*this guide is mainly for international applicants.
Introduction:
Knowing that most of the international school’s university counselors know very little about universities that are located in China Mainland, I decided to write this (article?) to introduce and/or solve some questions people have about Chinese Universities. These are only some general information on applying to Chinese universities. It is still super!!!! essential to check information on official websites about the university you will be applying to (they change every year on everything)
Introducing myself:
I am a International Baccalaureate student who takes 6 subjects:
Math SL
Chinese A SL
English Language and Literature A SL
Design and Technology HL
History HL
Business Studies HL
I have applied to Tsinghua, Peking and Shanghai Jiao-tong University, in the degree of Law.
Some other experiences:
Why did I choose Chinese University?
Possible Disadvantages?
Process of the Application:
It usually is on the school website, but there is a CUCAS system as well. I recommend applying directly to the university. It is safer and more direct contact with university admission. There are normally 3 rounds of application. The dates and time may vary according to universities and will change each year. Therefore, it is important to check the university’s website or contact with the university admission.
Personal Statement
There is no clear standard for the formatting or the content itself. To be safer, my personal statement was a combination of everything. I introduced myself, my interest in the major I want to choose, my reason for choosing the university. I also wrote about a book I read (UK personal statements hahaha) and like some “flowery” experiences. If anyone wants my personal statement, please email me and send a short introduction, thank you. (email written below)
NOT TO DO
Requirements for different universities (based on 2019)
*varies between different years
*Have to take math SL or anything equivalent
Tsinghua University (summary):
Peking University:
http://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/info/1174/6042.htm
From my perspective (might not be 100% accurate!!!):
Shanghai Jiao-tong:
https://isc.sjtu.edu.cn/CN/content.aspx?info_lb=133&flag=64
From my perspective (might not be 100% accurate!!!):
Side story: I applied with a predicted grade of 41, which is my final PG. The application process was even smoother. Therefore, my conclusion is grades do matter a lot in Chinese universities.
Interviews
I am unable and not allowed to tell you the exact topics, but I will give you a very general process. Remember, these might change under different circumstances and years. I am not allowed to talk about specific details about the interviews. This is being requested by the universities. For all of the interviews I have taken, there will be three professors listening, asking or engage in the interview discussion as well. In my opinion, If you have an interview opportunity, the chance of getting in is very high. In my opinion, interviews doesn’t really require much preparation. But if you would like to it is helpful to list down questions that you think universities may ask and try answering them yourself. Therefore, you wouldn’t panic or overthink during the actual interview. Be short and precise
Tsinghua University:
I heard that it is a requirement you have to go to Beijing to attend the interview. Due to coronavirus, my meeting got scheduled through a ZOOM meeting. The test format was also changed. As mention before, Tsinghua does not give out specific academic requirements to applicants; therefore, an integrative test must be taken. According to anonymous source news, they are an English language test that includes speech giving. My meeting was simple. They only tested on my Chinese and English speaking skills. However, mine was taken during the coronavirus, so it is only a special case.
Peking University:
You don’t have to go to Beijing to attend the interview. However, in my opinion, it is still better to. The online interview can be requested beforehand if you are in a foreign country or have special reasons. The interview was more like a group debate this is all I can say. Only Chinese language speaking skills will be tested. The stress level for me in this interview was really high. It was kind of like a TOK discussion as well.
Shanghai Jiao-tong:
All of the interviews will be taken on Skype, no matter what. Very normal and relatively casual interview. However, in this interview, the examiners will be asking about your grades. Be prepared, but don’t be stress it is only a very casual conversation. I was in Melbourne during my summer holiday when I had this interview.
Application and Interview Tips:
FREQUENT QUESTION
Are Chinese universities easier to get in?
If you compare with local Chinese applicants, then yes, it is easier to get in. But for international applicants and in comparison with other well-known universities. Then no, as mention before, even though the boundary for IB students to get in is around 35. Still, due to increasing popularity and a large number of competitors lately, it is crucial to at least have a predicted grade that is two marks higher.
What if I can’t understand Chinese?
There are English courses for specific subjects. However, you will still need to take Chinese language classes and have to be capable of basic Chinese communication (meaning passing HSK 4 the very minimum)
Scholarship, financial aid?
They could all be directly registered during your application on the website, except for Peking, for most of the scholarships you can only register when you get the offer. Shanghai scholarships are easier to receive, in my opinion, of course. As for Beijing, there are the local government scholarships and others according to your major you applied and the country you are from. Overall, I think China truly has a wide range of scholarships to apply to. From my research, there are no financial aid available for international students.
