Chinese Medical Schools — Eva Hrnčířová

⚠ Critical Context: China MBBS Is Structurally Different from the Previous Table

Three structural issues specific to Eva's situation affect every row in this table and must be understood before reading the data.

1. Mandatory Mandarin for the clinical year. All Chinese hospitals operate in Mandarin. Even at fully English-medium MOE-listed programs, the 6th-year clinical internship is conducted in Chinese hospitals with Chinese-speaking patients. Top programs (Fudan, SJTU, ZJU) explicitly require HSK Level 4–5 before the internship is permitted. Eva would need concurrent Mandarin study throughout Years 1–5 — approximately 3–4 hours per week alongside a demanding medical curriculum. This is achievable but should not be underestimated.

2. EU/Czech Medical Chamber does NOT automatically recognise Chinese MBBS. China is a third country under EU Directive 2005/36/EC. A degree from any Chinese institution requires individual equivalency assessment by the Czech Ministry of Health and Czech Medical Chamber, which may include a knowledge/aptitude examination. Timeline: 6–18 months; outcome variable. This contrasts with Irish and Edinburgh degrees, which have direct or streamlined EU recognition pathways. Before choosing any option in this table, contact the Czech Medical Chamber directly to understand current precedent for Chinese-qualified applicants.

3. New CSCA admissions test (2026+). China launched the China Scholastic Competency Assessment starting 2026, mandatory for all international undergraduates at Chinese Government Scholarship universities. For English-taught programs (MBBS), applicants are exempt from the Chinese language component but must sit Mathematics + Physics + Chemistry in English. The test is online-proctored from home (Windows PC required; Mac users must use an offline test centre). Cost ~CNY 700 (~€90) for multi-subject sitting. Register at csca.cn. Offered 5× per year; January/March sittings optimised for European time zones.

Currency: CNY 1 ≈ €0.129 (Feb 2026). 1 EUR ≈ 7.75 CNY. All fees are 2025/26 published rates; 2027 entry will be modestly higher. | Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC): Full-ride scholarship (tuition + accommodation + monthly stipend ~CNY 2,500–3,000/month) open to international applicants at all four universities. Eva's academic profile is competitive for this. Application typically via Chinese embassy in Prague or direct university channel. Deadline: December–March for September intake. Actively pursue for any Chinese option.

