MBBS in China Q&AMenuWhat HSK level do MBBS students in China need?
Unofficial · Sources checked
An HSK level is not fixed by one national rule for MBBS students in China. The Ministry of Education's 2018 Quality Norms (Trial) refer to 《国际汉语能力标准》 (International Chinese Proficiency Standards) levels, not to HSK, and the standing 2007 medical English-taught standard names no Chinese level at all. Whether a student must sit a particular HSK test, and at what level, is set by each university's own admission rules.
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What the 2018 Quality Norms say
The English below is this site's translation of the Chinese text.
The three language paragraphs of the Quality Norms for Higher Education of International Students (Trial), annex to 教外〔2018〕50号 of 3 September 2018 (Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China), refer to levels of 《国际汉语能力标准》 (International Chinese Proficiency Standards). Those three paragraphs do not use the word HSK.
| Programme | Stage | Chinese ability required |
|---|---|---|
| Taught in a foreign language | Undergraduate, by graduation | At least level 4 of 《国际汉语能力标准》 |
| Taught in a foreign language | Master's or doctoral, by graduation | At least level 3 of 《国际汉语能力标准》 |
| Taught in Chinese | At entry | At least level 4 of 《国际汉语能力标准》 |
| Taught in Chinese | By graduation | Level 5 of 《国际汉语能力标准》 |
Source: Quality Norms for Higher Education of International Students (Trial), annex to 教外〔2018〕50号, 3 September 2018, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.
For programmes taught in a foreign language, the entry-standard paragraph says the university shall clearly state the foreign-language ability required at entry; it sets no Chinese level.
What the 2007 medical English-taught standard says
The Interim Provisions on Quality Control Standards for Undergraduate Medical Education in English for International Students, annex 1 to 教外来〔2007〕39号 (Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China), sets rules for English-taught medical undergraduate education.
Article 14 says Chinese as a compulsory course should run through the whole teaching process, to suit students' study and life in China and later contact with patients. Article 14 names no Chinese level.
Article 20 sets the entry conditions for foreign citizens applying for undergraduate medical education (English-taught): high school diploma or above, good grades, good health, and strong English ability; a non-English-native speaker must provide proof of full English study or an English ability exam; and the applicant must commit to obey China's laws and the school's rules. Article 20 names no Chinese level.
Who sets the HSK requirement
The three language paragraphs of the 2018 Quality Norms use 《国际汉语能力标准》 levels and not HSK. The 2007 medical standard names no Chinese level in Article 14 or Article 20. The test and level a student must pass, if any, are set by the university's own admission rules.
Related questions
Is Chinese a compulsory subject in the English-taught MBBS in China?
Article 14 of the 2007 standard says Chinese as a compulsory course should run through the whole teaching process. The article does not set a Chinese level.
What English ability is required to enter the English-taught MBBS?
Article 20 of the 2007 standard sets the entry conditions: the applicant should have a high school diploma or above, good grades, good health, and strong English ability; a non-English-native speaker must provide proof of full English study or an English ability exam; and must commit to obey China's laws and the school's rules. Article 20 names no Chinese level.
Sources
- Quality Norms for Higher Education of International Students (Trial), annex to 教外〔2018〕50号 — Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China
- Interim Provisions on Quality Control Standards for Undergraduate Medical Education in English for International Students, annex 1 to 教外来〔2007〕39号 — Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China
Checked 11 October 2026.
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