Why and how to study in China?

China has the largest higher education system in the world and every year, nearly 500,000 international students, including 10,000 French students, go there to study. And why not you? If you are looking for an unparalleled experience during your higher education, you should look east to the People's Republic of China.

Why choose to study in China?

Learning Mandarin

With 1.012 billion speakers, Mandarin Chinese is the second most spoken language in the world, just behind English. Given China's influence on the business world, speaking Mandarin is a real asset for doing business abroad. However, you should know that a good level of language is required to follow a training course in China and that a test is sometimes required: the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK).

Live an original experience

Culture, landscapes, climate, food, student life... China has everything to shake up the reference points and habits of European students. Going to study in China is a guarantee that you will discover otherness, that you will have to adapt and that you will have the opportunity to make contacts in one of the major centres of the world economy.

An asset on the CV

For business school students, a stay in China is a real "investment for the future". This experience, even for just one or two semesters, will look great on your CV, especially if you are considering a career in international trade.

How do I go about studying in China?

Applying to a Chinese university

If you want to apply directly to a Chinese university, you can apply to the university of your choice using the international admissions procedure. Alternatively, the CUCAS system makes it easier for you to apply to several institutions via the same platform.

Participating in a university exchange programme

Grandes Écoles students can take advantage of their school's network of partner universities to study in China during their studies. If you choose this option, you will spend a semester - or sometimes a full year - on the campus of your school's partner university before returning to France to continue your studies.

Administrative procedures and practical information

Visa and residence permit

To enter China as a French student, you must apply for a visa, accompanied by a notification of admission. If you are going for less than 6 months, a “tourist” visa is sufficient. For longer stays, you will need a “student” visa. These visa applications must be submitted to the Embassy or Consulate. Do not hesitate to contact the International Relations Office of your school for more information.

Living costs

Tuition fees can be quite high at some universities, but the rest is quite cheap. To give you some examples, student accommodation costs around €300, a meal costs between €2 and €5, and a trip on urban transport costs less than €1. In short, studying in China is quite economical. All the more so as you can benefit from financial aid.

Funding and scholarships

The China Scholarship Council (CSC) provides scholarships from the Chinese government for foreign nationals. The awarding of the scholarship depends on many criteria, particularly academic performance, behaviour and language level. There are also UNESCO scholarships or HSK scholarships for students who have achieved a very high score in the HSK test.

Studying in China with IPAG

IPAG has established many partnerships on the Asian continent and more particularly in China so that its students can train, learn the language and discover the Middle Kingdom.

IPAG's university partnerships

For several years, IPAG has developed several university parternships throughout China. Students have a large choice of studies when it comes to China. 

The Asia Track of the Grande Ecole Programme (bac +5)

Specially designed for future executives who plan to make a career on the Asian continent, this track of the Grande École Programme (bac +5, master's degree), offers students the possibility of spending part of their course in China, in a Summer Session or a study stay in Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Taiwan or other Asian countries. In addition, civilisation, language and economics courses are offered in the first cycle. Click here to watch the video presentation of IPAG's Asia Track.

If you wish to know more about the possibilities of studying in a Chinese university while being registered at IPAG, do not hesitate to contact the school's Admissions Department.