Cost of Studying in China 2026: Tuition, Living & Hidden Fees

Published on February 22, 2026 | By Foorsa Team

One of the biggest advantages of studying in China is affordability. Compared to Western countries, Chinese universities offer world-class education at a fraction of the cost. But what exactly does it cost to study in China? This comprehensive guide breaks down all expenses—from tuition to hidden fees—so Moroccan students can budget accurately for their education abroad.

Tuition Fees in China 2026

Tuition fees vary significantly based on the university ranking, program level, and field of study.

Bachelor's Degree Programs

Arts & Humanities: $2,500 - $4,500/year
Business & Economics: $3,000 - $5,500/year
Science & Engineering: $3,500 - $6,000/year
Medicine (MBBS): $4,500 - $8,000/year
Architecture: $4,000 - $7,000/year

Total 4-year Bachelor's: $10,000 - $32,000

Master's Degree Programs

Arts & Humanities: $3,000 - $5,000/year
Business (MBA): $5,000 - $12,000/year
Science & Engineering: $3,500 - $6,500/year
Medicine: $5,000 - $8,000/year

Total 2-3 year Master's: $6,000 - $36,000

PhD Programs

Most Fields: $3,500 - $5,500/year
Medicine & Lab Sciences: $4,000 - $7,000/year

Total 3-4 year PhD: $10,500 - $28,000

University Tier Differences

Top Tier (Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan): 20-30% higher than average
Mid Tier (Most provincial capitals): Average range
Lower Tier (Smaller cities): 15-25% below average

For detailed program costs, visit our fees page.

Living Expenses in China

Accommodation Costs

On-Campus Dormitories (Most Common)

Beijing/Shanghai: $800 - $1,800/year
Other Major Cities: $600 - $1,200/year
Smaller Cities: $400 - $800/year

Dormitories typically include: bed, desk, wardrobe, internet, utilities (sometimes), shared bathroom.

Off-Campus Apartments

Beijing/Shanghai (shared): $250 - $400/month
Beijing/Shanghai (studio): $500 - $800/month
Other Cities (shared): $150 - $300/month
Other Cities (studio): $300 - $500/month

💡 Tip: On-campus dormitories are the most economical option and recommended for first-year students. They also make it easier to integrate into campus life.

Food Expenses

Campus Canteens (Cheapest Option)

Breakfast: $0.70 - $1.50
Lunch: $1.50 - $3.00
Dinner: $2.00 - $3.50
Monthly Cost: $120 - $200

Outside Restaurants

Local restaurants: $3 - $7/meal
Western/International food: $7 - $15/meal
Monthly Cost: $250 - $400

Cooking at Home

Groceries: $80 - $150/month
Most economical if you have kitchen access

Transportation

Within City

Bicycle: Free (bike-sharing: $0.15-0.30/hour)
Bus: $0.15 - $0.40 per ride
Metro: $0.30 - $1.50 per ride
Student Monthly Pass: $15 - $30
Taxi (occasional): $3 - $8 per ride

Average Monthly Transport: $20 - $50

Long-Distance Travel

Domestic Flights: $50 - $200
High-Speed Train: $30 - $150
Regular Train: $15 - $80

Books & Study Materials

Textbooks: $150 - $400/year
Stationery: $30 - $60/year
Printing/Photocopying: $20 - $50/year
Total: $200 - $500/year

Health Insurance (Mandatory)

University Insurance: $100 - $150/year (mandatory for all international students)
Additional private insurance: Optional, $200 - $500/year

Personal Expenses

Phone/Internet: $10 - $20/month
Clothing & Personal Care: $30 - $80/month
Entertainment: $20 - $100/month
Gym Membership: $15 - $40/month (optional)

Total Personal: $75 - $240/month

Total Living Cost Summary by City

Beijing / Shanghai (Tier 1 Cities)

Accommodation: $800 - $1,800/year
Food: $120 - $250/month
Transport: $30 - $60/month
Personal: $75 - $150/month
Monthly Total: $300 - $550
Annual Total: $3,600 - $6,600

Hangzhou / Nanjing / Wuhan (Tier 2 Cities)

Accommodation: $600 - $1,200/year
Food: $100 - $200/month
Transport: $20 - $40/month
Personal: $60 - $120/month
Monthly Total: $230 - $420
Annual Total: $2,800 - $5,000

Smaller Cities (Tier 3)

Accommodation: $400 - $800/year
Food: $80 - $150/month
Transport: $15 - $30/month
Personal: $50 - $100/month
Monthly Total: $180 - $320
Annual Total: $2,200 - $3,800

Hidden & One-Time Costs

Before Departure (Morocco)

Passport: 300 MAD (~$30)
Visa Application Fee (X1): 600 MAD (~$60)
Physical Examination: 500-800 MAD (~$50-80)
Document Translation & Notarization: 500-1,500 MAD (~$50-150)
Flight Ticket (Casablanca-Beijing): $500 - $900
Total Pre-Departure: $700 - $1,300

Arrival Costs (China)

