Are you considering pursuing an MBA in China? With its booming economy and diverse culture, China has become an increasingly popular destination for students seeking a world-class education in business. But with so many universities to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is the best fit for you.
In pursuit of your academic and professional dreams, earning a foreign MBA degree is a good way to go.
The choice to study in China for most, if not all, resonates with a desire to study in an effective, supportive, and affordable environment with advanced learning technology and rich cultural heritage.
In this article put together by Pick A Scholarship, we have compiled the best schools and universities in China where you can earn a master’s degree in business administration.
China is one of the exciting locations to pursue an MBA degree due to its technological advancement in business, innovations, and education, making it a desirable study destination for international students seeking to pursue their MBA programs.
So, in this post, you will find the top 5 universities for Master of Business Administration Programs in China, study requirements, and the cost of the program among others. But before we get there, let’s give you a little introduction to what the nation of China is like.
About China
The nation of China is an Asian nation that resides in East Asia and shares borders with neighboring countries such as India, Russia, North Korea, Bhutan, Vietnam, Laos, Mongolia, and Pakistan. It is a country with rapid advancement in terms of business, industrialization, education, and technology.
It is a study destination for many students from all over the world due to its high and effective level of education, cheap and relatively affordable. China ranks among the top 10 technologically advanced nations, so an average student studying in China is privileged to study with the latest technology that makes education easier and more enjoyable.
MBA in China
China, as a nation, has a brief history of the MBA program, although it dates back to the late 19th century. In the restructuring of tertiary education in China, certain management education programs began to emerge with the advent of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral MBA programs. In 1991, there were more than 9 MBA programs in the country; As of 2018, China has more than 238 MBA programs in different public and private business schools.
By undertaking undergraduate business and management studies in China, the student will learn basic knowledge in business and management such as management principles, economics, business law, accounting, etc. Students also focus on specialized fields such as international trade, finance, and marketing.
MBA programs in China often focus on specialized fields such as management information systems, go-to-market strategy, human resources, innovation, etc. MBA students carry out research projects under the instruction of their supervisors.
Many people have different reasons why they choose to study for an MBA in China; which includes salary, career prospects, and networking.
Networking itself is a major reason why international students choose China as their MBA study destination, as the program basically trains prospective Chinese and international managers for top leadership positions in China.
International students can choose to study in Chinese or English-taught MBA programs in China depending on their English Proficiency. In most programs, students learn courses from Chinese and foreign teachers. MBA in China expects applicants to have at least 3 years of work experience and a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Top 5 MBA Universities in China
In this blog post, we will be exploring the top 5 universities for MBA in China, along with their tuition fees and available scholarships. Whether you’re looking for a program with a strong focus on international business or seeking to immerse yourself in Chinese culture, we’ve got the information you need to make an informed decision. So, let’s dive in and discover the best MBA programs that China has to offer!
Here is the list of the Top 5 MBA Universities in China
- China Europe International Business School
- Peking University – Guanghua School of Management
- Fudan University – School of Management
- Tsinghua University – College of Economics and Management
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Antai College of Economics and Management
#1 CEIBS – China Europe International Business School
Since 1994, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) has existed as one of the world’s leading companies. He resides in Shanghai, China. The school is a product of the partnership memorandum between the Chinese government and the European Commission and is the first business school in mainland China to admit students to a full-time MBA, executive MBA, and a variety of business education programs.
According to the Financial Times, all of its full-time and executive MBA programs are among the top 30 in the world. Its EMBA courses are the largest in the world, with more than 700 students in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen. The school also trains some 10,000 students through CEIBS short-term executive programs each year.
In 2012, CEIBS began offering a part-time MBA in Finance. As of the end of December 2017, CEIBS had more than 20,000 alumni worldwide and had provided management training to more than 130,000 executives.
Although the school is geographically located in China, it uses the European business school model; Its main campus is in the Pudong District, Shanghai, and it has other campuses in Shenzhen, Zurich, Beijing, and Accra, Ghana.
To know more about CEIBS, check out the school website.
Requirements for the CEIBS
The application for the CEIBS scholarship program requires the following documents;
- A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
- A minimum of two full years of work experience.