	Fudan University Shanghai Medical College Shanghai · Founded 1905 / med merged 2000 MBBS · 6 years	Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ. School of Medicine Shanghai · MOE MBBS list expanded 2025 MBBS · 6 years	Zhejiang University School of Medicine Hangzhou · Founded 1897 MBBS · 6 years	Peking University Health Science Center Beijing · Founded 1912 Clinical Medicine · 6 years
Rankings & Prestige
QS World Ranking 2026	#42 China #3	#51 China #4	#44 China #5	#14 China #1
QS Medicine 2025	Top 50 globally. ESI clinical medicine approaching top 0.1% — among China's best. Nationally #2–3 for medicine.	Top 50–75 globally. Strong clinical reputation via Ruijin Hospital legacy. SJTU expanded MBBS program in 2025 — program track record for international graduates newer than Fudan/ZJU.	Top 50–75 globally. Strong biomedical and public health research output. ZJU nationally #4–6 for medicine.	Top 25–30 globally. China's #1 ranked medical institution. PKU brand is the most internationally recognised Chinese academic name overall.
International brand visibility	"Fudan" is widely known in Asia, US, and Europe. Shanghai Medical College (est. 1927 as independent institution) has long history of international graduates.	SJTU brand is globally strong. School of Medicine slightly lower profile than main SJTU engineering identity, but Ruijin Hospital is world-famous in haematology and oncology.	ZJU research metrics are impressive; slightly less iconic as an international brand than Fudan or PKU specifically for medicine.	Peking University is China's most internationally recognised academic name — equivalent to Oxford in terms of prestige signalling within the Chinese academic sphere.
Programme & Structure
Duration & structure	6 years: 5 academic (basic sciences → clinical theory) + 1 year hospital internship in Fudan-affiliated teaching hospitals in Shanghai	6 years: clinical rotations intensify in Years 3–5; final year internship across SJTU-affiliated hospital network	6 years: 5 academic + 1 internship. ZJU curriculum emphasises research methodology; elective research rotations available in Years 3–4	6 years: integrated system. ⚠ See language note Current admission policy has de facto transformed accessibility — verify whether English-only track remains available for self-funded international students.
Language of instruction	English for Years 1–5. Year 6 internship: Chinese. HSK4–5 required before internship. Fudan embeds Mandarin courses throughout Years 1–5. Overseas internship option available for exceptional students — permits completion in English-language hospital abroad.	English for academic years. Year 6 internship in Chinese hospitals — HSK4–5 required. Chinese language courses integrated from Year 1.	English for Years 1–5. Year 6: Chinese. HSK4 minimum (lower threshold than Fudan/PKU). ZJU compulsory Chinese language from Year 1 (~4 hrs/week).	Changed policy (2026): PKUHSC now requires HSK5 at application stage, not just before internship. Interview conducted in Chinese. This effectively makes PKUHSC inaccessible without prior Mandarin proficiency. Verify directly with PKUHSC admissions whether a self-funded English-track still operates.
Affiliated teaching hospitals	11 affiliated hospitals. Flagship: Huashan Hospital (neurology/neurosurgery — Asia's best), Zhongshan Hospital (cardiology/hepatic surgery), Shanghai Cancer Center, Eye & ENT Hospital. Clinical exposure volume is exceptional.	Ruijin Hospital — one of China's oldest and most distinguished hospitals, globally recognised in haematology and oncology. Also Renji Hospital, Xinhua Children's Hospital. Outstanding spectrum.	7 affiliated hospitals: ZJU First Affiliated Hospital (Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital) and Second Affiliated Hospital both major research-teaching institutions. Strong internal medicine and oncology coverage.	Multiple PKU-affiliated hospitals including Peking University First Hospital, PKU People's Hospital, PKU Third Hospital — all major national-level teaching institutions with exceptional diversity of pathology.
Research integration	11 national key laboratories; multiple ESI top-1% disciplines. Strong integration of research into preclinical years. No compulsory dissertation (unlike Edinburgh).	SJTU's AI/engineering/biotech ecosystem unique — SJTU SOM benefits from cross-faculty innovation culture. No compulsory research year for MBBS.	ZJU is one of China's most research-intensive universities. Life Sciences is a particular strength; optional research electives during MBBS programme.	China's premier research institution. PKUHSC has national key labs in immunology, epidemiology, cardiovascular. Research culture elite but not specifically structured for MBBS international student output.
TCM component	TCM included as ~1-semester required module. Does not dominate the curriculum — Western medicine primary framework.	SJTU SOM historically the most Western-oriented of the four (French Catholic missionary origin pre-1949). TCM present but minimal.	TCM integrated as core module; Hangzhou/Zhejiang is a major centre for Chinese herbal medicine research. More TCM than Shanghai schools.	TCM modules present but PKUHSC curriculum is primarily conventional biomedical. Less TCM emphasis than specialist TCM universities.
Tuition Fees (Eva as Self-funded International Student)
Annual tuition	CNY 60,000–75,000 ≈ €7,750–9,700/year. Premium pricing — Fudan MBBS is significantly more expensive than typical MOE-listed range. Verify exact current figure with admissions office.	~CNY 45,000–55,000 ≈ €5,800–7,100/year. Estimate — SJTU SOM recently expanded program; confirm exact MBBS fee schedule directly with SJTU admissions.	CNY 42,800 ≈ €5,520/year. Confirmed 2025/26 published rate. Well-documented and stable.	CNY 45,000 ≈ €5,800/year. Official PKUHSC 2026 published rate. On-campus accommodation no longer guaranteed for self-funded undergrads from 2025 — independent housing required.
