Minimum education for each level of study in China: Quality Standards, section 1.1
Junior-college (associate-level) and bachelor's entry require high school graduation or an equivalent educational qualification (Quality Standards, section 1.1). Master's entry requires a bachelor's degree or an equivalent educational qualification (Quality Standards, section 1.1). Doctoral entry requires a master's degree or an equivalent educational qualification (Quality Standards, section 1.1).
Minimum qualification and ISCED 2011 reference
| Study level | Minimum educational qualification | ISCED 2011 reference in section 1.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Junior-college (associate-level) | High school graduation or an equivalent educational qualification (Quality Standards, section 1.1). | Successful completion of ISCED 2011 level 3 or level 4 that leads to higher education (Quality Standards, section 1.1). |
| Bachelor's | High school graduation or an equivalent educational qualification (Quality Standards, section 1.1). | Successful completion of ISCED 2011 level 3 or level 4 that leads to higher education (Quality Standards, section 1.1). |
| Master's | A bachelor's degree or an equivalent educational qualification (Quality Standards, section 1.1). | Successful completion of ISCED 2011 level 6 or level 7 courses (Quality Standards, section 1.1). |
| Doctoral | A master's degree or an equivalent educational qualification (Quality Standards, section 1.1). | Successful completion of specified ISCED 2011 level 7 courses (Quality Standards, section 1.1). |
Who sets the entry standards?
The preface describes the Standards as a basic norm for higher education institutions and other higher education institutions carrying out international-student education. The Standards apply nationwide to higher education for international students, including higher vocational education (Quality Standards, preface).
Section 1 states that higher education institutions shall set reasonable entry standards for international students in accordance with national provisions and the Standards (Quality Standards, section 1). The standards must be based on the institution's objectives for training international students and its training capacity (Quality Standards, section 1). They must include educational background, academic level, language ability, identity qualification, and economic capacity (Quality Standards, section 1).
How does the mutual-recognition rule apply?
If an intergovernmental agreement on the mutual recognition of qualifications and degrees signed by China and another country or region stipulates access conditions for students from the other party entering higher education institutions in China, the signed mutual-recognition agreement applies (Quality Standards, section 1.1).
The English rendering in this article is this site's translation of the Chinese Quality Standards.
Sources
- Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) (来华留学生高等教育质量规范（试行）), Ministry of Education notice 教外〔2018〕50号 — Ministry of Education of the PRC.
Checked 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by or affiliated with the Ministry of Education, the China Scholarship Council or any university, is not legal advice, and the official text and the current notice of the university or authority handling your case prevail if they differ.