What is HSKK and when is it required?
Unofficial answer · Sources checked
HSKK is the HSK Speaking Test, which assesses oral Chinese at three levels: elementary, intermediate and advanced. It is taken as an audio recording. Whether you must submit it depends on the scholarship or university: the 2025 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship asks for it in several categories, while the Chinese Government Scholarship guide names HSK only.
What the HSKK test is and how it is scored
The HSK Speaking Test page describes the test as having three levels and being conducted as an audio recording. For all three levels, the score is out of 100, 60 is the passing mark, and the score is valid for two years from the test date (HSK Speaking Test; elementary level; intermediate level; advanced level).
When it is required
The 2025 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship guidelines set HSK and HSKK requirements by programme. In the table below, "required" means the guidelines require an HSKK score, and "priority" means the guidelines give priority to applicants who also provide an HSKK score. Item numbers refer to the scholarship categories list in the guidelines.
| Programme (2025 guidelines) | HSK requirement | HSKK requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral degree (item 1) | HSK Level 6, minimum 200 | Advanced level, minimum 60 |
| Master's degree (item 2) | HSK Level 5, minimum 210 | Intermediate level, minimum 60 |
| Bachelor's degree (item 3) | HSK Level 4, minimum 210 | Intermediate level, minimum 60 |
| One-year, international Chinese language education (item 4) | HSK Level 3, minimum 270 | Required |
| One-year, Chinese language and literature, Chinese history or Chinese philosophy (item 4) | HSK Level 4, minimum 180 | Intermediate level, minimum 60 |
| One-year, Chinese language study (item 4) | HSK Level 3, minimum 210 | Priority |
| One-semester, international Chinese language education, Chinese language and literature, Chinese history or Chinese philosophy (item 5) | HSK Level 3, minimum 180 | Required |
| One-semester, traditional Chinese medicine or Taiji culture (item 5) | HSK test score required | Priority |
| Four-week programme (item 6) | HSK test score required | Not mentioned in item 6 |
| Online one-year programme (item 8a) | HSK Level 3, 180 under most circumstances | Priority |
| Online one-semester programme (item 8b) | HSK test score required, regardless of level or score | Not mentioned in item 8b |
Applicants for all categories must also submit HSK/HSKK score reports within their two-year validity period (Appendix 2, section A, item b). The guidelines' application deadlines fall in 2025 and early 2026 intakes; for example, applications for programmes starting in September 2025 were due 15 May 2025 (section III). These figures are those of the 2025 guidelines.
The Chinese Government Scholarship guide lists HSK levels for Chinese-taught programmes in Section IV (Eligibility, items 8 to 10) and Section VI (Application Documents, item 5). Section IV and Section VI mention no HSKK test. For example, a Chinese-taught master's or doctoral applicant must have passed HSK Level 4 (Section IV, item 10).
Universities may set their own speaking requirement. The scholarship guidelines ask applicants to know the admission criteria of their host institution (section VI, item 3), so the university's own rules govern its admission.
Where to check the rest
For the full scholarship rules, read the complete guidelines and the contact section (section VII) of the 2025 scholarship document. For Chinese Government Scholarship questions, use the contact details in Section VII of the CSC guide. For a specific university, check that university's admission page for its speaking requirement.
Related questions
Which HSK level does the Chinese Government Scholarship require for a Chinese-taught master's programme?
The guide requires an applicant to have passed HSK Level 4 for a Chinese-taught master's or doctoral programme (Section IV, item 10). Applicants for a general or senior scholar programme taught in Chinese must have passed HSK Level 3 (Section IV, items 8 and 9).
How long is an HSKK score valid?
The elementary, intermediate and advanced pages state that HSK Speaking scores are valid for two years, counted from the test date.
What HSKK score counts as a pass?
For all three levels, a score of 60 or above out of 100 is the passing mark, according to the HSK Speaking pages.
Sources
- HSK Speaking Test, Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
- HSK Speaking Test, elementary level, Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
- HSK Speaking Test, intermediate level, Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
- HSK Speaking Test, advanced level, Chinese Tests Service Website (chinesetest.cn), CTI (Chinese Testing International)
- Application Guidelines for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship 2025, Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC, chinese.cn)
- Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, China Scholarship Council (Campus China, campuschina.org)
Checked 11 October 2026
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