Total tuition (6 years)	~€46,500–58,100(CNY 360,000–450,000)	~€34,800–42,600(CNY 270,000–330,000)	~€33,100(CNY ~256,800)	~€34,800(CNY 270,000)
CSC Scholarship	Available Chinese Government Scholarship covers full tuition + accommodation + stipend. Competitive. Apply via Chinese embassy in Prague or direct university channel. Deadline typically December–March.	Available CSC + SJTU Presidential Scholarship for self-funded applicants. Competitive.	Available CSC + ZJU Scholarship specifically for MBBS program. ZJU admissions page lists scholarship for MBBS English-taught track explicitly.	Available CSC + PKU Scholarship for International Students. Most competitive of the four. PKU attracts highest-profile applicants globally for CSC allocation.
Living Costs
City & on-campus housing	Shanghai — expensive for China. On-campus dormitory: CNY 1,200–2,500/mo (~€155–325). Off-campus: CNY 3,000–5,000/mo. Campus canteen food very cheap (CNY 15–25/meal). Public transport excellent and inexpensive.	Same city as Fudan. SJTU Minhang campus is suburban; slightly lower off-campus housing costs than central Shanghai. Otherwise identical living cost profile.	Hangzhou — noticeably cheaper than Shanghai. On-campus: CNY 1,000–1,800/mo (~€130–230). Off-campus: CNY 2,000–3,500/mo (~€260–450). Hangzhou has exceptional infrastructure and quality of life at lower price point than Shanghai.	Beijing — expensive and on-campus housing no longer guaranteed for self-funded international undergrads (PKUHSC policy change 2025). Independent apartment in Beijing: CNY 4,000–7,000/mo (~€520–900/mo) — materially more expensive than dormitory. Budget accordingly.
Annual living cost	CNY 40,000–70,000/yr ≈ €5,200–9,000/yr (accommodation, food, transport, insurance)	CNY 38,000–65,000/yr ≈ €4,900–8,400/yr	CNY 30,000–55,000/yr ≈ €3,900–7,100/yr	CNY 40,000–75,000/yr ≈ €5,200–9,700/yr (higher if forced off-campus)
Total programme cost (6yr, self-funded)	~€77,000–115,000 Still ~35–65% cheaper than Dublin EU rate (€150–190k). With CSC scholarship: tuition + accommodation ~€0.	~€65,000–93,000	~€57,000–76,000 Cheapest option of the four and substantially below all previous-table options including Dublin. With CSC full scholarship: net cost approaches €0 for tuition + accommodation.	~€66,000–93,000 Rises significantly if off-campus housing required.
Geography & Travel from Prague
Distance from Prague	~8,500 km	~8,500 km (same city)	~8,800 km (via Shanghai or Beijing)	~7,200 km — closest of the four to Prague
Flight time / routing	~11–13h; typically 1 stop (Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Dubai → Shanghai Pudong). Prague–Shanghai direct flights rare or non-existent.	Identical to Fudan — same airport city.	~11–13h + ~1h onward connection (Shanghai Pudong → Hangzhou by train/bus, or via Beijing → Hangzhou). Slightly more complex routing than Beijing options.	~10–11h; Prague–Beijing Capital is the best-served Central Europe–China route. More frequent direct and 1-stop options than Shanghai from Prague.
Return flight cost	€450–1,000 Economy. No budget airline option. 2 trips/year = €900–2,000 travel budget.	€450–1,000 Identical to Fudan.	€450–1,000 Marginally more complex routing adds modest cost.	€400–900 Best flight options of the four; Prague–Beijing better connected than Prague–Shanghai from Central Europe.
Family proximity	Remote ~12h door-to-door. Semester-break-only visits realistic. Proximity-preferring parent: strong objection. Similar profile to NUS Singapore from the previous table.	Remote Identical to Fudan.	Remote Same category as Shanghai.	Remote Marginally better than Shanghai. Still firmly long-haul only.
Application Process (Autumn 2027 Entry)
Application system & portal	Fudan International Student Admission Platform (iso.fudan.edu.cn). Spring intake: Sep–Nov 2026. Autumn intake: typically February–April 2027 for September 2027 start.	SJTU International Student Portal (en.sjtu.edu.cn). As a recently expanded MBBS program, verify current intake windows and deadlines directly with SJTU SOM.	ZJU Online Application System (iczu.zju.edu.cn). Well-documented English portal. 2026 cycle: December 2025–February 2026; 2027 cycle expected similarly: December 2026–February 2027.	PKUHSC International Platform (bjmu.studyatpku.com). Two-batch system: First batch: December 2026–February 2027 (advantage). Second batch: March–April 2027.
CSCA exam	All four universities: CSCA required from 2026/27. English-taught MBBS applicants are exempt from the Chinese language component but must take Mathematics Physics Chemistry (all available in English). Online-proctored from home (Windows PC required — Mac users must find an offline test centre). 5 sittings/year; January/March sessions optimised for European time zones. Register: csca.cn. Cost: ~CNY 700 (~€90). Target for 2027 entry: January or March 2027 sitting.
Academic entry requirements	Strong HS diploma with excellent sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics). Czech maturita: assessed individually — contact admissions with transcripts. IELTS 6.5+ typically required (Fudan is one of the few Chinese programs requiring formal English proficiency documentation). No minimum age below 17 or above 30.	Strong sciences required. English proficiency documentation needed. As newest MBBS program: verify current specific requirements directly with SJTU SOM admissions.	Strong HS diploma; minimum 60–70% in sciences. IELTS/TOEFL formally required (ZJU confirmed as requiring English certification). Czech maturita assessed individually — contact ZJU directly with transcripts.	Strong HS diploma + HSK Level 5 at application stage + CSCA + financial proof (CNY 400,000 bank statement ~€51,600). Interview in Chinese. Effectively inaccessible without prior advanced Mandarin. Contact PKUHSC directly to confirm if any separate self-funded English track still exists.
