2025 BNU Master/Ph.D. Admission Brochure
for International Students
Beijing Normal University (BNU) is a comprehensive research university that is directly under the administration of the Ministry of Education of China, with a long history and profound cultural heritage. As a key university registered in China’s “Project 985” and “Project 211”, its comprehensive academic strength of academic disciplines ranks top among China’s universities. In 2017, BNU was listed in the “Double First-Class” Project, and in 2022, it was selected to participate in the second round of this initiative.
I. Schools, Departments and Majors
BNU offers courses in a wide range of disciplines as well as numerous specialized Master and Ph.D. programs. For more details, please refer to BNU Majors Catalog of Master’s Program for International Students and BNU Majors Catalog of Doctoral Program for International Students.
II. Application Requirements
1. Applicants should be in good health and of good character, respect Chinese habits and customs, and abide by both Chinese Law & Regulations as well as the university’s Rules & Regulations.
2. Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens holding a foreign passport and under 50 years old (Date of Birth is after August 31, 1975). Note for Chinese Government Scholarships applicants: master’s degree applicants should be under 35 years old (Date of Birth is after August 31, 1990); doctorate degree applicants should be under 40 years old (Date of Birth is after August 31, 1985).
3. Applicants for Master’s Degree should have a degree equivalent (or above) to a Bachelor’s degree from a Chinese university;
Applicants for Doctoral Degree should have a degree which is equivalent (or above) to a Master’s degree from a Chinese university.
4. Language proficiency requirements for Chinese-taught programs:
(1) Chinese-taught Master’s programs:
A. School of International Chinese Language Education: 220 points and above in HSK 6 & 65 points and above in HSKK Advanced level;
B. School of Chinese Language and Literature: 210 points and above in HSK 5;
C. Other Schools: 195 points and above in HSK 5.
(2) Chinese-taught Ph.D. programs:
A. School of International Chinese Language Education: 240 points and above in HSK 6 & 65 points and above in HSKK Advanced level;
B. School of Chinese Language and Literature: 210 points and above in HSK 5;
C. Other Schools: 195 points and above in HSK 5.
5. Language proficiency requirements for English-taught programs:
(1) Applicants from non-English speaking countries should submit proof of English language proficiency. Please refer to the specific English proficiency requirements for each major taught in English at MA English-Taught Program or PhD English-Taught Program;
(2) Applicants who were fully taught in English to get their previous academic degree are not required to provide proof of English proficiency such as IELTS or TOEFL score, but must submit relevant supporting documents (e.g. a certificate issued by the graduating institution to prove that you were taught fully in English).
III. Application Period
From November 15, 2024 to March 10, 2025
Applicants for Chinese Government Scholarships are required to submit the online application by February 28, 2025.
- Paper application documents:
After passing the initial review, applicants must mail the paper application documents by March 31, 2025, subject to the postmark of the documents mailed or the date of mailing on the delivery note. If paper application documents are not sent by the deadline, the application will be considered as abandoned and BNU will terminate the review and admission process.
To ensure the materials are delivered on time, please use EMS or SF express for mailing within China and use EMS, DHL, FedEx or UPS for mailing outside China.
IV. Application Procedure
1. Online application. Log on to Beijing Normal University Online Application System For International Students at https://international.bnu.edu.cn/, register and complete the application, upload the electronic version of the application documents according to the requirements in Part V, and pay the application fee.
2. Print the application form. Download and print the Application Form for International Students in the Online Application System of Beijing Normal University, which is automatically generated by the system after completing the online application.
3. Mailing documents. Mail the paper version of the application documents to the Admissions Office of Beijing Normal University (International Students).
Mailing Address:
Admission Office (International Students), Beijing Normal University
A103, Main Building, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District
Beijing, China 100875
Tel: 0086-10-5880-2944
V. Application Documents
1. Application Form for International Students with a photograph. Being generated automatically after completing the online application for BNU, this form will be available for download and print.
2. Original notarized (authenticated) copy of the highest education or degree certificate. The documents must be in either Chinese or English (Chinese or English notarized translations are required for other languages).
