The Education System in China Explained

China’s education system is unique for its rigorous structure, intense focus on academic achievement, and the critical role of the Gaokao exam in determining students’ futures. From the early emphasis on memorisation to the fierce competition in secondary education, the system shapes the entire student body in the society. How does this approach truly work, and what does it mean for those involved? Let’s dive deeper into the intricacies of China’s education system.

The Structure of the Chinese Education System

The Compulsory Education Law ensures nine years of mandatory education for all children in China, aiming to provide equal access to education, including for those in rural areas and from minority ethnic groups. Accordingly, the Chinese education system is divided into several stages, each with its own distinct focus and structure:

• Preschool Education: Typically for children aged 3 to 6, this stage is not compulsory but is highly valued by parents to prepare their children for primary school.
• Primary Education (Years 1-6): Beginning at age 6, primary education is compulsory and lasts six years. The curriculum covers subjects like Chinese, mathematics, and moral education. Schools are often public, though private options exist.
• Secondary Education:
  • Junior Secondary (Years 7-9): This three-year phase is compulsory and focuses on a broader curriculum, including sciences, humanities, and physical education. Students face regional standardised exams at the end of this stage.
  • Senior Secondary (Years 10-12): Non-compulsory, this stage prepares students for the Gaokao exam. Schools are divided into academic and vocational tracks, with academic schools focusing on university preparation.
• Higher Education: Post-secondary education includes universities and colleges, with admission primarily determined by Gaokao scores.

China’s education system is highly standardised, with a national curriculum and a strong emphasis on testing at each stage, ensuring uniformity across the country.

The Structure of the Chinese Education System

Preschool Education in China

In China, children typically attend preschool between the ages of 3 and 6, with most beginning at age 3. While pre-school education is not compulsory, it is considered essential, especially in urban areas where competition for spots in reputable preschools is fierce. In major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, securing a place in a top preschool can be as competitive as gaining admission to a prestigious university, with some parents registering their children years in advance.

The intense competition reflects the importance placed on early education, with parents often choosing preschools based on their reputation for preparing children for the rigours of primary school. According to a 2020 report, over 85% of children in urban areas attend preschool, highlighting its significance in the educational journey of Chinese students.

Primary Education in China

Primary school education in China, covering Years 1 to 6, is compulsory and begins at age 6. The majority of students attend public schools, though private schools are available, often catering to wealthier families or those seeking alternative curricula such as International Baccalaureate (IB).

In public schools, children get selected into their primary school based on where they live. The main elements of the public education system involves:

• Core Subjects: The primary school curriculum is standardised across the country, focusing on Chinese language, mathematics, and moral education, with additional subjects like science, music, and art. This curriculum integrates practical experiences and political teachings to align with both academic and social objectives.
• Daily Structure: Students typically spend six hours in school each day from eight o’clock to four o’clock in the afternoon with two hours of lunch break which they can enjoy at home. The Chinese curriculum places a heavy emphasis on homework and additional tutoring, particularly in urban areas, thus practically extending children’s school hours into the evening.
• Assessment: Although there are no national exams at the primary level, students are regularly assessed through standardized tests in core subjects. Performance in these assessments often determines placement in more competitive secondary schools.

The system is designed to build a strong foundation in basic skills, with a clear emphasis on discipline and academic achievement, laying the groundwork for the competitive secondary education that follows.

Secondary Education in China

After primary school education, children then enter into secondary schools. Secondary education in China is divided into two distinct stages: junior secondary school (Years 7-9) and senior secondary school (Years 10-12). Junior secondary education is compulsory, while senior secondary education is optional but crucial for those pursuing higher education.

• Types of Schools: Secondary schools in China are broadly categorised into academic and vocational tracks. Academic schools are geared towards students preparing for the Gaokao, focusing on university admission, while vocational schools offer practical training in various trades and skills.
• National Curriculum: The curriculum is standardised across the country, with students in academic tracks choosing between two main streams in senior secondary: Science (理科, Lǐkē) and Humanities (文科, Wénkē). The science stream typically includes physics, chemistry, and biology, while the humanities stream focuses on history, geography, and politics. All students, regardless of track, study core subjects such as Chinese, mathematics, and English. Physical education is part of the national curriculum, with students required to participate in PE classes. However, the intense focus on academic achievement often means that physical education and mental health can be undervalued.
• Culture and Gaokao: The Gaokao, China’s national college entrance examination, is the focal point of senior secondary education. Academic achievement is prioritised, with students and their families often making significant sacrifices to ensure high performance in this exam. The Gaokao’s outcomes determine university placement, making it a life-defining test. Extracurricular activities, while available, generally take a backseat to academic study, as success in the Gaokao is seen as the most critical factor for future opportunities.

This intense focus on academic achievement in the public education system creates a highly competitive environment where the pressure to perform can be overwhelming, which is why some Chinese parents have opted for the private education system for the children, entering them into American or British examination systems, such as IGCSEs or A-Levels.

