International students should find increasing levels of investment in tertiary education to be a compelling reason to study in Mainland China.

In 2012, China reached its target of spending 4 percent of GDP on education, while the number of colleges and universities has doubled in the last decade, now standing at around 2,900. The country’s current five-year plan, which extends to 2020, focuses on modernizing and strengthening its higher education system, with key initiatives such as Project 211, which aims to bring 100 Chinese universities up to a world-class standard, and Project 985, which aims to create an even more elite group of universities.

UNIVERSITIES

Mainland China has 40 institutions ranked in the QS World University Rankings® 2019, including six in the global top 100, with 60 more top universities in China included in the new QS Mainland China Rankings.

With the latest figures showing that nearly 490,000 international students were enrolled in Mainland Chinese universities in 2017 (10 percent more than in 2016), China seems certain of meeting its target of hosting 500,000 foreign students by 2020. Leading sending countries include South Korea, Thailand, Pakistan, the United States, India, Russia, Japan and Indonesia.

1. Tsinghua University

• Ranked 17^th in the world and first in the Mainland China Ranking in 2019, Tsinghua University is in the Chinese capital of Beijing and is a member of the elite C9 League.
• Established in 1911, Tsinghua University now has a community of just over 46,000 students, including nearly 2,700 from outside of China.
• Location: 30 Shuangqing Rd, Haidian, Beijing, China

Looking at the most recent QS World University Rankings by Subject, Tsinghua University performs best for architecture, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and materials sciences. For all three of these subjects, it’s ranked in the top 15 universities in the world.

2. Peking University

• A consistent contender among the top universities in China, Peking University is a prestigious research university belonging to China’s C9 League. Established in 1898 and located in Beijing,
• Peking University admits a high number of international students every year and has maintained a partnership with Germany’s Freie Universität Berlin since 1981. As well as its leading academic offering, Peking University’s campus grounds are loved for their traditional Chinese architecture.
• Loaction:  5 Yiheyuan Rd, Haidian, China, 100871

Peking University is ranked 30^th in the world and second in China and also ranks among the world’s best in many of the 48 subjects covered by the subject rankings, achieving top 20 positions for chemistry, dentistry, modern languages, linguistics, materials sciences and more.

3. Fudan University

• China’s third-best university according to the both the World University Rankings (for which it’s ranked 44^th) and the Mainland China Rankings, Fudan University is spread across four campuses in Shanghai, one of the nation’s largest hubs of finance and trade.
• Another member of the C9 league and also currently ranked seventh in Asia, Fudan University has a current enrollment of just under 32,000 students and is known as one of China’s most selective schools.
• Location: 220 Handan Rd, Wu Jiao Chang, Yangpu, Shanghai, China

Featured among the world’s top universities in 30 subjects in 2018, Fudan University performs best for modern languages, chemistry, business & management, materials sciences and politics, for which it ranks among the top 50 worldwide.

THESE ARE THE CITIES FAMOUS FOR STUDIES

Beijing

• Out of the 40 Chinese institutions featured in the QS World University Rankings 2019, nine are based in Beijing, the Chinese capital. The highest ranked university in Beijing is Tsinghua University (ranked 17^th in the world) which offers a selection of master’s programs in English,
• while Peking University is second (30^th in the world) and aims to increase the number of programs taught in English in order to attract more international students. The university is also accepting more students through the Confucius Institute Scholarship Program, which aims to promote Chinese language and culture around the world.

Shanghai

• Although Shanghai is considered the most expensive Chinese city to live in, this also means it’s where many of the jobs are, which may make it attractive for those hoping to find a part-time job during studies, or full-time employment after graduation.
• The three top universities in Shanghai to feature in this year’s rankings are: Fudan University (ranked 44^th); Shanghai Jiao Tong University (joint 59^th); and Tongji University (291^st). The first two are in the C9 league of elite universities, indicating that China’s ambition of creating something like a US Ivy League is showing results.

Xi’an

• Xi’an is one of the oldest cities in Mainland China, with enough precious relics and historical sites to keep history devotees happy throughout their studies. One of the most famous and impressive sites is the Terracotta Warriors, which were made to be buried with the First Emperor Qin Shihuang, so they could serve him in the afterlife.
• Universities in Xi’an include Xi’an Jiaotong University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Northwest University, and Xian International Studies University, all of which have focused on establishing international relations with other institutions worldwide.

Admission to universities in China

To apply for a place at a university in China, international students can use the centralized CUCAS (China’s University and College Admission System) website, or apply directly to the university. International students can also choose to apply for a Chinese Government Scholarship Program

Chinese visa requirements

After being offered a place at a Chinese university, you’ll need to head to your local Chinese embassy, and apply for a visa appropriate for your length of stay. Chinese visa requirements state that for a stay of six months or more, you will need a study visa (or X1 visa). For less than six months, an X2 visa will do. If you do not receive your admission package in time, you may be able to apply for a tourist visa (L-visa) and convert this to a student visa when you arrive.

When applying for a visa to study in China, you should submit the following documents:

• Application form
• Passport
• Acceptance letter from your chosen university
• Recent photograph
• For X2 applicants only – a JW201 or JW202 form

Source: www.topuniversities.com

Published by: Antika