What HSK level do I need for a Chinese-taught degree in China?
Unofficial answer · Sources checked
For a degree taught in Chinese, the national standards set the minimum at level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards at entry, and level 5 by graduation. The standards state these levels against the International Chinese Proficiency Standards, not as HSK test levels, so HSK 4 is not written into them. Each university states which test and score it accepts, and the Chinese Government Scholarship guide separately asks for HSK Level 4 for Chinese-taught master's and doctoral programmes.
This site's English is its own translation of the Chinese texts cited below.
What the rules say
Section 1.2 of the 2018 Quality Standards for Higher Education of International Students in China (trial) requires that, for programmes taught in Chinese, the Chinese-language requirement in the entry standards be at least level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards. Part 1 of the same document sets the Chinese level at graduation for those programmes at level 5.
The standards also make entry rules the university's responsibility. Section 2.1 requires universities to publish their entry requirements. Section 2.2 requires an entrance examination or assessment that ensures admitted students meet the entry standard.
| Point | What the text says | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Entry to a Chinese-taught programme | At least level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards | Quality Standards, section 1.2 |
| Graduation from a Chinese-taught programme | Level 5 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards | Quality Standards, Part 1 |
| Chinese Government Scholarship, Chinese-taught master's or doctoral programme | Passed HSK (Level 4) | CSC scholarship guide, section IV, item 10 |
| Chinese Government Scholarship, Chinese-taught general or senior scholar programme | Passed HSK (Level 3) | CSC scholarship guide, section IV, items 8 and 9 |
The scholarship rows are conditions of that scholarship. They do not set the requirement for every student studying in China.
What passing HSK 4 means
The HSK Level 4 page on chinesetest.cn gives four scores: Listening, Reading, Writing and Total. The full score is 300. A total of 180 or above is a passing mark, and the score is valid for two years from the exam date.
Passing HSK 4 meets the scholarship condition in section IV, item 10 of the guide. It does not by itself settle a university's entry rule. Check the test and score in the university's own admission information.
If your Chinese is below the level
Article 18 of Order No. 42 says Mandarin is the basic teaching language for international students. It adds that a school may offer the necessary remedial Chinese for students whose language level falls short of the study requirement. Article 18 sets no test, level or score for that remedial course.
Section 3 of the Quality Standards allows universities to run preparatory programmes. These teach Chinese and basic subjects so that students reach the undergraduate entry standard. Article 9 of Order No. 42 lists preparatory students (预科生) among the non-degree categories.
To find out which preparatory or remedial options a university offers, ask its international student office.
Who decides and where to check
Article 12 of Order No. 42 requires the school to review the applicant's eligibility and to test or assess the applicant. The school decides admission. Article 11 requires the school to publish its admission brochure, and the brochure sets out the conditions it applies.
For the HSK requirement itself, the university's admission information is the document to check. For a Chinese Government Scholarship application, section VI, item 5 of the guide requires a valid HSK score report from applicants to Chinese-taught master's, doctoral, general scholar and senior scholar programmes. For bachelor's programmes, section IV, item 7 asks for a CSCA score report.
Related questions
Can a degree in China be taught in a foreign language?
Article 19 of Order No. 42 says qualified schools may offer some professional courses taught in a foreign language. A student on such a degree may write the thesis in that foreign language, but the abstract must be in Chinese. The school decides whether the defence uses a foreign language.
What Chinese level is required at graduation for a foreign-language-taught programme?
Part 1 of the Quality Standards sets level 4 for bachelor's students and level 3 for master's and doctoral students, both on the International Chinese Proficiency Standards, for Chinese ability at graduation.
Sources
- Quality Standards for Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China
- Administrative Measures for the Enrolment and Education of International Students by Schools (Order No. 42), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China
- HSK Level 4 score report, Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), Chinese Testing International
- Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, China Scholarship Council (Campus China)
Checked 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary, is not legal or immigration advice, and is not published by or affiliated with the bodies named. The official text and the instructions of the university, embassy or exit-entry office handling your case prevail if they differ.