The Gaokao: China's National College Entrance Examination

The Gaokao, or National College Entrance Examination, is the pinnacle of China’s education system, determining university admissions nationwide. Senior secondary schools, or high schools play a crucial role in preparing students for this highly competitive exam, stressing the pressure students face to achieve good scores for college admissions. The exam is typically taken at the end of senior secondary school and is held once a year over two to three days.

• Exam Structure: The Gaokao tests students in several core subjects, including Chinese, mathematics and a foreign language (usually English). Students also choose between the Science (physics, chemistry, biology) or Humanities (history, geography, politics) streams. The breath of subjects covered are typically wider than in Western countries’ university entrance exams.
• Types of Questions: The exam includes multiple-choice, short-answer and essay questions, depending on the subject tested. Compared to exams in Western countries, the Chinese exam place heavier focus on memorisation and require students to demonstrate their critical thinking abilities in a specific format.
• Preparation: Preparing for the Gaokao is an intense, multi-year process. Many students engage in extensive private tutoring to gain an edge. However, the government has recently tightened regulations on the private tutoring industry to reduce the financial burden on families and curb the excessive pressures placed on students.
• University Requirements: Chinese universities primarily base their admissions on Gaokao scores, with top institutions setting extremely high cut-off marks. For example, Tsinghua and Peking University often require students to be within the top 1-2% in their province. This places great pressure on students, as a single exam score can largely determine their future academic and career paths.

The Gaokao is not just an exam but a national event that underscores the value placed on education in Chinese society. Its outcomes can have a profound impact on the lives of millions of students each year.

As an A-Level tutor in China observed,

“Unlike the A-Levels, which focus on deep knowledge in specific subjects, the Gaokao is a broad, high-stakes exam that covers a wide range of material. The pressure on Chinese students is unparalleled compared to other exam systems.”

Vocational Education and Training in China

Vocational Education and Training (VET) in China provides an alternative to university education, focusing on practical skills for immediate employment.

Types of Vocational Schools

• Secondary Vocational Schools: For students post-compulsory education, offering 3 to 4-year programmes in fields like IT, healthcare, and manufacturing.
• Higher Vocational Colleges: For secondary school graduates, providing 2 to 3-year advanced training in specialised areas, often in collaboration with industries.
• Technical Institutes: Provide targeted courses, often integrated with higher education, in areas such as engineering and design.

Duration and Structure

• Secondary Vocational Schools: 3 to 4 years of combined classroom and practical training.
• Higher Vocational Colleges: 2 to 3 years, emphasising industry-specific skills and practical experience.

Career Prospects

Vocational graduates often find employment quickly due to their practical training. Sectors include manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and hospitality. According to recent data, over 12 million students are enrolled in secondary vocational schools, with high employment rates shortly after graduation.

Higher Education in China

The Chinese Ministry of Education (MoE) is the primary government department responsible for overseeing higher education in China. The MoE sets educational policies, regulates curricula, allocates funding, and implements initiatives like the Double First-Class, Project 985, and Project 211 to enhance the quality and global competitiveness of Chinese universities.

Types of Universities

Higher education in China is predominantly public, with most universities and colleges being government-funded and operated. Private universities do exist, but they are fewer in number and generally have less prestige compared to public institutions. These private institutions often focus on specialised fields or vocational training and typically serve students who do not gain admission to the more competitive public universities.

As far as the public universities are concerned, China's higher education features a uniquely tiered structure, with each tier (in descending order of prestige) named after the government initiative that promoted the respective class of institutions:

• Double First-Class Universities: These are top institutions aiming for world-class status, such as Tsinghua University and Peking University.
• Project 985 Universities: A group of elite institutions identified for special funding to develop world-class capabilities, like Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
• Project 211 Universities: These universities receive government support to enhance research and overall quality, such as Nanjing University.
• Provincial and Local Universities: Serve regional needs with more limited resources.
• Vocational and Technical Colleges: Focus on practical, career-oriented education.

Types of Degrees Offered

Chinese universities offer a wide range of degrees, including bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes. The three most popular fields of study in China are engineering, business and computer science, with Tsinghua University renowned for engineering and Peking University for humanities and social sciences.

Quality of Teaching, Facilities, Environment, and Employability

The quality of education, particularly in Double First-Class, Project 985, and Project 211 universities, is steadily improving, with significant investments in facilities and faculty. These institutions boast modern campuses and state-of-the-art labs. Graduates from these top-tier universities have strong employability, with over 90% securing employment or further study within six months of graduation.

International Recognition

Chinese universities are gaining global recognition, with several ranked among the top 100 worldwide. Engineering and computer science programmes are particularly well-regarded, and China is becoming an increasingly popular destination for international students, reflecting the growing international acceptance of its higher education system.

International Education Options in China

China’s international education landscape offers diverse options, particularly in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Programmes such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), A-Levels and IGCSEs are highly sought after by both expatriate families and Chinese students aiming to study abroad.

Curriculum

The IB, A-Levels and IGCSE programmes are known for their rigorous academic standards and global focus. The IB is particularly popular in China for its broad curriculum, which encourages critical thinking and independent research, as well as wide international recognition.

