How to Study in Guangdong for International Students
Guangdong, one of the states in China, should be among your choices if you’re looking to study abroad. This location offers world-class education and opportunities to jump-start your career and engage in character-building adventures. You’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself in a rich culture and learn about its nuances compared to the rest of the country.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Guangdong currently has 43 universities, from which 38 universities are a part of the public sector and 5 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Guangdong you should definitely check out are Southern University of Science and Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, and Jinan University.
Being able to study in Guangdong as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Guangdong, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Guangdong
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Guangdong, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 15,000 RMB to 120,000 RMB, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 19,000 RMB and 90,000 RMB.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Guangdong
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Guangdong, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology | 101,100 RMB | 42,000 RMB - 54,000 RMB |
| Zhaoqing University | 15,000 RMB | |
| Hanshan Normal University | 16,000 RMB - 25,000 RMB | |
| Guangdong Medical University | 20,000 RMB | 27,000 RMB - 33,000 RMB |
| Guangzhou Medical University | 30,000 RMB | 30,000 RMB |
| Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University | 16,800 RMB - 22,800 RMB | |
| Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine | 25,000 RMB | 32,000 RMB |
| Guangzhou University | 18,000 RMB - 20,000 RMB | 20,000 RMB - 22,000 RMB |
| Shaoguan University | 17,000 RMB - 23,000 RMB | |
| The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen | 115,000 RMB | |
| United International College | 100,000 RMB - 120,000 RMB | |
| Dongguan University of Technology | 16,000 RMB - 21,000 RMB | 20,000 RMB |
| Southern Medical University | 30,000 RMB - 45,000 RMB | 38,000 RMB - 41,000 RMB |
| Guangdong University of Finance and Economics | 19,000 RMB | 25,000 RMB - 28,000 RMB |
| Jinan University | 19,000 RMB - 32,000 RMB | |
| Shenzhen University | 26,000 RMB - 40,000 RMB | 30,000 RMB - 45,000 RMB |
| Guangdong University of Foreign Studies | 18,400 RMB - 33,500 RMB | 25,000 RMB - 59,000 RMB |
| Southern University of Science and Technology | 32,200 RMB | |
| South China Agricultural University | 15,000 RMB - 22,500 RMB | |
| Guangdong University of Technology | 18,000 RMB - 25,000 RMB | 20,000 RMB |
| South China Normal University | 17,000 RMB - 22,000 RMB | 19,000 RMB - 35,000 RMB |
| Sun Yat-Sen University | 26,000 RMB - 48,000 RMB | 30,000 RMB - 90,000 RMB |
| South China University of Technology | 18,200 RMB - 26,000 RMB | 23,000 RMB - 44,500 RMB |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Guangdong
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen MSU-BIT University | 40,000 RMB | 42,000 RMB |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Guangdong, check out the Cheap Universities in Guangdong!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Guangdong for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Guangdong, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Guangdong, English and Chinese are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting HSK for Chinese.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Guangdong and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 6
- TOEFL: 80
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Zhaoqing University
Bachelor’s degree
Hanshan Normal University
Bachelor’s degree
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Guangdong
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Guangdong have online applications available on their websites, like Southern University of Science and Technology and Sun Yat-Sen University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Guangdong.
Southern University of Science and Technology
Sun Yat-Sen University
Jinan University
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Guangdong differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Guangdong.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Guangdong
If you’re going to study in Guangdong, you will need to apply for a student visa in China
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in China. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a X visa .
To start your student visa application in Guangdong, you will need to present the following:
- Original passport
- Completed application form
- Recently taken passport photo
- Approved application for Foreign Student Visa
- Admission notice from the university
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in China is 1021 CNY.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Submit your application and requirements to the Visa Office of the Consulate General in the place where you reside
- Pay for the necessary visa fees
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Guangdong. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!