When to apply: a practical timeline
Work backwards from your target intake. The main intake starts in September; university applications usually open the previous autumn and close between January and April, while scholarship rounds usually close earlier. Documents and legalisation — not the form itself — are what decide whether you make the deadline.
About 12 months before
- Decide the language route: Chinese-taught, English-taught, or a preparatory Chinese year first.
- Shortlist 3–6 specific programmes and read each programme page.
- Note the language requirement and the admission method for each.
10–8 months before
- Request transcripts and certificates; start any notarisation or legalisation.
- Ask for recommendation letters — allow several weeks.
- Take the language test if the programme requires one.
6–4 months before
- Submit scholarship applications first: CSC and other scholarship rounds usually close before the university's own deadline.
- Then submit the university applications for your other choices.
4–1 months before
- Receive offers and confirm which one you accept.
- Complete the physical examination (it has a short validity window).
- After the admission notice and the visa application form for foreign students (JW201/JW202), apply for the X1 visa.
- Arrange accommodation and check the arrival registration steps for your city.
Common questions
When do applications usually open?
Most universities open applications in the previous autumn and close between January and April for the September intake. A smaller number of programmes also admit in spring.
Is it too late to apply in June?
For the September intake, most deadlines have passed; spring intakes and a few programmes with rolling admission are the exceptions. Check the programme page for its current window.
When should I do the medical examination?
Only after you have a realistic offer timeline: the form is typically valid for six months, so doing it a year early means repeating it.
Research first, then verify at the source
VisChat is an independent information and data site. Compare programmes here, then use current university and government pages to confirm the details that apply to you.