Interview / assessment	Online interview in English. Academic ability, scientific reasoning, motivation. Standard international medical school interview preparation adequate.	Interview format for MBBS: confirm with SJTU SOM. General international applicants have English-medium assessment.	Online interview in English. Academic and motivation assessment. ZJU interview considered accessible for well-prepared international candidates.	Interview conducted in Mandarin (Chinese) per current 2026 PKUHSC documentation. Requires Chinese proficiency to participate.
Mandarin requirement timeline	HSK4–5 before Year 6 internship. ~4 years to achieve from zero. Fudan provides embedded Chinese language courses. Achievable for motivated students with consistent effort. Adds cognitive load to Years 1–4.	HSK4–5 before internship. Identical timeline challenge as Fudan. Chinese language embedded throughout curriculum.	HSK4 minimum — lower threshold. ZJU curriculum includes compulsory Chinese from Year 1 (~4h/week). More achievable bar; Hangzhou is also more liveable without Chinese in early years than Beijing.	HSK5 required at application — before beginning the program. On Eva's 2027 timeline, this requires a dedicated gap year of intensive Mandarin study. Not feasible without prior language investment.
Post-Graduation Pathways & EU Return
Czech / EU medical license recognition	Non-automatic · Third country · Applies equally to all four China is not party to EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Czech Medical Chamber requires individual equivalency assessment for any Chinese MBBS graduate seeking to practice in Czech Republic. Process: submit degree + transcripts + certified translations to Czech Ministry of Health (mzd.gov.cz). Outcome: recognition with or without conditions. An aptitude test (knowledge examination) may be required. Timeline: 6–18 months; outcome uncertain. This is the most significant structural risk of the entire China option vs. any EU-country programme. Contact Czech Medical Chamber (ČLK) before applying to understand current precedent. Compare: Irish degrees (direct EU recognition), Edinburgh (administrative process but established precedent), NUS (complex but has documented pathways). Chinese MBBS recognition in Czech Republic has very limited documented precedent.
UK (PLAB) pathway	GMC recognises MOE-listed Chinese MBBS as qualifying degree. PLAB examination route to GMC registration open for all four institutions.	Same — PLAB route available.	Same — PLAB route available.	Same — PKU MBBS PLAB-eligible.
US USMLE pathway	ECFMG-eligible Fudan listed in WDOMS. Some Fudan graduates have successfully matched into US residency. Non-trivial but real pathway.	ECFMG-eligible. SJTU research ties and prestige may aid competitive USMLE scores.	ECFMG-eligible. ZJU Yale-China Association connection provides marginal US networking advantage.	ECFMG-eligible. PKU brand recognition strongest of the four for any US application context.
China clinical practice	All four: foreign graduates of Chinese universities must pass the Chinese National Medical Licensing Examination (CNMLE), conducted in Mandarin, to practice medicine in China. This is the default career pathway for graduates who remain in China. It requires a high level of Mandarin proficiency — essentially HSK6 working level. For Eva, this pathway would require commitment to career in China, which should be treated as a separate major life decision.
Specialty alignment for Eva	Neurology/neurosurgery: Huashan Hospital (Fudan) is Asia's leading neurology centre — clinical exposure volume has no European equivalent. Strong for academic neurology or neuro-oncology research career. Also strong: oncology (Shanghai Cancer Center).	Haematology/oncology: Ruijin Hospital (SJTU) is world-class. Unique feature: SJTU's AI/precision medicine ecosystem could position Eva at intersection of clinical medicine and biomedical technology — rare internationally.	Global health / public health / epidemiology: ZJU's strength. Less natural alignment with emergency medicine or aerospace medicine specifically. Good for research-focused general internal medicine or infectious disease.	General internal medicine / academic medicine: PKU comprehensive. Less specifically aligned with emergency or aerospace medicine. Best for career aimed at China or US academic medicine — if language barrier is overcome.
Fit for Eva's Profile (Learner / Achiever / Context / Intellection / Input)
Intellectual environment	Fudan's broader university has genuinely interdisciplinary culture. Being one of few European students creates unusual visibility — Input profile deeply stimulated by cultural and clinical immersion unavailable in Europe. Shanghai's cosmopolitan character eases transition.	SJTU's AI/engineering/biotech culture is unique globally. For someone with analytical depth and interest in systems-level thinking, this cross-faculty innovation ecosystem has no direct European equivalent. The Context strength in Eva's profile would be richly exercised by exposure to Chinese healthcare policy and technology context.	ZJU's Hangzhou context: ancient cultural heritage + Alibaba-era tech ecosystem + scenic natural environment. Intellectually stimulating, research-oriented faculty; the most sustainable long-term environment of the four for a contemplative, analytically-oriented student.	PKU's intellectual environment is China's most celebrated — closest Chinese analog to the European liberal university ideal. Extraordinary for Eva's depth-seeking profile if the language barrier were surmounted.