- A valid GMAT and GRE or CEIBS admission test certificate
- A certificate of proficiency and a strong command of written and spoken English.
- Two letters of recommendation
- application fee
- Full application including two essay questions
- A highly committed organization that will allow you to work two days off each month while attending classes; Financial sponsorship is not required.
Tuition
The tuition fee at CEIBS for the 18 MBA program costs RMB408,000. This includes the cost of textbooks, access to the school’s database for MBA students, and internet resources.
CEIBS Scholarships
Below are some CEIBS scholarships that you can apply for.
DDI-Shanghai Town & Country Scholarship
The DDI-Shanghai Town & Country Scholarship is a scholarship at CEIBS that offers 150,000 RMB to new MBA students. The offer is for only two students per admission each academic year. The application process will begin in March 2022.
Candidates entering Round 1 or submitting MBA applications in Round 2 will receive scholarship details in March. They announce the final result no later than April 30, 2022.
Greenwoods Scholarship
The Greenwoods Scholarship is sponsored by Greenwoods Asset Management, whose Chairman and Managing Partner are all CEIBS alumni. The opportunity is to offer a full tuition payment for recent MBA graduates.
Infinity Scholarship
The Infineum Scholarship, which started in 2016, offers financial aid of RMB 200,000 to new MBA students and the offer is for one student per admission each year for the next five years. Their selection process is based on both merit and financial need. Infineum (Shanghai) Additives Co. Ltd. Infineum President Mr. Fu Limin is a CEIBS EMBA 2003 alumnus who is proud to fund this scholarship.
The Omnicom Scholarship is sponsored by the Omnicom Group and seeks to offer financial support of approximately USD 20,000 for a newly admitted MBA student’s tuition fees and is available to one student per admission each academic year. Scholarship selection will be based on the performance of written essays.
Prosperity Fund Scholarship
As of 2017, Shanghai Prosperity Holdings makes the Prosperity Fund Scholarship available. It exists to help two new MBA students with RMB15,000 in aid.
New eastern scholarship
Initiated by CEIBS and New Oriental, the New Oriental Scholarship seeks to support applicants who have attended GMAT or GRE training through the New Oriental Center. The scholarship will fund RMB 40,000 for two first-year MBA students.
Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarship
The Shanghai Municipal Government Scholarships are government scholarships that aim to encourage international students to study in China.
Liu Ji Education Fund
The Liu Ji Education Fund awards one half-tuition scholarship each year to support students in mainland China. The fund was established in 2006 by Professor Liu Ji, Honorary President of CEIBS.
Wu Jinglian Education Fund
The Wu Jinglian Education Fund is a financial support system for three mainland Chinese students with demonstrated financial need and offers up to 100,000 RMB in scholarships each year. The fund was started in honor of Professor Wu Jinglian, Baosteel Senior Lecturer in Economics at CEIBS and Senior Research Fellow at the China State Council Development Research Center.
Zhou Zongming Scholarship
The Zhou Zongming Scholarship is an opportunity offered by Zhou Zongming, a CEIBS EMBA2003 alumni. This award seeks to support new MBA students with RMB 100,000 and is for one student per admission each year for the next ten years. This scholarship is open to all new students, preference is given to young students with leadership potential and who are fluent in Mandarin.
#2 Peking University – Guanghua School of Management
Established in 1985, Guanghua School of Management has existed as the Business School of Peking University in Beijing, China. Their International MBA Program is a full-time MBA program in English for high-potential professional who wants to become global business leaders.
The school also showcases a number of full-time and part-time MBA programs that are in Chinese. Such a program makes available a holistic general management education that has an emphasis on the reality of doing business in China.
Ranked first as the most influential MBA in China and the Asia Pacific region in a ranking by the World Executive and is recognized as one of the best business schools in China and highly regarded for its consistency in effective academic teaching, faculty research, and High selectivity for admission.
The business school offers a high-quality program in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs; It also runs an EMBA and MPAcc program, as well as several other custom non-degree Executive Education Programs. It has a total student enrollment of about 3,000.
