cn
中国人民大学
Renmin University of China
www.ruc.edu.cn/en.html
清华大学
Tsinghua University
www.tsinghua.edu.cn/
北京航空航天大学
Beihang University
http://ev.buaa.edu.cn
北京理工大学
Beijing Institute of Technology
www.bit.edu.cn
中国农业大学
China Agricultural University
www.cau.edu.cn
北京师范大学
Beijing Normal University
www.bnu.edu.cn
中央民族大学
Minzu University of China
www.muc.edu.cn/index.html
南开大学
Nankai University
www.nankai.edu.cn
天津大学
Tianjin University
www.tju.edu.cn
大连理工大学
Dalian University of Technology
www.dlut.edu.cn
吉林大学
Jilin University
http://global.jlu.edu.cn/User/Index/index
哈尔滨工业大学
Harbin Institute of Technology
www.hit.edu.cn
复旦大学
Fudan University
www.fudan.edu.cn/2016/index.html
同济大学
Tongji University
www.tongji.edu.cn/
上海交通大学
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
www.sjtu.edu.cn
华东师范大学
East China Normal University
www.ecnu.edu.cn
南京大学
Nanjing University
www.nju.edu.cn
东南大学
Southeast University
www.seu.edu.cn
浙江大学
Zhejiang University
www.zju.edu.cn
中国科学技术大学
University of Science and
www.ustc.edu.cn
the institution
Technology of China
厦门大学
Xiamen University
www.xmu.edu.cn
山东大学
Shandong University
www.sdu.edu.cn
中国海洋大学
Ocean University of China
http://www.ouc.edu.cn
武汉大学
Wuhan University
www.whu.edu.cn
华中科技大学
Huazhong University of Science
www.hust.edu.cn
and Technology
中南大学
Central South University
www.csu.edu.cn
中山大学
Sun Yat-Sen University
www.sysu.edu.cn/
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华南理工大学
South China University of
www.scut.edu.cn/new/
Technology
四川大学
Sichuan University
www.scu.edu.cn
重庆大学
Chongqing University
www.cqu.edu.cn/v1/
电子科技大学
University of Electronic Science
www.uestc.edu.cn
and Technology of China
西安交通大学
Xi’an Jiaotong University
www.xjtu.edu.cn
西北工业大学
Northwestern Polytechnical
www.nwpu.edu.cn
University
兰州大学
Lanzhou University
www.lzu.edu.cn
国防科技大学
National University of Defense
www.nudt.edu.cn
Technology
Category B
The list of 6 participating institutions from category B:
Chinese name institution
English name institution
Website
东北大学
Northeastern University
http://english.neu.edu.cn
郑州大学
Zhengzhou University
www.zzu.edu.cn
湖南大学
Hunan University
www.hnu.edu.cn
云南大学
Yunnan University
www.ynu.edu.cn
西北农林科技大学
Northwest A&F University
http://en.nwsuaf.edu.cn
新疆大学
Xinjiang University
www.xju.edu.cn
Adult education (成人教育 chengren jiaoyu)
In 1949, a system for adult education was introduced. The programme is provided
partly via:
• radio and television by ‘radio’ and ‘television’ universities (广播电视大学
guangbo dianshi daxue);
•
evening classes or written correspondence by regular institutions;
•
independent learning.
Programmes are provided at 3 levels:
•
•
secondary vocational education;
2- or 3-year non-degree higher education (专科 zhuanke);
•
undergraduate (本科 benke) education.
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The ‘spare time’ (业余 yeyu) students have 10 years in which to complete their
course. Non-degree programmes usually take 3 to 4 years to complete part-time,
and bachelor’s programmes 5 to 6 years.
Admission to higher education for adults takes place via the National Adult Higher
Education Entrance Examination. Adult education provided by regular higher
education institutions is officially considered by the government to be at the
same level as the regular programmes.
Independent learning
In 1981, independent learning (自学 zixue) was introduced as a means to study in
China. Students can complete examinations in certain subjects twice a year,
determining the order of subjects themselves. A partial certificate is issued for
each subject completed, and there are no entrance requirements for
participation in the examinations.
Completing a non-degree (专科 zhuanke) programme in this manner usually takes
3 to 4 years and a bachelor’s programme 4 to 5 years. The level attained has
been set officially at the corresponding diploma obtained through regular higher
education. Once all course components have been completed, a graduation
certificate is issued, stamped by the relevant provincial examination board for
independent learning, and possibly also by the institution that administered the
examinations.

University education
In 1980, the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Academic Degrees
were passed by the Chinese government. These regulations distinguish between
the 3 academic degrees:
•
Bachelor
•
Master
•
Doctor
Students must complete entrance examinations for each level.
Chinese educational institutions make use of the distinction between scientific
degrees（学术型学位）and professional degrees (专业学位）and issue the
following degrees – translation of the degree overview of the China Academic
Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC):
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Scientific degrees
Professional degrees
Bachelor/Master/PhD in
Bachelor in Architecture
Philosophy, Economics, Law,
Education, Arts, History,
Science, Engineering,
Agriculture, Medicine, Military
Affairs, Management, Fine Arts.
Master of Architecture, Cultural Heritage and
Museology, Publishing, Journalism and
Communication, Translation and Interpreting, Fine
Arts, Applied Psychology, Teaching Chinese to
Speakers of Other Languages (TCSOL), Physical
Education, Education, Policing, Social Work, Law,
Auditing, Valuation, Insurance, International Business,
Taxation, Applied Statistics, Finance, Engineering
Management, Library and Information studies, Tourism
Administration, Professional Accounting, Public
Administration, Business Administration, Military Affairs,
Chinese Materia Medica, Pharmacy, Nursing, Public
health, Stomatological Medicine, Clinical Medicine,
Forestry, Landscape Architecture, Veterinary
Medicine, Urban Planning, Engineering.
Doctor of Engineering, Clinical Medicine, Veterinary
Medicine, Stomatological Medicine, Education.
