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Language & HSK

The teaching language, the Chinese you are expected to learn for clinical work, and what the rules say about a Chinese test.

Questions in this section

  1. Is MBBS in China really taught in English?All four countries

    At the universities on the Ministry of Education's list, the programme is English-taught by definition. India's regulations separately require that the degree be received with English as the medium of instruction.

    教外厅函〔2023〕10号; FMGL Regulations 2021, regulation 4(a)(iii)Ministry of Education (China) — Notice on the 2023–2024 list of universities and enrolment plan for English-taught undergraduate clinical medicine for international students (教外厅函〔2023〕10号, Chinese) · National Medical Commission (India) — Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021 (PDF)

  2. Do I have to learn Chinese?All four countries

    Yes. The standard makes Chinese a compulsory course that runs through the whole programme, so that students can manage daily life and, later, contact with patients.

    2007 Interim Provisions, Article 14Ministry of Education (China) — Interim Provisions on Quality Control Standards for Undergraduate Medical Education in English for International Students (annex to 教外来〔2007〕39号, Word file, Chinese)

  3. Is there an HSK level I must reach?All four countries

    The 2007 medical standard names no level. The Ministry's 2018 quality norms say undergraduates on foreign-language-taught programmes should reach at least Level 4 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standards by graduation. The text does not use the word HSK; your university's rules say which test it uses.

    2018 Quality Norms (Trial)Ministry of Education (China) — Quality Norms for Higher Education of International Students (Trial) (annex to 教外〔2018〕50号, Word file, Chinese) · Ministry of Education (China) — Interim Provisions on Quality Control Standards for Undergraduate Medical Education in English for International Students (annex to 教外来〔2007〕39号, Word file, Chinese)

  4. Do I need IELTS for MBBS in China?All four countries

    The Chinese standard asks students whose mother tongue is not English for proof that their primary and secondary schooling was in English throughout, or an English test result. It names no test and no score, so the university's brochure decides.

    2007 Interim Provisions, Article 20Ministry of Education (China) — Interim Provisions on Quality Control Standards for Undergraduate Medical Education in English for International Students (annex to 教外来〔2007〕39号, Word file, Chinese)

Official sources

MBBS Q&A