Can we change our majors afterwards?
No, it is difficult to change the major after you have applied. However, I believe similar subjects allows transfer, but your transition must have your professors approval. It is important to be sure of what you want to be study before you apply to Chinese universities.
IB Life advice:
Contact:
email: 3032439782@qq.com
Introduction:
Knowing that most of the international school’s university counselors know very little about universities that are located in China Mainland, I decided to write this (article?) to introduce and/or solve some questions people have about Chinese Universities. These are only some general information on applying to Chinese universities. It is still super!!!! essential to check information on official websites about the university you will be applying to (they change every year on everything)
Introducing myself:
I am a International Baccalaureate student who takes 6 subjects:
Math SL
Chinese A SL
English Language and Literature A SL
Design and Technology HL
History HL
Business Studies HL
I have applied to Tsinghua, Peking and Shanghai Jiao-tong University, in the degree of Law.
Some other experiences:
- Student Leadership team for 3 years (President in my senior year)
- Participated in multiple MUN conferences
- School Basketball team (5 years participated in ACAMIS)
- Basketball student coach (1 year)
- Cross Country (1 year)
- School Choir for like all of my school life (Social Secretary in my senior year)
- Summer school in CSM London (1 year)
- Volunteered in multiple school events such as science fair, etc.
- Participated in charity events such as Seeds of Hope, etc.
Why did I choose Chinese University?
- China is a growing global market
- More job opportunities
- Global reputation, high rankings worldwide
- Convenient environment (I grew up in China)
- Relevant low cost
- Interesting Chinese culture
Possible Disadvantages?
- Less globalized (he international community is relatively small in comparison)
- Must understand basic Chinese communication
- Culture Difference
Process of the Application:
It usually is on the school website, but there is a CUCAS system as well. I recommend applying directly to the university. It is safer and more direct contact with university admission. There are normally 3 rounds of application. The dates and time may vary according to universities and will change each year. Therefore, it is important to check the university’s website or contact with the university admission.
Personal Statement
There is no clear standard for the formatting or the content itself. To be safer, my personal statement was a combination of everything. I introduced myself, my interest in the major I want to choose, my reason for choosing the university. I also wrote about a book I read (UK personal statements hahaha) and like some “flowery” experiences. If anyone wants my personal statement, please email me and send a short introduction, thank you. (email written below)
NOT TO DO
- Too vague. It is important to do specific research on the university, so you can point out information of the university directly, such as “I am especially interested in xxxx professor’s classes…….”, “the university provides program such as…… that I am especially interested in because……”
- Joke around. It is important to personalize your personal statement, however, don’t be too casual remember this is still a formal statement.
- Shopping List. It is important to introduce your skills and talents, however, remember what you learned and personal growths are more important. This would show that your a student full of potential.
Requirements for different universities (based on 2019)
*varies between different years
*Have to take math SL or anything equivalent
Tsinghua University (summary):
- No specific requirements for a certain academic score
- HSK Level 5 or above, with each subject scored over 60 points
- Non english speaking countries must provide IELTS (score not specify but please not lower than 6.5)
- IB at least 37
- If not Chinese HL 5 please take HSK they are much more easier
- HSK as high as possible, passing is really not acceptable
- IELTS as mentioned please not lower than 6.5 overall
Peking University:
- IB Diploma, 3HLs with 36 or above as overall
- HSK Level 6 210 points or above or Chinese A HL 6
http://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/info/1174/6042.htm
From my perspective (might not be 100% accurate!!!):
- IB at least 38
- if not Chinese HL 6 just take HSK trust me its much more easier
- HSK as high as possible, normally applicants who applied has like around 260+
- No english proficiency test needed
Shanghai Jiao-tong:
- For Liberal Arts, 3HLs, 35 or above with each subject not lower than 5
- For Science, Economics and similar subjects, same as Liberal Arts but 6 in Math HL
- HSK Level 5 180 points or above overall
- TOEFL 80 or above overall / IELTS 5.5 or above overall
https://isc.sjtu.edu.cn/CN/content.aspx?info_lb=133&flag=64
From my perspective (might not be 100% accurate!!!):
- IB at least 37
- if not Chinese HL just take HSK trust me its much more easier
- HSK as high as possible, passing is really not acceptable
Side story: I applied with a predicted grade of 41, which is my final PG. The application process was even smoother. Therefore, my conclusion is grades do matter a lot in Chinese universities.
