The CSCA exam
A standardized test for international students planning an undergraduate degree in China, organized by the China Scholarship Council. From 2026 it is a mandatory prerequisite for every undergraduate applicant to a CSC university — scholarship and self-financed alike.
- 1
- December
- 450 RMB
- 700 RMB
Common questions
Who needs to take the CSCA exam?
All applicants to undergraduate programs — including both scholarship and self-financed programs — at the 306 CSC universities must take the CSCA exam. The score is a mandatory prerequisite.
Do applicants for master’s or doctoral programs need to take it?
No. CSCA is currently designed specifically for international students applying for undergraduate programs in China. Master’s and doctoral applicants are not required to take it; their admission assessments follow the requirements set by the target university.
Is it required for non-degree and Chinese language programs?
No. It is compulsory only for undergraduate applicants to a CSC university. Applicants to the Chinese Language major holding a valid HSK Level 4 certificate are additionally exempt from the Professional Chinese paper.
Whether a specific program requires CSCA is not in this catalogue yet