Beijing Foreign Studies University (hereinafter referred to as “BFSU”) is located on Xisanhuan North Road in Haidian District, Beijing. It is a national key university directly administered by the Ministry of Education, one of the first institutions to be listed under the “Project 211”, a member of the “Project 985” Superior Discipline Innovation Platform, and among the first group of universities selected for the “Double First-Class Project”. As the Chinese university with the longest history in foreign language education and the widest range of language programs, BFSU serves as an important training base for internationally-oriented professionals in diplomacy, translation, international business, journalism, law, finance, and other fields. BFSU admits international students to its master’s and doctoral programs through an “application-based evaluation” system. We are committed to nurturing talents with an appreciation of Chinese culture, a global vision and strong professional competence.
I. Programs Offered for Enrollment
Information regarding available majors, research directions, program duration, language of instruction, and admitting departments is provided in the 2026 Beijing Foreign Studies University Master’s and Doctoral Program Catalogue (hereinafter referred to as the “Program Catalogue”).
II. Duration of Study
Unless otherwise specified by the admitting department or program, the standard duration of study is 2 or 3 years for master’s programs and 4 years for doctoral programs. The maximum period of study may be extended as follows: The period of study may be extended by up to 1 additional year for master’s students beyond the standard duration while the maximum period of study for doctoral students is 6 years. For students approved for a leave of absence to start a business, the maximum extension is up to 2 additional years for master’s programs and up to 4 additional years for doctoral programs beyond the standard duration.
III. ligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following basic conditions:
1. Be a non-Chinese citizen and hold a valid foreign passport.Applicants from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, or Taiwan Province who later emigrated and acquired foreign nationality and now apply as international students must have held a valid foreign passport or proof of foreign nationality and must provide documentation proving the renunciation of their Chinese nationality.
Note: Whether the applicant who holds foreign nationality also possesses the nationality of the People’s Republic of China shall be determined by the conclusions of the Exit-Entry Administration of public security authorities in China. If an applicant is determined to hold Chinese nationality during application, admission, or after enrollment, their eligibility to apply, admission status, or student registration will be cancelled accordingly.
2. Be in good physical and mental health, meet the medical requirements for obtaining a visa or residence permit in China, satisfy the health standards for the intended major at BFSU, and be fully capable of sustaining normal academic progress and daily life during their stay in China.
3. Have no disciplinary violations, public security penalties, or criminal behaviors or records; be friendly toward China; demonstrate good conduct; abide by Chinese laws and university regulations; and respect the customs and habits of the Chinese people.
4.Applicants for a master’s degree must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university recognized by the Ministry of Education of China.Applicants for a doctoral degree must hold a master’s degree or higher from a university recognized by the Ministry of Education of China.
5. Meet the academic performance, academic level, language proficiency, and other requirements for the intended major. Details can be found through the links to each admitting school in the Program Catalogue.
IV. Application Procedures
Beijing Foreign Studies University adopts an online application system. Applicants must register and submit their applications through the BFSU International Students Service System.
Instructions:
(1) Application portal: http://study.bfsu.edu.cn. The application may be completed in Chinese or English.
(2) Portal opening periods: October 15, 2025–May 31, 2026.
(3) All information provided in the online application must be truthful, accurate, complete, and valid. Applicants shall bear full responsibility for any adverse consequences in admission or enrollment caused by errors, omissions, falsification, or invalid information.
(4) For details regarding the collection, use, and protection of student data, please refer to the Beijing Foreign Studies University International Students Privacy Policy.
(5) Application Materials:
a. Degree Certificate. The degree certificate should be in Chinese or English. If the original certificate is in another language, both the original and a notarized Chinese or English translation must be uploaded.
