November 8, 2026
Can You Study in China with IELTS 5.5?
Planning to study in China? IELTS 5.5 may be enough for admission to some universities. Learn about the language certificate requirements for bachelor's and master's programs, IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo score equivalents, and alternative options if you don't have a certificate.
Can You Study in China with IELTS 5.5?
Yes! An IELTS score of 5.5 can be enough to apply to some Chinese universities. However, the required score depends on the university, degree level, and chosen program.
Here is a practical guide to language certificate requirements for studying in China.
1. Which Language Certificates Are Accepted?
Chinese universities offer programs in both English and Chinese. The required certificate depends on the language of instruction.
| Language of instruction | Accepted certificates |
|---|---|
| English | IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo |
| Chinese | HSK |
2. Bachelor's Degree Requirements
English-taught programs
| Certificate | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 5.5+ |
| TOEFL (new scale, 1–6) | 3.5+ |
| TOEFL (old scale, 0–120) | 46+ |
| Duolingo | Approximately 95+ |
Note: Some universities may require IELTS 6.0 or higher.
Chinese-taught programs
| Certificate | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| HSK | Level 4 |
| HSK score | 200+ |
Some universities or programs may require 210–220 points or HSK 5.
3. Master's Degree Requirements
English-taught programs
| Certificate | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 5.5+ |
| TOEFL (new scale, 1–6) | 3.5+ |
| TOEFL (old scale, 0–120) | 46+ |
| Duolingo | Approximately 95+ |
Note: Some universities may require IELTS 6.0 or higher.
Chinese-taught programs
| Certificate | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| HSK | Level 5 |
| HSK score | 180+ |
4. Can You Apply for a Master's Degree Without IELTS?
Possibly!
If you completed your bachelor's degree entirely in English, some universities may accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter instead of an IELTS certificate.
This document confirms that English was the language of instruction during your previous studies.
However, acceptance depends on the university and the chosen program.
5. What If You Don't Have IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo?
There may still be an opportunity to apply.
Some Chinese universities conduct their own internal English language tests. You may be able to apply through this route even without an international language certificate.
Important: You still need sufficient English proficiency to study in an English-taught program.
6. Check Your Certificate's Validity
Your language certificate must be valid when you submit your application.
We recommend having at least 6 months of validity remaining at the time of application.
7. IELTS, TOEFL, and Duolingo Score Equivalents
The following table shows approximate score comparisons between the three English language tests.
| IELTS | TOEFL (new, 1–6) | TOEFL (old, 0–120) | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | 3.5 | 46–59 | ≈95–100 |
| 6.0 | 4.0 | 60–78 | ≈105–115 |
| 6.5 | 4.5 | 79–93 | ≈120–125 |
| 7.0 | 5.0 | 94–101 | ≈130–135 |
Important: These are approximate equivalents. Each university independently determines which certificates and scores it accepts.
Planning to Study in China?
At One Stop Education, we help students identify universities and programs that match their language qualifications and academic backgrounds.
We have helped 500+ students begin their studies in China.
Comment your language certificate and score, and we will help identify universities that may be suitable for you.
Contact us:
- +998 90 119 94 49
- +998 90 109 94 49
- Telegram: https://t.me/one_stop_education
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