What HSK level do you need for a degree in China?
To graduate from a Chinese-taught degree in China you need HSK 5; to start one, universities commonly ask for HSK 3 to HSK 5 depending on the degree and the school. The national rule is about the end of the degree, not the start. Foreign-language-taught degrees ask for HSK 4 (undergraduate) or HSK 3 (master and doctoral) before you graduate.
| Requirement | HSK level | Source (checked 14 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation, Chinese-taught undergraduate, master or doctoral | HSK 5 | Southwest University, quoting Ministry of Education document Jiao Wai [2018] No. 50, 1 Mar 2021 |
| Graduation, foreign-language-taught undergraduate | HSK 4 | Southwest University, quoting the same document, 1 Mar 2021 |
| Graduation, foreign-language-taught master or doctoral | HSK 3 | Southwest University, quoting the same document, 1 Mar 2021 |
| Entry, Chinese-taught undergraduate (scholarship applicants) | HSK 3 minimum | Chinese consulate in Montreal, CSC notice, 28 Oct 2025 |
| Entry, Chinese-taught master or doctoral (scholarship applicants) | HSK 4 minimum | Chinese consulate in Montreal, CSC notice, 28 Oct 2025 |
| Entry, straight into the major (Wuhan University) | HSK 4 undergraduate, HSK 5 master and doctoral | Wuhan University admissions, 11 Nov 2024 |
| Visiting students taking Chinese-taught undergraduate courses (Peking University) | HSK 6, over 180 points | Peking University International Students Division, 1 Oct 2023 |
Two different questions
"Entry" and "graduation" are separate bars. A school can admit you at HSK 3 and still withhold your degree certificate until you reach HSK 5, as the Southwest University notice describes the national rule for Chinese-taught degrees. So the real target is HSK 5 even when the application form asks for less. Plan the year of language study that many schools offer as part of the degree, not as a bonus.
Chinese-taught or foreign-language-taught
If the whole degree is in Chinese, you need the Chinese to follow lectures, read papers and write a thesis, which is why the graduation level is the highest of the three. Degrees taught in English or another language ask for much less Chinese, and their entry test is IELTS or TOEFL, with a score set by each university.
It varies by school
The range in the table is real. Peking University asks for HSK 6 above 180 for visiting students sitting Chinese-taught undergraduate courses, while the scholarship notice's minimum is HSK 3. Always read the admissions page for your exact program and year. We could not confirm the Ministry of Education text itself, so the 2018 rule is as quoted by Southwest University.
What those levels mean in words
Under the current standard the levels are cumulative: HSK 3 is about 600 words, HSK 4 about 1,200, HSK 5 about 2,500 and HSK 6 about 5,000. Going from HSK 3 to HSK 4 means roughly 600 more words, and from HSK 4 to HSK 5 roughly 1,300 more. A revised HSK 3.0 standard is first sat on 13 December 2026, see the exam date page. Check with the school which version of the certificate it accepts. The full ladder is on HSK levels, a schedule for reaching one is on the study plan, and the free placement test shows where you stand today.
Frequently asked questions
What HSK level do you need to study a degree in China taught in Chinese?
To graduate, HSK 5 at every level (undergraduate, master, doctoral), as Southwest University quotes the 2018 Ministry of Education rule. To enter, the scholarship notice asks for HSK 3 (undergraduate) or HSK 4 (master and doctoral), and some schools ask for more.
What HSK level do you need for an English-taught degree in China?
For entry, usually none, just an English test. To graduate, the same rule asks for HSK 4 for undergraduates and HSK 3 for master and doctoral students, according to the Southwest University notice.
Can I start a Chinese-taught degree at HSK 3?
At some schools, yes. Wuhan University admits HSK 3 undergraduate applicants into a year of language study first, and HSK 4 applicants straight into the major. Not every program offers the language year, so check yours.
Is HSK 6 needed for a university in China?
Rarely for a degree. Peking University asks for it from visiting students who want to take Chinese-taught undergraduate courses. Degree-seeking requirements are lower and set per program.
How many words do these levels cover?
HSK 3 is about 600 words, HSK 4 about 1,200, HSK 5 about 2,500 and HSK 6 about 5,000 under the current standard.
A degree taught in Chinese is a vocabulary problem first. GraphChinese sequences the words and grammar from HSK 1 to HSK 5 so each lesson rests on ones you already know. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
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