Pressure / intensity fit	Chinese medical education is intensely demanding. Eva's Achiever profile will respond well. Cultural adjustment adds cognitive load in Years 1–2 but typically resolves. The dual challenge of medical curriculum + concurrent Mandarin study is exactly the kind of compounded difficulty Achiever/Learner profiles sustain well.	SJTU culture has reputation for strong academic pressure. Suits Achiever. Less reflective space than Edinburgh or ZJU.	High pressure but ZJU noted for slightly more balanced environment. Research culture and Hangzhou lifestyle provide more contemplative space — better fit for Intellection/Context profile than the Shanghai schools.	Maximum pressure — and maximum language barrier. The isolation of being in a Chinese-language environment without fluency would be psychologically costly in ways that undermine Eva's strengths.
Eva-specific note	If Eva's career trajectory points toward academic neurology, neuro-oncology, or global medicine leadership — Fudan + Huashan Hospital is an extraordinary platform. The EU licensure question is the primary unresolved risk.	If Eva's interest evolves toward biomedical innovation or precision medicine leadership, SJTU's unique ecosystem is transformative. High potential but requires more due diligence on the newer MBBS program specifics.	Best overall cost-quality-lifestyle balance of the four. If China is chosen primarily for cost efficiency + Asia experience + research quality, ZJU is the most pragmatic and sustainable choice for a European student.	Only viable if Eva takes a gap year dedicated to Mandarin study before the 2027 application cycle. Not recommended for the current timeline without that commitment.
Summary: Key Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages	✓Huashan (neurology) + Zhongshan (cardiology/hepatology) — clinical exposure with no European parallel ✓Shanghai: most internationally accessible city in China for European student ✓Fudan brand recognised in research contexts globally ✓Overseas internship option for exceptional students ✓CSC full scholarship opportunity significantly changes cost calculus	✓Ruijin Hospital — world-class haematology/oncology clinical exposure ✓AI/biotech/medicine intersection unique globally ✓Lower tuition than Fudan at comparable institutional prestige ✓SJTU brand globally strong	✓Lowest total cost of the four — most cost-efficient China option ✓Hangzhou: best quality of life and most liveable city in this table ✓Lowest Mandarin threshold (HSK4) ✓ZJU MBBS-specific scholarship available ✓Strong research culture with elective integration	✓China's #1 university — most prestigious credential possible in China ✓Best flight connections to Prague of the four ✓PKU intellectual environment exceptional
Disadvantages	✗Most expensive of the four Chinese options ✗EU licensure non-automatic — major career risk for Czech return ✗12h flights; proximity-preferring parent issue ✗HSK4–5 required before internship — sustained language study burden ✗No compulsory research year (unlike Edinburgh)	✗MBBS program recently expanded — limited documented international graduate outcomes vs. Fudan/ZJU ✗Same EU licensure risk as all China options ✗12h flights; same family distance issue ✗Admissions requirements less well-documented — higher uncertainty	✗Same EU licensure complexity as all China options ✗Slightly less prestigious brand internationally than Fudan or PKU specifically ✗12h flights; family distance ✗Less aligned with emergency/aerospace medicine specifically	✗Not viable for 2027 entry without gap year for Mandarin study ✗No on-campus housing guarantee for self-funded international undergrads ✗Same EU licensure risk ✗Beijing: significantly higher air pollution vs. Shanghai/Hangzhou
Strategic Assessment for Eva's Specific Profile
Verdict	Best China option if career aims toward global/research medicine Fudan is strongest for Eva's profile if the goal is international academic medicine — especially neurology, neuro-oncology, or global health leadership. Huashan Hospital's clinical exposure volume has no European equivalent. The EU licensure question is the primary unresolved risk that must be answered before enrolment. If CSC scholarship is awarded, the cost case becomes very compelling.	High potential, higher uncertainty — due diligence required SJTU SOM is exciting for its AI/biotech/medicine intersection. For someone who might evolve toward biomedical innovation leadership, this environment is unique globally. However, the recently expanded MBBS program has less documented international graduate track record. Requires more verification than Fudan/ZJU before applying.	Best value China option — most pragmatic choice ZJU offers the optimal cost-prestige-lifestyle balance. Lowest tuition, most liveable city, research culture well-matched to Eva's Intellection/Learner profile, lowest Mandarin threshold. If China is chosen primarily for quality + value + Asia exposure + research environment, ZJU is the most rational and sustainable selection. EU licensure uncertainty is the shared caveat across all four.	Not viable on 2027 timeline without gap year PKUHSC would be Eva's strongest Chinese credential — but HSK5 at application stage and Chinese-language interview make it inaccessible for 2027 entry without prior Mandarin investment. Could be reconsidered if a structured gap year for intensive Chinese language study (e.g., full-year HSK programme in China or at a Czech sinology faculty) is planned before the 2028 application cycle.

