China hosts numerous world-class universities promoting innovation and research. This creates serious competition among both domestic and international applicants to get into their desired programs at these prestigious universities.

One of the essential requirements for studying an English-taught program in China is to prove the utmost English language skills, and in fact, it can be the cornerstone that determines the successful applicants and eliminates the ones having similar skills with poorer English proficiency. IELTS Academic is a globally recognized English language proficiency exam that can be taken almost anywhere in the world, and most Chinese universities recognize IELTS scores of applicants with their specific band requirements.

This article will provide the IELTS Band requirements of the best universities in China, so get ready to explore further!

Do Universities in China Consider Students Who Have Not Passed the IELTS Exam?

The answer is, most likely, no. English language proficiency score is a mandatory requirement, especially for English-taught programs and for international students coming from non-English countries. However, many Chinese universities consider other accredited English examinations besides IELTS, so students who have not passed the IELTS Academics exam can try other options stated in the desired university’s admission requirements.

However, the chances of enrolling in a study program in China without passing the IELTS exam or other options allowed by the university are pretty low, so it’s best to consider getting a good score in the IELTS exam as your priority before starting your university applications.

Minimum IELTS Band Requirements in Chinese Universities

Each Chinese university or program has its criteria for accepting the IELTS scores, and below we stated the top-class universities in China with their IELTS band requirements.

1. Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Shanghai Jiao Tong University (STJU) is a prominent public university operating since its foundation in 1957. STJU is often ranked one of the world-class universities in many global rankings, including QS World University Rankings with a rank of #46 in 2022, as well as a rank of #43 in Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2024.

STJU is best known for its engineering, computer science, clinical medicine, and economics departments, and there is a wide variety of English-taught programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Hence, having proficient English language skills is a must for getting into STJU, and the minimum IELTS Academic band score for application is 6.0 for most of its programs.

2. Fudan University

Established in 1905, Fudan University is a respected higher education institution in China and was the first university that was founded by a Chinese scholar. There are over 36,000 students at Fudan University, more than 3,500 of whom are international. Some of the prominent programs at Fudan University include mathematics, economy, chemistry, biotechnology, nanoscience, and more.

Fudan University offers three undergraduate and 43 graduate programs taught in English, and thus, applicants must provide their English language proficiency by obtaining a minimum score of band 6.5 in IELTS Academic. However, some programs at Fudan University may require band 7 or higher, such as the doctoral program in International Politics.

3. Tsinghua University

Located in the middle of the former imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty in Beijing, Tsinghua University is one of the most historic and prestigious universities in China with global recognition. Tsinghua University is considered number one in China and among the top three in Asia in almost every university ranking. Devoted to science and research, Tsinghua University’s prominent departments include engineering, computer science, materials science, and chemistry.

Tsinghua University offers a wide range of courses in various degree levels, and there are 32 graduate courses taught in English. Admissions to degree programs at Tsinghua University, therefore, is highly competitive, and non-native English speaker applicants must prove their English language proficiency by obtaining a minimum score of band 6.5 in IELTS Academic.

4. Zhejiang University

Founded in 1928, Zhejiang University is a respected university and is ranked as one of the best in China. Located in Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, Zhejiang University has 60,739 students enrolled, including 5,596 international students representing 140 countries.

Zhejiang University offers ten bachelor’s and two master’s programs taught entirely in English, and the English language proficiency requirements depend on the type of program or department. For instance, although a bachelor’s in Clinical Medicine requires band 6.0 in IELTS for entry, a master’s in Chinese Economy demands band 6.5 for admissions.

5. Nanjing University

Nanjing University, also known as Nankin University, is one of the oldest and most well-established universities in China, with its foundation in 1902. Nanjing University has two main campuses named Xianlin and Gulou, offering 140 undergraduate and 300 graduate programs in total.

Nanjing University has 1,396 international students, and the university offers three bachelor’s programs, three master’s programs, and one doctoral program taught in English. To be enrolled in English-taught programs, students must provide their English language proficiency by obtaining a minimum score of band 5.5 or above in IELTS Academic.

 

Studying in China will be an extraordinary and beneficial experience for your future academic and career life. However, it’s of great importance to be well aware of the program requirements and make sure you meet the prerequisites, including the English language level. Now that you know about the best Chinese universities and their IELTS band requirements, study for IELTS Academic today and improve your English language skills. Keep in mind that higher IELTS scores can be your advantage in admissions, so set your priority by targeting higher bands you can achieve.

 

We hope that this article on IELTS Band requirements in universities in China was helpful.  You can check out this English Language Proficiency Exam Page to learn more about IELTS requirements and how to improve your score. If you are interested in studying in China, this Study in China Page and the Open Courses in China for International Students will help you explore your study options and find opportunities to support your educational journey. 

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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