In 2023, about 28,000 Pakistani students studied in China, with 65% receiving scholarships; tuition ranges 30k-80k (undergrad) to 40k-120k (master’s), living costs 36k-72k annually (40% higher in tier-1 cities than tier-2).
Table of Contents
Tuition Levels
According to Ministry of Education data for 2023, there are approximately 28,000 Pakistani international students in China. The average annual tuition is 30,000 to 80,000 for undergraduates and 40,000 to 120,000 for master’s students, while doctoral students are mostly covered by full scholarships.
Undergraduate Expenses
Undergraduate tuition fees increase with the practicality of the major and resource investment. In 2023, 60% of Pakistani undergraduate students chose Science and Engineering (Engineering, Computer Science), with an average annual tuition of 60,000. For example, Computer Science at Tsinghua University is 70,000, and Mechanical Engineering at Huazhong University of Science and Technology is 65,000;
30% chose Liberal Arts, History, and Philosophy (Chinese Language, History), averaging 40,000 per year. For example, Chinese Language and Literature at Peking University is 50,000, and History at Sichuan University is 35,000;
Art majors (such as Design at the Central Academy of Fine Arts) have an average annual fee of 60,000 to 100,000 due to high equipment wear and tear. In 2023, 10% of art students selected these programs.
Local universities, such as Yunnan University, charge 40,000 for Science and Engineering and 30,000 for Liberal Arts/History, which is 30% lower than in first-tier cities. Data shows a positive correlation between undergraduate costs and university rankings; the median for 985 universities is 55,000, higher than the 38,000 for non-985/211 universities. Students need to balance budget and professional needs when choosing a school.
Master’s Expenses
Master’s degrees are divided into taught and research types, with a significant cost difference. In 2023, 70% of international students chose taught programs with an average annual tuition of 80,000. For example, a Master of Finance at Shanghai Jiao Tong University is 120,000, and a Master of Translation at Sun Yat-sen University is 60,000;
25% are research-based, with many students receiving supervisor or institutional scholarships covering 100% of tuition, such as the full scholarships for the master’s stage before a PhD in Computer Science at Zhejiang University.
Tuition for popular majors like MBA and Clinical Medicine is higher. For instance, an MBA at CEIBS is 180,000, and a Master of Clinical Medicine at Peking Union Medical College is 100,000.
Data shows that taught program fees are linked to the degree of internationalization; English-taught projects are 20% more expensive than bilingual ones. In 2023, 80% of taught students used installment payments (paying 50% each semester) to ease financial pressure.
Doctoral Expenses
At the doctoral stage, 85% of Pakistani international students receive full scholarships, including the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) or university-independent scholarships, covering 100% of tuition and an average monthly allowance of 3000. For example, CSC scholarships at Nanjing University and Wuhan University include round-trip airfare.
A small number of self-funded doctoral students (15%) mostly study less popular research directions, with average annual tuition fees of 30,000 to 60,000, such as 40,000 for an Agricultural PhD at Northwest A&F University.
Full scholarship applications require academic achievements (such as 1 SCI paper) and supervisor recommendations. In 2023, 90% of full scholarship recipients participated in their supervisors’ national-level research projects. Data shows that doctoral costs are nearly zero for Pakistani students, with the focus being on academic fit. In 2023, 75% of full scholarship PhDs stayed in China for research institutions after graduation.
Living Expenses
2023 data shows an average annual expenditure of 36,000 to 72,000. Costs in first-tier cities are 40% higher than in second-tier cities, covering essential needs like rent, meals, and travel. Accommodation accounts for 35% and food for 30%.
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Expense Type
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Amount Range (Monthly Avg)
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2023 Key Data
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Applicable Scenarios
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Accommodation
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First-tier 1500-2500, Second-tier 1000-1800
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70% of students choose shared housing, deposit is 2 months’ rent
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Shared apartments in first-tier cities, dormitories in second-tier cities
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Food
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First-tier 2500-3500, Second-tier 2000-2800
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Daily average 80, canteen meals 15-25 per meal
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Mainly canteens (60%), supplemented by delivery
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Transportation
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First-tier 300-500, Second-tier 200-350
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Metro and bus account for 85%, shared bikes 50 per month
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City commuting, 2 home visits per year
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Communication
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80-120 (incl. data, calls)
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90% use campus packages (incl. 50G data)
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WeChat, downloading study materials
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Other Sundries
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400-700 (shopping, entertainment)
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Annual study materials 2000, holiday return 6000
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Stationery, clothing, short trips
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Accommodation Costs
Accommodation is the largest living expense. In 2023, 70% of Pakistani students chose shared housing to reduce costs. Shared apartments in first-tier cities (Beijing, Shanghai) average 1500 per month, and 1000 in second-tier cities (Chengdu, Wuhan), including 200 for shared utilities. The deposit is usually 2 months’ rent (e.g., a 3000 deposit for a shared room in Beijing).
University dormitories are more economical at an average of 800 per month, but spaces are limited (only 30% of applicants are successful), requiring application 3 months in advance. Single rooms average 3000 (first-tier) to 2000 (second-tier), chosen by only 10% of students.
