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Entry conditions for an English-taught MBBS in China: Articles 20 to 22 of the standard

Sources checked · Unofficial summary

The national entry conditions for an English-taught undergraduate clinical medicine (MBBS) programme in mainland China are set out in Articles 20 to 22 of the 2007 Interim Provisions on Quality Control Standards for Undergraduate Medical Education in English for International Students, with Article 12 of Order No. 42 of 2017 and the minimum-education paragraph of the 2018 Quality Standards. These provisions, issued by China's Ministry of Education, state a national floor; each school may publish its own additional conditions in its prospectus. this register's section page collects the admission, fee and study points for the listed schools.

Article 20: conditions for applicants

Article 20 of the 2007 Interim Provisions (annex 1 to 教外来〔2007〕39号, issued by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China) states the conditions for a foreign citizen who applies to study undergraduate medical education in China in English. The applicant shall:

  • have education at or above senior secondary graduation;
  • have good results;
  • be in good health;
  • have relatively strong English language ability;
  • if the applicant comes from a non-English-speaking country, must provide proof of whole-course primary and secondary schooling in English, or proof of an English ability examination; and
  • must undertake that, during study in China, the applicant will obey China's constitution and laws and the school's rules and regulations.

The English wording in this article is this site's translation of the Chinese text of the provisions.

Article 21: financial guarantee and insurance

Article 21 of the same 2007 provisions states that an applicant for study in China shall have a reliable financial guarantee and a guarantor for affairs in China, and must undertake to buy medical insurance for the study period as the school requires.

Article 22: review, examination and the admission documents

Article 22 of the same 2007 provisions states that admission work shall strictly apply the admission conditions, and the school shall carry out entry-qualification review, an examination or an assessment of the applicant, to ensure the quality of incoming students, and shall complete the approval formalities as required. An applicant who qualifies is admitted, and the school's international-student office sends the Admission Notice and the JW202 form (Application Form for Visa for Foreign Students to Study in China) to the student.

Article 12 of Order No. 42 (2017): review and the school's decision

Article 12 of the Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42 of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, signed 20 March 2017 and in force from 1 July 2017) states that a higher education institution shall review the entry qualification and the financial-guarantee proof of a foreign citizen who applies, and shall examine or assess the applicant. The admission of an international student is decided by the school; a school may not admit a person who does not meet the admission conditions.

2018 Quality Standards: minimum education for undergraduate entry

Section 1.1 of the Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial), issued by the Ministry of Education in notice 教外〔2018〕50号 on 3 September 2018, sets the minimum education requirement for entry. For undergraduate admission, the requirement is senior secondary graduation or an equivalent qualification, referencing successful completion of ISCED 2011 level 3 or 4 leading to higher education. The standards are trial standards and are addressed to higher education institutions.

Questions people ask

What education level is required for an English-taught MBBS in China?

Article 20 of the 2007 provisions requires education at or above senior secondary graduation. Section 1.1 of the 2018 Quality Standards sets the undergraduate minimum education requirement as senior secondary graduation or an equivalent qualification, referencing successful completion of ISCED 2011 level 3 or 4 leading to higher education.

Do applicants from non-English-speaking countries need to prove English ability?

Article 20 of the 2007 provisions states that an applicant from a non-English-speaking country must provide proof of whole-course primary and secondary schooling in English, or proof of an English ability examination.

Who decides whether an international student is admitted?

Article 12 of Order No. 42 states that the admission of an international student is decided by the school, and a school may not admit a person who does not meet the admission conditions. Article 22 of the 2007 provisions states that an applicant who qualifies is admitted and the school sends the Admission Notice and the JW202 form.

Is medical insurance required during study?

Article 21 of the 2007 provisions states that an applicant must undertake to buy medical insurance for the study period as the school requires.

Sources

Checked 11 October 2026.

This page is an unofficial summary and is not legal, medical or professional-licensing advice; it is not published by the bodies named above, promises no admission, examination or registration outcome, and the official text and the regulator's own instructions prevail if they differ.

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