The school has around 100 full-time teaching faculty members. Some universities represented by recently recruited faculty are Harvard, Oxford, Yale, University of California, Berkeley, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, Brown, and Purdue.
To know more about Guanghua School of Management, check out the School’s website.
Requirements for Guanghua School of Management
Prospective applicants at the Guanghua School of Management must have the following requirements;
- Must be non-Chinese citizenship.
- Must have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Have relevant work experience.
- Have competitive GMAT or GRE scores.
tuition fee
The tuition fee at Guanghua School of Management varies for different courses and levels of programs. However, the full-time international MBA program costs 188 RMB for the entire program, while the part-time MBA program is about 000 RMB for the entire program.
Peking University – Guanghua School of Management Scholarships
Guanghua Excellence Scholarships
The scholarship provides students with the financial aid of up to 188,000 RMB for a tuition waiver.
Beijing Municipal Government Scholarships
The Beijing Municipal Government Scholarships are government scholarships that aim to encourage international students to study in China.
One Belt One Road Scholarships
This merit-based scholarship opportunity is available to students from One Belt One Road countries in support of China’s Belt and Road policy. All successful applicants for the One Belt One Road Scholarship will receive a full or half scholarship. The scholarship covers full tuition (188,000RMB/person) or half tuition (100,000RMB/person), as well as providing accommodation allowance (4,000RMB/person/month) and living allowance (3,000RMB/person/ month) .
Need-Based Scholarships
Guanghua School of Management MBA is committed to promoting humanitarian values and this scholarship gives the applicant an opportunity to benefit from the entrance scholarship and access waivers up to 50,000-100,000 RMB. Such applicants could include;
Students with financial need, female students, members of a minority group, or citizens of a developing or underdeveloped country
#3 Fudan University – School of Management
Fudan University-School of Management is the business college of Fudan University which was established in 1905. The business discipline was created in 1917 and the business school was started in 1929. It is the institution of higher learning in China to establish a business education department. Over the years, it has become one of the top-ranked educational institutions in China and has received the first prize for R&D Progress and excellent educational achievements.
At Fudan University, its MBA program is one of the most well-established, effective, influential, and distinguished MBA programs in the nation of China. Since its inception, the school has trained business leaders active on national and international platforms.
In more than 20 years, Fudan MBA’s exceptional achievements have been widely recognized and highly sought after by MBA applicants. Over the years, Fudan University MBA Program is ranked as one of the top programs in China by relevant institutions and media.
To know more about Fudan University – School of Management, check out the school’s website.
Requirements for Fudan University – School of Management
Prospective students of Fudan University – School Of Management must have the following requirements;
- College degree from a recognized university
- Professional or full-time work experience of not less than 2 years
- An acceptable GMAT/GRE score or other equivalent scores on the graduate school entrance exam within the validity period (international applicants)
- A GRK score that meets the minimum Fudan requirement (Chinese applicants)
- A special GRK score that meets the minimum Fudan requirement (Macau, Taiwan, and Hong Kong applicants)
payment of studies
The tuition fee for the school hovers around CNY 269,800 and for the international MBA is $34,100, which covers the cost of tuition, textbooks, action learning projects, seminars, and dissertations.
Fudan University – Management School Scholarships
Fudan IMBA GMAT Scholarships
The scholarship is for applicants with outstanding achievements in their GMAT exam. Students who have a score of 650 or higher are qualified for the scholarship that offers financial aid ranging from 30% to 100% of tuition.
Fudan IMBA Bereavement Degree Scholarship
IMBA students can choose to apply for the dueling degree between three programs (MIT, Yale or Schulich). If admitted, the tuition fee for the second academic year in the Fudan IMBA Program will be waived accordingly.
Fudan IMBA Entrance Scholarships for International Students
This opportunity is especially for international students and is offered based on the student’s academic and professional achievements, personal performance, selection performance and potential contributions. Admitted candidates will automatically be considered for this scholarship and a separate application is not necessary.
corporation scholarship
The school’s partner corporations sponsor these scholarships. It is an offer that grants its beneficiaries the prize that covers 100% of the tuition.