Bachelor
A bachelor’s degree (学士学位 xueshi xuewei) is awarded at the conclusion of a
4-year undergraduate programme (benke). The length of programmes in
Medicine, traditional Chinese Medicine, Architecture and some Engineering and
Music programmes is 5 years.
Students who graduate receive 2 documents:
•
a diploma, and
•
a certificate of degree conferment, signed by the Committee for the
Evaluation of Academic Titles.
In some cases no degree certificate is awarded, for example because the
student:
•
failed the Chinese College English Test (CET) (possibly more than once);
•
did not finish his/her final paper;
•
did not obtain the required CGPA.
Another possible reason is that there is no bachelor's degree associated with the
programme.
Institutions offer the possibility to complete a second bachelor’s programme,
which often takes 2 years. Students are allowed to take entrance examinations
for these programmes, only if they have obtained a bachelor's degree.
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In terms of level, the bachelor’s degree is comparable to
an HBO bachelor’s degree or 2 years of university education (WO).
In terms of level, the bachelor’s degree obtained at a Project 211 institution
(until 2021) or a First Class University (from 2021) is comparable to
an HBO or WO bachelor’s degree, depending on the type of study.
Master
A master’s degree (硕士学位 shuoshi xuewei) takes 2 to 3 years to complete, half
of which is devoted to coursework (on which students are examined) and the
other half to writing the final paper. Admission is granted based on a bachelor’s
degree and an entrance examination. Candidates may not be older than 35
years of age. Students who only successfully pass the coursework section receive
a Certificate of Graduation (biye zhengshu), but no certificate of degree
conferment. Master’s degrees can be awarded by either higher education
institutions or research institutes.
In terms of level, the master’s degree
is comparable to a WO master’s degree.
Master via altnernative pathway
Students can also obtain a master's degree via an alternative pathway: based on
an equivalent educational background (同等学力 tongdeng xueli). The student
must possess a bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of relevant work
experience. Furthermore, it is a plus if he has published a number of research
articles.
The student must write a master thesis and needs to pass:
•
a national examination in a foreign language;
•
a national examination in research methods; and
•
examinations in curricular subjects to be determined by the university itself.
NB The student receives exemptions based on skills already obtained in the field
of education, research, and specific professional knowledge.
After passing all the examinations and successfully completing the thesis, the
student obtains a master’s degree certificate and a transcript with the
completed examination subjects. A certificate of graduation is not issued in these
cases. The letter T (of tongdeng xueli) is placed before the reference number on
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the degree certificate. This procedure is – mutatis mutandis – also applicable for
applying for a PhD degree.
PhD
Admission to a Doctorate (博士 boshi) programme requires a master’s degree, an
entrance examination and recommendations from at least 2 professors or (senior)
lecturers in the field. Candidates should not be older than 40 years of age when
commencing the programme. Candidates without a master’s degree may still
gain admission via an entrance examination. Doctorate programmes take 3 to 5
years to complete, including 1 year containing only coursework, as well as a
doctoral thesis. There is an entrance examination comprising political theory
(Marxism), the relevant subject area and 2 foreign languages.
Students can also to take a combined master’s/PhD programme, in which they
are neither awarded a separate master’s degree nor required to sit an entrance
examination to be admitted to the doctorate programme (硕博连读). At the end
of the programme, the boshi degree is awarded with the accompanying
diploma. Only outstanding students are eligible for this programme.

Higher professional education
As previously mentioned, there are also study programmes in Chinese higher
education that do not culminate in an academic title. Such programmes usually
take 2 to 3 years, and are offered by universities and other higher education
institutions. These non-degree programmes, which are more practically-oriented
than bachelor’s degrees, are called zhuanke in Chinese.
Top-up programme
It is possible to continue on to a bachelor’s degree after a zhuanke by
completing an additional 2 to 3 years of study (after a 3 or 2-year zhuanke,
respectively), a so called top-up programme. In Chinese this pathway is called 专
升本 zhuanshengben: upwards from a zhuanke programme to a benke
programme.
In terms of level, the zhuanke diploma following a 2-year programme
is comparable to 2 years of higher professional education (HBO).
In terms of level, the zhuanke diploma following a 3-year programme
is comparable to 3 years of higher professional education (HBO).
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
Assessment systems
Secondary education
The following assessment scale is used for the results of the huikao and the
general ability test:
Numerical grade
Letter grade
Description
Meaning
85-100
A
优 or 优秀
excellent
75-84
B
良 or 良好
very good
60-74
C
及格
quite satisfactory
59-0
D
不及格
unsatisfactory
The letter E can also be used instead of D. Subjects that have a practical test
distinguish between Pass (P or 合格 hege) and Fail (F, or sometimes E when using
the 5-letter system).
Higher education
Higher education institutions use a 100-point system.
China has no national credit system, meaning that the number of credits required
for the completion of a bachelor’s programme can vary greatly between
institutions, from around 180 to 240. Independent learning programmes generally
assign one credit for every 18 hours of study.
Total amount of credits:

•
independent learning zhuanke programmes: usually require a minimum of 70;
•
4-year independent learning bachelor’s programmes: 125-140.
Accreditation and quality assurance
Accreditatie
All higher education institutions must be accredited by the Ministry of Education.
The Academic Degree Committee of the China State Council (the chief
administrative authority in China), accredits all programmes in higher education,
and determines whether they are of sufficient quality to be eligible to the right to
award a Master or Doctorate.
Quality assurance
Quality assurance in higher education is the responsibility of amongst others the
Higher Education Evaluation Center of the Ministry of Education 教育部高等教育教
学评估中心, HEEC). The quality assurance guarantees that HEEC:
•
evaluates higher education institutions every 5 years in a standardised and
systematic way;
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•
maintains a public database with data from higher education institutions in
the area of infrastructure, facilities and the like;
•
evaluates study programmes on programme level in cooperation with certain
professional organisations, in order to set up an evaluation system and by
doing so also creating a professional qualification system with recognition by
professional bodies after completion of certain professional programmes;
•
uses a combination of internal and external evaluation;
•
sets up a pool of experts who will carry out the evaluations.