Note: Graduates are generally required to submit their degree certificate at the time of application. Current students must submit an official pre-graduation or student status certificate when applying and provide the final diploma and degree certificate before enrollment if admitted.
b. Official Transcript issued by the applicant’s previous university. The transcripts should be in Chinese or English; documents in other languages must be accompanied by a notarized Chinese or English translation.
c. Curriculum Vitae and Research Proposal. Written in the language of instruction of the applied program. For master’s programs, the research proposal should be no less than 1,500 words. For doctoral programs, the research proposal should be no less than 3,000 words and must be sent to the prospective supervisor via email for confirmation prior to submission. Contact information for doctoral supervisors can be found in the Program Catalogue.
d. Two Letters of Recommendation. Written by professors or associate professors in the applicant’s field of study (or experts with equivalent professional qualifications). Letters of recommendation may be in Chinese or English.
e. Valid Language (Chinese or English) Proficiency Certificate. Specific language requirements for each major can be found through the links to the admitting schools in the Program Catalogue.
f. Passport (photo page). A valid ordinary private passport is required. For applicants seeking admission in the fall semester, the passport must be valid until after October 1, 2026.
Applicants currently residing in China must also upload the pages of their current visa/residence permit and the page with the most recent entry stamp.
Applicants who were formerly Chinese citizens and later acquired foreign nationality must submit proof of naturalization and proof of renunciation of their former Chinese household registration.
g. Enrollment Commitment signed by the applicant and Letter of Guarantee signed by a guarantor. Templates for the Enrollment Commitment and Letter of Guarantee can be downloaded from the application website: http://study.bfsu.edu.cn.
h. Applicants who are currently employed must provide a letter from their employer consenting to their study, or proof of termination of employment.
i. Other supplementary documents required by the admitting school or specific scholarship programs. Please refer to the admitting school’s introduction or scholarship application instructions for details.
j. List of published academic articles and abstracts, as well as other original research outputs (if any).
Note: All original supporting documents must be submitted as clear color scans. Photographs that are distorted or unclear will not be accepted.
Note: All original supporting documents must be submitted as clear color scans. Photographs that are distorted or unclear will not be accepted.
VI. Application Fee
The application fee is 800 RMB. Applicants should complete online payment as instructed within the International Students Service System. Only RMB is accepted; other currencies and traveler’s checks will not be accepted. The application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
VII. Preliminary Review and Re-examination
The Overseas Students Affairs Office will conduct a preliminary review of applicants’ eligibility and submitted materials. Applications that pass the preliminary review will be forwarded to the respective admitting schools. Each school will review the materials with a focus on the applicant’s previous academic performance, academic foundation, and potential for further development. Each school will also organize entrance examinations or assessments to evaluate the applicant’s professional competence, research ability, language proficiency, creativity, and overall qualifications.During this period, applicants may log in to the BFSU International Students Service System to check the application status and relevant notifications.
VIII. Admission
1. The university conducts a comprehensive evaluation of applicants based on the preliminary review of submitted materials, departmental assessments, and proposed admission recommendations, and admits candidates on a merit basis.
2. The university will send admission notices to successful applicants via the email address registered in the online application system. In accordance with the relevant policies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and the National Immigration Administration, the university will also issue the electronic Confirmation Form for Study in China (JW201/JW202).The process from completion of admission to the issuance of all relevant documents typically takes 4 to 5 weeks.
IX. Registration and Preliminary Review and Re-examination of Enrollment Eligibility
New students must register and report in person within the timeframe specified on their admission notice. Failure to register on time without a valid explanation will be treated as automatic withdrawal from the university.At registration, students must present their passport, admission notice, Confirmation Form for Study in China (JW201/JW202), and five 2-inch passport-style photos with a white background. Applicants should also bring the original copies of their diploma and other submitted application materials for verification. If a physical examination was conducted in the applicant’s home country, all original medical documents must be brought.BFSU will conduct a preliminary review at registration and a re-examination after enrollment. If, during the review, it is found that the admission notice, applicant information, or other supporting documents do not match the student’s actual situation, or if there is any falsification or
misconduct, the student will be deemed ineligible, and their enrollment or student status will be canceled.
X. Tuition Fees and Scholarships
1. Tuition standards are listed in the Program Catalogue. All fees and refunds are calculated in RMB.Students making bank transfers must remit funds to the designated account and retain the remittance receipt for verification purposes. Refunds resulting from mid-term withdrawal or transfer will be handled in accordance with the Beijing Foreign Studies University Regulations on Fees for International Students.
