Study Medicine in China: A Full Guide .. 2023
Study medicine in China has its own allure. However, if you want to successfully complete all of the required exams within the standard period of study, you must keep a few things in mind when studying medicine in China.
This article shows why China is the first choice for studying abroad, what to consider when enrolling, and what everyday life is like.
Why Study in China?
China is also known as the Middle Land because it was in the middle of the known world in ancient Asia. Today, China combines tradition and modernity like almost no other country in the world. So you have a chance to study traditional Chinese medicine in China. . Nonetheless, in recent years, the state has evolved into a unique business and educational destination.
In 2016, the country already had 2,879 state-recognized universities whose quality of education is constantly improving. A total of almost 2 million students study here, of which around 215,000 are studying medicine.
With a degree or just a few semesters completed in China, young graduates stand out from the crowd when it comes to job opportunities later on. Such considerations may also be relevant in medical research. When deciding to study medicine in China, you should consider not only your career goals, but also your interest in the Chinese language and culture.
Also read: Studying Medicine in USA
Development of Medical Studies in China
Medical studies in China follow the bachelor and master principle. A bachelor’s degree requires eight semesters of study, while a master’s degree requires four additional semesters. A medical degree in China can be expected to take 6 years to complete.
Also read: Studying Medicine in Germany
Overall, the course at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, for example, is structured as follows:
| Year Courses | 1st Semester | 2nd Semester |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Academic Year (Pre-Med) | Calculus, General Chemistry , Introduction to Modern Biological Science, Physical Education, Chinese | Calculus, General Chemistry, General Physics, Organic Chemistry, Cell Biology,, Chinese, Physical Education |
| 2nd Academic Year (Pre-Clinic) | Anatomy I, Biochemistry (including Lab), Histology, embryology, Chinese | Anatomy II, Medical Genetics, Physiology, History of Medicine, Chinese and toxicology |
| 3rd Academic Year (Pre-Clinic) | Pathology, Pathophysiology, Immunology, Medical Psychology, Chinese Traditional Medicine, Medical Chinese, Survey of China | Microbiology, Pharmacology, Preventive medicine, Introduction of Surgery, Diagnostics |
| 4th Academic Year (Pre-Clinic and Clinic) | Forensic medicine, Biomedical Informatics, Introduction to Family Medicine, Social medicine and ethics, Epidemiology, | Medicine I, Surgery I, Radiology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology. |
| 5th Academic Year (Clinic) | Medicine III, Surgery III, Paediatrics | Infectious diseases, Neurology, Psychiatry, Dermatology and Venereology, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Stomatology, Emergency medicine. |
| 6th Academic Year (Clinic) | Senior clerkship | Senior clerkship |
Anyone who wants to pursue a doctorate after studying medicine in China can do so at a number of Chinese universities. Doctoral students need six to ten semesters to complete their degree.
The academic year is divided into two semesters: winter and summer.
Winter semester is when most students begin their studies. A stay in China as part of a guest study program can be planned in addition to traditional full-time studies. However, this period is usually only one or two semesters long, which is far too short to settle into China. You can come to China with a postgraduate degree if you already have a university degree. This usually consists of at least two semesters and is ideal for anyone who wishes to stay in China after finishing their studies.
Also read: Study Medicine in the Netherlands
Applying to Study Medicine in China
The application modalities must be taken from the website of the selected university. It is possible to study medicine in China without a numerus clausus.
The application period for the next winter semester is usually from February to May. In addition to the application form from the university, the application documents must include a certificate of higher education entrance qualification and a certificate of the highest academic degree achieved to date.
A copy of the currently valid passport must be submitted, as well as two letters of recommendation from professors at the home university if you want to start a Master’s degree. Chinese knowledge may also have to be proven by an HSK certificate.
Universities and Language
Because there are so many foreign students, study medicine in China in English is possible. To complete the course, no actual knowledge of Chinese is required; only very good English is. If you want to pursue a degree in Chinese, you must first demonstrate your language abilities through the HSK certificate test. Enrollment in a Chinese-only program requires at least a Level 4 result.
According to the so-called Shanghai Ranking, the following universities were recognized as leaders in 2017:
- Tsinghua-Universität (Tsinghua University,Qīnghuá dàxué), Peking
- Peking-Universität (Peking University, Běijīng dàxué), Peking
- Universität Zhejiang (Zhejiāng dàxué), Hangzhou
- Jiaotong-Universität ( Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shànghǎi jiāotōng dàxué), Shanghai
- Fudan-Universität (Fudan University, Fùdàn dàxué), Shanghai
- Nanjing University (National University, Nanjing City), Nanjing
- Universität Wuhan (Wǔhàn dàxué), Wuhan
- Sichuan University (Sichuan University, South Sichuan), Chengdu
- Central China University of Science and Technology (United States, Huázhong Kējì Daxué), Wuhan
- Jilin University (District University, Jilin District), Changchun
In China your own study goals decide on the choice of university. Universities in China also have their own profile and focus areas. Here you have to choose a suitable university that suits your own requirements.
Many universities have a medical focus and specifically target is to make possible to study medicine in China for international students. Students are closely monitored here from the first semester to graduation in China or transfer to another university.
If you want to learn Chinese intensively alongside your studies, you should enroll in a smaller university where the majority of students are Chinese; this increases the incentive to learn the language. There are also a number of key universities that report directly to the Chinese Ministry of Education for self-paying students and foreign students on scholarship.
Cost of Study Medicine in China
There are also tuition fees in China. These are higher for foreign students than for Chinese. Between 15,000 RMB and 54,000 RMB (approx. 2,000 EUR to 7,500 EUR) must be estimated per semester, but always depending on the respective university and the course.
It should be noted that the tuition fee must be paid in cash on the day of enrollment. There is also an application fee before the course even begins, with an additional 400 RMB (approx. 50 EUR). International health insurance is essential when studying in China. Here it is worthwhile to obtain several individual comparative offers.
If you want to earn your own money in China on the side, you can only do this with a Z visa, a student visa is not sufficient to take up work. This visa must be applied for by the student’s future employer. In everyday life in China, the majority of payments are made exclusively with cash.
The cost of living in China is comparatively low, from food to clothing, a lot can be achieved here with little money. At the university you can eat a full meal for as little as 10-15 RMB (1.50-2.00 EUR). Bus and subway are already available for 2-6 RMB (less than 1 EUR).
Accommodation is also reasonably priced. Cheap rooms in residence halls are ideal for anyone who is content with basic living conditions. Monthly costs range between 100 and 300 euros. In the meantime, living in student digs outside of a dormitory is legal in China. In this case, the wallet, in addition to personal preference, determines the accommodation. A medical degree in China, like any other degree, can be completed with a little planning and without any problems—even if you don’t speak Chinese.
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