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Self-funded master's in China: what changes without a scholarship

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Without a Chinese Government Scholarship, you apply as a self-funded student. The visa form changes: form JW202 is for self-funded students and is handled by the university for the students it admits, while form JW201 is for Chinese Government Scholarship students or those coming through government exchange channels (Ministry of Education reply of 15 February 2008). The age and HSK conditions in the Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship are conditions of that scholarship, and none of sections I to VI of that guide states that they apply to self-funded applicants.

The visa form: JW202

The Ministry of Education reply of 15 February 2008 distinguishes the two forms. Form JW202 is for self-funded international students and is handled by each university for the students it has admitted. Form JW201 is for Chinese Government Scholarship students or those arriving through government exchange channels, and is processed by the Secretariat of the China Scholarship Council together with the relevant universities. Both forms are used for the study visa, entry, enrolment reporting and residence procedures. Any institution that enrolls international students may issue form JW202; a private university may do so after applying to and obtaining consent from its provincial education authority.

Admission and the financial guarantee

A university decides its own enrolment plan and programmes within its capacity (Order No. 42, Article 10), and publishes its international student admissions brochure with the conditions and procedures (Order No. 42, Article 11). The university examines the admission qualification and the economic guarantee proof of applicants and may hold an examination or assessment (Order No. 42, Article 12); admission is decided by the school, and the school must not admit those who do not meet the conditions.

On the economic guarantee, the Quality Standards require a university to set an economic guarantee standard based on its tuition, accommodation fees and the local general cost of living, following the principle that the student's study, living and international travel costs are sufficiently covered; where the local education authority gives a guiding standard, that standard applies (Quality Standards, section 2.6). The university must require applicants to provide proof meeting that standard and review it with prudence and due care (Quality Standards, section 2.6). Section 2.6 states no amount for the guarantee.

The English wording of Chinese provisions is this site's own translation of the published Chinese text.

Fees and refunds are published in renminbi

The university sets its fee items and standards according to relevant state rules and must publish its fee items, standards and the refund rules for withdrawal and transfer (Order No. 42, Article 14). Charges and refunds are priced in renminbi (Order No. 42, Article 14). The admissions information a university provides should at least include its financial rules and policies such as fee standards, payment methods and refund policy (Quality Standards, section 2.1). Article 14 gives no fee figure; the amounts are set by the university in its own admissions brochure.

Insurance is compulsory

The university operates a full-coverage insurance system for international students. A student must take out insurance according to state regulations and the university's requirements (Order No. 42, Article 40). A student who has not taken out insurance as required must do so within a set period; if still uninsured after the deadline, the school must not admit the student, and a currently enrolled student must be withdrawn or not registered (Order No. 42, Article 40).

The scholarship guide and your self-funded application

The Application Guide for Chinese Government Scholarship sets the conditions of that scholarship. Section IV of the guide sets an age limit of under 35 for a Master's program and under 40 for a doctoral program, and section IV sets HSK requirements (HSK Level 4 for a Chinese-taught master's or doctoral program). None of sections I to VI of the guide states that its age or HSK conditions apply to self-funded students. The guide's document list (section VI) and application process (section V) are written for scholarship applicants and are not stated as the route for self-funded students.

Questions people ask

Who actually obtains the JW202 form for me?

The university handles form JW202 for the students it has admitted (Ministry of Education reply of 15 February 2008). You do not obtain it from the China Scholarship Council.

Does the university publish its fees and refund rules?

Yes. The university must publish its fee items, standards and refund rules for withdrawal and transfer, and these are priced in renminbi (Order No. 42, Article 14). Article 14 gives no fee figure; the specific amounts appear in the university's own admissions brochure.

Am I required to buy insurance?

Yes. A student must take out insurance under state regulations and the university's requirements, and a student who fails to do so may be denied admission or, if already studying, withdrawn or not registered (Order No. 42, Article 40).

Sources

Checked 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary, is not published by or affiliated with the Ministry of Education, the China Scholarship Council, CHSI or any university, is not legal advice, and the official text and the current notice of the university or authority handling your case prevail if they differ.

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