Studying in China has become very popular among foreigners, and there’s good reason for it. With China’s growing economy and business opportunities, some people may see learning Chinese as advantageous for their work, while others see it as fun learning a second language. Whatever the reason, if you are admitted to a Chinese university, what should you do next, and how to register at a Chinese university? here are a few things you need to know and prepare for after you get admission to Chinese universities. 

Step 1: Prepare original documents before coming to China

l   Your passport and visa

l   Related health certificate-physical examination form

l   Letter of acceptance (JW201/JW202)

l   High school/ university transcripts and certificates

Note: The materials required by each university are similar, but there may be small differences, which depend on your university. 

Step 2: Book accommodation in advance

Applications for accommodation should be ready from the universities before coming to China. There are many kinds of dormitories in universities, and the prices vary from each other due to the furniture and facilities. Overseas students must apply before arriving in China. Students can live off-campus with permission from the university, but they should register at the local public security office within 24 hours upon arrival. 

Step 3: Prepare clothes

China is a massive country, and the weather across China is not uniform. You need to do your research in advance. based on the city weather varies. It’s suggested to bring a pair of shoes, t-shirts, shirts, pants, undergarments, a hat, scarf, mask trousers, winter clothes, etc.

Step 4: Come to China at the right time

Don’t come to China too early, because both X1 visa and X2 visa are time-limited. And do not register on the weekend or at night. Teachers don’t work on weekends and are usually off-duty after 4 p.m. Though there are teachers in the dormitory on the weekend and at night, in most cases, they do not speak English, so it will be difficult to register. If you have no choice but to come to China earlier, make sure that you have communicated with the university first and get their approval, then they will help you. If you apply through CUCAS, the CUCAS team will help you.

Step 5: Change money and buy a SIM card

You need to bring a small amount of Chinese currency along with you. This will help you save time and avoid unnecessary problems at the airport. We suggest you keep 500-1000 RMB in cash when you first arrive for transport and check-in.

If you are coming to China for the first time, it is very important to have a Chinese SIM card as soon as possible. Because only by getting a Chinese SIM card can you get in touch with your teacher, your family, and friends at any time, as WIFI is not available anywhere. If you don't have your phone number, you can't even apply for a bank card locally. In today's Chinese universities, how notices are posted in the school hall are out of date and most notices from school are posted online, especially on WeChat APP. Therefore, getting a Chinese SIM card immediately is very important.

Step 6: Go to the university

Some universities offer an airport pick-up service. If the university doesn’t offer an airport pick-up service, you can take public transportation to the university, such as bus, subway, etc. If you have a lot of luggage, you can choose by taxi or the airport pick-up service. Note: the airport pick-up service needs to be booked in advance. 

Step 7: Check-in

When you get to your university, you need to check in. Almost all Chinese universities provide accommodation for international students in China, and it is very safe to live on campus. If you want to rent an apartment outside campus, you need to get permission from your university, otherwise, you may break the school rules and miss the scholarship. Usually, it's not hard to get permission, it's better to let your teachers know where you live for your safety. 

Step 8: Normal registration process

After you arrive at the university, you will need to go to the university office and do the registration. Don’t forget to bring your passport, photo, admission notice, and the foreigner physical examination form with you. Some universities might ask for the tuition fee payment to be paid during the registration day (by cash or bank transfer), but you can opt to do an international bank transfer from your home country to pay for the tuition fee before you arrive in China. Make sure to bring a copy of the payment receipt on the registration day as well. Usually, there will be teachers or volunteers to help you with the school registration process, so it will be relatively fast and simple. 

After the registration, the unfamiliar environment will make you a little nervous and uncomfortable. Familiarize yourself with the local surroundings and download apps that can help make your foreign student's life in China that much easier.

Pleco

It is a handy Chinese language app that you can use to help with studying in China. The app is the most common dictionary of Chinese for English-speaking foreign students. What’s great about the app is that it can be used offline so there’s no need to be connected to the internet or Wi-Fi. There are also other language apps out there, just search in Google Play or Appstore. 

WeChat 

It is China’s answer to WhatsApp but much more. It’s popular and widely used around China, pretty much the way of life here. With WeChat, you can do more than just chat with friends. You can pay for almost anything in China using your mobile phone and every merchant or store accepts WeChat payments, cash is almost dead – even the local lady selling fruits on the street accepts WeChat payments! 

Along with the development of China, more and more foreign students come to study in China, except China has a safe environment, low tuition fees, and universities of high quality, what’s more, it is the job prospects after graduation. In a word, once you are admitted to a Chinese university, remember to follow this article to register in your university.