Masters in China
Those who have a bachelor’s degree are often faced with the decision: career entry or further studies? Many students decide to take on a master’s degree. Almost five percent of all German Bachelor graduates go abroad for their subsequent Master’s degree. One of the many exciting study opportunities around the world is the master’s degree in China.
Reasons for a Masters in China
According to top-engineering-schools, China is particularly interesting as a study country for many due to its immense importance for the global economy. Many countries, including Germany, see China as an important trading partner. China is currently even considered Germany’s most important economic partner. When applying in international companies can therefore benefit be to have already gained international experience in China. Graduates of business courses, for example, may score points with a good knowledge of the Chinese economy. Especially the intercultural skills that were strengthened during the stay in China can be a plus for applicants. After all, the master’s students in China have the opportunity to immerse themselves deeply in the country’s culture and get to know its cultural characteristics.
Another reason for studying for a master’s degree in China: There are excellent universities there. In the QS World University Rankings, for example, several Chinese universities are currently represented in the top 100. You don’t necessarily have to master the Chinese language to study for a master’s degree in China. Although teaching is mainly in the national language at the universities in China, there are also some English-language master’s courses there. Master’s students can also learn the Chinese language alongside their studies and thus expand their foreign language skills.
An overview of the master’s degree in China
The master’s degree in China is called Shuoshi. A master’s degree usually lasts two to three years. However, especially at universities with a very international focus, there are sometimes shorter master’s courses that are normally completed within a year or one and a half years.
In the master’s program in China, students attend courses in which they collect credits. In addition, they have to write a master’s thesis and usually defend it in an oral examination.
Depending on the subject, various master’s degrees are awarded in China. These include:
- Master of Science
- Master of Arts
- Master of Engineering
- Master of Economics
Research-based master’s courses also partly end with the Master by Research. This British model is followed, for example, by some Masters at the Sino-British Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. There are also various job-specific master’s degrees, so-called professional masters. This group includes the Master of Laws (LLM) or the Master of Business Administration (MBA).
A master’s degree in China can not only be obtained at universities, but also at research institutes.
Admission requirements for the Master in China
International students who want to do their master’s degree in China must already have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree. In addition, they must also meet linguistic admission requirements. As a rule, proof of language skills is provided by means of appropriate language tests. Students who would like to complete an English-language master’s degree in China can prove their knowledge of English via the TOEFL or the IELTS, for example. Proof of knowledge of Chinese is required for master’s courses in Chinese. Depending on the course, there may be additional admission requirements for a master’s degree in China.
Costs and Financing
If you want to do a master’s degree in China, you have to pay tuition fees at the universities there. The costs for a master’s degree in China vary depending on the university and field of study. Usually, English-language master’s programs are more expensive than a master’s program in the local language. In addition, the tuition fees for international students are higher than for Chinese students. If you want to do an English-language master’s degree in China, you should expect around RMB 90,000 or more for the entire course, depending on the subject and university.
Financing options for a master’s degree in China
There are comparatively few financing options for a master’s degree in China. Unlike for a semester abroad, you cannot get a BAföG abroad for a complete degree in China. In addition, international students are not allowed to work in China. However, they may be able to receive a scholarship. On the German side, for example, the DAAD awards grants for a master’s degree in China. The Chinese government, more precisely the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC), supports selected international master’s students with scholarships. Some universities in China also offer scholarships. Further financing options areStudent loans and education funds.
Visa and entry requirements for China
International students can only study in China on a student visa. For a master’s degree, you need to apply for the X1 visa, which is intended for study visits to China that last more than 180 days. The visa application must be made through a Chinese Visa Application Service Center.