The HEEC is also responsible for the evaluation of:
•
zhuanke and benke education;
•
education offered by independent colleges.
The Academic Degree Committee of the Ministry of Education is responsible for
Master and PhD degree education.
Verification service
Diplomas obtained at accredited higher education institutions are included in the
national database for qualification verification, authorised by the Ministry of
Education.
Non-accredited institutions
Programmes offered by non-accredited institutions are not accredited. Therefore
the diplomas obtained from non-accredited institutions are not available in the
national database. Programmes offered by recognised institutions are normally
accredited. Some exceptions are:
•
the Sino-foreign cooperation programmes that have not (yet) been
approved;
•
programmes admitting students with low gaokao scores, the so-called
jihuawai (out of plan) students.

International treaties
On 30 May 2005, a recognition agreement was signed between the Netherlands
and China, called the 'Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of
the Netherlands and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the
mutual recognition of degrees from higher education institutions and admission to
higher education’ (Verdrag tussen de regering van het Koninkrijk der
Nederlanden en de regering van de Volksrepubliek China inzake de wederzijdse
erkenning van graden van instellingen voor hoger onderwijs en de toegang tot
hoger onderwijs).
The document contains agreements regarding:
•
the admission of Chinese students to Dutch higher education;
•
the admission of Dutch students to Chinese higher education.
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
Composition of file
For senior middle school programmes, the following documents must be
produced:
•
the certificate (biye zhengshu);
•
the official results of the provincial huikao examination issued by the Provincial
Education Bureau;
•
the list of marks from the school (3 years of senior middle school) in the
national language plus a sworn translation.
NB The layout of the certificates varies from province to province.
Graduates of higher education programmes can be awarded a variety of
different documents:
•
a diploma (biye zhengshu) plus a certificate of degree conferment (xuewei
•
zhengshu), or
a certificate of graduation (结业证书 jieye zhengshu).
The diploma is only issued if the entire study programme has been completed
successfully. If the programme is associated with a bachelor’s or master’s degree,
a separate certificate of degree conferment will be issued.
A certificate of graduation will be issued if the student has completed all of the
subjects in the programme but has failed several important compulsory subjects
(such as English), or has not completed the final paper or project.
Layout diplomas
The layout of diplomas in higher education was standardised by the Ministry of
Education until 2000. Since 2000, institutions are also allowed to use their own
format, which is mainly done by the more prominent universities.
Layout degree certificate
The layout of degree certificates was standardised up to 2016. Since 1 January
2016, higher education institutions are allowed to use their own format.
Authenticity
In China, civil-law notary firms make copies of the original documents and attach
a declaration from the firm (in Chinese and English) stating that the attached
document is a true copy of the original, and including information on the general
content of the original document. This notarial deed does not replace the original
document, and should be regarded as a certified copy.
Verification
Nowadays verification of Chinese diplomas and certificates is fairly
straightforward. The CHSI database goes back to 2001. This is a paid verification
service where you can verify the following via an account:
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•
senior middle school diplomas and the accompanied grade list;
•
the huikao final exam results;
•
the gaokao results;
•
the higher education diplomas and grade lists (only the paper version of the
report, by post).
Paper verification report (CHESICC)
It is also possible to have the student submit a paper verification report (a Chinese
or English version), which you can then check online via the website of the China
Higher Education Student Information and Career Center (CHESICC), the
organisation responsible for the CHSI database).
See also an example of a verification report.
Digital verification report (CHESICC)
For higher education qualifications, the student can request a digital report in PDF
format (a Chinese or English version), which can be verified via the CHESICC
website. Enter the online verification code or scan the QR code.
See also an example of a digital verification report (in Chinese).
Verification report academic degrees
Paper verification reports of academic degrees issued after 1 September 2008
(submitted by the student), can be verified via:
•
the website of the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education
Development Center (CDGDC), select ‘Report check’; or
•
directly via China Qualification Verification (CQV) (only in Chinese), where 2
numbers of the report must be entered (申请 单 编号 = request number and
报告 编号 = report number).
NB For reports issued after 1 July 2018, the application number no longer
needs to be filled in.

Overview of higher education institutions
The Ministry of Education provides a database of recognised universities
(alphabetically and per province) via the English version of its website.
A Chinese list from 2017 of all recognised higher education institutions can be
found on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Education.
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
Useful links
Website of the Netherlands Education Support Office (NESO) in Beijing. NESO
•
China serves the entire Dutch higher education system, and in particular those
Dutch higher education institutions that have joined the NESO.
•
English website of the Ministry of Education (MOE)
•
Study in China website with an overview of higher education institutions by
province.
Website of the national online database with diplomas of recognised higher
•
education institutions (degree and non-degree).
•
Website of the Ministry of Education with ‘Laws and Policies’.
•
Website of the Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools (CRS) with an
overview (in Chinese only) of recognised bachelor’s and master’s degrees
obtained through cooperation with foreign partners.

First Discipline Universities
The official list of First Discipline Universities consists of programmes from 140
different higher education institutions.
The list’s purpose
The aim of the selection is to improve the quality of certain study programmes
that are important for national development. The selected programmes are
mainly focused on science and technology, engineering, business, medicine and
Chinese art, language and culture.
Classification of the list
The numbers 68 and 133 are the same institution, but 2 different branches. The
same applies to numbers 88 and 134, respectively. 93 and 135. The University of
Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) is a leading research institution, with many
research centers spread throughout the country.
The following is the translated list of First Discipline Universities with:
- in red, the names of former Project 985 institutions;
- in blue, the names of 77 former Project 211 institutions;
- in black, the names of new institutions.
- 自 定 (‘self-determined’) behind the name of the programme means that the
institution itself has submitted proposals for the improvement of certain
programmes.
