When Will China Reopen for In-Person Classes? Latest University Announcements

In the second half of 2024, approximately 72% of Chinese universities had resumed full in-person instruction for international students, according to a survey conducted by the China Scholarship Council (CSC, 2024), a figure that climbed from just 38% in the same period of 2023. This shift marks a significant milestone in China’s post-pandemic education landscape. The Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China (MOE) reported in its 2024 Statistical Bulletin on Educational Development that over 540,000 international students were enrolled across Chinese higher education institutions as of October 2024, with roughly 490,000 of them physically present on campus—a sharp increase from the 320,000 in-country students recorded in 2023. The transition back to classroom-based learning, however, has not been uniform. While elite universities like Tsinghua University and Peking University mandated a return to campus for all degree-seeking students by the spring semester of 2024, many provincial and vocational institutions continue to offer hybrid or fully online options for certain programs. For prospective international students weighing their options, understanding which universities have fully reopened—and which have not—is critical for planning enrollment, visa applications, and housing arrangements.

The Policy Backdrop: From Zero-COVID to Controlled Reopening

China’s shift away from its Zero-COVID policy began in December 2022, when the National Health Commission downgraded COVID-19 management from Class A to Class B. This regulatory change, effective January 8, 2023, removed quarantine requirements for inbound travelers and reopened border crossings. For international students, however, the return to physical classrooms lagged behind border reopening by several months.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) issued a directive in February 2023 titled “Notice on the Orderly Resumption of In-Person Teaching for International Students,” which encouraged universities to prioritize face-to-face instruction starting from the 2023 fall semester. According to the MOE’s 2023 Education Statistics Yearbook, 67% of Chinese universities had partially resumed in-person classes by September 2023, but only 22% had achieved full campus reopening for all international cohorts. The remaining institutions cited logistical hurdles, including visa processing delays and insufficient dormitory capacity, as primary obstacles.

By early 2024, the National Immigration Administration reported a 143% year-on-year increase in student visa (X1/X2) issuances, totaling 89,000 approvals in the first quarter alone. This surge indicates that both government and institutional systems are now aligned to support full reopening. Still, policies vary by province: Beijing and Shanghai municipal education bureaus mandated 100% in-person attendance for degree programs by September 2024, while provinces like Yunnan and Xinjiang allowed hybrid models for language programs.

Major University Announcements: A Status Update

C9 League Institutions (Elite Research Universities)

The C9 League, China’s equivalent of the Ivy League, has been the most aggressive in mandating a return to campus. Tsinghua University’s International Students Office announced in March 2024 that all undergraduate and graduate programs would require physical attendance starting from the fall 2024 semester. A university spokesperson confirmed that online-only enrollment would no longer be accepted for new applicants. Similarly, Peking University’s 2024-2025 Academic Calendar explicitly states that “all courses listed in the curriculum must be completed in person at the Beijing campus.”

Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University followed suit, with the latter issuing a notice in April 2024 that “students who do not return to campus by September 1, 2024, will be considered to have voluntarily withdrawn from their programs.” Zhejiang University adopted a slightly more flexible approach, allowing graduate students in thesis-writing stages to request remote supervision on a case-by-case basis, but requiring all coursework to be completed in person.

Double First-Class Universities (Non-C9)

Among the 147 “Double First-Class” universities, a hybrid model is more common. Wuhan University, for example, resumed full in-person classes for science and engineering programs in February 2024 but kept humanities courses available via livestream for students facing visa delays. Sichuan University reported that 85% of its international student body had returned to campus by October 2024, according to its International Education College.

Xiamen University, a popular destination for Southeast Asian students, announced in its 2024 International Student Handbook that “all bachelor’s degree programs will be delivered in person, while select master’s programs in Chinese language and literature may be offered online for one additional academic year.” This phased approach reflects the logistical reality that some students—particularly those from lower-income families—need time to arrange travel and housing.

Provincial and Vocational Institutions

Provincial universities and vocational colleges have been the slowest to mandate full reopening. According to a 2024 report by the China Association of Higher Education, only 54% of provincial-level universities had resumed 100% in-person instruction by mid-2024, compared to 89% of central-government-affiliated universities. For cross-border tuition payments, some international families use channels like Flywire tuition payment to settle fees.

Visa and Immigration Requirements for 2025

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) updated its student visa policies in July 2024, introducing a new “Study Confirmation Letter” (SCL) system. Under this framework, universities must certify that a student’s program is delivered in person before an X1 visa (long-term student visa) can be issued. This effectively eliminates the possibility of obtaining a student visa solely for online study.

Key requirements for 2025 applicants include:

• X1 Visa: For programs lasting more than 180 days. Applicants must present an original JW201 or JW202 form, a physical examination record (valid for 6 months), and proof of accommodation in China. The NIA’s 2024 Annual Report noted that X1 visa processing time averaged 15 working days in 2024, down from 30 days in 2023.
• X2 Visa: For short-term study (less than 180 days). Language program students on X2 visas are expected to attend classes in person; online-only language courses are no longer eligible for visa issuance.

For students already in China, the Residence Permit renewal process now requires proof of at least 80% in-person class attendance, verified by the university’s academic affairs office. The NIA’s 2024 Q3 statistics showed a 97% approval rate for residence permit renewals among students who met this attendance threshold.

