Get yourself ready for China
Where will you live? What does it cost to live in China? When must you apply for a visa? Moving to China requires several practical preparations.
This page gives an overview of the most important matters to consider before departure, though it is not a complete checklist.
After accepting your study place, you will receive access to a more detailed preparation guide on our learning platform (Moodle), covering the practical steps and requirements.
From admission to arrival
Once you are accepted to a Master’s degree programme, SDC offers optional activities to help you prepare and make the most of your stay in China. From experience, participation is worth the time. The activities include:
Webinar, April
Learn about campus life, teaching and the enrolment process. Meet your cohort and join a Q&A with current students living on campus.
Culture buddies, June
You will be placed in a small group with fellow students and begin getting to know each other online across cultures.
Webinar, June
Information about visa application and practical preparations before moving, plus Q&A with current students.
24-hour pre-departure seminar in Denmark, August
A mix of social, academic and practical activities to help students finalise preparations before departure.
Pre-departure seminar in Denmark
Every year in August, SDC hosts a seminar for all Danish and international students, who are about to leave for China.
SU - how to apply
The SDC Master's programmes are all approved for SU (the Danish students' Grants and Loans Scheme). To find out whether you are eligible for SU, visit the website of the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science.
If you are eligible for SU, you can apply via the Danish Agency for Institutions and Educational Grants on-line Fast Track. Choose "Kina", then "University of Chinese Academy of Sciences" then click "søg".
You are responsible for informing the State Education Fund in all matters like enrolment in another programme, interrupted studies, documentation of study activity, extended time of study, notification of illness etc.
Tuition
Danish citizens and EU/EEA citizens
You are exempt for paying tuition fee if you at the application deadline are enrolled as a student at a Danish university either in a Bachelor’s programme, a Professional Bachelor’s programme, a Master's programme or a supplementary course in connection to a Bachelor or Professional Bachelor programme.
You may be eligible for the Danish “Udlandsstipendium” (scholarship for studying abroad) to cover your tuition fee. To find out if you are eligible, please go to the website of the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science for more information.
Non-EU citizens
All Non-EU citizens must pay tuition fee.
Tuition fee is 40,000 RMB pr year. The tuition fee is paid in August before commencement of the first semester and the following August before commencement of the third semester.
Scholarships and grants
SDC does not offer scholarships. Students should instead apply for external grants (e.g. private foundations).
There is no guaranteed funding attached to admission, and securing financial support is the responsibility of the student.
Funding is a private matter between the student and the foundation. SDC cannot assist with applications and does not maintain a complete overview of available grants, especially outside Denmark.
Important: EU/EØS and non-EU applicants cannot apply to the SDC programmes through UCAS and must instead apply via the Danish partner universities. Consequently, they are not eligible to apply for Chinese Government scholarships, including ANSO scholarships.
General tips
- Apply early — many grants have deadlines before departure to China. If you do not receive funding for the first year, you can apply again for the second year
- Match the foundation’s purpose and explain why studying your Master’s degree in China supports it — and what you will use the experience for afterwards
- Present your qualifications clearly (CV, grades, recommendations) and follow all formal requirements exactly (attachments, format, length)
- Include a realistic budget and specify what the grant will cover
After admission, you will gain access to Moodle (student intranet), where former students share recommended grants and application advice.
Useful links
SDC is not able to provide grant information about all available opportunities, so please note that this is only a selection, mainly targeted at students with Danish citizenship.
Legatbogen.dk (the most popular among former students)
Admission letter
Some grants require an admission letter. The official one from UCAS will not arrive before early July, but SDC can provide a confirmation of admission once you have been admitted.
In that case, contact SDC at admission@sdc.university. Remember to state your full name (as in passport), Master’s programme at SDC and your birthdate.
Leaving with DKK 185,000 in grants
Line Kloster, a former student on the Life Science Engineering and Informatics programme, had great success with grants applications and you can get her tips and tricks.
'I did not even imagine that all of the money I received would be necessary, but practical preparations, living costs and travel expenses will add up,' says Line who also found extra space in her budget for trips and travels.
Living costs
The cost of living in Beijing is relatively low compared to most European countries. To get an idea of the price ranges, you can check some of the ‘cost of living’ indexes, e.g. numbeo.com.
Based on information provided by current students, as well as our knowledge of typical fixed expenses, an estimated overview of monthly living costs is outlined below (all amounts in CNY):
- Accommodation (on-campus dormitory): Approximately 1,800 per month (including Wi-Fi)
- Mobile phone plan: 30 per month
- Utilities: 40 per month
- Food (including occasional restaurant visits, snacks, cafés): 1,500 per month
- Leisure activities (cinema, nightlife, shopping, etc.): 500–1,000 per month
- Study materials estimate: 100 per month
Estimated total monthly expenses: Approximately 4,500 CNY
Start-up expenses
In addition to monthly living costs, students should expect certain initial start-up expenses, which may vary in cost:
- Flight ticket
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Residence permit
- Medical examination
- Vaccinations
Accommodation
UCAS offers dormitory rooms on campus. Staying in the dormitories gives students the opportunity to live and study alongside fellow SDC students and be part of campus life. Students who prefer to live off campus may rent a private apartment, typically through a real estate agent.
Information about the dormitory application process is shared by the SDC office in the spring, after students have been admitted to one of the programmes.
Insurance
SDC students enrolled at UCAS are required to take out insurance that covers both physical and mental health issues. Upon arrival, UCAS will demand proof of adequate insurance.
Usually, travel insurances will not cover for a two-year stay abroad, hence special agreements are often necessary. Students must choose an insurance company in Denmark or their home country. A Chinese insurance will not be adequate.
Current students have primarily taken out, and recommend, insurance at Europæiske Rejseforsikring, Gouda and AON (through Danish Students Abroad).
It is advisable to pay for both years of insurance before leaving Denmark/your home country. If you plan to pay for insurance one year at a time, make sure to apply for insurance well before the first years expires, to avoid being without insurance.
Vaccines
Ask your doctor or your national public health authority (e.g. the Danish Statens Serum Institut) to find out which vaccines are recommended. Some vaccinations might have to be administered over a period of time (several months).
Visa
A student visa is required in order to enter China and begin your studies at SDC. The application typically takes place in July, either in your home country or in Denmark. SDC will provide guidance on the timeline and required steps in the process.
Most nationalities, including Danish citizens, must submit the application through a Chinese Visa Application Service Center. You can find the centre for your country of residence here: https://cova.mfa.gov.cn/.
If you reside in Denmark, apply via the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Copenhagen: