Cost of studying and living in China
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
What makes up the budget
A student's budget in China has four main components: tuition, housing, day-to-day expenses (food, transport, phone/internet), and one-time startup costs — visa, medical exam, flights, initial purchases when settling in. The range within each category is wide and comes down mainly to two factors: the city (Beijing and Shanghai are noticeably pricier than regional cities) and whether you're on a grant that covers part of the cost or fully self-funded.
Tuition
Tuition depends on the university, the program, and whether it's taught in English or Chinese — English-taught bachelor's and master's programs are on average pricier than Chinese-taught ones. Top C9 League universities tend to cost more than regional schools, but it's also the top schools where strong scholarship programs covering that gap are most common. Always check the exact tuition for a specific program on the university's official site — it's revised periodically.
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Housing
Most universities have their own dormitories for international students — the most affordable and lowest-risk option, especially in year one. Rooms are typically single or double occupancy with basic furniture; more comfortable options cost more. Renting off-campus is a cost comparable to housing in any major city, and that route is usually chosen by more experienced students, not first-years.
Day-to-day expenses
Food at university canteens is one of the most affordable line items in China — a meal there typically costs a fraction of what you'd pay at a city restaurant. Public transport in Chinese cities is well developed and cheap — subways and buses cover nearly the whole city. Phone and internet plans are also relatively affordable compared to many countries. Altogether, day-to-day expenses for a student living in the dorm and eating mostly on campus tend to run noticeably lower than the equivalent in Europe.
How to plan your budget ahead of time
Before filing your application, add up all four cost categories for your specific university and city — rather than relying on averaged figures from the internet that may not reflect your actual situation. It's also worth checking whether the grant you're applying for covers housing and a stipend, or just tuition — that directly determines how much money you'll need on hand for year one.
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