China Academy of Art (CAA, Agency Code: 10355), founded in 1928, is one of the earliest higher education institutions in China to offer graduate education. The university adheres to its mission of “building a world-class academy of art that represents the highest level of Chinese cultural, artistic research and education.”
The university offers doctoral programs in both academic and professional degrees. The academic programs include Art Studies and Design Studies, while the professional programs cover Fine Arts and Calligraphy, Design, as well as Theater and Film. All programs are full-time, conducted in Chinese, with a duration of 3–4 years. Graduates who meet the national and university regulations for degree conferral will be awarded a doctoral degree.
I. Admission Major Catalog
“China Academy of Art 2026 International Student (Doctoral) Admissions Major Catalog” (Attachment 1)
Attachment 1：China Academy of Art 2026 International Student (Doctoral) Admissions Major Catalog.pdf
The Admissions Catalog is subject to adjustment. Please pay timely attention to information updates on the “International Student Service System” of the International College website of China Academy of Art.
II. Application Deadline
March 1, 2026 (Beijing Time, inclusive).
III. Application Qualifications
1. Non-Chinese citizens holding valid foreign ordinary passports.
Applicants who are determined by Chinese public security authorities to possess Chinese nationality during the application, admission, or after enrollment will have their application eligibility, admission qualification, enrollment qualification, or student status revoked.
2. Be in good physical and mental health, free from infectious diseases and any physical or mental conditions that may affect normal study; have excellent moral character and academic performance; be friendly towards China; and have no record of illegal or criminal activities.
3. Possess a Master’s degree.
4. Have a valid (within 2 years) HSK4 score of 180 or above, with a listening sub-score no less than 70.
IV. Fees and Bank Transfer
1.Application Fee: RMB 800 per application. This fee is non-refundable once the application is submitted.
2.Tuition Fee: RMB 68,000 per academic year per student (including comprehensive insurance). Fees are charged by academic year.
https://caa.at0086.cn/site/cn/student_service_cn/show-5098.html
3.Accommodation Fees and Electricity Fees:
https://caa.at0086.cn/site/cn/student_service_cn/show-5078.html
4.Ways of Payment:
(1) Payment from within China:
https://caa.at0086.cn/site/cn/admission_cn/show-5197.html
(2) Payment from outside China:
https://caa.at0086.cn/site/admission/show-5198.html
When making the payment, be sure to indicate the application number and the passport name, and upload the scanned copy of the remittance receipt to the “International Student Service System” of the China Academy of Art.
V. Scholarships
Financial Resource | Application Method |
Chinese Government Scholarship(A): Bilateral Program | Applicants are advised to consult their national scholarship dispatching authorities or the Education Office of the Chinese embassy/consulate in their home country for application procedures and deadlines, as they vary by country. |
Chinese Government Scholarship (B): University Program |
VI. Application Procedure and Reminders
1. Application must be submitted exclusively through the China Academy of Art “International Student Service System”(https://caa.at0086.cn/StuApplication/Login.aspx). Upload scanned copies of the original or notarized versions of the following materials in their entirety and in accordance with the requirements. Paper-based materials or applications sent via email will not be processed.
2. All required documents must be filled in online, and clear, authentic, and valid scanned copies of originals or notarized materials must be uploaded completely. Applicants bear full responsibility for any consequences arising from incomplete, inaccurate, or unclear application materials.
3. Applicants must ensure that all information provided is accurate and error-free. This includes, but is not limited to, passport number, passport name, gender, contact number, email address, and mailing address. The applicant will be solely responsible for any issues during the admission process resulting from inaccuracies.
4. The university reserves the right to request supplementary materials or conduct additional assessments or interviews.
5. Applicants must regularly check their message inbox within the application system and their registered email, and ensure their phone is accessible for communication.
VII. Application Materials
1. Personal Passport Page.
The passport must be valid until after September 30, 2026. Once admitted, the passport information cannot be changed until after enrollment is completed. If a change is necessary due to special circumstances or force majeure, a written application must be submitted to the university.
2. Valid HSK Level 4 Certificate.
(1) A minimum score of 180 is required, with a listening sub-score no less than 70. The certificate must be valid within two years and issued after August 31, 2024. Applicants for the Chinese Government Scholarship must submit the certificate by March 1, 2026; all other applicants must submit it by June 30, 2026.
(2) Exemption from HSK (for specific academic backgrounds). If the language of instruction for your previous degree was Chinese, or if you obtained a degree from a Chinese university where Chinese was the medium of instruction, you are exempt from submitting an HSK certificate. Please submit your previous graduation certificate or student status certificate instead.
(3) Exemption from HSK (for secondary education in Chinese). If the language of instruction for compulsory courses during your secondary education (junior high or high school) was Chinese, please provide your junior high or high school graduation certificate and proof of Chinese as the medium of instruction. You are exempt from submitting an HSK certificate.
3. Recent ID Photo (Digital).
Format: JPG, 2-inch (3.5cm x 5.3cm), white background without borders, head should occupy about 2/3 of the photo, minimum 320*240 pixels, 4:3 aspect ratio, file size between 100-500KB.
4. Documents for Applicants Born Abroad with Chinese Citizen Parents. If you acquired foreign nationality at birth and one or both of your parents are Chinese citizens, you must submit:
(1) Proof that you acquired foreign nationality at birth.
(2) Either proof of cancellation of your Chinese nationality, or proof of permanent residency held by your Chinese citizen parent(s) in a foreign country before your birth.
