StudyChina NavigatorOpen interactive directory →
Home › Guides › Budget

Tuition & Total Budget to Study in China

What you actually pay in 2026 — and what a scholarship removes.

Tuition by degree (indicative, per year)

Undergraduate
~¥14,000 to 40,000 ($2,000 to 5,500).
Master's
~¥18,000 to 45,000 ($2,500 to 6,200).
PhD
~¥20,000 to 50,000 ($2,800 to 7,000).
MBBS (English-taught)
~¥25,000 to 60,000 ($3,500 to 8,300). See the MBBS guide.

English-taught and clinical programs sit at the higher end.

Total annual budget (self-funded)

Adding living costs, a self-funded student typically needs about $5,000 to $12,000 per year all-in, depending on city and lifestyle. That is a fraction of studying in the US, UK or Australia.

What a full CSC scholarship covers

Net cost for a CSC scholar is close to zero, and the stipend covers daily living. See all scholarships and the CSC guide.

Plan your funding

Compare living costs in the cost-of-living guide, then shortlist schools and scholarships that fit your budget.

Browse scholarships →
Applying this cycle? Get the free CSC deadline tracker + checklist →