Due to IB's curriculum rigour, it has been increasingly common to seek an IB tutor in China. And for good reasons as well: The structure of IB which emphasises continuous assessment and a high level of critical thinking is very different from the Chinese exam system, which means that students in China need greater support to help them transition from a traditional state education system to an international one. In this process, it is advised that students and parents turn to private tutoring to stay ahead of the curve especially in major cities, such as an IB tutor in Beijing.

Competition and Pressure

Admission to international schools offering the above curricula is competitive, with entrance exams designed to assess a student’s ability to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Since the high amount of pressure in Gaokao and sky-high admissions requirements have pushed Chinese students to prefer studying abroad, the number of students competing in international shcools has increased, lifting the bar further. As the competition increases, students often face considerable pressure to perform well once admitted. To tackle this challenge, private tutoring can be an effective solution to help children manage IB's infamous workload.

As one IB tutor in Shanghai notes,

“Tutoring provides tailored support that helps students manage the intense workload and understand complex topics more deeply, ultimately boosting their confidence and performance.”

Private Tutoring

Given the competitive nature of these international programmes, private tutoring has become a vital resource for many students. Websites like TutorChase provide specialised tutoring for IB, A-Levels, and IGCSEs, offering the support students need to meet the high expectations of these programmes and excel academically. This is particularly helpful if the children are transitioning from a traditional Chinese primary school or secondary school to an international school. Due to the drastic differences in education systems, it is recommended that parents hire private tutors such as IGCSE tutor in China help children more quickly adapt to international programmes' demand on critical thinking and other key skills.

Challenges Facing the Chinese Education System

The Chinese education system faces several significant challenges:

• Overemphasis on Examinations: The intense focus on the Gaokao creates immense pressure on students, often at the expense of broader learning and creativity. A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlights that this focus can limit students' critical thinking skills.
• Regional Disparities: There is a substantial gap in educational resources between urban and rural areas. According to a 2023 report from China’s Ministry of Education, students in rural regions have less access to quality teachers and facilities compared to their urban counterparts.
• Quality of Vocational Training: Despite its growth, vocational education often struggles with outdated curricula and insufficient industry links. This results in a skills mismatch, where graduates may not meet current market needs, as noted by the China Development Research Foundation.

These challenges highlight the need for reforms to balance examination pressure, address regional inequalities, and enhance vocational training quality.

Comparison of the Chinese Education System with Other Countries

The Chinese education system exhibits notable differences compared to those in countries like the UK and the US:

Curriculum and Structure

• China: Features a highly centralised curriculum with a uniform national syllabus and standardised testing, including the Gaokao, which largely dictates university entry.
• UK: Students take GCSEs in a range of subjects followed by A-Levels in 3 to 4 subjects, allowing for specialisation and broader academic exploration.
• US: High school students follow a more flexible curriculum with opportunities to choose electives, culminating in standardised tests like the SAT or ACT that complement a holistic application process.

Emphasis on Exams

• China: The Gaokao, taken at the end of secondary education, is a high-stakes exam that significantly impacts university admissions and career prospects.
• UK: A-Levels and GCSEs involve a mix of final exams and coursework, reducing the impact of a single examination.
• US: The SAT/ACT are important but are just one part of the university admissions process, which also considers coursework, extracurricular activities, and personal statements.

Vocational Training

• China: Vocational education is closely linked with industry needs, offering practical skills and quick employment prospects. Over 12 million students are enrolled in vocational schools, focusing on job readiness.
• US and UK: Vocational training is less centralised and often perceived as a less prestigious option compared to academic routes. Vocational programmes may not always align closely with industry requirements.

According to the OECD’s PISA assessments, China consistently scores highly in mathematics, reading, and science, reflecting its rigorous academic standards, although the system is often critiqued for its intense exam pressure and narrow focus.

Educational Reforms and Recent Changes in China

China has implemented significant educational reforms aimed at modernising its system and addressing evolving societal needs.

• Curriculum Overhaul: Recent reforms focus on reducing rote memorisation and increasing critical thinking. The new curriculum emphasises practical skills, creativity, and comprehensive development. In 2021, the Ministry of Education introduced a revised curriculum for primary and secondary education, reducing homework and enhancing student well-being.
• Gaokao Reform: The National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) has undergone changes to diversify assessment. Since 2021, reforms include a broader selection of subjects and the introduction of the "3+1+2" model, allowing students to choose additional subjects beyond the core three.
• Vocational Education Enhancement: Increased investment in vocational education aims to improve its quality and relevance. The government has set a goal for vocational schools to account for 50% of secondary school enrolments by 2025, up from 43% in 2020.

These reforms are designed to better align educational outcomes with the demands of a modern economy and to promote a more balanced approach to student development.

Conclusion

The Chinese education system is characterised by its centralised curriculum, intense focus on high-stakes exams, and a strong emphasis on vocational training aligned with industry needs. This structured approach offers rigorous academic standards and practical skills development, making it appealing to international students seeking a thorough, technically-oriented education. Students interested in specialised fields or those looking to experience a unique and challenging educational environment may find China's system particularly advantageous.