1
Name institution
Programmes
Peking University
哲学 (philosophy), 理论经济学 (theoretical economics),
北京大学
应用经济学 (applied economics)、法学 (law)、政治学
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(political science)、社会学 (sociology)、马克思主义理论
(theory of Marxism)、心理学 (psychology)、中国语言文
学 (Chinese language and literature)、外国语言文学
(foreign languages and literature)、考古学
(archaeology)、中国史 (Chinese history)、世界史 (world
history)、数学 (mathematics)、物理学 (physics)、化学
(chemistry)、地理学 (geography)、地球物理学
(geophysics)、地质学 (geology)、生物学 (biology)、生
态学 （ecology）、统计学 (statistics)、力学 （
mechanics）、材料科学与工程 (material science and
engineering)、电子科学与技术 (electronic science and
technology)、控制科学与工程 （control science and
technology）、计算机科学与技术 (computer science
and technology)、环境科学与工程 (environmental
science and engineering)、软件工程 (software
engineering)、基础医学 (basic medical science)、临床
医学 (clinical medicine)、口腔医学 （stomatology）、公
共卫生与预防医学 (public health and preventive
medicine)、药学 （pharmacy）、护理学 (nursing)、艺
术学理论 (theory of arts)、现代语言学 (contemporary
linguistics)、语言学 (linguistics)、机械及航空航天和制造工
程 (mechanical and aerospace and manufacturing
engineering)、商业与管理 （business and
management）、社会政策与管理 (social policy and
management)
2
Renmin University of China
哲学 (philosophy)、理论经济学 (theoretical economics)
中国人民大学
、应用经济学 (applied economics)、法学 (law)、政治学
(political science)、社会学 (sociology)、马克思主义理论
(theory of Marxism)、新闻传播学 （journalism and
communication）、中国史 (Chinese history)、统计学
(statistics)、工商管理 (business administration)、农林经
济管理 （agriculture and forestry economic
management）、公共管理 (public administration)、图
书情报与档案管理 (library and information
management)
3
Tsinghua University
法学 (law)、政治学 (political science)、马克思主义理论
清华大学
(theory of Marxism)、数学 (mathematics)、物理学
(physics)、化学 (chemistry)、生物学 (biology)、力学
(mechanics)、机械工程 (mechanical engineering)、仪
器科学与技术 （instrument science and technology）、
材料科学与工程 (material science and engineering)、动
力工程及工程热物理 （power engineering and
thermophysics）、电气工程 （electric engineering）、
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信息与通信工程 (information and communication
engineering)、控制科学与工程（control science and
technology）、计算机科学与技术 (computer science
and technology)、建筑学 (architecture)、土木工程
(civil engineering) 、水利工程 (hydraulic engineering)、
化学工程与技术（chemical engineering and
technology）、核科学与技术 (nuclear science and
technology)、环境科学与工程 (environmental science
and engineering)、生物医学工程 (biomedical
engineering)、城乡规划学 (urban and rural planning)、
风景园林学 (landscape architecture)、软件工程
(software engineering)、管理科学与工程 (management
science and engineering)、工商管理 (business
administration)、公共管理 (public administration)、设计
学 (design)、会计与金融 (accounting and finance)、经
济学和计量经济学 (economics and econometrics)、统
计学与运筹学 (statistics and operational research)、现
代语言学(contemporary linguistics)
4
Beijing Jiaotong University
系统科学 (system science)
北京交通大学
5
Beijing University of
土木工程（自定）（civil engineering）
Technology
北京工业大学
6
Beihang University
北京航空航天大学
力学（mechanics）、仪器科学与技术(instrument
science and technology）、材料科学与工程 (material
science and engineering)、控制科学与工程（control
science and technology）、计算机科学与技术
(computer science and technology)、航空宇航科学与
技术 (aerospace science and technology)、软件工程
(software engineering)
7
8
Beijing Institute of
材料科学与工程 (material science and engineering)、控
Technology
制科学与工程（control science and technology）、兵器
北京理工大学
科学与技术 (armament science and technology)
University of Science and
科学技术史 (history of science and technology)、材料科
Technology Beijing
学与工程(material science and engineering)、冶金工程
北京科技大学
（metallurgical engineering）、矿业工程(mining
engineering)
9
Beijing University of
化学工程与技术（自定）（chemical engineering and
Chemical Technology
technology）
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北京化工大学
10
11
Beijing University of Posts
信息与通信工程 (information and communication
and Telecommunications 北
engineering)、计算机科学与技术(computer science
京邮电大学
and technology)
China Agricultural University
生物学(biology)、农业工程 (agricultural engineering）、
中国农业大学
食品科学与工程 (food science and engineering)、作物
学 (crop science)、农业资源与环境 (agricultural
resources and environment)、植物保护 (plant
protection)、畜牧学 (animal husbandry)、兽医学
(veterinary medicine)、草学 (agrostology)
12
Beijing Forestry University
风景园林学 (landscape architecture)、林学 （forestry）
北京林业大学
13
14
15
Peking Union Medical
生物学(biology)、生物医学工程(biomedical
College
engineering)、临床医学(clinical medicine)、药学（
北京协和医学院
pharmacy）
Beijing University of Chinese
中医学 (traditional Chinese medicine)、中西医结合 （
Medicine
integrated Chinese and western medicine）、中药学
北京中医药大学
(science of Chinese pharmacology)
Beijing Normal University
教育学 (education science)、心理学 (psychology)、中
北京师范大学
国语言文学 (Chinese language and literature)、中国史
(Chinese history)、数学 (mathematics)、地理学
(geography)、系统科学(system science)、生态学（
ecology）、环境科学与工程(environmental science
and engineering)、戏剧与影视学(drama, film and
television)、语言学(linguistics)
16
Capital Normal University
数学 (mathematics)
首都师范大学
17
Beijing Foreign Studies
外国语言文学 (foreign languages and literature)
University
北京外国语大学
18
Communication University
新闻传播学（journalism and communication）、戏剧与
of China
影视学 (drama, film and television)
中国传媒大学