#3 Tsinghua University – College of Economics and Management
Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management is the Business School of Tsinghua University, located in Beijing, China. The institution’s history dates back to 1926 when Tsinghua University started its economics college.
The school offers undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and many executive education programs, with a total enrollment of more than 3,000 students. The school is consistently ranked among the best business schools in China.
It was the first institution in mainland China to obtain AACSB and EQUIS accreditations for its business and accounting programs.
The MIT Global MBA at Tsinghua is a comprehensive two-year MBA program that is a partnership between Tsinghua University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) since 1997 when the International MBA (IMBA) was established.
Tsinghua SEM is strong in innovation and business education.
To know more about Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management, check out the school’s website .
Tsinghua University – Faculty of Economics Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
- Competitive GMAT/GRE score or Tsinghua MBA alternative entrance examination score;
- Completed the Tsinghua MBA online application and submission of the necessary supporting materials.
- Complete the Tsinghua MBA Application Form
- Scanned Undergraduate Degree Certificate
- Scanned Undergraduate Transcript
- Two letters of recommendation sent by the referees.
- Current resume (page 1)
- Scanned passport page with personal information.
payment of studies
The tuition fee for Tsinghua University – College of Economics and Management varies with different programs.
For the entire Tsinghua-MIT Global MBA Program: 198,000 RMB
For Tsinghua Part-time MBA Program: 308,000 RMB
Also, for the dual degree programs of Tsinghua MBA + MIT Master of Science in Management Studies (MSMS): 99,000 RMB (first year) and $65,000 (MIT second year)
Tsinghua University – Faculty of Economics Scholarships
MBA Scholarship Program
The scholarship provides students with the support of up to 198,000 RMB for tuition waivers.
Beijing Municipal Government Scholarships
The Beijing Municipal Government Scholarships are RMB 10,000-20,000 Waiver government scholarships, which aim to encourage international students to study in China.
Chinese Government Scholarship
These are government-sponsored scholarships to financially support your local and foreign students with up to 66,600 RMB tuition waiver + free campus accommodation + monthly stipend for the entire program.
#5 Shanghai Jiao Tong University Antai College of Economics and Management
Since 1928, Antai College of Economics and Management (ACEM) has been the business school arm of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China. It is considered to be a branch of the Nan Yang Public School Business School, which dates back to 1903.
Its existence has been an important factor in educating potential young economic and managerial talents with a level of global competencies, as well as promoting scientific and academic innovation, serving economic and social development, and supporting the growth of business in China. .
ACEM offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including a large full-time MBA program and many executive education programs. It is ranked as the highest-ranking business school in China and one of the top 5 business universities in the Asia Pacific region.
To know more about Antai College of Economics and Management Fudan, check out the school’s website.
ACEM requirements
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.
- At least 2 years of work experience prior to formal registration.
- Official diploma (or notarial certificate) of the highest degree. Certificates not in Chinese or English must be accompanied by certified translations.
- Official university transcript
- Resume
- Personal statement and study plan.
- Two letters of reference from the applicant’s previous teachers or managers.
- Documents of English or Chinese language proficiency (if requested after the interview)
- GMAT/GRE report (if asked after the interview)
- Proof of application fee submission (RMB 800 or USD 130)
- Copy of passport
- A passport photo
The school also needs students to be
- Healthy both physically and mentally.
- Outstanding academic performance and potential.
Tuition fee
The tuition fee for the IMBA program 2020 (2 years) is 308,000 RMB and could be paid in two annual installments.
The tuition fee for the Chinese Part-time MBA Program 2020 (2.5 years) is 408,000 RMB and could be paid in three annual installments.
ACEM Scholarships
This is a school-sponsored scholarship based on the applicant’s performance during the interview exercise. The process is the following;
- The applicant ranked first in the interviews would receive a scholarship of 1% of the full program fee.
- Applicants ranked 2nd-4th in interviews would receive a scholarship of 25% of the full program fee.
- Applicants ranked 5-13 in interviews would receive a scholarship of 20,000 RMB
GMAT Scholarships
This offer is intended for students of the international MBA program with high GMAT scores. Merit Goes to Those who scored 730 or higher will receive an offer of 50% of the full program fee. While those who scored 680 or higher are awarded 25% of the full program fee. Scores of 630 or higher are awarded a scholarship of 20,000 RMB.
