• China’s rapidly growing economy offers Indonesian students access to internship and job opportunities in global companies with a strong presence in Asia.


• Many Chinese universities are ranked among the top in the world, especially in fields like engineering, medicine, and business, providing Indonesian students with high-quality education.


• The Chinese government offers a wide range of scholarships for international students, including Indonesian students, making studying in China more affordable.


• China’s rich history and culture offer Indonesian students an immersive experience that expands their global perspective and cultural understanding.


• Chinese universities offer a variety of programs taught in English, making it easier for Indonesian students to pursue their education without needing to master Chinese right away.


• With a large Indonesian student population in China, Indonesian students can easily connect with peers who share their cultural background, making it easier to adjust to life abroad.


• China is home to cutting-edge research institutions, offering Indonesian students the opportunity to work on groundbreaking research projects in fields like technology, medicine, and the environment.


• China’s emphasis on innovation and technology makes it a great place for Indonesian students interested in pursuing careers in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and engineering.


• Studying in China provides Indonesian students with a chance to learn Mandarin, one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, which can boost their career prospects in global markets.


• China’s affordable cost of living and tuition fees make it a great option for Indonesian students looking for an international education without breaking the bank.


• With its diverse food culture, China offers Indonesian students the opportunity to explore different cuisines and expand their culinary horizons.


• China’s strong international ties and partnerships with universities worldwide provide Indonesian students with access to exchange programs and collaborative projects.


• The country’s robust infrastructure and modern amenities make life in China comfortable for international students, with easy access to public transportation, shopping, and entertainment.


• Chinese universities have extensive international student support services, including language classes, cultural orientation, and career counseling, making it easier for Indonesian students to adjust.


• China’s strategic location in Asia gives Indonesian students the chance to travel easily to other countries in the region, expanding their opportunities for exploration and cultural exchange.

Student Visa

There are two (2) main types of visas for students namely the long-term visa (X1) and short term visa (X2). The X1 visa is issued to students pursuing courses lasting more than 180 days and is convertible into a Residence Permit, which must be obtained within 30 days of arrival at the local Public Security Bureau; the X2 visa is a short-term, single-entry visa for courses under 180 days and does not require residence permit conversion.

Short-term visa is often also referred to as a tourist visa but can also be used for students with study period of less than six (6) months. The academic program chosen by the student will determine what type of visa to be obtained. 

To apply, Indonesian students must submit an original admission letter from the Chinese university, the JW202/JW201 form issued by the university, a recent passport-style photo, and original physical examination results; visa application fees typically range from $30 to $150 depending on nationality and processing speed. X1 holders must also register with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival for security formalities.

Accommodation

Most universities in China have a dormitory for international students, especially for new students. Students are also able to live off-campus with permission from the university, and must be registered with the local security office within 24 hours after arrival.

On-campus accommodation

Many students choose to live in a dormitory because of the reasonable price, well-equipped facilities, and security, and close proximity to the campus. On-campus dormitory fees range from 5,000-12,000 RMB per year (approximately $690-$1,650 USD) for standard double rooms to 10,000-12,000 RMB annually for single rooms, making them significantly more affordable than private rentals.

Facilities provided cover the internet connection, bathroom and toilet, as well as hot water, a shared kitchen and heater, and other details for student dormitory. Limited dormitory space requires early online booking on a first-come, first-served basis, and some universities have mandatory on-campus housing policies for first-year students. Universities such as Hangzhou Normal University restrict all international students to on-campus accommodation unless they receive special approval.

Off-campus accommodation

Students who want to live in off-campus residence can find information in English via the internet or by contacting real estate agents that can easily be found in China. Off-campus accommodation costs vary significantly by city and location.

In tier-1 cities like Shanghai and Beijing, shared apartments range from 2,000-2,500 RMB monthly (approximately $275-$345 USD), while studio apartments cost 4,500-5,000 RMB, but in tier-2 cities like Guangzhou and Hangzhou, shared apartments cost 2,000-2,500 RMB and university dorms can be below 1,000 RMB monthly.

For off-campus residents, Indonesian students must provide rental contracts and security licenses from landlords to the university's international office, register with the local police station within 24 hours, and update their residence address with the immigration bureau within 10 days. The rental fee depends on the condition of the apartment residence.

Part Time Work

International students in China are prohibited from working part-time. However, updated 2024 regulations now permit international students enrolled in degree-granting higher education institutions to engage in approved work-study (勤工助学) activities, limited to 8 hours per week and 40 hours per month during regular academic terms, or 16 hours weekly and 80 hours monthly during winter and summer vacations.

