Earning a doctoral degree from a Chinese university is a prestigious honor. This article enlists the various PhD programs offered in China.

PhD in China

Over the least few years, the number of international students entering China for higher education has increased tremendously. This, in turn, has directly raised the educational standards of China to an extremely higher level, where excellence and precision are what students are striving for. Being one of the strongest economies of the world, China has indulged itself in almost all industries and fields possible, emerging as a budding leader. The distinctive teaching and training methods offered by the universities in China are in sync with the academic standards of other world leading institutions. Pursuing a degree course from China blends together leadership, creativity, and innovation with perfection, whether it is an undergraduate program, postgraduate course, or even a doctoral degree. With a commitment of ruling the industry, universities here impart knowledge and skills through thought-provoking opinion and pioneering thinking. The prestigious PhD degree offered by Chinese institutions present a range of better career opportunities in all sectors of the industry. So, here’s presenting you the different study courses that can be taken up for a PhD program and the process of applying to a reputable Chinese university.
 
Degree Recognition
A doctoral degree from any university in China enjoys recognition and accreditation across the world and by all leading organizations. Earning this high-status degree declares the student to be an expert of the subject in which he has specialized.
 
Degree Structure
After successfully completing graduate studies and obtaining a Master’s degree, students are permitted to take up doctoral programs and earn a PhD degree. In accordance with China’s education system and education plan for Chinese doctoral students, it requires a minimum of three years to meet the requirements of qualifying for receiving the doctoral degree. After the students fulfill the qualifications, which include attending classroom lectures, passing examinations, finishing a doctoral graduation paper, and submitting a thesis under the guidance of a tutor or professor, they become eligible to be conferred upon with the highest degree of education - PhD. While the minimum length of completing a PhD program is three years, the upper limit is five years, thereby making it possible for most students to become a doctorate well in time and start looking for jobs and careers in respective markets.
 
Academic Calendar
The academic calendar of Chinese universities is organized into two semesters - Fall and Spring. While the Fall semester runs from mid-September to January or early February, the Spring semester begins in February or early March until mid-July. However, some schools admitting international students postpone their start date to end of September or mid-October, especially for courses like MBBS or engineering, taught in English.
 
Subjects for Doctoral Degree
Basic Medicine; Clinical Medicine; Stomatology; Public Health and Preventive Medicine; Chinese Medicine; Chinese and Western Integrative Medicine; Pharmaceutical Science; Science of Chinese Pharmacology; Management Science and Engineering; Science of Business Administration; Agricultural and Forestry Economics & Management; Science of Public Management; Science of Library, Information and Archival; Theoretical Economics; Applied Economics; Mechanics; Mechanical Engineering; Optical Engineering; Instrument Science and Technology; Materials Science and Engineering; Metallurgical Engineering; Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics; Electrical Engineering; Electronics Science and Technology; Information and Communication Engineering; Control Science and Engineering; Computer Science and Technology; Architecture; Civil Engineering; Hydraulic Engineering; Surveying and Mapping; Chemical Engineering and Technology; Geological Resources and Geological Engineering; Mineral Engineering; Oil and Natural Gas Engineering; Textile Science and Engineering; The Light Industry Technology and Engineering; Communication and Transportation Engineering; Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering; Aeronautical and Astronautical Science and Technology; Armament Science and Technology; Nuclear Science and Technology; Agricultural Engineering; Forestry Engineering; Environmental Science and Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Food Science and Engineering; Philosophy; Science of Law; Political Science; Sociology; Ethnology; Marxist Theory; Education Science; Psychology; Science of Physical Culture and Sports; Chinese Literature; Foreign Languages and Literatures; Journalism and Communication; Art; History; Mathematics; Physics; Chemistry; Astronomy; Geography; Atmospheric Sciences; Marine Sciences; Geophysics; Geology; Biology; Systems Science; History of Science and Technology; Crop Science; Horticulture; Utilization Science of Agricultural Resources; Plant Protection; Animal Science; Veterinary Medicine; Forestry; Fisheries Science
 
Admissions Requirements
 
  • Candidates must be at least 18 years of age and not above 40 years.
  • Candidates applying for a doctoral program should own a master’s degree, or the equivalent that meets the requirements as per the university.
  • Applicants with a bachelor’s degree can apply for a PhD program in subjects of sciences or continuous program which includes postgraduate and doctoral studies.
  • Original documents or certified copies of graduation certificates should be submitted, either in English or Chinese.
  • Official transcripts of the academic qualifications from the most recent school or college, stating the courses taken and standard achieved, should be provided. You can submit either original documents or certified copies in English or Chinese.
  • A detailed résumé or personal statement, in about 500-1000 words, should also be included in the application documents. Personal qualities, interests, educational background, purpose of choosing China as a study destination, and future academic and career plans must be clearly indicated. Also discuss your field of research and study plan in the résumé.
  • At least two letters of recommendation from referees, which can be professors or persons with relevant academic title, are essential. At least one of the referees should possess knowledge of your recent academic work. Original documents of these letters should be provided, either in English or Chinese.
  • A copy of your proficiency in Chinese language should be provided by submitting your HSK test score. A level 6 or above is required for science subjects, while a level of 8 or above is mandatory for subjects of humanities. Furthermore, a level of 9 or above is essential for applying for subjects of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature.
  • Students who do not meet the Chinese language requirement are also admitted only if they complete a one-year full-time Chinese language program as a pre-sessional course.
  • Courses that use English as their medium of instruction require the applicants to provide English proficiency test score, such as TOEFL or IELTS.
  • Bank’s solvency certificate
  • A photocopy of your valid passport
  • 5 copies of passport size photographs
  • Medical certificate
 
Application Procedure
 
  • Application forms for a doctoral program can be completed online on the university’s website. You can also send a request to the university asking for the application material. Alternatively, a printable copy of the form can be downloaded and filled like a regular form.
  • Gather all your necessary documents and attach them with the filled application form.
  • Applications for a doctoral program in China are accepted with an application fee. The fees vary from university to university and from subject to subject. The amount generally ranges from 380 Yuan to 770 Yuan, which should be paid in the local Chinese currency and attached with form as a money order.
  • The last dates for receiving applications in China are in late July for Fall semester intake and late January for Spring semester intake. However, the dates can fluctuate largely; thus, it is advised to contact the respective university to know the official deadlines.
  • Send your application packets to the universities before the closing date for receiving applications and give them about six to eight months to process the applications. Thereafter, the results will be announced and you can proceed with the admission procedure.
 
Tuition Fees in Yuan
According to the specialization and the university selected, tuition fees for a doctoral program can vary anywhere between 17,000 Yuan and 27,000 Yuan, on a yearly basis, for Arts subjects, while the fees can increase for other subjects (science, technology, agriculture, medicine, sports), ranging from 18,500 Yuan to 54,000 Yuan a year.


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