Applicants who will graduate in 2025 and are temporarily unable to submit graduation certificate and degree certificate must submit the original Certificate of Expected Graduation. After being admitted by the University, the original copy of the degree certificate must be submitted for verification by the International Students Office during registration, otherwise the admission will be withdrawn. The documents must be original or authenticated/notarized copies, either in Chinese or English (Chinese or English notarized translations are required for other languages).
3. Original transcripts or original notarized (authenticated) copies of the transcripts. The documents must be in either Chinese or English (Chinese or English notarized translations are required for other languages).
4. Two recommendation letters from two associate professors or scholars with higher academic titles, or a senior expert in a related field. (There is no specified format for the recommendation letters, please specify the name of the referee and contact information, all letters must be signed by the referee).
5. Language Achievement Certificate:
For majors taught in Chinese, please provide the HSK certificate. The test date on the HSK certificate should be no earlier than November 1, 2022 (inclusive).
For majors taught in English, please provide English proficiency certificate required in the major catalog. If you provide results of English proficiency examinations such as IELTS or TOEFL, the test date on the result report should be after November 1, 2022 (inclusive).
6. Personal Statement Form. Please download it from BNU’s online application system and complete it.
7. A photocopy of the Passport page of personal information. If you have a visa to China, please provide a copy of the recent visa page, passport valid date must be later than March 31, 2026 (inclusive). Applicants who are currently in China should provide a copy of the valid Foreigner’s Residence Permit of the People’s Republic of China.
Applicants who have naturalized as foreign nationality after being former Chinese citizens should provide the documents certifying the cancellation of their original Chinese household registration and renunciation of Chinese nationality. Applicants who acquired foreign nationality at birth, if both parents or one of them is a Chinese citizen and the applicant had Chinese household registration and Chinese nationality, must submit the applicant’s proof of cancellation of his/her Chinese household registration and renunciation of Chinese nationality.
8. A valid Certificate of Non-Criminal Record (or Police Clearance Certificate) issued by the local public security (such as the police station), usually issued within 6 months prior to the submission date of the application.
9. (Optional) Academic papers, patents, or other academic achievements, CV/Resume (originals or photocopies).
10. CSC Scholarship applicants must submit the following additional materials:
(1) CSC Scholarship Application Form. This form is automatically generated after filling in the Chinese Government Scholarship application system, please refer to the scholarship section of the Beijing Normal University admissions web page for details.
(2) One copy of “Foreigner Physical Examination Form” (the applicant may keep the original document).
The form is printed by Chinese quarantine authorities and must be completed in English. The medical examination must cover all the items listed in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Incomplete records or those without the signature of the attending physician, the official stamp of the hospital or a sealed photograph of the applicants are invalid. Please choose the appropriate time to take medical examination as it is valid for only 6 months.
Attention:
1. Incomplete or unpaid applications will not be processed.
2. The University keeps the right to require additional materials from the applicants.
3. Application materials and application fee are non-refundable and will not be returned, regardless of whether the applicant is admitted by the University.
4. The applicant shall guarantee that the application information and application materials provided are true and accurate. Once the Admissions Office verifies that the information is not true, the applicant will be denied admission or the admission qualification will be cancelled. Those who have been enrolled will have their student status cancelled.
VI. Application Fee
Application fee is 600 RMB. It should be paid online; cash is not accepted. The application fee is not refundable once paid.
(Please note: Application fee is also required for scholarship applications.)
VII. Entrance Examinations
The Admission Office will conduct an initial review of the applicant’s application materials according to the general rules of admission. After the applicant passes the initial review, the department will conduct an academic examination on the applicant and organize interview if necessary. The university will select the best candidates based on the initial review and academic examination results and determine the final candidates who are to be admitted.
VIII. Admission
Admission Office of Beijing Normal University will inform applicants of admission result through the application system and email, please pay close attention. Inquiry via telephone will not be accepted. The Admission Notice and other admission materials will be issued to the admitted students through online application system.
