How to Study in Hangzhou for International Students

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Hangzhou, one of the beautiful cities in China, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Hangzhou, Zhejiang currently has 18 universities, from which 18 universities are a part of the public sector and 0 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 Hangzhou you should definitely check out are Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, and Zhejiang University of Technology.

Being able to study in Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Hangzhou

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Hangzhou, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 12,000 RMB to 80,000 RMB, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 18,000 RMB and 60,000 RMB.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Hangzhou

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Hangzhou, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Zhejiang Chinese Medical University 20,000 RMB - 25,000 RMB 32,000 RMB - 42,000 RMB
Zhejiang International Studies University 18,000 RMB
Zhejiang Shuren University 19,000 RMB - 25,000 RMB
Communication University of Zhejiang 12,000 RMB
Zhejiang Sci-Tech University 15,000 RMB - 22,000 RMB 25,000 RMB
Zhejiang University of Science and Technology 15,000 RMB - 25,000 RMB 21,000 RMB - 25,000 RMB
Hangzhou Normal University 18,000 RMB - 25,000 RMB 22,800 RMB - 24,800 RMB
Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University 15,600 RMB - 17,600 RMB 20,000 RMB
Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics 16,000 RMB 18,000 RMB
China Jiliang University 15,000 RMB - 18,000 RMB
Zhejiang Gongshang University 18,000 RMB - 25,000 RMB 25,000 RMB - 30,000 RMB
Hangzhou Dianzi University 18,000 RMB - 20,000 RMB 25,000 RMB - 28,000 RMB
Zhejiang University of Technology 16,200 RMB - 18,800 RMB 22,600 RMB - 24,800 RMB
China Academy of Art 52,000 RMB 60,000 RMB
Zhejiang University 19,800 RMB - 80,000 RMB 22,800 RMB - 36,800 RMB

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Hangzhou

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Hangzhou, check out the Cheap Universities in Hangzhou!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Hangzhou for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Hangzhou, 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 Hangzhou, 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 Hangzhou and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Zhejiang Chinese Medical University

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Zhejiang International Studies University

Bachelor’s degree

Zhejiang Shuren 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 Hangzhou

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Hangzhou have online applications available on their websites, like Zhejiang University and Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Hangzhou.

Zhejiang University

Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics

Zhejiang University of Technology

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 Hangzhou 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 Hangzhou.

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 Hangzhou

If you’re going to study in Hangzhou, 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 Hangzhou, you will need to present the following:

  1. Original passport
  2. Completed application form
  3. Recently taken passport photo
  4. Approved application for Foreign Student Visa
  5. 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:

  1. Submit your application and requirements to the Visa Office of the Consulate General in the place where you reside
  2. 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 Hangzhou. 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!