Entry requirements for China

We welcome students from China and offer a range of qualifications.

Our entry requirements will vary depending on your level of study, the course you are interested in and your English language proficiency.

Foundation programmes

If you have graduated from the national high school system, you will be required to successfully complete a one year International Foundation Programme before entering our undergraduate courses.

You will be required to successfully complete the Senior High School Certificate with an overall average of 80%/B and at least 80%/B in key subject areas to be considered for admission on to our International Foundation Programme.

Some subjects, such as healthcare allied professions, will require higher grades. Please contact the Foundation Office for more information.

Undergraduate courses

We are excited to announce that we will accept the ‘GAOKAO’ exam from outstanding Chinese students wishing to join our undergraduate courses.

We will accept high achieving Chinese students with the GAOKAO directly onto our undergraduate programmes. See our Gaokao requirements page for more detailed information.

We require students who have undertaken the GAOKAO to meet each of the following requirements:

• Achieve the GAOKAO with minimum 80% overall average  - including 80% in Mathematics if required as an A-level subject
• Complete the Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate with a minimum of 85% overall (year 11 and year 12) - including 85% in relevant required subjects
• Meet our required undergraduate English Language entry requirements

We will also accept year one of a relevant four year honour's degree at a recognised institution in China.

Postgraduate taught courses

You will be required to have a relevant four year bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, with grades of approximately 80% or above to qualify for our postgraduate taught courses.

Postgraduate research courses

If you are applying for research courses from China, you will be required to provide evidence that you have already carried out research, usually via the successful completion of a relevant masters' degree.

You will need successful completion of a relevant four year bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, with grades of approximately 80% or above and possibly also successful completion of a relevant master's course from a recognised institution.

English language

You will need to have a relevant English language qualification to satisfy the English language requirements for your course. The minimum admissions requirement is usually IELTS 6.5 but for some courses we may ask for higher grades.

You can improve your level of English language to meet the entry requirements for your course through our in-house English for University Study programme, a full-time course for international students planning to study at a UK university. The minimum entry requirement is IELTS 4.0 for September entry, 4.5 for January and 5.0 for April. The Exit Test results from this course are accepted as IELTS equivalents for entry to all degree courses at Cardiff University.

We also offer Summer Pre-sessional courses for applicants with academic offers that are conditional on improving their level of English language proficiency.

If you are unsure of your qualifications or entry requirements, please contact us.