How to Apply to Chinese Universities in 2027: 7 Steps
Published on February 22, 2026 · Updated on November 8, 2026 | By Foorsa Team
Seven steps take you from choosing a programme to your first class in September 2027. The 2027/2028 Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) cycle has been open since late October 2026, and undergraduate files now need CSCA scores.
The 7 steps, with 2027 dates
- Choose your programme and route: now to December 2026. English- or Chinese-taught, self-funded or scholarship. CSC has two routes: Type A (through the Chinese embassy or government channel of your country) and Type B (directly to a CSC-designated university). Shortlist 3–5 universities: one reach, two or three mid-tier, one safe. Compare universities, majors and the scholarship finder.
- Book the CSCA (undergraduates): 19–20 Dec 2026, 23–24 Jan, 13–14 Mar, 24–25 Apr or 26–27 Jun 2027. Every CSC university has required it from undergraduate applicants since the 2026 intake, scholarship or not. Mathematics for everyone; Physics or Chemistry for science, engineering and medicine; Professional Chinese for Chinese-taught programmes and all scholarship applicants. Register on csca.cn. Results take up to 10 working days: for a February or March deadline, sit the December or January session. Free timed mock exam: csca.help/exam.
- Build your file: December 2026 to January 2027. Use the checklist below. Start with the translations.
- Apply online before your route's deadline (the 2027 examples fall in February and March). Scholarship: www.campuschina.org (CGSIS). Examples: 14 Feb 2027 (Chinese embassy in Indonesia, Type A) and 20 Mar 2027 (Nankai University, Type B). Each embassy and university sets its own date: check yours. Type B: also use the university's own portal when it has one. Self-funded: the university's portal.
- Answer requests: spring 2027. Universities may ask for an extra document or an interview. Check your e-mail, spam folder included, every week.
- Receive your admission. Self-funded answers usually take 4–8 weeks; CSC results usually come in summer 2027. You get the admission letter and the JW201 or JW202 form (originals): both go into your visa file.
- Get the X1 visa and fly: July–August 2027. Apply about one month before departure. Fill in the form and upload your documents at consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA; after online pre-approval, deposit your passport and give fingerprints at the consular service in Rabat (24 avenue Balafrej, Souissi). Processing ≈ 4 working days (express ≈ 3, +300 MAD). Classes start in September; apply for your residence permit within 30 days of arrival. Foorsa's arrival package covers the flight from Casablanca and the airport pick-up to your university in Harbin, Nanjing, Qingdao, Tianjin or Jinan. Full guide: China student visa from Morocco.
The document checklist (nothing more)
| Document | Who needs it, and what to prepare |
|---|---|
| Passport (photo page scan) | Everyone. At least 6 months' validity and blank pages for the X1 visa |
| Photo | Everyone. White background, face centred. Visa format: head 28–33 mm high, 15–22 mm wide, no tinted glasses |
| Highest diploma (Bac or degree) | Everyone. Notarized copy, translated into English or Chinese by a certified translator |
| Transcripts | Everyone. All years, notarized and translated |
| Study plan / personal statement | Everyone. 800–1,000 words; name the university and the programme |
| CSCA Score Report | Undergraduates at CSC universities. Appendix of the 2027/2028 CSC application; scores valid 2 years |
| Language certificate | Depends on the teaching language. English-taught: IELTS 5.5 (bachelor's), 6.0 (master's), 6.5 (PhD) at most universities. Chinese-taught: HSK 4 (bachelor's), HSK 5 (master's, PhD) |
| Foreigner Physical Examination Form | Everyone; X1 visa where required. Done at a clinic; valid 6 months |
| Police clearance (no criminal record) | Everyone. Notarized and translated |
| Bank statement | Self-funded students. Proof you can pay tuition and living costs |
| 2 recommendation letters | Master's and PhD. From professors, on letterhead |
| Research proposal | PhD. 1,500–2,000 words |
| Admission letter + JW201/JW202 (originals) | After admission. For the X1 visa |
Admission conditions by level
| Level | What you need |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | Grades: Bac average: 14/20 (70%) at most universities; 12–15/20 across the range Language: HSK 4 or IELTS 5.5, plus the CSCA CSC age limit: under 25 |
| Master's | Grades: Bachelor's degree: 15/20 (75%) at most; 13–16/20 across the range Language: HSK 5 or IELTS 6.0 CSC age limit: under 35 |
| PhD | Grades: Master's degree: 16/20 (80%) at most; 14–16/20 across the range Language: HSK 5 or IELTS 6.5 CSC age limit: under 40 |
Grades and language: Foorsa's data on 149 Chinese universities. Age: CSC eligibility rules. Good health and a clean record are required at every level. No HSK yet? A Chinese language foundation year takes most beginners to HSK 4.
What applying costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| University application fee | 0–150 USD (≈ 0–1,400 MAD) per university; often waived for scholarship applicants |
| CSCA | ¥450 for one subject, ¥700 for two or more (≈ 650 / 1,000 MAD) |
| Notarized translations | 1,000–2,000 MAD |
| Medical examination | 500–800 MAD |
| X1 visa | 0 MAD until 31 December 2026 (fee reduction for Moroccan passports); check the embassy for the 2027 fee. Express: +300 MAD |
| Flight to China (one way) | 6,000–12,000 MAD |
Tuition and monthly costs by city: fees and cost of living in China.
3 mistakes that sink a file (and the fix)
- Missing your route's deadline. Type A and Type B close on different dates (14 Feb vs 20 Mar 2027 in the examples above). Fix: write your deadline down the day you pick your route.
- A generic study plan. The same text sent to five universities reads like it. Fix: name the university, the programme and what you will do with it.
- Unreadable scans. Blurry or oversized files get sent back. Fix: clean PDFs, usually under 2 MB each.
The visa form costs nothing: fill it in yourself at consular.mfa.gov.cn.
Applying for September 2027?
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