Fudan University
Shanghai Medical College Shanghai · Founded 1905 / med merged 2000 MBBS · 6 years

Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ.
School of Medicine Shanghai · MOE MBBS list expanded 2025 MBBS · 6 years

Zhejiang University
School of Medicine Hangzhou · Founded 1897 MBBS · 6 years

Peking University
Health Science Center Beijing · Founded 1912 Clinical Medicine · 6 years

Rankings & Prestige

QS World Ranking 2026

#42 China #3

#51 China #4

#44 China #5

#14 China #1

QS Medicine 2025

Top 50 globally. ESI clinical medicine approaching top 0.1% — among China's best. Nationally #2–3 for medicine.

Top 50–75 globally. Strong clinical reputation via Ruijin Hospital legacy. SJTU expanded MBBS program in 2025 — program track record for international graduates newer than Fudan/ZJU.

Top 50–75 globally. Strong biomedical and public health research output. ZJU nationally #4–6 for medicine.

Top 25–30 globally. China's #1 ranked medical institution. PKU brand is the most internationally recognised Chinese academic name overall.

International brand visibility

"Fudan" is widely known in Asia, US, and Europe. Shanghai Medical College (est. 1927 as independent institution) has long history of international graduates.

SJTU brand is globally strong. School of Medicine slightly lower profile than main SJTU engineering identity, but Ruijin Hospital is world-famous in haematology and oncology.

ZJU research metrics are impressive; slightly less iconic as an international brand than Fudan or PKU specifically for medicine.

Peking University is China's most internationally recognised academic name — equivalent to Oxford in terms of prestige signalling within the Chinese academic sphere.

Programme & Structure

Duration & structure

6 years: 5 academic (basic sciences → clinical theory) + 1 year hospital internship in Fudan-affiliated teaching hospitals in Shanghai

6 years: clinical rotations intensify in Years 3–5; final year internship across SJTU-affiliated hospital network

6 years: 5 academic + 1 internship. ZJU curriculum emphasises research methodology; elective research rotations available in Years 3–4

6 years: integrated system. ⚠ See language note Current admission policy has de facto transformed accessibility — verify whether English-only track remains available for self-funded international students.

Language of instruction

English for Years 1–5. Year 6 internship: Chinese. HSK4–5 required before internship. Fudan embeds Mandarin courses throughout Years 1–5. Overseas internship option available for exceptional students — permits completion in English-language hospital abroad.

English for academic years. Year 6 internship in Chinese hospitals — HSK4–5 required. Chinese language courses integrated from Year 1.

English for Years 1–5. Year 6: Chinese. HSK4 minimum (lower threshold than Fudan/PKU). ZJU compulsory Chinese language from Year 1 (~4 hrs/week).

Changed policy (2026): PKUHSC now requires HSK5 at application stage, not just before internship. Interview conducted in Chinese. This effectively makes PKUHSC inaccessible without prior Mandarin proficiency. Verify directly with PKUHSC admissions whether a self-funded English-track still operates.

Affiliated teaching hospitals

11 affiliated hospitals. Flagship: Huashan Hospital (neurology/neurosurgery — Asia's best), Zhongshan Hospital (cardiology/hepatic surgery), Shanghai Cancer Center, Eye & ENT Hospital. Clinical exposure volume is exceptional.

Ruijin Hospital — one of China's oldest and most distinguished hospitals, globally recognised in haematology and oncology. Also Renji Hospital, Xinhua Children's Hospital. Outstanding spectrum.

7 affiliated hospitals: ZJU First Affiliated Hospital (Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital) and Second Affiliated Hospital both major research-teaching institutions. Strong internal medicine and oncology coverage.

Multiple PKU-affiliated hospitals including Peking University First Hospital, PKU People's Hospital, PKU Third Hospital — all major national-level teaching institutions with exceptional diversity of pathology.

Research integration

11 national key laboratories; multiple ESI top-1% disciplines. Strong integration of research into preclinical years. No compulsory dissertation (unlike Edinburgh).

SJTU's AI/engineering/biotech ecosystem unique — SJTU SOM benefits from cross-faculty innovation culture. No compulsory research year for MBBS.

ZJU is one of China's most research-intensive universities. Life Sciences is a particular strength; optional research electives during MBBS programme.

China's premier research institution. PKUHSC has national key labs in immunology, epidemiology, cardiovascular. Research culture elite but not specifically structured for MBBS international student output.

TCM component

TCM included as ~1-semester required module. Does not dominate the curriculum — Western medicine primary framework.

SJTU SOM historically the most Western-oriented of the four (French Catholic missionary origin pre-1949). TCM present but minimal.

TCM integrated as core module; Hangzhou/Zhejiang is a major centre for Chinese herbal medicine research. More TCM than Shanghai schools.

TCM modules present but PKUHSC curriculum is primarily conventional biomedical. Less TCM emphasis than specialist TCM universities.

