Cost of Studying in China in 2026: Complete Budget

Last updated: 29 August 2026 · Prepared by the Redream editorial team

For a Moroccan student at a public Chinese university, a realistic 2026 budget is about CNY 40,900–95,000 per academic year (approximately MAD 56,300–130,800), excluding flights and premium joint-degree programmes. The exact cost depends mainly on the university, programme language, city, room type and lifestyle. Always use the fee schedule in your admission notice as the final reference.

Currency note: conversions in this guide use the Bank Al-Maghrib reference rate published on 27 August 2026: CNY 1 = MAD 1.3765. Exchange rates change, so the dirham values are approximate.

How much should a Moroccan student budget for one year?

The table below is a planning model for a self-funded student at a public university. It is not a quotation from one institution. “Economy” assumes an affordable public programme, shared campus housing and canteen meals. “Balanced” allows more flexibility. “Higher-cost” reflects a more expensive public programme or city, but excludes international joint universities where tuition can exceed CNY 100,000 a year.

Annual category	Economy	Balanced	Higher-cost
Tuition	CNY 16,000≈ MAD 22,024	CNY 26,000≈ MAD 35,789	CNY 39,000≈ MAD 53,684
Campus housing	CNY 4,900≈ MAD 6,745	CNY 8,400≈ MAD 11,563	CNY 14,400≈ MAD 19,822
Food	CNY 12,000≈ MAD 16,518	CNY 18,000≈ MAD 24,777	CNY 24,000≈ MAD 33,036
Transport, phone and personal spending	CNY 6,000≈ MAD 8,259	CNY 9,600≈ MAD 13,214	CNY 15,600≈ MAD 21,473
Insurance and basic admin fees	CNY 2,000≈ MAD 2,753	CNY 2,000≈ MAD 2,753	CNY 2,000≈ MAD 2,753
Estimated total	CNY 40,900≈ MAD 56,299	CNY 64,000≈ MAD 88,096	CNY 95,000≈ MAD 130,768

Add a separate emergency reserve and the cost of flights from Morocco. Off-campus deposits, winter and summer accommodation, utilities and programme-specific laboratory charges may also be billed separately.

What are tuition fees in China in 2026?

Official university schedules show a wide range. Southwest University of Finance and Economics lists degree tuition from CNY 16,000 per year for some Chinese-taught bachelor’s programmes and CNY 20,000 for some English-taught bachelor’s programmes. Nanjing Agricultural University publishes undergraduate rates from CNY 20,000 to CNY 39,000 depending on language and discipline. At HUST, several English-taught engineering programmes are CNY 30,000 and MBBS is CNY 40,000 per year.

Chinese-taught programmes: often the most economical option, but usually require the stated HSK level.
English-taught programmes: may cost more and can have separate language requirements.
Medicine, arts and specialised programmes: frequently sit above general social-science fees.
Joint or international universities: can be far more expensive than ordinary public-university examples.

Before paying, compare the programme page, the current admissions brochure and the fee amount printed on your admission documents.

How much does student housing cost?

Campus dormitories are usually the easiest option for a new international student. Jiangsu University lists CNY 4,900 per academic year for a standard double room. HUST lists CNY 700 per month per person for a double room and CNY 1,200 for a single room. Tsinghua’s 2026 graduate admissions information lists CNY 30–40 per bed per day for triple or double rooms.

Check what is included. Water, electricity, Wi-Fi, bedding, deposits and holiday stays are sometimes charged separately. Campus rooms are also limited, so an admission offer does not automatically guarantee your preferred room type.

What do food, transport and daily life cost?

Food

Xiamen University estimates meals at CNY 1,000–1,500 per month. A student who eats mainly in the campus canteen and cooks occasionally can stay near the lower end. Frequent delivery, cafés and imported food will raise the budget.

Transport, phone and personal spending

Chongqing University estimates transport and other miscellaneous costs at about CNY 500 per month. For safer planning, allow CNY 500–1,300 monthly depending on the city and your habits. This category should cover local transport, mobile data, toiletries, laundry and modest leisure spending.

Which first-year costs are easy to forget?

Application or registration fees: often non-refundable.
Medical examination: Jiangsu University estimates about CNY 400.
Residence permit: the same university lists CNY 400.
Medical insurance: many universities list around CNY 800–1,000 per year.
Room deposit and bedding: rules vary by residence.
Flight and arrival cash: keep these outside your normal monthly budget.

Can a scholarship reduce the cost?

Yes. A full Chinese Government Scholarship can cover tuition, university accommodation or an accommodation subsidy, a monthly stipend and medical insurance, subject to the programme rules and annual review. Partial awards may cover only some items. Read our complete guide to the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2026 before building a zero-cost budget, because flights, deposits or personal expenses may remain.

Can you rely on part-time work to pay your expenses?

No. International students need the required university approval and residence-permit annotation before taking permitted off-campus work or internships. Availability is not guaranteed, and illegal work creates serious immigration risk. See our guide: Can Moroccan students work while studying in China?

How can you lower your budget safely?

Compare the exact programme fee, not only the university’s general price.
Choose a shared campus room and confirm whether utilities are included.
Use the campus canteen and set a weekly spending limit.
Apply early for scholarships and dormitory places.
Keep a 10–15% emergency reserve instead of budgeting to the last yuan.
Recalculate the MAD value before every major transfer.

Frequently asked questions

Is studying in China cheap for Moroccan students?

It can be affordable at a public university with shared housing, but “cheap” depends on the programme and city. A realistic self-funded annual plan starts near CNY 40,900 in an economical scenario, excluding flights.

How much money is needed each month without tuition?

A practical monthly allowance for housing, food, transport and personal spending is roughly CNY 1,900–4,500. Campus room type and lifestyle create most of the difference.

Is dormitory accommodation included in tuition?

Usually not for self-funded students. Treat tuition and housing as separate charges unless your scholarship or official fee notice clearly says otherwise.

Should I transfer money using the rate in this article?

No. The MAD figures are planning estimates based on the Bank Al-Maghrib rate of 27 August 2026. Check the bank’s current rate and transfer fees on the payment day.

Official sources used

Need a budget matched to your programme and city? Contact Redream with the university, degree and teaching language you are considering. We will help you separate confirmed fees from optional spending before you apply.