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 is authorized to confer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and has established postdoctoral research stations. It adheres to its mission of “building a world-class academy of art that represents the highest level of Chinese cultural, artistic research and education.” Currently, the university operates five campuses located in Nanshan, Xiangshan, Liangzhu, and Xianghu in Hangzhou, as well as Zhangjiang in Shanghai. It offers three academic master’s degree programs in Art, Design, and Architecture, along with five professional master’s degree programs in Fine Arts and Calligraphy, Design, Drama and Film, Cultural Relics, and Landscape Architecture.
I. Duration and Types of Enrollment
This is a full-time program taught in Chinese, with a duration of 3 to 4 years. Graduates who meet the university’s degree conferral regulations will be granted a master’s degree.
Two enrollment types for master’s students: Academic Master’s Postgraduates; Professional Master’s Postgraduates.
II. Major Direction
Applications shall be submitted according to the applicant’s proposed research direction.
1.Attachment 1 CAA 2026 Master's specialties catalog 1 (academic master’s degree programs).pdf
2.Attachment 2 CAA 2026 Master's specialties catalog 2 (professional master’s degree programs).pdf
III. Application Qualifications
1. Non-Chinese citizens with a valid foreign passport.
Applicants who are identified as Chinese nationals by the Chinese Public Security authorities during the application, admission, or after enrollment will have their application, admission, enrollment eligibility, or student status revoked.
2. Non-Chinese citizens in good physical and mental health, law-abiding (free from infectious diseases and physical or mental illnesses affecting normal study), of good character and academic performance, friendly towards China, with no criminal record.
3. Possession of a bachelor’s degree.
4. A valid HSK Level 4 score report with a minimum of 180 points, and a listening sub-score no less than 70. The HSK certificate must be valid within 2 years.
5. Applicants for Chinese Government Scholarship programs should generally be under the age of 35.
IV. Application Deadline
Financial Resource | Deadline (Beijing Time) |
Chinese Government Scholarship(A): Bilateral Program | December 31, 2025. 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. https://caa.at0086.cn/site/cn/scholarship_cn/show-5216.html |
Chinese Government Scholarship (B): University Program | December 31, 2025. https://caa.at0086.cn/site/cn/scholarship_cn/show-5217.html |
Self-fund | December 31, 2025 |
V. Application Procedure
1. Application must be submitted exclusively through the China Academy of Art “International Student Service Platform”(https://caa.at0086.cn/StuApplication/Login.aspx). All required documents must be filled in online, and clear, authentic, and valid scanned copies of originals or notarized materials must be uploaded completely. Paper-based materials or applications sent via email will not be processed. Applicants bear full responsibility for any consequences arising from incomplete, inaccurate, or unclear application materials.
2. 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. The university reserves the right to request supplementary materials or conduct additional assessments or interviews.
3. Applicants must regularly check their message inbox within the application system and their registered email, and ensure their phone is accessible for communication.
4. Should any new national policies regarding international student recruitment be introduced, the university reserves the right to adjust this admission guide accordingly and will announce any changes promptly.
VI. Application Materials
Clear, complete scanned copies of the following original or notarized documents must be uploaded. Documents in languages other than Chinese or English must include a notarized Chinese or English translation. It is recommended to have documents and their translations notarized at the Embassy or Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in your home country. Documents comprising more than one page must be bound with a seal across the page edges or have each page stamped.
1. Application Fee Payment Receipt.
2. “China Academy of Art International Student Application Integrity Commitment Letter”.
3. 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.
4. Valid HSK Level 4 Certificate. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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. Students from Malaysian Independent Chinese High Schools should submit their school graduation certificate or student status certificate.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. “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.
11. 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.
VII.Application Materials for Majors
Applicants must upload complete scans of the original documents or notarized/certified copies exclusively through the China Academy of Art “International Student Service System”.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Study Plan in China
Must be written in Chinese and contain a minimum of 2000 characters.
附件5：中国美术学院国际学生攻读硕士学位研究生学习计划书.pdf
4. 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.
5. 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. Portfolio is NOT REQUIRED for the following theoretical research directions:
(1)School of Art and Humanities: 07 Art History, 08 Art Archaeology, 09 History of Art Historiography, 10 Visual Culture and Foreign Art History.
(2)The Centre for Chinese Visual Studies (CCVS) : 11 Visual China Studies, 12 Marxist Literary and Art Theory.
(3)School of Crafts: 16 Crafts Art Studies, 17 Design Theory.
(4)School of Art Administration and Education: 18 Art Administration Studies.
(5)School of Film Art: 33 Film Theory and Criticism.
6. Published Academic Papers or Research Outcomes (if any).
VIII. Admission
Applicants must warrant that all submitted application information is true and valid, and that all works and papers are their own academic achievements. If any falsification or fraud is discovered, the applicant’s eligibility to apply, admission eligibility, and even student status (if enrolled) will be revoked accordingly.
The university will conduct an initial review of all application documents. Applicants who pass the initial review will proceed to the video interview assessment. The schedule and method for the interviews will be announced separately. Final admission decisions will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant’s research capability, academic record, language proficiency, and video interview performance, following a merit-based selection process. Applicants can check their admission status by logging into the China Academy of Art “International Student Service System”.
IX. Fees and Bank Transfer
When making payments, it is mandatory to indicate the Application ID Number or Passport Number and Passport Name. The scanned copy of the payment receipt must be uploaded to the application system.
1.Application Fee: RMB 800 per application. This fee is non-refundable once the application is submitted.
2. Tuition Fee: RMB 60,000 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. Other Fees (e.g., miscellaneous fees): Payable separately as required.
4. Accommodation Fees and Electricity Fees:
https://caa.at0086.cn/site/cn/student_service_cn/show-5078.html
5. Self-funded students who receive a “Pre-admission Notice” must remit the first academic year’s tuition fee to the university’s designated bank account within the specified deadline.
(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
X. Registration
Admitted new students should register on time in September 2026. The specific date will be indicated on the “Admission Letter”. Students must strictly adhere to the registration and enrollment date specified on the Admission Letter. 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.
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.
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
