Can you transfer universities in China?
Real transfers between universities are rare in China. What is realistic: changing major inside the same university with approvals, finishing the year and applying again as a new applicant elsewhere, or graduating and then applying to a different university for a master's. Scholarship students must get approval from the scholarship authority before any change.
Changing major at the same university
- Possible in some cases, usually after the first year and subject to the receiving department agreeing.
- The international student office has to process it, and it must be reported to the authorities that issued your residence permit.
- Requirements and deadlines differ by university — ask before the end of the semester.
Moving to a different university
- There is usually no credit-transfer route between Chinese universities.
- The realistic path is to withdraw, then apply to the new university as a fresh applicant — sometimes with credit recognition for completed courses, sometimes starting over.
- Withdrawing affects your residence permit, so the order of steps matters: get the new offer and the new visa documents first.
If you are on a scholarship
- Scholarship students normally cannot change university or programme without written approval from the scholarship authority (for CSC, the council and the dispatching agency).
- Changing without approval can mean losing the scholarship and having to repay what was already covered.
- Ask early: decisions take time and usually follow the academic year, not the calendar month.
Common questions
Can I transfer mid-year?
Usually not. Most changes happen at the end of an academic year, and many universities only accept new applications for the September intake.
Will my credits transfer?
Sometimes, but it is decided by the receiving university and is not guaranteed. Ask for the decision in writing before you withdraw.
What happens to my scholarship if I move?
You need written approval from the scholarship authority first. Without it, you can lose the award and may have to repay the amount already paid.
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.