How to apply for Chinese universities without an agent
You can read the rules and apply to a university directly. Under Order No. 42, each university publishes its own admissions brochure and recruits according to the conditions and procedures in that brochure (Article 11). The university then examines your eligibility and financial guarantee proof, tests or assesses you, and makes the admission decision (Article 12).
The Chinese texts of Order No. 42 and the Quality Standards are quoted here in English. The English is this site's translation of the Chinese text, not an official English version.
Who decides admission
Article 12 says that the university examines the admission eligibility and the financial guarantee proof of each foreign applicant, and that it tests or assesses the applicant. The same article states that admission is decided by the university. It also states that a university must not admit an applicant who does not meet the admission conditions.
Article 12 uses the words "examines" and "tests or assesses" but does not list the test subjects or the form of the test. Those details belong in the university's own brochure.
What the university must publish
Article 23 requires the university to make public its basic school information, its teaching information, its admissions brochure, and its management and service system for international students. The purpose is to make information easy for international students to get.
Section 2.1 of the Quality Standards (trial), issued by Ministry of Education notice 教外〔2018〕50号, asks the university to use the internet and other information technology to give accurate and full admissions information. It lists six groups of information the university must provide at least:
| Group | What section 2.1 lists |
|---|---|
| School profile | The city where the school is located, and its teaching conditions |
| Programmes | Level, training objectives, length of study, degree awarded, and rules on transfer between schools and between majors |
| Admission procedures and requirements | Application deadlines and methods, entry standards, examination or assessment methods, financial guarantee requirements, handling of violations, and the admissions schedule |
| Fees and policies | Fee standards, payment methods, and refund policy |
| Campus life | Dormitory or apartment conditions and how to apply for them, meals, medical care, insurance, transport, sports and cultural activities, and student clubs |
| Contacts and complaints | Consultation contacts, and complaint and reporting channels |
Section 2.1 sets what each category must cover. It does not set any fee, deadline or entry standard. Those values are for each university to publish.
Outside agents
Section 2.7 of the Quality Standards says that admissions work must follow national rules and must not be entrusted to any outside institution or individual as agent. Where a university uses outside services for admissions information and consultation, it must follow the principles of prudence, standardisation, openness and transparency. It must also carry out its supervision responsibilities under national rules or norms.
Section 2.7 is addressed to the university. It places the duty of supervision on the university.
A suggested reading order
This order is a suggestion only. None of these steps is a legal requirement.
- The admissions brochure of each university you are considering (Order No. 42, Article 11).
- Article 12 of Order No. 42, to see what the university checks and who decides.
- Article 23 of Order No. 42 and section 2.1 of the Quality Standards, to see what information the university should make available.
- Section 2.7 of the Quality Standards, for the rule on outside agents.
Sources
- Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42)
- Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial)
Checked 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the Ministry of Education, the China Scholarship Council or any university, and it is not legal advice. If the official text and the current notice of the university or authority handling your case differ, the official text and that notice prevail.