Notice on Chinese Language Learning & HSK Graduation Requirements for International Students (Trial)

Notice on Chinese Language Learning & HSK Graduation Requirements for International Students (Trial)

General Provisions

In October 2018, the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China officially issued the Quality Standards for Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) (Jiao Wai [2018] No. 50). The document stipulates that:

1. For majors and programs taught in Chinese,international students must attain Level 5 of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages which corresponds to Level 5 of the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi, the Chinese Proficiency Test; hereinafter referred to as “HSK”) upon graduation.

2. For majors and programs taught in foreign languages, undergraduate international students must attain at least Level 4 of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages which corresponds to Level 4 of the HSK, while master’s and doctoral students must attain at least Level 3, which corresponds to Level 3 of the HSK upon graduation.

To standardize the cultivation and evaluation of Chinese language proficiency for international students, and to ensure they possess the necessary Chinese language communication skills required for academic study, research, and daily life, this notice is hereby issued in accordance with relevant national policies and the actual conditions of the University.

I. Chinese Placement Test and Course Requirements for English-Taught Students

1. Placement Test

All undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in English-taught programs must participate in the Chinese proficiency placement test organized by the School of International Education upon enrollment. Students must comply with the class placement arrangements.

Students who are unable to take the test due to objective reasons will be assigned to an appropriate class by the Chinese Language Teaching and Research Office. Failure to attend classes or examinations will result in no credits being granted for the compulsory "Chinese Language" course.

(II) Conditions for Course Exemption (Without Exemption from Examination) for the Compulsory “Chinese Language” Course in English-Taught Programs

Students who participate in the placement test and achieve the corresponding HSK level (HSK Level 4 for undergraduates and HSK Level 3 for postgraduates) or above may apply for course exemption without exemption from examination for the Chinese language course, in accordance with the China Pharmaceutical University International Students Chinese Language Courses Exemption Management Measures (Trial).

II. Chinese Language Proficiency Requirements for Graduation

(I) HSK Level Requirements

(II) Validity Date of the Certificate

The submitted HSK certificate must have been obtained within 8 years prior to the year of graduation (based on the certificate issuance date). For example, students graduating in 2026 must hold a certificate issued no earlier than January 1, 2018.

(III) HSK Certificate Submission Deadlines

Prior to each round of degree conferral, the School of International Education will conduct arigorous review of the HSK certificate submitted by graduating students. Those who fail to submit the certificate before the deadline or whose certificates do not meet the requirements shall have their degree conferral postponed. The student may only participate in the next available degree application process after passing the required level of the HSK examination and providing a valid certificate.

If the physical certificate has not yet been issued but the online score has been released, students may submit a screenshot from the official HSK website. Upon verification by the Chinese Language Teaching and Research Office, the screenshot shall have the same effect as the certificate.

Students must submit a valid certificate within their maximum study duration. Certificates submitted after the maximum study period will not be accepted, regardless of validity.

(IV) Certificate Verification Process

1. Students submit a clear scanned copy of the HSK certificate to the Chinese Language Teaching and Research Office.

2. The office verifies the authenticity and validity of the certificate (including level and validity period).

3. Counselors upload the verified certificate to the International Student Management System as an essential document for graduation qualification review.

4. If a falsified HSK certificate is submitted and confirmed, the student will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the university’s policies on academic integrity and misconduct. If a degree or diploma has already been awarded, the university will revoke the degree, and the corresponding record on the China Higher Education Student Information (CHSI) website will be simultaneously nullified.

5. Students who disagree with the verification results may apply for a review within two working days upon receiving the notification. The School of International Education will organize a second review and provide the final result in writing.

Supplementary Provisions

These measures shall apply to all international students enrolled from September 2023 onward.

The School of International Education is responsible for interpretation of this document.

School of International Education

November 13, 2025