Refer China: China No Longer Recognizes Degrees from 270 Foreign Universities

NEWS

China's Ministry of Education No Longer Recognizes Degrees from 270 Foreign Universities

Pic irrelevant to text

In a significant move to uphold the integrity of foreign academic credentials, the Chinese Ministry of Education's Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) has recently updated its list of recognized overseas institutions. As a result, 270 foreign universities have been removed from the certification list, meaning degrees obtained from these institutions will no longer be officially recognized in China.

Check our latest video on China Visa and foreign-related knowledge!

Follow our channel for updates 👇

This large-scale adjustment primarily targets so-called "zombie" institutions—schools that have had no degree certifications processed in the past five years. The goal is to maintain the credibility and relevance of recognized institutions for Chinese students studying abroad.

Among all countries affected, the United States sees the greatest impact, with 62 universities removed from the list. Many of these are community colleges or small private institutions. Despite the reduction, a total of 1,539 U.S. universities remain on the recognized list.

South Korea: 6 universities removed, 5 added, totaling 261 recognized institutions post-adjustment.

Japan: 16 universities removed.

Russia: 11 specialized institutions removed, leaving 477 recognized schools.

Check the full list here:

https://zwfw.cscse.edu.cn/cscse/lxfwzxwsfwdt2020/xlxwrz32/qtxx/580296/index.html

Why the Changes?

CSCSE conducts regular quality assessments of global universities to ensure the credibility of foreign academic qualifications. The evaluation criteria include institutional accreditation, curriculum standards, teaching quality, and proper administrative operations. Institutions removed from the list often fail in one or more of these areas, or have discontinued operations.

Impact on Foreign Nationals in China

This policy update may also affect foreign nationals seeking work or residence in China. For most purposes such as applying for a work visa (Z visa), affected degrees may still be validated through alternatives like Apostille (Hague) certification or consular legalization. However, for more sensitive applications—such as permanent residency for PhD holders—the lack of CSCSE certification could pose more serious obstacles.

We recommend individuals in such situations consult with our consultants for tailored guidance and solutions.

Source: 教育部留学服务中心