Higher education is provided by institutions of various types including general universities (Human and Natural Sciences, Social Sciences), technical universities, specialized institutions (Medicine, Agriculture, Foreign Languages, etc.) and teacher-training colleges. Postgraduate schools, formed in 4-year colleges, universities and national scientific research institutions with the authorization of the Ministry of Education, are responsible for the management and organization of postgraduate education.

University Level Studies:

University level first stage: Undergraduate:
The Chinese higher education system comprises 4-year undergraduate programmes in universities, specialized institutes and academies, which lead to a Bachelor's Degree (Xueshi), while studies at medical colleges and some polytechnical institutes require 5 years.

University level second stage: Postgraduate:
Students can obtain a Master's Degree (Shuoshi) after three years of successful study following the Bachelor's degree, research and the submission of a thesis. Students are required to study courses in the first half of the study term. They can only enter the dissertation preparation stage if they have completed all required courses and obtained the required minimum of credits.

University level third stage: Doctorate:
Doctoral degree (Boshi) requirements can be completed in a minimum of three years following the Master's degree. Students must have been recommended by at least two associate professors or professors who are specialists in the field. A dissertation must be presented which must prove that the candidate possesses the ability to undertake independent research and has made a significant contribution to the field. Honorary Doctor's degree is conferred by a college or university with the approval of the Degree Committee of the State Council to outstanding scholars.

Chinese Higher education is provided by institutions of various types including general universities (Human and Natural Sciences, Social Sciences), technical universities, specialized institutions (Medicine, Agriculture, Foreign Languages, etc.) and teacher-training colleges. According to Ministry of Education, by 2002, China has 2003 HEIs (Higher Education Institutions), among which 1396 were Regular HEIs and the other 607 were higher education institutions for adults. The number of universities empowered to train postgraduates is 728.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for international (English) programs are usually a higher than the regular tuition fees, as well as tuition for international students. Some universities also charge optional additional fees for library cards or use of internet facilities.
Although tuition varies per university and program, a rough indication can be given. Regarding regular undergraduate and graduate programs, Science programs are more expensive than Humanities programs. Fine Arts programs are often even more expensive than Science programs. Most expensive are the international programs, especially IMBA.
Language programs vary, of course, also between short term and long term programs.

Undergraduate programs usually vary from (annual tuition):

RMB 18500-26000 for Humanities
RMB 23000-23000 for Science
RMB 35000-37000 for Fine Arts

Graduate programs vary from:

Masters Degree:
RMB 30000-31000 RMB
RMB 3700 in Fine Arts

PhD:
RMB 30000-35000 in Humanities
RMB 32000-40000 in Science

Language program
short term per semester: RMB 8000-9000 \
(Most universities offer even shorter programs than 1 semester, starting at 2 weeks. Tuition fee varies very much)
long term, annual fee: RMB 11700-19000

Most universities also ask for a registration fee. This is usually between RMB400-500, (approx. EUR40-50) This fee is non-refundable.

Sino-Dutch Educational Cooperation

In February 2001 Mr. L.M.L.H.A.Hermans, Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands has paid an official visit to China, meeting the his Chinese counterpart Mme Chen Zhili. The main content of the meeting’s summary was the establishment of the DELTA Scholarship Programme and of Strategic Scientific Alliances. The first enables a group of students from foreign nationalities to study in the Netherlands, in the latter, Chinese research institutes are coordinated to participate in the program. Nowadays the total amount of Chinese students studying in the Netherlands is now adding up to 8000. Apart from China’s economic growth and the upcoming Olympic Games, China has also been drawing the attention when it comes to education. In May this year, the Vice-Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, Mr. Marc Rutte paid an official visit to China, followed by Minister herself, Mrs. Maria van der Hoeve, who came to China not even a month later. The fruitful results of these visits include a mutual understanding thanks to which the diplomas of secondary education in both countries now are mutually recognised. This will facilitate the option of following a higher education in China or the Netherlands for Dutch or Chinese students respectively. Many Chinese and Dutch institutions have close ties and exchange both students and scientists.