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China’s academic year usually starts in September; a smaller number of universities also admit students in spring (February/March). Applications for a September start typically open in late autumn and close between December and April, depending on the university and programme.
Treat the dates below as a planning template, not fixed deadlines — always confirm the exact dates with each university.
A typical 12-month timeline (September intake)
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 12–10 months before | Shortlist universities and programmes; check entry requirements |
| 10–8 months | Take HSK/IELTS/TOEFL if needed; request transcripts and recommendation letters |
| 9–6 months | Notarise/translate documents; draft your study plan or personal statement |
| 8–5 months | Create portal accounts and submit applications (many close Dec–Apr) |
| 6–4 months | Scholarship deadlines (many CSC and provincial schemes open Dec–Mar) |
| 4–3 months | Interviews/entrance tests; respond to document requests |
| 3–2 months | Receive admission notices and scholarship results |
| 2 months | Request JW202/JW201; apply for the student visa; arrange housing |
| 1 month | Book flights; prepare for arrival and residence-permit steps |
Key points
- Scholarship deadlines are often earlier than general admission deadlines. Apply to the scholarship route in parallel if you are eligible.
- Multiple rounds: some universities run several application rounds with different cut-offs.
- Document lead time: transcripts, recommendations and notarisation can take 4–8 weeks combined.
- Visa timing: apply for the visa once you have the admission letter and the required forms — do not book flights you cannot change.
Spring intake
If a university offers a spring intake, applications usually close around September–December of the previous year. Fewer programmes and scholarships are available in spring.
Deadlines vary widely. Confirm every date on the university’s official admissions page, and submit at least a week before the stated deadline.
Staying organised
Track each application with: university, programme, portal link, deadline, fee paid, documents sent, status. Recheck each portal every few weeks — universities sometimes ask for additional documents with a short turnaround.