Tuition Fees (Eva as Self-funded International Student)

Annual tuition

CNY 60,000–75,000 ≈ €7,750–9,700/year. Premium pricing — Fudan MBBS is significantly more expensive than typical MOE-listed range. Verify exact current figure with admissions office.

~CNY 45,000–55,000 ≈ €5,800–7,100/year. Estimate — SJTU SOM recently expanded program; confirm exact MBBS fee schedule directly with SJTU admissions.

CNY 42,800 ≈ €5,520/year. Confirmed 2025/26 published rate. Well-documented and stable.

CNY 45,000 ≈ €5,800/year. Official PKUHSC 2026 published rate. On-campus accommodation no longer guaranteed for self-funded undergrads from 2025 — independent housing required.

Total tuition (6 years)

~€46,500–58,100(CNY 360,000–450,000)

~€34,800–42,600(CNY 270,000–330,000)

~€33,100(CNY ~256,800)

~€34,800(CNY 270,000)

CSC Scholarship

Available Chinese Government Scholarship covers full tuition + accommodation + stipend. Competitive. Apply via Chinese embassy in Prague or direct university channel. Deadline typically December–March.

Available CSC + SJTU Presidential Scholarship for self-funded applicants. Competitive.

Available CSC + ZJU Scholarship specifically for MBBS program. ZJU admissions page lists scholarship for MBBS English-taught track explicitly.

Available CSC + PKU Scholarship for International Students. Most competitive of the four. PKU attracts highest-profile applicants globally for CSC allocation.

Living Costs

City & on-campus housing

Shanghai — expensive for China. On-campus dormitory: CNY 1,200–2,500/mo (~€155–325). Off-campus: CNY 3,000–5,000/mo. Campus canteen food very cheap (CNY 15–25/meal). Public transport excellent and inexpensive.

Same city as Fudan. SJTU Minhang campus is suburban; slightly lower off-campus housing costs than central Shanghai. Otherwise identical living cost profile.

Hangzhou — noticeably cheaper than Shanghai. On-campus: CNY 1,000–1,800/mo (~€130–230). Off-campus: CNY 2,000–3,500/mo (~€260–450). Hangzhou has exceptional infrastructure and quality of life at lower price point than Shanghai.

Beijing — expensive and on-campus housing no longer guaranteed for self-funded international undergrads (PKUHSC policy change 2025). Independent apartment in Beijing: CNY 4,000–7,000/mo (~€520–900/mo) — materially more expensive than dormitory. Budget accordingly.

Annual living cost

CNY 40,000–70,000/yr ≈ €5,200–9,000/yr (accommodation, food, transport, insurance)

CNY 38,000–65,000/yr ≈ €4,900–8,400/yr

CNY 30,000–55,000/yr ≈ €3,900–7,100/yr

CNY 40,000–75,000/yr ≈ €5,200–9,700/yr (higher if forced off-campus)

Total programme cost (6yr, self-funded)

~€77,000–115,000 Still ~35–65% cheaper than Dublin EU rate (€150–190k). With CSC scholarship: tuition + accommodation ~€0.

~€65,000–93,000

~€57,000–76,000 Cheapest option of the four and substantially below all previous-table options including Dublin. With CSC full scholarship: net cost approaches €0 for tuition + accommodation.

~€66,000–93,000 Rises significantly if off-campus housing required.

Geography & Travel from Prague

Distance from Prague

~8,500 km

~8,500 km (same city)

~8,800 km (via Shanghai or Beijing)

~7,200 km — closest of the four to Prague

Flight time / routing

~11–13h; typically 1 stop (Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Dubai → Shanghai Pudong). Prague–Shanghai direct flights rare or non-existent.

Identical to Fudan — same airport city.

~11–13h + ~1h onward connection (Shanghai Pudong → Hangzhou by train/bus, or via Beijing → Hangzhou). Slightly more complex routing than Beijing options.

~10–11h; Prague–Beijing Capital is the best-served Central Europe–China route. More frequent direct and 1-stop options than Shanghai from Prague.

Return flight cost

€450–1,000 Economy. No budget airline option. 2 trips/year = €900–2,000 travel budget.

€450–1,000 Identical to Fudan.

€450–1,000 Marginally more complex routing adds modest cost.

€400–900 Best flight options of the four; Prague–Beijing better connected than Prague–Shanghai from Central Europe.

Family proximity

Remote ~12h door-to-door. Semester-break-only visits realistic. Proximity-preferring parent: strong objection. Similar profile to NUS Singapore from the previous table.

Remote Identical to Fudan.

Remote Same category as Shanghai.

Remote Marginally better than Shanghai. Still firmly long-haul only.

Application Process (Autumn 2027 Entry)

Application system & portal

Fudan International Student Admission Platform (iso.fudan.edu.cn). Spring intake: Sep–Nov 2026. Autumn intake: typically February–April 2027 for September 2027 start.

