StudyChina GraduateAcademic vs Professional Degrees in China: What the Degree Law Says
Sources checked
The short version: Chinese law recognises two main types of master's and doctoral degree. An academic degree tests your ability to do research. A professional degree tests your ability to do professional practice. Both are degrees at the same level; which one a programme leads to is fixed by the programme, so check it before you apply.
The legal basis
The Degree Law of the People's Republic of China was adopted on 26 April 2024 and took effect on 1 January 2025, replacing the earlier degree regulations (Article 45).
Article 2 sets the frame: degrees are bachelor's, master's and doctoral, they "include academic degrees, professional degrees and other types", and they are awarded by discipline category or by professional degree category.
What each type asks of a master's candidate
Under Article 20, a master's degree is awarded to someone who has received master's-level education, passed the required courses or earned the credits, completed academic research training or professional practice training, and passed a thesis defence or a defence of prescribed practical results. The candidate must show:
- a firm grasp of the basic theory and systematic specialised knowledge of the discipline or professional field; and
- for an academic degree, the ability to undertake academic research; for a professional degree, the ability to undertake professional practice.
What each type asks of a doctoral candidate
Article 21 raises the bar in three ways:
- knowledge that is solid and broad in basic theory and systematic and deep in the specialism;
- the ability to work independently: independent academic research for an academic degree, independent professional practice for a professional degree; and
- innovative results: in academic research for an academic degree, in professional practice for a professional degree.
| Academic degree | Professional degree | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | Academic research training | Professional practice training |
| Final assessment | Thesis defence | Thesis defence or defence of practical results |
| Master's ability | To do academic research | To take on professional practice |
| Doctoral ability | Independent research plus innovative research results | Independent practice plus innovative results in practice |
Where the detailed standards are
The law gives the frame only. Article 22 requires each degree-awarding unit to set and publish the specific standards for awarding degrees in each discipline and major. The university's published standards and the programme's own handbook tell you how many credits, what kind of thesis or practical work, and what publication or other requirements apply.
What this means for international students
Order No. 42 adds two points that apply to you directly:
- If you are taught in a foreign language, you may write the thesis in that language, with an abstract in Chinese. The university decides whether the defence may be in the foreign language (Article 19).
- The university issues a graduation certificate, registers your student record and graduation certificate electronically, and awards the degree certificate if you meet the conditions (Article 21).
Frequently asked questions
Is a professional master's degree a lower degree than an academic one?
The Degree Law lists them as types within the same level. It does not rank one above the other.
Can a professional degree be awarded without a thesis?
Article 20 allows the final assessment to be a thesis defence or a defence of prescribed practical results. Which one applies is set in the university's published standards for that programme.
Where can a Chinese degree be verified afterwards?
CHSI, run by the Center for Student Services and Development under the Ministry of Education, provides online verification and verification reports in Chinese and English for higher education qualifications.
Sources (all read on 11 October 2026)
- Degree Law of the People's Republic of China (in Chinese, Ministry of Education site), Articles 2, 20, 21, 22 and 45: http://www.moe.gov.cn/jyb_sjzl/sjzl_zcfg/zcfg_jyfl/202404/t20240426_1127804.html
- Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Public Security, Order No. 42 (in Chinese), Articles 19 and 21: http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A02/s5911/moe_621/201705/t20170516_304735.html
- CHSI, China Credentials Verification: https://www.chsi.com.cn/en/
This page is an unofficial summary. The English wording of the law here is our own translation; the Chinese text is authoritative.