This scholarship is for the brightest students based on academic performance and participation. It offers full, half, and partial scholarships to almost 20% of MBA students.
CFA Scholarships
This opportunity is to financially support MBA and International MBA students if they pass CFA, which is equal to the amount of the exam fee for that level.
MBA Scholarships in China
What is the cost of living in China?
Living in China can be quite expensive depending on the city you are in. Such cities, like Beijing and Shanghai, are one of the most expensive cities to live in as an international student.
- To live in Beijing, you will need an expensive expense of between $1,000 and $1,200/.
- To live in Shanghai and Shenzhen, you will need between $850 and $1,200/month to cover your expenses.
- In all other Chinese cities, you could manage quite a bit with just $600 – $1,000/month. This will include accommodation costs if you want to say in a residence.
Accommodation costs
While Shanghai and Beijing are reputed to be one of the most expensive cities to reside in China and the world in general, however, you can find most other metropolitan cities like Tianjin, Jiangsu or Sichuan quite affordable to live in. Cities have many affordable housing systems.
The most common accommodation options in China are:
- Student residences: prices vary between 150 and 400 USD / month.
- Renting an apartment: The average rate is between 300 and 1,000 USD/month for a one-bedroom apartment (depending on the city, the location of the apartment, and the facilities included).
- Host family – between 350 and 550 USD / month.
- Hostel – usually chosen by international students as a temporary option; rates start at 18 USD/night for a private room.
- Living with a roommate, either in a dorm or an apartment, is the most common option for international students to save money.
All accommodations (mainly dormitories and apartments) require a security deposit: $300-$460.
Utility Bills: Approximately 50 USD/month on water, gas, and electricity.
Transportation costs in China
Transportation in China is quite affordable, as there are many options to take when one wants to move around the city. China has a good and powerful public transportation system with travel by taxi, subway, trains, etc. at reasonable prices.
Here is a general price list for public transport:
- Subway ride: 0.5 USD
- Taxi fare per km: 0.33 USD
- A 20-min taxi ride around the city: 4 USD
- City bus: 0.3 USD
- A student pass for public transportation costs around 15 USD/month.
Other additional expenses that you will need to consider as an international student looking to move to China include;
- Books and course materials: 30 – 50 USD / semester; You could pay more if you study science, medicine, or art.
- Medical insurance: around 60 USD for six months.
How can I get a study visa for Chinese?
While preparing to study in China, one of the factors worth noting is a student study visa, also known as an X visa, which is the official travel document issued to foreigners who come to China to study, pursue advanced studies, or conduct field research. The visa is divided into two;
- X1 Visa: for long-term studies > 180 days
- X2 visa: for short-term studies ≤ 180 days
In the process of obtaining a study visa for China, the applicant must;
- Make sure he/she has applied for and received an admission offer from any Chinese university or business school
- You must have proof of financial ability in the form of an official bank statement showing that students have sufficient finances to support their stay while studying in China.
- Visit the Chinese embassy in your home country.
- Apply for a study visa using a valid international passport document
- Provide all the documents required for the visa process.
Required documents include;
- Passport: original passport of the applicant valid for at least six months with at least one blank page.
- Application form: An accurately and truthfully completed China student visa application form.
- Recent Photo: Attach a recent passport-style color photo of full face, front view, without a hat, and against a light background to the application form.
- Admission Notice: Original and a copy of the Admission Notice of the Chinese university or school.
- Form JW201 or JW202 – For X1 application only: Original and copy of the approved Foreign Student Visa Application Form JW201 or JW202.
The normal processing time for an X visa is 4 business days; however, expedited and rush service is available for those who wish to obtain it earlier than normal business hours.
- Express Service: 2-3 business days processing; US$20 extra will be charged.
- Rush Service: 1 business day processing; US$30 extra will be charged
The JW201 or JW202 form must be obtained through the school in which you are enrolling. The JW201 form is issued to international students sent by the government or funded by Chinese government scholarships, while JW202 is for self-sponsored foreign students.