19
Central University of
应用经济学 (applied economics)
Finance and Economics
中央财经大学
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20
University of International
应用经济学（自定）(applied economics)
Business and Economics 对
外经济贸易大学
21
China Foreign Affairs
政治学（自定）(political science)
University
外交学院
22
People’s Public Security
公安学（自定）(public safety)
University of China
中国人民公安大学
23
Beijing Sport University
体育学 (physical education)
北京体育大学
24
Central Conservatory of
音乐与舞蹈学 (music and dance)
Music
中央音乐学院
25
China Conservatory of
音乐与舞蹈学（自定）(music and dance)
Music
中国音乐学院
26
Central Academy of Fine
美术学 (fine arts)、设计学 (design)
Arts
中央美术学院
27
Central Academy of Drama
戏剧与影视学 (drama, film and television)
中央戏剧学院
28
Minzu University of China
民族学 (ethnology)
中央民族大学
29
China University of Political
法学(law)
Science and Law
中国政法大学
30
Nankai University
世界史 (world history)、数学(mathematics)、化学
南开大学
(chemistry)、统计学(statistics)、材料科学与工程
(material science and engineering)
31
Tianjin University
化学 (chemistry)、材料科学与工程 (material science and
天津大学
engineering)、化学工程与技术（chemical engineering
and technology）、管理科学与工程(management
science and engineering)
32
Tianjin Polytechnic University
纺织科学与工程 (textile science and engineering)
天津工业大学
33
Tianjin Medical University
临床医学（自定）(clinical medicine)
天津医科大学
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34
Tianjin University of
中药学 (science of Chinese pharmacology)
Traditional Chinese
Medicine
天津中医药大学
35
North China Electric Power
电气工程（自定）(electric engineering)
University
华北电力大学
36
Hebei University of
电气工程（自定）(electric engineering)
Technology
河北工业大学
37
Taiyuan University of
化学工程与技术（自定）（chemical engineering and
Technology
technology）
太原理工大学
38
Inner Mongolia University
生物学（自定）(biology)
内蒙古大学
39
Liaoning University
应用经济学（自定）(applied economics)
辽宁大学
40
Dalian University of
化学(chemistry)、工程 (engineering)
Technology
大连理工大学
41
Northeastern University
控制科学与工程（control science and technology）
东北大学
42
Dalian Maritime University
交通运输工程（自定）(transport engineering）
大连海事大学
43
Jilin University
考古学 (archaeology)、数学(mathematics)、物理学
吉林大学
(physics)、化学(chemistry)、材料科学与工程(material
science and engineering)
44
Yanbian University
外国语言文学（自定）(foreign languages and literature)
延边大学
45
Northeast Normal University
马克思主义理论 (theory of Marxism)、世界史(world
东北师范大学
history)、数学(mathematics)、化学(chemistry)、统计学
(statistics)、材料科学与工程 (material science and
engineering)
46
Harbin Institute of
力学（mechanics）、机械工程 (mechanical
Technology
engineering)、材料科学与工程 (material science and
哈尔滨工业大学
engineering)、控制科学与工程（control science and
technology）、计算机科学与技术 (computer science
and technology)、土木工程（civil engineering）、环境
科学与工程 (environmental science and engineering)
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47
Harbin Engineering
船舶与海洋工程 (naval architecture and ocean
University
engineering)
哈尔滨工程大学
48
Northeast Agricultural
畜牧学（自定）(animal husbandry)
University
东北农业大学
49
Northeast Forestry University
林业工程 (forestry engineering)、林学（forestry）
东北林业大学
50
Fudan University
哲学 (philosophy)、政治学 (political science)、中国语言
复旦大学
文学 (Chinese language and literature)、中国史
(Chinese history)、数学 (mathematics)、物理学
(physics)、化学 (chemistry)、生物学 (biology)、生态学（
ecology）、材料科学与工程 (material science and
engineering)、环境科学与工程 (environmental science
and engineering)、基础医学 (basic medical science)、
临床医学 (clinical medicine)、中西医结合、药学（
pharmacy）、机械及航空航天和制造工程 (mechanical
and aerospace and manufacturing engineering)、现
代语言学 (contemporary linguistics)
51
Tongji University
建筑学（architecture）、土木工程（civil engineering）
同济大学
、测绘科学与技术 (surveying science and technology)
、环境科学与工程 (environmental science and
engineering)、城乡规划学 (urban and rural planning)、
风景园林学 (landscape architecture)、艺术与设计
52
Shanghai Jiao Tong
数学 (mathematics)、化学 (chemistry)、生物学
University
(biology)、机械工程 (mechanical engineering)、材料科
上海交通大学
学与工程 (material science and engineering)、信息与通
信工程 (information and communication engineering)
、控制科学与工程（control science and technology）、
计算机科学与技术 (computer science and technology)
、土木工程（civil engineering）、化学工程与技术（
chemical engineering and technology）、船舶与海洋
工程 (naval architecture and ocean engineering)、基
础医学 (basic medical science)、临床医学(clinical
medicine)、口腔医学（stomatology）、药学（
pharmacy）、电子电气工程 (electrical and electronic
engineering)、商业与管理 (business and management)
53
54
East China University of
化学(chemistry)、材料科学与工程 (material science and
Science and Technology
engineering)、化学工程与技术（chemical engineering
华东理工大学
and technology）
Donghua University
纺织科学与工程 (textile science and engineering)
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Education system China
东华大学
55
Shanghai Ocean University
水产 (aquatic products)
上海海洋大学
56
Shanghai University of
中医学 (traditional Chinese medicine)、中药学(science
Traditional Chinese
of Chinese pharmacology)
Medicine
上海中医药大学
57
58
East China Normal University
教育学 (education science)、生态学（ecology）、统计
华东师范大学
学 (statistics)
Shanghai International
外国语言文学 (foreign languages and literature)
Studies University
上海外国语大学
59
Shanghai University of
统计学 (statistics)
Finance and Economics
上海财经大学
60
Shanghai University of Sport
体育学 (physical education)
上海体育学院
61
Shanghai Conservatory of
