Documents required to study in China
Almost every application comes down to the same list: transcripts and certificates, two recommendation letters, passport pages, a photo, the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, and language evidence. What differs is whether copies must be notarised, apostilled or translated — and that is decided by the university, not by a general rule.
The core list
- Academic transcripts and your graduation certificate (or expected-graduation letter).
- Two recommendation letters from teachers or supervisors.
- Passport photo page, plus a recent passport-style photograph.
- The Foreigner Physical Examination Form, completed by a doctor.
- Language evidence where the programme requires it (HSK/HSKK, or IELTS/TOEFL).
Programme-specific extras
- Study plan or research proposal — standard for master's and doctoral applications.
- Portfolio for arts, design and architecture.
- CV, work or internship certificates for MBA-type programmes.
- Supervisor acceptance letter for some doctoral programmes.
Notarisation, apostille and translation
- Chinese universities commonly ask for notarised copies; China also accepts apostilles for documents issued in Hague Convention countries in many cases.
- If neither applies, consular legalisation is the route.
- Translations are usually into Chinese or English — the programme page states which.
- Ask the university exactly what it needs before paying for anything: requirements differ, and unnecessary notarisation is a common waste of time and money.
An order that saves time
- Start with transcripts and certificates: they take the longest to obtain.
- Then recommendations — teachers are slowest during exam periods.
- Do the physical examination last, because it has a validity window.
- Scan everything at high resolution, keep the originals for registration, and name files clearly.
Common questions
Do documents have to be in Chinese?
Usually Chinese or English. The programme page states which language it accepts; if it is silent, ask before you pay a translator.
How long is the physical examination form valid?
Typically six months, so it is one of the last things to arrange — doing it too early is a common mistake.
Can I apply with scanned copies?
Most universities accept scans at the application stage and check originals at registration. Keep both sets in order.
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.