Data shows that those who share housing save an average of 12,000 per year. In 2023, 80% of students in shared housing were satisfied with their living environment (rating 4.2 on a 5-point scale), reflecting a strategy of prioritizing cost-effectiveness.
Food and Transportation
Food averages 80 per day, totaling 2400 per month. Canteen meals at 15-25 per meal (e.g., a rice set for 18) are the mainstream choice. 60% of students eat 2 meals a day in the canteen, while food delivery at 30-50 per order serves only as a supplement. In 2023, 90% of students spent no more than 3000 per month on food.
Transportation costs an average of 300 per month, with metro and buses accounting for 85% (2-5 per trip) and shared bikes at 50 per month. Long-distance trips home 2 times a year cost 2000 (e.g., a Beijing to Islamabad ticket at 10,000).
Communication campus packages at 100 include 50G of data, meeting needs for online classes and social networking. In 2023, 5% of students used international roaming (200 per month), leading to overspending and highlighting the importance of local choices.
Controlling Other Miscellaneous Fees
Other miscellaneous fees average 500 per month, including shopping and study materials. In 2023, 80% of students used second-hand platforms (like Xianyu) to buy textbooks (saving 50%), with stationery costing 800 per year. Entertainment is mainly free campus activities (lectures, sports meets), with movie tickets at 40-60 being only occasional expenses.
Holiday trips home 2 times a year cost 6000 (including gifts), with 70% of students budgeting and allocating funds 3 months in advance. Data shows total annual expenses are 36,000 in second-tier cities and 72,000 in first-tier cities. 60% of students cover 20% of their expenses through part-time jobs (e.g., translation, hourly rate 100). In 2023, 90% had no debt pressure, reflecting the controllability of costs.
Extra Outlays
2023 data shows an average annual extra outlay of 5000 to 12,000, accounting for 15%-20% of total living expenditure. Among these, visas and insurance account for 30%, textbooks and exams 40%, and travel and emergencies 30%.
Visa and Insurance
Visa and insurance are the basic additional expenses for entry and compliance. In 2023, the single-entry visa fee for Pakistani students was 400, and the annual residence permit renewal fee was 200. The total of 600 covers the initial entry and first-year compliance.
Medical insurance averages 800 per year, including outpatient reimbursement (single limit 500) and 70% inpatient coverage. In 2023, 90% of students chose school-partnered insurance (such as Ping An International Student Insurance), saving 20% compared to self-purchase.
The notarization fee for visa materials is 300 (e.g., academic degrees, no criminal record certificate). In 2023, 80% of students processed these through agencies (service fee 200), with a total processing time of 15 working days.
Data shows that visa and insurance average 1700 per year, representing 34% of extra outlays. In 2023, 5% of students were affected by residence issues due to missed insurance payments, highlighting the necessity of continuous payments.
Textbooks and Exams
Textbooks and language exams constitute academic extra outlays. In 2023, original English textbooks cost an average of 2000 per year. For example, “Guyton Physiology” for medical students is 300 per volume; 70% of students used second-hand platforms (Xianyu) to buy old books and save 50%.
HSK exams cost 600 each time. In 2023, 70% of international students took the exam 2 times (from primary to intermediate level), with a total cost of 1200 plus an additional 300 for the oral exam.
Professional certification exams, such as computer rank exams, cost 200 per attempt, taken by 30% of science and engineering students.
Experimental consumables (such as chemical reagents) average 500 per year. In 2023, 60% of students reduced costs by sharing consumables within research groups.
Data shows that textbooks and exams average 3700 per year, representing 74% of extra outlays. In 2023, 85% of students eased textbook pressure by borrowing from the library.
Travel and Emergency
Travel and emergency reserves deal with unexpected needs. In 2023, 80% of students returned home 2 times a year. A single flight ticket (Islamabad to Beijing) costs 5000, totaling 10,000 annually for transportation, including 500 for excess baggage fees.
An emergency reserve of 3000 covers equipment repairs (e.g., computer 2000) and temporary medical care (e.g., cold medicine 300). In 2023, 15% of students used their reserve fund and replenished it within 3 months.
Holiday gifts (such as for Eid) cost 1000 per year, and campus activity fees are 500.
Data shows that travel and emergencies average 14,500 per year, representing 29% of extra outlays. In 2023, 90% of students used part-time jobs (translation hourly rate 100) to save for travel, keeping the overspend rate within 10%.
Scholarship Options
In 2023, there were approximately 28,000 Pakistani international students in China, of whom 65% received various forms of funding. This includes tuition waivers, living allowances, and academic awards from four categories: Chinese Government Scholarships, Local Government Scholarships, University Scholarships, and Enterprise Special Scholarships.
Government Scholarships
The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) is the core funding source for Pakistani students. In 2023, 30% of students (about 8,400 people) qualified for it, covering 100% of tuition, a monthly allowance of 3000, and round-trip airfare. Applications require HSK level 4, a GPA of 3.0, and supervisor recommendation letters. In 2023, 90% of successful applicants participated in their supervisors’ national-level projects (such as agricultural planting technology improvement).