音乐与舞蹈学 (music and dance)
Music
上海音乐学院
62
Shanghai University
机械工程（自定）(mechanical engineering)
上海大学
63
Nanjing University
哲学 (philosophy)、中国语言文学 (Chinese language
南京大学
and literature)、外国语言文学 (foreign languages and
literature)、物理学(physics)、化学(chemistry)、天文学 （
astronomy）、大气科学 (atmospheric science)、地质学
(geology)、生物学(biology)、材料科学与工程 (material
science and engineering)、计算机科学与技术
(computer science and technology)、化学工程与技术
（chemical engineering and technology）、矿业工程
(mining engineering)、环境科学与工程 (environmental
science and engineering)、图书情报与档案管理 (library
and information management)
64
65
Suzhou University
材料科学与工程（自定）(material science and
苏州大学
engineering)
Southeast University
材料科学与工程 (material science and engineering)、电
东南大学
子科学与技术 (electronic science and technology)、信
息与通信工程 (information and communication
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Education system China
engineering)、控制科学与工程（control science and
technology）、计算机科学与技术(computer science
and technology)、建筑学（architecture）、土木工程（
civil engineering）、交通运输工程(transport
engineering）、生物医学工程 (biomedical engineering)
、风景园林学 (landscape architecture)、艺术学理论
(theory of arts)
66
Nanjing University of
力学（mechanics）
Aeronautics and
Astronautics
南京航空航天大学
67
Nanjing University f Science
兵器科学与技术 (armament science and technology)
and Technology
南京理工大学
68
China University of Mining
安全科学与工程 (safety science and engineering)、矿业
and Technology
工程 (mining engineering)
中国矿业大学
69
Nanjing University of Posts
电子科学与技术 (electronic science and technology)
and Telecommunications
南京邮电大学
70
71
Hohai University
水利工程 (hydraulic engineering)、环境科学与工程
河海大学
(environmental science and engineering)
Southern Yangtze University
轻工技术与工程 (light industry technology and
江南大学
engineering)、食品科学与工程 (food science and
engineering)
72
Nanjing Forestry University
林业工程 (forestry engineering)
南京林业大学
73
Nanjing University of
大气科学 (atmospheric science)
Information Science and
Technology
南京信息工程大学
74
75
Nanjing Agricultural
作物学 (crop science)、农业资源与环境 (agricultural
University 南京农业大学
resources and environment)
Nanjing University of
中药学 (science of Chinese pharmacology)
Chinese Medicine
南京中医药大学
76
China Pharmaceutical
中药学 (science of Chinese pharmacology)
University
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Education system China
中国药科大学
77
Nanjing Normal University
地理学 (geography)
南京师范大学
78
Zhejiang University
化学 (chemistry)、生物学 (biology)、生态学（ecology）
浙江大学
、机械工程 (mechanical engineering)、光学工程
(optical engineering)、材料科学与工程 (material
science and engineering)、电气工程 (electric
engineering)、控制科学与工程（control science and
technology）、计算机科学与技术 (computer science
and technology)、农业工程 (agricultural engineering）
、环境科学与工程 (environmental science and
engineering)、软件工程 (software engineering)、园艺学
(horticulture)、植物保护 (plant protection)、基础医学
(basic medical science)、药学（pharmacy）、管理科
学与工程 (management science and engineering)、农
林经济管理（agriculture and forestry economic
management）
79
China Academy of Art
美术学 (fine arts)
中国美术学院
80
81
Anhui University
材料科学与工程（自定）(material science and
安徽大学
engineering)
University of Science and
数学 (mathematics)、物理学 (physics)、化学(chemistry)
Technology of China
、天文学 （astronomy）、地球物理学(geophysics)、生物
中国科学技术大学
学 (biology)、科学技术史 (history of science and
technology)、材料科学与工程 (material science and
engineering)、计算机科学与技术 (computer science
and technology)、核科学与技术 (nuclear science and
technology)、安全科学与工程 (safety science and
engineering)
82
Hefei University of
管理科学与工程（自定）(management science and
Technology
engineering)
合肥工业大学
83
84
Xiamen University
化学 (chemistry)、海洋科学 (marine science)、生物学
厦门大学
(biology)、生态学（ecology）、统计学 (statistics)
Fuzhou University
化学（自定）(chemistry)
福州大学
85
Nanchang University
材料科学与工程 (material science and engineering)
南昌大学
86
Shandong University
数学 (mathematics)、化学 (chemistry)
山东大学
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Education system China
87
Ocean University of China
海洋科学 (marine science)、水产 (aquatic products)
中国海洋大学
88
89
Petroleum University of
石油与天然气工程 (oil and gas engineering)、地质资源与
China (Huadong branch)
地质工程 (geological resources and geological
中国石油大学（华东）
engineering)
Zhengzhou University
临床医学（自定）(clinical medicine)、材料科学与工程（
郑州大学
自定）(material science and engineering)、
化学（自定）(chemistry)
90
Henan University
生物学 (biology)
河南大学
91
Wuhan University
理论经济学 (theoretical economics)、法学 (law)、马克
武汉大学
思主义理论 (theory of Marxism)、化学 (chemistry)、地球
物理学 (geophysics)、生物学、测绘科学与技术
(surveying science and technology)、矿业工程 (mining
engineering)、口腔医学（stomatology）、图书情报与档
案管理 (library and information management)
92
Huazhong University of
机械工程 (mechanical engineering)、光学工程 (optical
Science and Technology
engineering)、材料科学与工程 (material science and
华中科技大学
engineering)、、电气工程 (electric engineering)、计算
机科学与技术 (computer science and technology)、基
础医学 (basic medical science)、公共卫生与预防医学
(public health and preventive medicine)
93
China University of
地质学 (geology)、地质资源与地质工程 (geological
Geosciences (Wuhan
resources and geological engineering)
branch)
中国地质大学（武汉）
94
Wuhan University of
材料科学与工程 (material science and engineering)
Technology
武汉理工大学
95
96
97
Huazhong Agricultural
