The costs of living vary greatly across different cities in China. There are many factors that can affect your expenses, including tuition fees, the prestige of the university, the size of the city, and your spending habits.  

Students from around the world are drawn to China because tuition fees at Chinese universities are lower than those at Western universities. Living costs are also relatively low compared to other countries, with affordable food, transport, and daily necessities. There are a variety of accommodation options available to suit a variety of budgets.   To stay on top of your budget, make sure to include a little more money than you think you will spend in each category, and an emergency fund for unexpected situations. The worst thing you can do is to overspend, so it's better if you spent less than you expected. 

Tip: Make sure to keep a record of your monthly expenses so you know where your money is going. Jot it down in a journal or create a spreadsheet!

Here are some of the categories of expenses to take into account when creating your budget:  

– Flight Tickets

– Application Fee ($150 USD)

– Accommodation – varies depending on whether you are staying on-campus or off-campus 

– Fees for visa applications

– Tuition Fees (varies by program)

– Books and supplies

– Insurance (In order to register to study in China, students must have insurance. Students can make the prior arrangements themselves or purchase it when they arrive in China. Ping An offers a student insurance policy for 600 RMB.)

– Food (Varies according to your eating habits and preferences. Food at universities can be very affordable, costing only a few dollars per meal or less. If you prefer to eat out, there are also many affordable dining options in the city.)

– Miscellaneous living expenses such as shopping, entertainment, etc.   Expenses require as much money as you can afford, so it is important to factor this into your preparation for studying in China. It is common for universities to require students to provide a letter of guarantee from whoever is paying the fees in order to guarantee they will be able to cover the cost of the program. Budgeting properly is one of the most important aspects of a student's program, because you won't want to find yourself in the situation where you have to drop out because you can't afford tuition! However, there are scholarships offered in China that can help you fund your education. Find out more in the next section!