01 The Reality of Application Fees

TLDR: The vast majority of traditional public universities charge a strict upfront application fee. This includes almost every institution in the prestigious C9 League, Project 985, and Project 211. These fees typically range from 400 to 800 RMB (approximately $57 to $113 USD).

You must pay this fee when you submit your application online. If the payment does not go through, the admission office will simply ignore your documents. This fee is non-refundable regardless of your admission outcome.

02 The Truly Free Universities

If you are on a tight budget, look toward Sino-foreign joint venture universities or specific newly established modern universities. These institutions are well-funded and often waive application fees to attract top global talent.

• Sino-Foreign Joint Ventures: Institutions like Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), Duke Kunshan University (DKU), and The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen (CUHK SZ) generally charge 0 RMB for the application process. Keep in mind that while applying is free, accepting an offer usually requires a substantial tuition deposit.
• Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech): Located in Shenzhen, this highly ranked new university allows international students to apply completely free of charge through their official portal.
• ShanghaiTech University: Another modern powerhouse located in Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, Shanghai, which currently does not charge an application fee.
• University of Science and Technology of China (USTC): One of the elite C9 universities, USTC currently waives the application fee for undergraduate applicants (though postgraduate applicants still pay).

03 Deferred Payment Exceptions

A small handful of universities allow you to submit your application and documents first, requiring payment only if you pass the initial review or are officially admitted.

• Soochow University (SUDA): You can apply for free initially, but if you are admitted, you must pay a 650 RMB fee.
• Nankai University (NKU): Regular applicants must pay 400 RMB upfront. However, if you apply specifically for the CSC Type B scholarship program, you can defer the 600 RMB fee until after admission.
• East China Normal University (ECNU) & Shenzhen University (SZU): Some programs at these universities require payment only after your application passes the preliminary academic review.

04 The Complete 88-University Fee Database

We compiled the exact costs for 88 of the most popular universities in China based on 2026 data. Use this database to calculate your application budget before you commit. (Always double-check the final amount on the university's official portal during submission, as policies can update.)

05 The Exception: CSC Type A Scholarships

There is one major exception for public universities. Students who apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) Type A through their local embassy often receive fee waivers across the board. Because the embassy handles the preliminary screening, the universities do not charge the applicant directly. However, this is a special diplomatic scholarship route and does not apply to students applying directly to the university portals (Type B or self-funded). For more information on cracking the scholarship process, check our Scholarship Application Guide.