Chinese medical schools have gained the world’s attention for their excellent medical facilities, numerous scholarship offerings and well-trained, international medical faculty.
Majority of medical universities in China are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and are in the World Directory of Medical Schools. Compared to medical schools in the west, Chinese medical schools have easy entry requirements and lower tuition fees.
In addition, the cost of living in China is much lower, so many foreign students are attracted to study medicine in China. So what are the top medical schools in China for international students?
Best Medical Universities In China in 2025
China has 44 medical schools that are allowed to offer English-medium MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) programs. But these are the 8 best medical schools in China for MBBS.
1. Shantou University Medical College (SUMC)
Shantou University Medical College is located in Shantou, a beautiful coastal city in the Guangdong province. Most MBBS programs in China take 6 years but the MBBS at SUMC only takes 5 years. Read: 15 Reasons to Study MBBS at SUMC.
SUMC has 2 campuses. One where you spend your first few years as a medical student and a second one where your are trained for clinical skills. Shantou boasts of a simulated medical center where you can practice your skills with the aid of virtual learning resources shared by University of Alberta and Stanford University.
Apart from medical theory, you will also get medical training at the Pearl River Delta and Hainan. The curriculum also includes units that help students learn Chinese language and culture.
| Start of class | September every year (only one intake per year) |
| Application deadline | Mid-July |
| Requirements | • Physically and mentally healthy • Must speak, read and write English well • Valid passport • Clean criminal record |
| Tuition fee | US$6,186 per year |
| Scholarships | Outstanding Foreign Student Scholarship |
Apply for the MBBS program at SUMC.
2. Nanjing Medical University (NJMU)
NJMU is located in Nanjing, a city rich in Chinese history and culture. The medical university has two campuses: Wutai and Jiangning. The MBBS program takes 6 years to complete, with only 100 students enrolled for the intake. Students can do their internship in any of the following facilities:
– The First Affiliated Hospital of NMU
– The Second Affiliated Hospital of NMU
– Nanjing First Hospital
– Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital
| Start of class | September every year (only one intake per year) * |
| Application deadline | End of June |
| Requirements | • Must be 18 to 25 years old • Must of good physical and mental health • Outstanding grades |
| Tuition fee | US$5,252 per year |
| Scholarships | Jasmine Jiangsu Government Scholarship |
*The application can be closed earlier if the targeted number of students is reached earlier. Feedback for the application is usually given within 4 to 6 weeks after application.
Apply for the MBBS program at NJMU.
3. Zhejiang University School of Medicine (ZUSM)
In Hangzhou, one of the most visited places by tourist, lies Zhejiang University. The School of Medicine offers an MBBS program that is recognized internationally. The program takes 6 years to complete including 5 years of classroom teaching and 1 year of internship.
As a student, you will go through three stages of the course which include:
– Pre-med for 1 year
– Pre-clinic for 2 years
– Clinic for 3 years
– Internship for 1 year (you will be supervised by doctors)
| Start of class | September every year (only one intake per year) |
| Application deadline | Mid-July |
| Requirements | • Must be 18 to 25 years old • Must of good physical and mental health • Outstanding grades |
| Tuition fee | US$6,619 per year |
| Scholarships | Chinese Government Scholarship |
Apply for the MBBS program at Zhejiang University.
4. Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University (SHMC)
Shanghai Medical College is part of Fudan University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China. SHMC is located in Xujiahui, a commercial district in Shanghai. The MBBS program at SHMC takes 6 years to complete.
You can choose to do your internship in China, your home country or another country. The school will help you find a suitable hospital to do your internship.
If you choose to do your internship in China, you must pass HSK 5 before the internship so that you can communicate with patients effectively. Some hospitals affiliated with Shanghai Medical College include:
– Huadong Hospital
– Shanghai Cancer Center
– Eye and ENT hospital
– Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center
| Start of class | September every year (only one intake per year) |
| Application deadline | Mid-July |
| Requirements | • Native English speaker • Studied a degree in English before • Have passed IELTS level 6, TOEFL qualification |
| Tuition fee | US$11,598 per year |
| Scholarships | Outstanding Foreign Student Scholarship |
Apply for the MBBS program at Fudan University.
5. Guangzhou Medical University (GMU)
Guangzhou Medical University is located in Guangzhou, one of the three largest cities in China. It has an amazing campus that is suitable teachers and students. The MBBS program at GMU takes 6 years to complete.
| Start of class | September every year |
| Application deadline | First week of July |
| Requirements | • Non-Chinese citizen • Good physical and mental health • High school graduate |
| Tuition fee | US$4,639 per year |
| Scholarships | Chinese Government Scholarship Guangzhou Government Scholarship |
Apply for the MBBS program at GMU.
6. Capital Medical University (CCMU)
Capital Medical University is located in Beijing, China. CCMU has one of the most advanced equipment and international faculty of 994 associate professors and 548 professors. The MBBS at CCMU takes 6 years to complete:
– 1 year of foundation
– 2 years of basic medicine
– 2 years of clinical medicine
– 1 year internship
Students can do their internship in the 14 hospitals the university is affiliated with. CCMU has outstanding reputation in scientific research including traditional Chinese medicine and basic medicine.
CCMU also has partnerships with international education institutions in more than 20 countries and many student exchange programs.
| Start of class | September every year |
| Application deadline | First week of June |
| Requirements | • Pre-med course which takes 1 semester to complete (2 intakes, March and in June) • Must be between 18 to 40 years old • High school graduate • Must be English proficient |
| Tuition fee | US$7,732 per year |
| Scholarships | Beijing Government Scholarship |
Apply for the MBBS program at CCMU.
7. Tongji University School of Medicine (TUSM)
Tongji University School of Management is located in Shanghai, the financial capital of China. The MBBS at TUSM takes 6 years to complete.
At TUSM, you will study with dedicated faculty members, undertake research and clinical rotations with national top research teams and affiliated hospitals, and receive a globally recognized medical degree.
You will also enjoy a dynamic campus life and meet students from all over the world. TUSM’s ultimate goal is to train doctors who are competent in the delivery of effective and ethical medical care in today’s rapidly changing health-care environment.
| Start of class | September every year |
| Application deadline | May |
| Requirements | • Have passed IELTS level 6, TOEFL qualification • Must be between 18 to 25 years old • High school graduate |
| Tuition fee | US$6,959per year |
| Scholarships | Entry Scholarship Dean Scholarship Tongji Presidential Scholarship Shanghai Government Scholarship (Class C) |
Apply for the MBBS program at TUSM.
8. Jinzhou Medical University (JZMU)
Jinzhou Medical University is located in northeastern China in the city of Jinzhou. The MBBS program at JZMU takes 6 years to complete, inclusive of one year of internship. Internship is done at the First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University (LMU).
| Start of class | September every year |
| Application deadline | End of August |
| Requirements | • Physically and mentally fit • Must be between 18 to 25 years old • High school graduateNo criminal record |
| Tuition fee | US$5,412 per year |
| Scholarships | Chinese Government Scholarships |
Apply for the MBBS program at JZMU.
Apply for MBBS in China!
Studying MBBS in China is something you will never regret. Read our MBBS guide, choose a university, apply for the next MBBS intake and get your medical career started.
- 15 Cheapest Universities In China For International Students 2025 - October 16, 2024
- 3 Steps to a Great Personal Statement for a Chinese University 2025 - September 12, 2024
- What Makes Tsinghua-INSEAD EMBA Different From Other Executive MBAs? - August 1, 2024