[Bank Account Information]
Beneficiary: Beijing Foreign Studies University Account Bank: Zizhuyuan Sub-branch, Beijing Branch, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
Account No.: 0200007609026402172
Bank Identifier Code: ICBKCNBJBJM
2. Scholarships New international students may apply for the following three types of scholarships:
(1)Chinese Government Scholarship–High-Level Postgraduate Program: This scholarship covers full tuition, provides accommodation, and includes medical insurance. A monthly living allowance is also provided in accordance with relevant standards. For application details, please refer to the Beijing Foreign Studies University 2026/2027 Admissions Prospectus for Chinese Government Scholarship–High-Level Graduate Program.
(2) International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship –Master’s Program for Foreign Translators: This scholarship covers full tuition, provides accommodation, and includes medical insurance. A monthly living allowance is also provided in accordance with relevant standards. For application details, please refer to the2026 Beijing Foreign Studies University Admissions Prospectus for Master’s Program for Foreign Translators.
(3) Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students: Category B covers tuition, provides accommodation, and includes medical insurance; Category C covers tuition and includes medical insurance. For application details, please refer to the Application Procedures of Beijing Government Scholarship for New International Students in 2026.
XI. Visa, Medical Insurance, and Accommodation
[Visa]
Before entering China, applicants must apply for a student visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate using their admission notice, Confirmation Form for Study in China (JW201/JW202), and other required documents. Applicants planning to study in China for more than six months must apply for an X1 visa. Required documents and application procedures are subject to the regulations of the local Chinese Embassy or Consulate. Decisions on visa issuance or refusal made by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate are final. Upon arrival in China, students must visit the Overseas Students Affairs Office within 30 days to convert their X1 visa into a residence permit for study.
[Medical Insurance]
The Ministry of Education of China requires all international students studying in China to purchase a comprehensive medical insurance plan that meets national standards. Students who do not obtain the required insurance will not be allowed to complete registration.Insurance can be purchased either before arrival or on the day of registration. The reference premium rates are: 400 RMB per half-year or 800 RMB per year.
[Accommodation]
BFSU provides on-campus dormitories for international students. [Click here to view the accommodation fees.]
International students officially admitted to BFSU are eligible to apply for residence in the university’s international student dormitories. Students must log in to the BFSU International Students Service System (website: http://study.bfsu.edu.cn) within the designated timeframe and use the dormitory reservation module to book accommodation for the new semester. Students who reserve a dormitory or make an online booking must report to the university and complete the check-in process according to the announced registration schedule. Dormitory reservations will not be retained for students who fail to register on time.International students who enjoy free accommodation benefits under Chinese government programs or bilateral agreements will be assigned on-campus dormitories by the university and do not need to make an online reservation.Students who do not reside in on-campus dormitories during their studies should secure alternative accommodation in advance. For those
living in community housing, a temporary residence registration certificate must be obtained at the local police station within 24 hours of moving in, accompanied by the head of the household. Off-campus students must present said valid temporary residence registration certificate to complete enrollment and visa procedures.
Accommodation information link: https://lb.bfsu.edu.cn/info/1048/2086.htm
XII. Graduation and Degree Conferral
Upon completion of the required study period, fulfillment of all requirements specified in the training plan, attainment of satisfactory academic performance, and successful defense of the thesis, graduation shall be approved. Upon review and approval by the university’s Degree Evaluation Committee, the corresponding degree shall be conferred.
XIII. Other Matters
1.For further information regarding the relevant schools or departments, such as their basic profiles, research activities, faculty teams, and training programs, please refer to the websites of the respective schools or departments.
2.BFSU does not authorize any intermediary agencies or individuals to conduct entrance examination training or admissions-related work. No fees beyond those stipulated by national regulations will be charged. The applicant’s admission status shall be determined solely by the official notification received from BFSU.
3.Any matters not covered herein shall be handled in accordance with the relevant policies of the higher authorities and the university. Should there be
any new policies or requirements, the university will release relevant information in a timely manner.
XIV. Contact Information
Overseas Students Affairs Office, Beijing Foreign Studies University
Address: Room 201, Student Center, No. 2 North Xisanhuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing
Tel: 0086-10-88816549, 0086-10-88816424, 0086-10-8881067
Fax: 0086-10-88812587
Website: https://lb.bfsu.edu.cn
Email: study@bfsu.edu.cn