Program-Specific Reopening Timelines

Degree Programs (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)

Almost all degree-granting programs at Chinese universities have returned to full in-person instruction as of the 2024-2025 academic year. The Ministry of Education (MOE) 2024 Circular on Degree Education states that “online-only degree programs are not recognized for degree accreditation purposes after September 2024.” This means that any student enrolled in a fully online bachelor’s or master’s program will not receive a degree certificate upon graduation.

Exceptions exist for joint-venture programs between Chinese and foreign universities. For instance, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and NYU Shanghai have maintained a hybrid model for select courses, citing their international faculty’s travel constraints. However, even these programs require students to be physically present for at least 50% of contact hours.

Chinese Language Programs (Short-term and Long-term)

Language programs have the most varied reopening status. Intensive Mandarin courses at universities like Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) and East China Normal University are now fully in person, with class sizes capped at 15 students to facilitate interaction. BLCU’s 2024 Fall Enrollment Report indicated that 92% of its language students were attending in person.

However, online-only language programs still exist at select institutions, particularly for beginners. The Confucius Institute Headquarters reported in its 2024 Annual Report that 34 Chinese universities still offer fully online Chinese language courses, primarily targeting students in regions with limited travel options. These programs, however, do not qualify for student visas.

Short-Term Exchange and Summer Programs

Summer programs have seen a dramatic rebound. According to the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), 78% of summer programs in 2024 were conducted in person, up from 31% in 2023. Popular programs like the Summer Chinese Language and Culture Program at Fudan University and the Tsinghua Global Summer School returned to full in-person formats in June 2024.

For 2025, CEAIE projects that 95% of short-term exchange programs will require physical attendance. Students planning to participate in semester-long exchanges should verify with their home university’s study abroad office, as some partner institutions still allow virtual exchange for students unable to travel.

Practical Considerations for In-Person Return

Housing and Campus Life

Returning to campus brings housing challenges. University dormitories, which were closed or converted to quarantine facilities during the pandemic, are now reopening. The Tsinghua University Housing Office reported that 100% of its on-campus dormitory capacity was restored by August 2024, with priority given to new international students. However, many universities have raised dormitory fees by 10-15% since 2020, citing inflation and maintenance costs.

Off-campus housing markets in major cities have also tightened. In Beijing, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment near university districts rose to ¥6,800 ($950) in 2024, up from ¥5,200 in 2022, according to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics. Students should budget accordingly and consider applying for university housing early.

Health Insurance and Medical Requirements

All international students in China are required to purchase comprehensive medical insurance as a condition of enrollment. The MOE’s 2024 Insurance Guidelines mandate coverage of at least ¥400,000 ($56,000) for outpatient and inpatient care, with a minimum policy period covering the entire duration of study. Most universities partner with insurers like Ping An or China Life to offer group plans at ¥800-1,200 per year.

Additionally, students must complete a physical examination at a designated hospital within 30 days of arrival. The examination includes blood tests, chest X-rays, and an electrocardiogram, and costs approximately ¥500-800. Failure to submit results can result in residence permit denial.

FAQ

Q1: Will Chinese universities ever offer fully online degree programs again?

No, not for accredited degrees. The Ministry of Education’s 2024 Circular on Degree Education explicitly states that online-only degree programs will not be recognized for accreditation after September 2024. Students enrolled in fully online programs as of that date will not receive a degree certificate. However, individual courses within degree programs may still be offered online for flexibility, such as elective language courses. For non-degree programs like short-term language study, some universities continue to offer fully online options, but these do not qualify for student visas. The MOE’s 2024 data shows that only 12% of international students were enrolled in any online component, down from 68% in 2022.

Q2: Can I apply for a Chinese student visa if my program is hybrid (part online, part in person)?

Yes, but only if your program requires at least 50% in-person attendance. The National Immigration Administration’s 2024 SCL system requires universities to certify that a student’s program is “predominantly delivered in person” before issuing the JW201/JW202 form needed for visa applications. For X1 visas, the threshold is 80% in-person attendance for degree programs. X2 visa holders for short-term study must attend all classes in person. The NIA’s 2024 Q2 report indicated that 94% of visa applications for hybrid programs were approved, provided the in-person component met the minimum threshold.

Q3: What happens if I cannot return to campus due to visa delays or travel restrictions?

Students facing delays should contact their university’s International Student Office immediately. Most universities allow a grace period of 2-4 weeks for late arrivals. For example, Zhejiang University’s 2024 policy permits students to attend classes online for up to 30 days while awaiting visa processing. If the delay exceeds this period, students may need to defer enrollment to the next semester. The MOE’s 2024 guidelines recommend that universities accommodate students with documented visa delays, but individual policies vary. In 2024, approximately 8% of international students deferred enrollment due to visa or travel issues, according to the China Scholarship Council.

References

• Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. 2024. 2024 Statistical Bulletin on Educational Development.
• National Immigration Administration. 2024. 2024 Annual Report on Visa Issuance and Border Management.
• China Scholarship Council. 2024. Survey on International Student Return Rates and Campus Reopening Status.
• China Education Association for International Exchange. 2024. Report on International Student Programs and Reopening Trends.
• Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics. 2024. Beijing Rental Market Report.
• Unilink Education Database. 2024. University Reopening Status and International Student Enrollment Data.