Preparatory programmes in China: what the national standards say they are for

A preparatory programme (预科) is one of the non-degree categories for international students in mainland China. The Quality Standards say its purpose is to teach Chinese and basic subject knowledge so that students reach the bachelor's entry standard and adapt to study and life in China.

The Chinese texts of Order No. 42 and the Quality Standards are quoted below. The English wording is this site's translation of those Chinese texts.

The category in Order No. 42

The Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42) sets the categories in Article 9. Article 9 lists junior-college (associate-level) students, bachelor's students, master's students and doctoral students as the categories receiving degree education. It lists preparatory students, advanced students and research scholars as the categories receiving non-degree education.

Article 9 does not define a preparatory student. It names the category and nothing more.

What section 3 of the Quality Standards says

The Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) were issued by Ministry of Education notice 教外〔2018〕50号. Section 3 is written for higher education institutions, and it sets out the following provisions.

Universities should attach importance to preparatory education in raising the quality and size of the bachelor's intake, and should actively carry out preparatory education for international students.
Universities may open preparatory programmes and admit international students who meet appropriate standards.
The purpose of such a programme is to teach Chinese and subject foundations so that international students reach the bachelor's entry standard and adapt to study and life in China.
A preparatory programme for international students shall meet the requirements of the corresponding education and teaching standards and norms.

Section 3 does not name those standards. It gives no length and no curriculum hours for a preparatory programme.

The bachelor's entry standard in section 1.1

Section 1.1 of the Quality Standards sets the minimum education requirement for entry. For junior-college and bachelor's entry, it states high school graduation or equivalent. It adds that this is by reference to completing ISCED 2011 level 3 or 4 that leads to higher education.

Section 1.1 covers junior-college, bachelor's, master's and doctoral entry. It does not name preparatory students or preparatory programmes.

The one-year figure in the scholarship guide

The Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship, published by the China Scholarship Council, says in section II, part (II) that the scholarship covers both major study and Chinese language (preparatory) study. The same part says: "The language courses last one year."

That one-year figure is stated for the scholarship's language courses. Part (II) gives no length for any other preparatory study. It is a condition of the Chinese Government Scholarship, not a general rule for self-funded students.

What to check in a university's brochure

Length, curriculum hours, fees, dates and entry tests for a preparatory programme are not set by the national texts above. Each university publishes its own decision in its admissions brochure.

Suggestion, not a requirement: before comparing programmes, note which category the brochure places the programme in, and check that category against Article 9.

For the wider categories, see degree and non-degree study in China.

Sources

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 differs from this page, the official text and the current notice of the university or authority handling your case prevail.