5. Individuals who have emigrated from China’s Mainland, Hong Kong SAR (China), Macau SAR (China) and Taiwan Region (China) and acquired foreign citizenship, applying as international students, must submit proof of cancellation of Chinese nationality according to the relevant regulations of the Ministry of Education.
6. “Foreigner Physical Examination Form”.
Uniformly printed by Chinese health and quarantine authorities, must be completed in Chinese or English. The examination must strictly follow all required items on the form. Incomplete forms, forms without a photo affixed and stamped across the corner, or without the doctor’s and hospital’s signatures and stamps are invalid. The form is valid for 6 months from the date of the examination. (Attachment 2)
7. Certificate of No Criminal Record. A valid certificate issued by the local public security authorities, typically dated within 6 months prior to the application submission date. It must confirm a clear record since birth.
8. Highest Academic Credential
Prospective graduates should provide a Pre-graduation Certificate (must bear the official school seal), confirming the expected date of graduation and degree award. The Bachelor’s degree certificate must be obtained no later than September 1, 2026. A scanned copy of the original graduation certificate/degree diploma or its notarized copy must be submitted before enrollment.
9. Official Transcripts of All Undergraduate Courses
Prospective graduates should submit official transcripts covering all completed semesters/terms to date. The final complete official transcript must be submitted before enrollment. Transcripts should include records from all undergraduate, Master’s (if applicable), and Doctoral (if applicable) programs, up to the most recent semester attended. Transcripts must be issued and stamped by the university’s Academic Affairs Office, Graduate Affairs Office, or relevant student administration department. Provide transcripts in Chinese or English. If the original transcript is in another language, a separately notarized English translation is required.
10. Study Plan in China
Must be written in Chinese and contain a minimum of 2000 characters. (Attachment 3)
附件3：中国美术学院国际学生攻读博士学位研究生学习计划书.doc
11. Two Letters of Recommendation
Must be written and signed by professors or associate professors. Only letters in Chinese or English are acceptable. Must include the recommender’s contact phone number and email address.
The content should primarily focus on the applicant’s objectives and requirements for studying in China, as well as an evaluation of the applicant’s comprehensive abilities and future potential.
(Attachment 4)
12. Personal Portfolio
Provide a portfolio of creation works relevant to the applied major. Each work must be clearly labeled underneath with its title and dimensions. File size limits: 5MB maximum for texts and images; 20MB maximum for videos.
13. Published Academic Papers or Research Outcomes (if any).
14. Full text of Master’s thesis in Chinese (if any).
15. Application Fee Payment Receipt.
16. “China Academy of Art International Student Application Integrity Commitment Letter”. (Attachment 5)
Applicants must affirm that all submitted application information is true and valid, and that all submitted works and theses are their own academic achievements. If any falsification is discovered, the applicant’s qualification for application, admission, or even enrollment status shall be revoked accordingly.
Applicants must upload clear and complete scanned copies of the original or notarized versions of all required documents as specified above. Any text materials submitted in languages other than Chinese or English must include a notarized translation into Chinese or English. It is recommended that documents and their translations be notarized at an Embassy or Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in the applicant's home country. For documents comprising more than one page, each page must be stamped with an official seal, or the pages must be bound together with a seal across the page edges.
VIII. Admission
1. The university will conduct an initial review of the applicants’ materials. Applicants who pass the initial review will proceed to the video interview assessment. The time and method of the interview will be notified separately on the “International Student Service System” of the China Academy of Art.
2. The university will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of applicants based on factors such as research capability, academic performance, language proficiency, and the video interview, and will admit students on a competitive basis.
3. Applicants should promptly log in to the “International Student Service System” of the China Academy of Art to check their admission results. All consequences arising from personal negligence or other reasons attributable to the applicant shall be borne by the applicant.
4. Officially admitted students can download the “Admission Letter” and the download link for the “Visa Application for Study in China (JW201/JW202 Form)” via the “International Student Service System” in mid-to-late July 2026.
5. Self-funded students who receive a “Pre-Admission Letter” must transfer the first academic year’s tuition fee to the university’s designated bank account within the specified time. The tuition fee is generally non-refundable.
6. Should new enrollment policies for international students be issued by higher authorities, the university reserves the right to adjust this prospectus accordingly. The final interpretation of this prospectus rests with the International College of the China Academy of Art. Please stay updated by regularly checking the official website of the International College.
IX. Registration
1. Admitted new students should register on time in September 2026. The specific date will be indicated on the official website of International College.
2. Applicants must present their passport, the “Admission Letter” and the “Visa Application Form for Study in China” at a Chinese embassy or consulate abroad to apply for an entry study (X1) visa.
3. During registration, original documents including the graduation certificate, degree certificate, and language proficiency certificate will be verified. Failure to present the required original certificates will result in the revocation of admission eligibility. If any falsification, fraud, or malpractice is confirmed, the student’s status will be canceled.
X. Accommodation
Accommodation arrangements are tentatively scheduled to be announced separately in late August 2026. Please refer to the official notice on the website of the International College of China Academy of Art for details.
XI. Contacts
Office Add: No.17 Building, International College of China Academy of Art, No. 352 Xiangshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, P. R. China
Official website of CAA: http://en.caa.edu.cn/
Official website of the International College: http://admission.caa.edu.cn/
E-mail: caaic1978@caa.edu.cn
Tel: 86-571-87164712
Consultation time：8:30-11:30,13:00-16:30, Monday to Friday (except official holiday and winter holiday: January 17, 2025 to March 7, 2026)
Contact: Teacher Ren, Teacher Wang
