Skip to content
  • learn work

Learn & Work in China

Learn

Section titled “Learn”

See also: Studying in China

Traditional Chinese culture places a strong emphasis on education, so there is no lack of options for those who wish to receive quality education in China. The downside is that the system is extremely competitive, and Chinese students are under intense pressure from their families and peers to succeed academically.

China’s universities offer many different types of courses, and some of them are regularly ranked among the top universities in the world. Universities accept students who have achieved the minimum of a high-school education for courses in the Chinese language. These courses usually last 1 or 2 years. Students are given certificates after they complete their course. Students who do not speak Chinese and want to study further in China are usually required to complete a language-training course.

There are many opportunities to learn Chinese in China, including university courses and special programs. Scholarships may be available, from your home country or the Chinese government. In any city with a sizeable expat community, you can also find private classes, which you can take on the side while working in China. While not as popular as Mandarin, there are also some opportunities to study the local dialects and ethnic minority languages.

Work

Section titled “Work”

See also: Working in China

China has grown so much that it is on track to become the world’s biggest economy. Although the labor market is difficult for foreigners to access, there are numerous opportunities for those who wish to experience life in China. It is illegal to work in China on a tourist or business visa, and while many foreigners used to get away with doing so, the Chinese government is cracking down on the practice; you will need to proactively make sure your employer goes through the appropriate procedures for you.

Employment opportunities include English-language teaching, engineering, tech jobs, international trade, scientific research and working for multi-nationals. For most jobs, Chinese immigration law requires foreigners to have at least a bachelor’s degree and 2 years of work experience before they can be granted a work visa, and your application will be rejected if you do not have one. See Working in China for details.

Content adapted from Wikivoyage, used under CC BY-SA 3.0.