Residence Permit: $150 - $200 (first year)
Bedding & Initial Supplies: $50 - $150
Deposit (if renting off-campus): 1-2 months rent
SIM Card & Initial Top-up: $15 - $30
Total Arrival: $250 - $500

Annual Renewal Costs

Residence Permit Renewal: $150 - $200/year
Health Insurance Renewal: $100 - $150/year
Visa Extension (if needed): $50 - $100

Total Cost Breakdown Examples

Example 1: Engineering Bachelor in Beijing (4 years)

Tuition: $5,000/year × 4 = $20,000
Living: $4,500/year × 4 = $18,000
Pre-departure & Arrival: $1,500
Annual Renewals: $250 × 4 = $1,000
TOTAL 4-YEAR INVESTMENT: $40,500

Example 2: Medicine (MBBS) in Wuhan (6 years)

Tuition: $5,500/year × 6 = $33,000
Living: $3,500/year × 6 = $21,000
Pre-departure & Arrival: $1,200
Annual Renewals: $250 × 6 = $1,500
TOTAL 6-YEAR INVESTMENT: $56,700

Example 3: MBA in Shanghai (2 years)

Tuition: $10,000/year × 2 = $20,000
Living: $5,500/year × 2 = $11,000
Pre-departure & Arrival: $1,500
Annual Renewals: $250 × 2 = $500
TOTAL 2-YEAR INVESTMENT: $33,000

Scholarship Opportunities

The best way to reduce costs is through scholarships. The CSC Scholarship offers:

Full Scholarship (Type A)

100% tuition coverage
Free on-campus accommodation
Monthly stipend: 2,500-3,500 RMB ($350-500)
Comprehensive health insurance
Out-of-pocket cost: ~$2,000-3,000/year (personal expenses only)

Partial Scholarship (Type B)

Covers 1-2 items (usually tuition + accommodation)
Reduces total cost by 50-70%

Most universities also offer their own scholarships (25-75% tuition waiver). Combining university and CSC scholarships can fully cover your education!

Money-Saving Tips for Students

1. Live On-Campus First Year

Dormitories are the most economical option and help you adjust to Chinese life.

2. Eat at Campus Canteens

University canteens offer subsidized meals—delicious and cheap!

3. Use Student Discounts

Your student ID gives discounts on transport, museums, attractions, and some restaurants.

4. Share Accommodation (Later Years)

If moving off-campus, share an apartment with roommates to split costs.

5. Use Public Transport

Bikes and public transport are extremely affordable in China. Avoid taxis.

6. Buy Used Textbooks

Senior students often sell textbooks at 50-70% off. University forums and WeChat groups are great sources.

7. Cook Occasionally

Even cooking 2-3 times per week saves money over time.

8. Avoid Peak Travel Times

Travel during off-peak seasons for cheaper flights and trains.

9. Part-Time Work (Limited)

While off-campus work is restricted, some universities allow on-campus tutoring or administrative work.

10. Apply for Multiple Scholarships

Don't rely on just one scholarship. Apply to CSC, university scholarships, and provincial government scholarships simultaneously.

Comparing China to Other Study Destinations

Country	4-Year Bachelor Total Cost
China	$18,000 - $45,000
USA	$100,000 - $250,000
UK	$80,000 - $180,000
Canada	$70,000 - $150,000
France	$30,000 - $80,000
Germany	$20,000 - $60,000

China offers comparable or superior education quality at 50-70% lower costs than Western countries.

Financial Planning Checklist

Before Applying

☐ Calculate total budget (tuition + living × years)
☐ Research scholarship opportunities
☐ Plan pre-departure expenses ($700-1,300)
☐ Check exchange rates (USD vs RMB vs MAD)

After Admission

☐ Confirm scholarship coverage (if awarded)
☐ Arrange first-year tuition payment
☐ Budget for arrival costs ($250-500)
☐ Set up monthly living budget

In China

☐ Open Chinese bank account
☐ Set up Alipay/WeChat Pay
☐ Track monthly expenses
☐ Prepare for annual renewals ($250-350)

How Foorsa Can Help

At Foorsa, we understand that financial planning is crucial. We help Moroccan students:

Create realistic budgets based on your chosen university and city
Maximize scholarship opportunities
Understand payment processes and currency exchange
Plan for hidden costs
Connect you with current Moroccan students in China for real insights
Provide ongoing financial advice throughout your studies

Check our services and fees to see how we can help.

Conclusion

Studying in China is remarkably affordable compared to Western alternatives, with total costs ranging from $18,000 to $60,000 for a complete degree—often 50-70% cheaper than the USA, UK, or Canada. With scholarships, costs can drop even further, sometimes covering nearly everything.

The key is proper planning: research your university and city, apply for scholarships early, budget for both visible and hidden costs, and adopt smart spending habits once in China.

Your dream of international education is more affordable than you think. Let Foorsa guide you to the right university with the right scholarship package.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Let Foorsa help you plan your budget and secure scholarships to make studying in China affordable.

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