What HSK level do you need to study Chinese in China?
To study Chinese itself in China you do not need any HSK level at Peking University. The bar goes up only when you want to sit regular courses in Chinese: Peking University asks visiting students for HSK 6 above 180 points, with a way around it.
| Requirement | HSK level | Source (checked 14 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese language studies (Peking University) | No Chinese proficiency requirement | Peking University International Students Division, 1 Oct 2023 |
| Visiting student taking Chinese-taught undergraduate courses (Peking University) | HSK 6, over 180 points | Peking University International Students Division, 1 Oct 2023 |
| Alternative if you fall short (Peking University) | English-taught courses, or Chinese study, for one or two semesters | Peking University International Students Division, 1 Oct 2023 |
| General scholar on the Chinese Government Scholarship, excluding Chinese language majors | HSK 3 | Chinese consulate in Montreal, 2026-2027 CSC notice, 28 Oct 2025 |
The answer depends on what you will do there
A language course places you by level on arrival, so no certificate is needed at the school we checked. A scholarship for non-language study is different: the scholarship notice asks general scholars for HSK 3. And attending ordinary university classes taught in Chinese is a third thing, with Peking University's visiting-student bar at HSK 6.
It varies by school
This table uses one university's page, dated October 2023, and one government notice. Other universities and private language schools set their own rules, and visa rules for a long stay are separate from the school's. Confirm with the school and the visa office for your country.
Why arrive with some Chinese anyway
Placement puts you with people at your level, so every month you arrive further along is a month you spend above the beginner class. HSK 1 is about 150 words and HSK 2 about 300.
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
Do I need HSK to study Chinese in China?
Not at Peking University, whose language-study page states no Chinese proficiency requirement. Other schools set their own rules, so check the one you are applying to.
What HSK level do I need to take regular courses in Chinese as an exchange student?
Peking University asks visiting students for the new HSK 6 certificate with over 180 points. If you are below that it offers one or two semesters of English-taught courses or Chinese study instead.
Which HSK level do general scholars on the CSC need?
HSK 3 under the 2026-2027 notice, for general scholar programs other than Chinese language study.
How much Chinese should I know before I go?
No rule says. Knowing pinyin and the roughly 150 words of HSK 1 makes the first weeks easier, and HSK 2 (about 300 words) lets you place into a higher class. This is our advice, not a school requirement.
Where can I find my level?
The free placement test on this site gives a level estimate with no account. The HSK levels page explains what each level covers.
Arrive ready to place high. GraphChinese takes you from your first character through HSK 2 and beyond, one lesson at a time. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
Start at your true level