Your qualifications. Your course. Your budget.

Study in the UK from China.

Gaokao and foundation routes, bachelor’s degree assessment and postgraduate funding.

CourseToJob editorial guide · Reviewed 19 September 2026 · Our editorial method

Where to start

Match your qualifications to the exact programme, compare its full tuition and living costs, and confirm scholarship and application deadlines. Use the official links below to verify the requirements before accepting an offer.

How will UK universities assess my qualifications?

Universities set their own requirements. The Manchester examples below illustrate what to check; they do not determine eligibility at other institutions or guarantee an offer.

Undergraduate study

Gaokao acceptance differs between universities. Manchester does not accept it for direct degree entry and normally expects senior-high-school applicants to complete an approved foundation programme. Other qualifications, including A-levels or IB, have separate routes: compare the actual policy at each institution.

Master’s and further study

For a UK master’s, ask how your university, bachelor’s degree and grading scale are assessed. Manchester publishes a general Chinese degree requirement but individual programmes can set additional conditions. Prepare the original transcript and any translation requested by admissions.

Verify the details: University of Manchester’s official China admissions guidance. Also read our UK entry requirements and applications guide.

Questions to resolve before applying

Ask whether your qualification leads to direct entry or a named foundation pathway.
Check foundation progression grades and whether progression to your chosen degree is conditional.
For research degrees, discuss supervisor fit and funding separately from taught master’s admission.

Which university and course should I choose?

Start with the work you want to do and the subjects you enjoy. Country of origin does not determine which degree suits you. Compare these points across your shortlist:

Course fit

Read compulsory modules, assessment methods, facilities and any professional accreditation. Check whether the placement is guaranteed, competitive or optional.

Explore degree subjects and careers Compare subject options

Location and support

Check the actual campus, accommodation contract, commute and international advice team. Ask about disability support, wellbeing services and student societies that matter to you.

Research UK universities by location Use the university choice checklist

Cost and outcomes

Compare the full study period, including a foundation or placement year. Ask about course-level graduate outcomes; broad subject earnings are not a forecast for an international graduate.

Compare international course-fee examples Understand graduate salary data

What will the course and UK living costs be?

Fees depend on your course, intake and individual fee status. Read a university’s international fee schedule and confirm whether the amount is annual or for the complete programme. A deposit may be part of tuition, so avoid counting it twice.

See published course fees Build a personal GBP budget

Keep the university quote in GBP. If your funds are in CNY, get a current conversion quote from your payment provider and account for transfer charges and changes before each payment. Our planner uses GBP and does not supply exchange rates.

Include accommodation for the full contract, food, transport, travel, course materials and applicable immigration costs. Read tuition and funding guidance and obtain an individual UKCISA-informed fee-status assessment from the university where relevant.

Where can I look for funding?

Explore scholarship listings for China and check each scheme’s nationality, residence and course rules.

GREAT Scholarships: China

Use the official country list to identify participating universities and check the award year and course restrictions.

Also check your university’s own undergraduate, postgraduate and research awards. Compare what is covered, payment timing, exclusions and whether the award can be combined with other funding. Scholarship lists can describe a past application round.

Use the scholarship research checklist. Build an affordable plan using confirmed resources; future employment or an unawarded scholarship is not assured funding.

Your next steps, in order

Use the programme finder and your shortlist, supported by subject guides and the university directory.
Ask admissions to confirm your qualification, English evidence and application route.
Confirm the intake, fee schedule, scholarship decisions and deposit refund terms.
Use the budget and application planner before accepting an offer.
Check your own circumstances against GOV.UK’s visa checker and official Student visa resources. Ask the university about CAS, financial evidence, and any applicable TB-test or ATAS requirement.

Your questions, answered

Do UK universities accept the Gaokao?

There is no single UK-wide rule. Manchester does not accept Gaokao for direct degree entry; check each university’s current China admissions page and the exact programme. If a foundation route is required, include its fees and living costs in your budget.

How much does a UK course cost for students from China?

There is no single country-specific price. Tuition depends on the university, programme, intake and your assessed fee status. Use the dated course-fee examples as starting points, then obtain the exact fee schedule and add living costs, travel and any applicable immigration charges.

Keep exploring

See the UK data behind these guides · International student home