How Much Does It Cost to Study at a University in China?
If you’re thinking about studying in China, one of the biggest things to figure out is how much it’s all going to cost. This guide covers everything—from tuition fees to living expenses—so you know exactly what to expect.

Tuition Fees
Studying in China is much cheaper than in the UK or US, though still pricier than some European countries. Depending on the university and program, annual tuition ranges from 11,480 to 20,880 yuan (£1,320–£2,400). However, degrees in medicine, engineering, and business cost more—averaging 159,300 to 331,885 yuan (£18,319–£38,166) per year.
You can also study at international branch campuses in China, like the University of Nottingham, Leicester, or Lancaster. These programs charge 53,100 to 99,565 yuan (£6,100–£11,449) annually, with bachelor’s degrees averaging 79,650 yuan (£9,160) and master’s degrees around 89,610 yuan (£10,300) per year.
Most Chinese universities charge an application fee between 597 and 995 yuan (£69–£114), though it rarely exceeds 1,327 yuan (£150). Medicine and surgery programs usually have the highest application fees. Top-ranked universities, like Peking University, charge around 1,128 yuan (£129) just to apply.
At Peking University, annual tuition is 23,230 yuan (£2,670), so a four-year degree totals 92,927 yuan (£10,686). Meanwhile, Nanjing Tech University is one of the most affordable, with yearly tuition at 25,130 yuan (£2,866), adding up to 100,524 yuan (£11,464) after four years.
Accommodation Costs
Housing options in China include:
- Student dorms: 995–2,655 yuan (£114–£760) per month
- Renting an apartment: 1,660–6,637 yuan (£190–£763) for a one-bedroom
- Homestays: 2,320–3,650 yuan (£267–£420) per month (often includes meals)
- Hostels: Around 119 yuan (£14) per night (short-term only)
Most students share dorms or apartments, paying 1,990–3,053 yuan (£229–£351) as a security deposit and roughly 331 yuan (£38) monthly for utilities. A one-bedroom apartment in a city averages 3,520 yuan (£335–£419) per month.
While Beijing and Shanghai are pricey, cities like Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Tianjin offer much lower rents.
Other Essential Costs
- Medical exam: Required for stays over six months (arrange before leaving home).
- Student visa (X-Visa): £74 (for stays longer than six months).
- Business visa (F-Visa): £47 (for shorter stays).
- Books & materials: 200–330 yuan (£22–£38) per semester (or 400–665 yuan/year). Science, medicine, and art students will pay more.
- Internet: 96 yuan (£11) per month (shared).
- Mobile plan: 100 yuan (£11) monthly.
- Transport:
- Metro: 3.32 yuan (£0.38) per ride
- Bus: 1.99 yuan (£0.23)
- Monthly student pass: 99 yuan (£11)
- Taxi: 26 yuan (£3) for a 20-minute ride
- Petrol: 6.15 yuan (£0.71) per litre
A Peking University student spends roughly 38,233 yuan (£4,395) in their first year (including fees, tuition, and living costs). Over four years, that totals 152,932 yuan (£17,400).
Lifestyle Expenses
- Meal at a restaurant: 20 yuan (£2.30)
- Beer: 6 yuan (£0.69)
- Bottle of wine: 80 yuan (£9.20)
- Cinema ticket: 50 yuan (£5.75)
- Gym membership: 253 yuan (£29) monthly
- Big Mac: 19.80 yuan (£2.28)
- Weekly groceries: 330 yuan (£38)
- Monthly groceries: 1,327 yuan (£152)
- Fresh produce (local markets): 13 yuan (£1.49) for a large bag
International supermarkets like Walmart, Carrefour, Auchan, and Metro are widely available.
Financial Support & Scholarships
China offers several scholarships for international students, including:
- Chinese Government Scholarship Programmes (EU & non-EU students)
- Study in Asia Scholarship Scheme
- China/AUN Scholarships (for ASEAN students)
Other funding options include:
- British Council China Scholarships
- Critical Language Scholarship Program
- China Scholarship Council
An International Student Identity Card can get you discounts at museums, shops, cafes, and even on some domestic flights.