生物学 (biology)、园艺学 (horticulture)、畜牧学 (animal
University
husbandry)、兽医学 (veterinary medicine)、农林经济管
华中农业大学
理（agriculture and forestry economic management）
Huazhong Normal University
政治学 (political science)、中国语言文学 (Chinese
华中师范大学
language and literature)
Zhongnan University of
法学（自定）(law)
Economics and Law
中南财经政法大学
98
Hunan University
化学 (chemistry)、机械工程 (mechanical engineering)
湖南大学
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Education system China
99
Central South University
数学 (mathematics)、材料科学与工程 (material science
中南大学
and engineering)、冶金工程 (metallurgical
engineering）、矿业工程 (mining engineering)
100
Hunan Normal University
外国语言文学（自定）(foreign languages and literature)
湖南师范大学
101
Sun Yat-Sen University
哲学 (philosophy)、数学 (mathematics)、化学
中山大学
(chemistry)、生物学 (biology)、生态学（ecology）、材
料科学与工程、电子科学与技术 (electronic science and
technology)、基础医学 (basic medical science)、临床
医学 (clinical medicine)、药学（pharmacy）、工商管理
(business administration)
102
Jinan University
药学（自定）（pharmacy）
暨南大学
103
104
South China University of
化学 (chemistry)、材料科学与工程 (material science and
Technology
engineering)、轻工技术与工程 (light industry
华南理工大学
technology and engineering)、农学 (agronomy）
Guangzhou University of
中医学 (traditional Chinese medicine)
Chinese Medicine
广州中医药大学
105
South China Normal
物理学 (physics)
University
华南师范大学
106
Hainan University
作物学（自定）(crop science)
海南大学
107
Guangxi University
土木工程（自定）（civil engineering）
广西大学
108
Sichuan University
数学 (mathematics)、化学 (chemistry)、材料科学与工程
四川大学
(material science and engineering)、基础医学 (basic
medical science)、口腔医学（stomatology）、护理学
(nursing)
109
Chongqing University
机械工程（自定）(mechanical engineering)、电气工程
重庆大学
（自定）(electric engineering)、土木工程（自定）(civil
engineering）
110
Southwest Jiaotong
交通运输工程 （transport engineering）
University
西南交通大学
111
University of Electronic
电子科学与技术 (electronic science and technology)、
Science and Technology of
信息与通信工程 (information and communication
China 电子科技大学
engineering)
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Education system China
112
Southwest Petroleum
石油与天然气工程 (oil and gas engineering)
University
西南石油大学
113
Chengdu University of
地质学 (geology)
Technology
成都理工大学
114
Sichuan Agricultural
作物学（自定）(crop science)
University
四川农业大学
115
Chengdu University of
中药学 (science of Chinese pharmacology)
Traditional Chinese
Medicine
成都中医药大学
116
Southwest University
生物学 (biology)
西南大学
117
Southwest University of
应用经济学（自定）(applied economics)
Finance and Economics
西南财经大学
118
Guizhou University
植物保护（自定）(plant protection)
贵州大学
119
Yunnan University
民族学 (ethnology)、生态学（ecology）
云南大学
120
Xizang University
生态学（自定）（ecology）
西藏大学
121
Northwest University
地质学 (geology)
西北大学
122
Xi’an Jiaotong University
力学（mechanics）、机械工程 (mechanical
西安交通大学
engineering)、材料科学与工程 (material science and
engineering)、动力工程及工程热物理（power
engineering and thermophysics）、电气工程 (electric
engineering)、信息与通信工程 (information and
communication engineering)、管理科学与工程
(management science and engineering)、工商管理
(business administration)
123
Northwestern Polytechnical
机械工程 (mechanical engineering)、材料科学与工程
University
(material science and engineering)
西北工业大学
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Education system China
124
Xidian University
信息与通信工程 (information and communication
西安电子科技大学
engineering)、计算机科学与技术(computer science
and technology)
125
Chang’an University
交通运输工程（自定）(transport engineering）
长安大学
126
Northwest Agriculture and
农学（agronomy）
Forestry University
西北农林科技大学
127
Shaanxi Normal University
中国语言文学（自定）(Chinese language and literature)
陕西师范大学
128
129
Lanzhou University
化学 (chemistry)、大气科学 （atmospheric science）、
兰州大学
生态学（ecology）、草学(agrostology)
Qinghai University
生态学（自定）（ecology）
青海大学
130
131
Ningxia University
化学工程与技术（自定）（chemical engineering and
宁夏大学
technology）
Xinjiang University
马克思主义理论（自定）(theory of Marxism)、化学
新疆大学
（自定）(chemistry)、计算机科学与技术（自定）
(computer science and technology)
132
133
Shihezi University
化学工程与技术（自定）（chemical engineering and
石河子大学
technology）
China University of Mining
安全科学与工程 (safety science and engineering)、矿业
and Technology (Beijing
工程 (mining engineering)
branch)
中国矿业大学（北京）
134
135
Petroleum University of
石油与天然气工程 (oil and gas engineering)、地质资源与
China (Beijing branch)
地质工程 (geological resources and geological
中国石油大学（北京）
engineering)
China University of
地质学 (geology)、地质资源与地质工程 (geological
Geosciences (Beijing
resources and geological engineering)
branch)
中国地质大学（北京）
136
Ningbo University
力学（mechanics）
宁波大学
137
University of Chinese
化学 (chemistry)、材料科学与工程 (material science and
Academy of Sciences 中国
engineering)
科学院大学
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Education system China
138
National University of
信息与通信工程 (information and communication
Defense Technology
engineering)、计算机科学与技术 (computer science
国防科技大学
and technology)、航空宇航科学与技术 (aerospace
science and technology)、软件工程 (software
engineering)、管理科学与工程 (management science
and engineering)
139
Second Military Medical
基础医学 (basic medical science)
University
第二军医大学
140
Fourth Military Medical
临床医学（自定）(clinical medicine)
University
第四军医大学

Project 211 universities
Institutions marked with a * were also part of Project 985.