Besides, the opportunity to study while working is also very low in this country. Students must obtain written approval from both their university and the local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau within 10 days of beginning off-campus work, and compensation is set at local minimum living standards for fixed positions or local minimum hourly wage for temporary positions. Currently, only selective cities like Beijing and Shanghai have expanded these work-study opportunities, while most other regions maintain stricter restrictions.

Education system in China: Elementary, Secondary and Vocational

In general, the duration of primary school education in China is the same as in Indonesia that is six (6) years. All children in China must attend compulsory nine-year education from age 6 to 15, comprising six years of primary school followed by three years of lower secondary (junior) school, with instruction conducted in Mandarin Chinese except in schools serving ethnic minority students.

China's basic education curriculum consists of Chinese language, Mathematics, and Physical Education, as well as music, drawing, and Science, and Social Studies basic level that are combined with practice. Students graduating from primary school (after grade 6) must pass graduation examinations in Chinese and Mathematics, while students completing lower secondary school.

They must pass examinations in Chinese, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, English, and Politics, as these are standardized by provincial educational authorities to determine advancement to upper secondary school. General knowledge of political and moral emphasis on love of the homeland, the party, and its members are part of the curriculum.

Students will undergo a six (6) years studying at the Junior High School and High School / Vocational. Upper secondary education (high school) lasts three years for students ages 15-18, after which students take the Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination) to determine university admission eligibility.

For international students, China has launched a new standardized test called the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) beginning December 21, 2025, becoming mandatory for most international undergraduate applicants starting with the 2026 intake and phasing to all students by 2028.

The CSCA tests Mathematical competency, Physics, Chemistry (optional based on program), and Professional Chinese for Chinese-taught programs (humanities or STEM versions), while English-taught program applicants are only required to take Mathematics and optional science subjects. Secondary school graduates are regarded as educated as competition for university in China is very strict.

International School

Commencing from January 2015, China had 481 international schools according International School Consultants (ISC). As of 2026, China now hosts approximately 300+ internationally recognized schools offering curricula in English, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), British GCSE and A-Levels, American Advanced Placement (AP), and Australian curricula.

However, international schools in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai are typically restricted to enrolling non-mainland Chinese students, as mainland Chinese students are required to follow the national curriculum and schools must enroll from approved providers. International schools themselves implement learning activities in English and incorporate some of the curriculum that is not included in the national curriculum.

Many international schools in China combine dual curricula blending Chinese National standards with IB or Cambridge programs and are increasingly serving affluent Chinese families seeking global education, reflecting China's growing internationalization strategy.

University

Students who graduate from school or vocational institution are able to continue to pursue further education such as universities. According to the 2026 QS World University Rankings, China has approximately 151 universities ranked globally, with Tsinghua University ranked #17 globally and #1 in Asia, Peking University #14 globally, and Zhejiang University #49 globally.

In the Times Higher Education 2025-2026 ranking, Tsinghua ranks #11 globally, establishing China as a world-class research destination. Cost per academic year at the university ranges from RMB 12,000 to RMB 24,000 in public universities and to private universities ranges from RMB 50,000 to RMB 80,000.

More affordably, some Chinese universities charge as low as $2,200 USD annually (Chengdu University), $2,500 USD (Wuhan University), or $2,600 USD (Shenzhen University), while prestigious institutions like Tsinghua charge $4,500 USD yearly; international branch campuses of Western universities command premium fees ranging from $9,300–$59,000 USD annually depending on the institution and program.

Additionally, NYU Shanghai charges approximately 235,255 RMB (approximately $32,000 USD) per term for full-time students as of 2025–2026. There are approximately 27 institutions included in the list of the best universities in the world by QS World Ranking.

 Application for entry usually closes in May or June; however, with the new CSCA requirement, international students must complete the standardized test before submitting university applications, with five annual testing windows (January, March, April, June, December) starting 2026.

Students who would go on to university must follow Gaokao or national entrance exam like SNMPTN. International students are exempt from the Gaokao requirement and instead take the new CSCA (2026 onwards) or subject themselves to alternative assessments recognized by their target universities.

For international students applying directly without the CSCA, universities accept recognized international qualifications such as A-Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, SAT (minimum 1250 redesigned), IELTS (minimum 6.0), and ACT with Writing (minimum composite 30).

Indonesian students specifically can apply through Chinese Government Scholarship programs offered annually, with applications opening through the www.campuschina.org portal by February 8 each year, or through standardized entrance exams administered for Southeast Asian applicants. The main subjects that will be tested in Gaokao are Chinese, English, and Mathematics. 

For the new CSCA, Mathematics is compulsory for all international applicants (arts, humanities, and STEM), while Professional Chinese applies only to Chinese-taught program applicants; Physics and Chemistry are optional depending on the specific university program requirements. For adult learners, they are allowed to take other entrance exam that is already standardized by the government.