Students who are admitted must register in accordance with the requirements of the Admission Notice and other admission documents on time. Admitted students can collect the original Admission Notice upon registration. BNU prohibits admitted students to be enrolled in two or more institutions simultaneously.
IX. Study Mode, Duration and Tuition
All students should ensure an involvement of full-time study.
For masters, the study duration of academic Chinese-taught programs is three years. The study duration of academic English-taught programs is two years. The study duration of professional Chinese-taught and English-taught programs is two years. For Ph.D. programs, the study duration of all programs is three years, except for the Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages program for which the study duration is four years. For more details, please refer to BNU Majors Catalog of Master’s Program for International Students and BNU Majors Catalog of Doctoral Program for International Students.
Tuition Standard: (Currency: RMB)
Student Type |
Teaching Language |
Tuition for One Semester |
Tuition for One Year |
Master |
Chinese |
(Humanities and Social Sciences): 13050 |
(Humanities and Social Sciences): 25300 |
(Science, Medicine, Engineering, Arts): 16550 |
(Science, Medicine, Engineering, Arts): 32300 |
International Chinese language education 65000 for two years |
English |
60000 for two years |
Ph.D. |
Chinese |
(Humanities and Social Sciences): 16550 |
(Humanities and Social Sciences): 32300 |
English |
(Science, Medicine, Engineering, Arts): 21100 |
(Science, Medicine, Engineering, Arts): 41400 |
98000 for three years |
X. Scholarship
In order to encourage and support excellent applicants to study at BNU, the University offers the following scholarships.
1. Chinese Government Scholarship
2. International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
3. Confucius China Studies Program
4. Beijing Government Scholarship
5. BNU New International Students Scholarship
6. BNU “Silk Road Muduo” Scholarship
XI. Accommodation and Visa Application
1. Beijing Campus
(1) On-campus accommodation: Beijing Normal University has 5 international student apartments, which provide single room, double room and other room types. Relevant information can be found on the website of the International Students Office (http://iso.bnu.edu.cn/). Admitted candidates should book the dormitory online through the personal information page of the online application system according to requirement of International Students Office. Scholarship students who have been admitted under the free accommodation policy do not need to book a dormitory, the school will arrange accommodation.
(2) Off-campus accommodation: New students who do not book the dormitory online within the given period will be seen as giving up on-campus accommodation. Please arrange off-campus accommodation in advance and go to the local public security office to register for accommodation within 24 hours of your stay, in accordance with laws and regulations. New students who live off-campus should apply for off-campus accommodation when the school starts, and sign the Off-campus Accommodation Commitment Form.
(3) The accepted candidates should apply for an X1 visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate at their home country with the printed “Admission Notice” and “Foreign Student Visa Application Form” (JW201/202). For more information, please visit the International Student Office website (http://iso.bnu.edu.cn) “Study & Life”- Visa, or send an email to the International Student Office (isp@bnu.edu.cn).
2. Zhuhai Campus
(1) On-campus Accommodation: Beijing Normal University (Zhuhai Campus) Phoenix School International Students Residence provides double room for international students. The price is 7500 RMB per person per academic year. The assignment of dormitory rooms will be arranged by Phoenix School.
(2) The accepted candidates should apply for an X1 visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate at their home country with the printed “Admission Notice” and “Foreign Student Visa Application Form” (JW201/202). For more information, please visit the International Student Office website (http://iso.bnu.edu.cn) “Study & Life”- Visa, or send an email to International Office of Zhuhai campus ( zhuhai_iso@bnu.edu.cn ).
XII. Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Admission Office (International Students), Beijing Normal University
A103, Main Building, No. 19 Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District
Beijing, China 100875
Tel: 0086-10-5880-2944
E-mail: egp@bnu.edu.cn
Special Notice:
Please refer to the latest notice on the official website of Beijing Normal University for information on postgraduate enrollment and admission of international students. All the time related information adheres strictly to the Beijing Time.
The final interpretation of this brief belongs to the Admission Office of Beijing Normal University.