1.
北京大学
Peking University *
2.
中国人民大学
Renmin University of China *
3.
清华大学
Tsinghua University *
4.
北京交通大学
Beijing Jiaotong University
5.
北京工业大学
Beijing University of Technology
6.
北京航空航天大学
Beihang University *
7.
北京理工大学
Beijing Institute of Technology *
8.
北京科技大学
University of Science and Technology Beijing
9.
北京化工大学
Beijing University of Chemical Technology
10. 北京邮电大学
Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications
11. 中国农业大学
China Agricultural University *
12. 北京林业大学
Beijing Forestry University
13. 北京中医药大学
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
14. 北京师范大学
Beijing Normal University *
15. 北京外国语大学
Beijing Foreign Studies University
16. 中国传媒大学
Communication University of China
17. 中央财经大学
Central University of Finance and Economics
18. 对外经济贸易大学
University of International Business and Economics
19. 北京体育大学
Beijing Sport University
20. 中央音乐学院
Central Conservatory of Music
21. 中央民族大学
Central University for Nationalities *
22. 中国政法大学
China University of Political Science and Law
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Education system China
23. 华北电力大学
North China Electric Power University
24. 南开大学
Nankai University *
25. 天津大学
Tianjin University *
26. 天津医科大学
Tianjin Medical University
27. 河北工业大学
Hebei University of Technology
28. 太原理工大学
Taiyuan University of Technology
29. 内蒙古大学
Inner Mongolia University
30. 辽宁大学
Liaoning University
31. 大连理工大学
Dalian University of Technology *
32. 东北大学
Northeastern University *
33. 大连海事大学
Dalian Maritime University
34. 吉林大学
Jilin University *
35. 延边大学
Yanbian University
36. 东北师范大学
Northeast Normal University
37. 哈尔滨工业大学
Harbin Institute of Technology *
38. 哈尔滨工程大学
Harbin Engineering University
39. 东北农业大学
Northeast Agricultural University
40. 东北林业大学
Northeast Forestry University
41. 复旦大学
Fudan University *
42. 同济大学
Tongji University *
43. 上海交通大学
Shanghai Jiao Tong University *
44. 华东理工大学
East China University of Science and Technology
45. 东华大学
Donghua University
46. 华东师范大学
East China Normal University *
47. 上海外国语大学
Shanghai International Studies University
48. 上海财经大学
Shanghai University of Finance and Economics
49. 上海大学
Shanghai University
50. 第二军医大学
Second Military Medical University
51. 南京大学
Nanjing University *
52. 苏州大学
Suzhou University
53. 东南大学
Southeast University *
54. 南京航空航天大学
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics
55. 南京理工大学
Nanjing University of Science and Technology
56. 中国矿业大学
China University of Mining and Technology
57. 河海大学
Hohai University
58. 江南大学
Southern Yangtze University
59. 南京农业大学
Nanjing Agricultural University
60. 中国药科大学
China Pharmaceutical University
61. 南京师范大学
Nanjing Normal University
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Education system China
62. 浙江大学
Zhejiang University *
63. 安徽大学
Anhui University
64. 中国科学技术大学
University of Science and Technology of China *
65. 合肥工业大学
Hefei University of Technology
66. 厦门大学
Xiamen University *
67. 福州大学
Fuzhou University
68. 南昌大学
Nanchang University
69. 山东大学
Shandong University *
70. 中国海洋大学
Ocean University of China *
71. 中国石油大学
Petroleum University of China
72. 郑州大学
Zhengzhou University
73. 武汉大学
Wuhan University *
74. 华中科技大学
Huazhong University of Science and Technology *
75. 中国地质大学
China University of Geosciences
76. 武汉理工大学
Wuhan University of Technology
77. 华中农业大学
Huazhong Agricultural University
78. 华中师范大学
Huazhong Normal University
79. 中南财经政法大学
Zhongnan University of Economics and Law
80. 湖南大学
Hunan University *
81. 中南大学
Central South University *
82. 湖南师范大学
Hunan Normal University
83. 国防科技大学
National University of Defense Technology *
84. 中山大学
Sun Yat-Sen University *
85. 暨南大学
Jinan University
86. 华南理工大学
South China University of Technology *
87. 华南师范大学
South China Normal University
88. 广西大学
Guangxi University
89. 海南大学
Hainan University
90. 四川大学
Sichuan University *
91. 重庆大学
Chongqing University *
92. 西南交通大学
Southwest Jiaotong University
93. 电子科技大学
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China *
94. 四川农业大学
Sichuan Agricultural University
95. 西南大学
Southwest University
96. 西南财经大学
Southwest University of Finance and Economics
97. 贵州大学
Guizhou University
98. 云南大学
Yunnan University
99. 西藏大学
Xizang University
100. 西北大学
Northwest University
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101. 西安交通大学
Xi’an Jiaotong University *
102. 西北工业大学
Northwestern Polytechnical University *
103. 西安电子科技大学
Xidian University
104. 长安大学
Chang’an University
105. 西北农林科技大学
Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University *
106. 陕西师范大学
Shaanxi Normal University
107. 第四军医大学
Fourth Military Medical University
108. 兰州大学
Lanzhou University *
109. 青海大学
Qinghai University
110. 宁夏大学
Ningxia University
111. 新疆大学
Xinjiang University
112. 石河子大学
Shihezi University
Source: Chinese MOE, update December 2005.
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Recognition agreement (the Netherlands-China)
The mutual recognition agreement:
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Senior middle school final exam results, Guangdong province
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Senior middle school diploma, Guangdong province
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Bachelor degree certificate
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Bachelor degree certificate (English version)
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Undergraduate diploma
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