Interviews
I am unable and not allowed to tell you the exact topics, but I will give you a very general process. Remember, these might change under different circumstances and years. I am not allowed to talk about specific details about the interviews. This is being requested by the universities. For all of the interviews I have taken, there will be three professors listening, asking or engage in the interview discussion as well. In my opinion, If you have an interview opportunity, the chance of getting in is very high. In my opinion, interviews doesn’t really require much preparation. But if you would like to it is helpful to list down questions that you think universities may ask and try answering them yourself. Therefore, you wouldn’t panic or overthink during the actual interview. Be short and precise
Tsinghua University:
I heard that it is a requirement you have to go to Beijing to attend the interview. Due to coronavirus, my meeting got scheduled through a ZOOM meeting. The test format was also changed. As mention before, Tsinghua does not give out specific academic requirements to applicants; therefore, an integrative test must be taken. According to anonymous source news, they are an English language test that includes speech giving. My meeting was simple. They only tested on my Chinese and English speaking skills. However, mine was taken during the coronavirus, so it is only a special case.
Peking University:
You don’t have to go to Beijing to attend the interview. However, in my opinion, it is still better to. The online interview can be requested beforehand if you are in a foreign country or have special reasons. The interview was more like a group debate this is all I can say. Only Chinese language speaking skills will be tested. The stress level for me in this interview was really high. It was kind of like a TOK discussion as well.
Shanghai Jiao-tong:
All of the interviews will be taken on Skype, no matter what. Very normal and relatively casual interview. However, in this interview, the examiners will be asking about your grades. Be prepared, but don’t be stress it is only a very casual conversation. I was in Melbourne during my summer holiday when I had this interview.
Application and Interview Tips:
- Apply as early as possible in round 1 rather than round 2. The chance of getting in will decrease in round 3.
- Join different genre of outside school activities such as sports, debates, etc. they would not just make you an outstanding student but also there more thing to talk about during interviews and personal statement.
- Chinese universities loves certificates especially from global competitions
- Read more articles about recent news (interviews are normally about these topics)
- Daily readings are really important there isn’t much you can prepare for interviews last minute.
- Join debate club or MUN to improve speaking skills
- It is always important to actively engage in interview conversations
- Dress neatly and smile :) (during interview)
FREQUENT QUESTION
Are Chinese universities easier to get in?
If you compare with local Chinese applicants, then yes, it is easier to get in. But for international applicants and in comparison with other well-known universities. Then no, as mention before, even though the boundary for IB students to get in is around 35. Still, due to increasing popularity and a large number of competitors lately, it is crucial to at least have a predicted grade that is two marks higher.
What if I can’t understand Chinese?
There are English courses for specific subjects. However, you will still need to take Chinese language classes and have to be capable of basic Chinese communication (meaning passing HSK 4 the very minimum)
Scholarship, financial aid?
They could all be directly registered during your application on the website, except for Peking, for most of the scholarships you can only register when you get the offer. Shanghai scholarships are easier to receive, in my opinion, of course. As for Beijing, there are the local government scholarships and others according to your major you applied and the country you are from. Overall, I think China truly has a wide range of scholarships to apply to. From my research, there are no financial aid available for international students.
Can we change our majors afterwards?
No, it is difficult to change the major after you have applied. However, I believe similar subjects allows transfer, but your transition must have your professors approval. It is important to be sure of what you want to be study before you apply to Chinese universities.
IB Life advice:
- Really please join other non-academic activities. They are really important, not that it just makes your application profile outstanding. Still, in the same time, you do learn a lot from these activities. They will also help you talk about yourself more in interviews later on in your life, not just for universities.
- Don’t join too many CAS activities or finish them early in Grade 11 or Year 12. This advice will make your life much easier, trust me.
- Finish CAS project as early as possible and cooperate with external organizations. You will then not have to stress about it in your senior year. And personally, one excellent project is better than multiple low-quality ones. Outside organizations will not just make your project “fancier,” but at the same time, they can assist you with the skills you lack with.
- Don’t compare too much about academic grades with your friends and others. Focus more on personal growth, learn because you truly want to learn not because you want to win. Compete with yourself.
- Procrastination is very common, just finish your work and rest when you can :)
Contact:
email: 3032439782@qq.com