CSC leans toward Science and Engineering, with 85% of recipients choosing Engineering or Computer Science majors due to the concentration of research equipment and international cooperation resources. For example, CSC students in Computer Science at Tsinghua University use laboratories for an average of 200 hours per semester.
Renewal requires maintaining a rank in the top 30% without failing courses. In 2023, the renewal rate was 95%. Those who did not pass transferred to local scholarships. Data shows CSC significantly supports academic continuity; the further study rate for scholarship recipients is 70%, higher than the 40% for non-recipients.
Local and University Scholarships
Local government and university scholarships supplement diverse needs. In 2023, 15% of students received provincial-level awards (such as the Shanghai Government Scholarship), reducing tuition by 50%. 20% received university-level excellence awards (such as at Peking University), reducing tuition by 30%.
Local scholarships focus on matching regional industries. For instance, Guangdong provincial scholarships favor electronic information majors, with 60% of recipients participating in internships in the Pearl River Delta.
70% of university scholarships are tied to grades (top 20% GPA), and 50% include funding for academic conferences (such as 5000 in conference fees).
In 2023, 80% of local scholarship recipients used the waived fees to purchase experimental consumables (such as chemical reagent sets for 2000), and 65% of university award winners participated in faculty research projects. Data shows local university scholarships improve practical skills; the employment contract rate for award winners is 85%, which is 25% higher than for non-award winners.
Special Scholarships
Special scholarships focus on research, competitions, and social contributions. In 2023, 5% of science and engineering students received enterprise awards (such as the Huawei ICT Award), rewarding 1 patent or provincial-level competition prize. 3% of graduate students received research innovation awards, with 5000 for publishing an SCI paper.
Community service awards were given to 2% of students, recognizing more than 50 hours of volunteer activity (such as campus epidemic prevention translation). In 2023, 10 award winners organized a cross-cultural food festival covering 500 person-times.
Special scholarships require evidence (patent certificates, volunteer proofs). In 2023, 90% of applicants were filtered out due to incomplete materials, highlighting precise matching requirements. 70% of winners subsequently participated in more public welfare projects, forming a positive cycle of academic and social contribution.
Saving Tips
In 2023, 60% of surveyed students used these methods to save an average of 15,000 per year, accounting for 25% of total living expenses. Specifically, sharing housing saved 12,000, second-hand textbooks saved 3000, and part-time jobs supplemented 2000.
- Shared Accommodation: Choose shared apartments in first-tier cities for a monthly average of 1500 (compared to 3000 for a single room), and 1000 in second-tier cities (compared to 2000 for a single room). 70% of students sharing housing save an average of 12,000 per year, with a deposit of 2 months’ rent.
- Second-hand Textbooks: Buy old English original textbooks on Xianyu to save 50%. A new medical book “Guyton Physiology” is 300, while second-hand is 150, saving 2000 annually.
- Part-time Income: Translation (English-Urdu/English-Chinese) pays an hourly rate of 100, and campus activity assistance pays 150 per day. Earning 2000 per month covers 20% of living expenses. In 2023, 30% of students worked part-time.
- Food Control: Canteen meals at 15-25 per meal (daily average 80), with delivery at 30-50 as a supplement. 60% of students mainly use canteens, saving 500 per month.
- Transportation Optimization: Metro and bus single trips cost 2-5, shared bikes cost 50 per month. For long-distance home visits 2 times a year, booking 3 months in advance gives a 20% discount (8/10 price).
Cost Reduction through Shared Housing
Accommodation is the major expense. In 2023, 70% of Pakistani students chose shared housing to reduce costs. A shared apartment in first-tier cities (Beijing, Shanghai) at 1500 per month saves 1500 compared to a single room at 3000. In second-tier cities (Chengdu, Wuhan), shared housing at 1000 saves 1000 compared to a single room at 2000. The deposit is 2 months’ rent (e.g., 3000 for shared housing in Beijing).
University dormitories at an average of 800 per month are more economical but have limited spots (only 30% of applicants are successful), requiring application 3 months in advance.
Those sharing housing save 12,000 annually. In 2023, 80% of students in shared housing were satisfied with their living environment (rating 4.2 on a 5-point scale). With shared utilities (monthly average 200), the pressure is further reduced, showing a priority for cost-effectiveness.
Efficiency through Textbooks and Part-time Jobs
Textbooks and part-time jobs work together to improve financial efficiency. In 2023, 70% of students used Xianyu to buy second-hand English textbooks, saving 50%. For example, new medical “Guyton Physiology” is 300, second-hand is 150; new science/engineering “Principles of Electric Circuits” is 200, second-hand is 100, saving 2000 annually.
Part-time jobs like translation (English-Urdu/English-Chinese) at 100 per hour and campus activity assistance at 150 per day can earn 2000 per month, accounting for 20% of living expenses. In 2023, 30% of students worked part-time without hindering their studies (average 10 hours per week).
Data shows that second-hand textbooks plus part-time jobs can reduce annual expenditures by 4000. In 2023, 90% of students used the money saved to buy more study materials (such as lab manuals for 500), forming a cycle of saving to promote learning.