SJTU International Student Portal (en.sjtu.edu.cn). As a recently expanded MBBS program, verify current intake windows and deadlines directly with SJTU SOM.

ZJU Online Application System (iczu.zju.edu.cn). Well-documented English portal. 2026 cycle: December 2025–February 2026; 2027 cycle expected similarly: December 2026–February 2027.

PKUHSC International Platform (bjmu.studyatpku.com). Two-batch system: First batch: December 2026–February 2027 (advantage). Second batch: March–April 2027.

CSCA exam

All four universities: CSCA required from 2026/27. English-taught MBBS applicants are exempt from the Chinese language component but must take Mathematics Physics Chemistry (all available in English). Online-proctored from home (Windows PC required — Mac users must find an offline test centre). 5 sittings/year; January/March sessions optimised for European time zones. Register: csca.cn. Cost: ~CNY 700 (~€90). Target for 2027 entry: January or March 2027 sitting.

Academic entry requirements

Strong HS diploma with excellent sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics). Czech maturita: assessed individually — contact admissions with transcripts. IELTS 6.5+ typically required (Fudan is one of the few Chinese programs requiring formal English proficiency documentation). No minimum age below 17 or above 30.

Strong sciences required. English proficiency documentation needed. As newest MBBS program: verify current specific requirements directly with SJTU SOM admissions.

Strong HS diploma; minimum 60–70% in sciences. IELTS/TOEFL formally required (ZJU confirmed as requiring English certification). Czech maturita assessed individually — contact ZJU directly with transcripts.

Strong HS diploma + HSK Level 5 at application stage + CSCA + financial proof (CNY 400,000 bank statement ~€51,600). Interview in Chinese. Effectively inaccessible without prior advanced Mandarin. Contact PKUHSC directly to confirm if any separate self-funded English track still exists.

Interview / assessment

Online interview in English. Academic ability, scientific reasoning, motivation. Standard international medical school interview preparation adequate.

Interview format for MBBS: confirm with SJTU SOM. General international applicants have English-medium assessment.

Online interview in English. Academic and motivation assessment. ZJU interview considered accessible for well-prepared international candidates.

Interview conducted in Mandarin (Chinese) per current 2026 PKUHSC documentation. Requires Chinese proficiency to participate.

Mandarin requirement timeline

HSK4–5 before Year 6 internship. ~4 years to achieve from zero. Fudan provides embedded Chinese language courses. Achievable for motivated students with consistent effort. Adds cognitive load to Years 1–4.

HSK4–5 before internship. Identical timeline challenge as Fudan. Chinese language embedded throughout curriculum.

HSK4 minimum — lower threshold. ZJU curriculum includes compulsory Chinese from Year 1 (~4h/week). More achievable bar; Hangzhou is also more liveable without Chinese in early years than Beijing.

HSK5 required at application — before beginning the program. On Eva's 2027 timeline, this requires a dedicated gap year of intensive Mandarin study. Not feasible without prior language investment.

Post-Graduation Pathways & EU Return

Czech / EU medical license recognition

Non-automatic · Third country · Applies equally to all four China is not party to EU Directive 2005/36/EC. Czech Medical Chamber requires individual equivalency assessment for any Chinese MBBS graduate seeking to practice in Czech Republic. Process: submit degree + transcripts + certified translations to Czech Ministry of Health (mzd.gov.cz). Outcome: recognition with or without conditions. An aptitude test (knowledge examination) may be required. Timeline: 6–18 months; outcome uncertain. This is the most significant structural risk of the entire China option vs. any EU-country programme. Contact Czech Medical Chamber (ČLK) before applying to understand current precedent. Compare: Irish degrees (direct EU recognition), Edinburgh (administrative process but established precedent), NUS (complex but has documented pathways). Chinese MBBS recognition in Czech Republic has very limited documented precedent.

UK (PLAB) pathway

GMC recognises MOE-listed Chinese MBBS as qualifying degree. PLAB examination route to GMC registration open for all four institutions.

Same — PLAB route available.

Same — PKU MBBS PLAB-eligible.

US USMLE pathway

ECFMG-eligible Fudan listed in WDOMS. Some Fudan graduates have successfully matched into US residency. Non-trivial but real pathway.

ECFMG-eligible. SJTU research ties and prestige may aid competitive USMLE scores.

ECFMG-eligible. ZJU Yale-China Association connection provides marginal US networking advantage.

ECFMG-eligible. PKU brand recognition strongest of the four for any US application context.

China clinical practice

All four: foreign graduates of Chinese universities must pass the Chinese National Medical Licensing Examination (CNMLE), conducted in Mandarin, to practice medicine in China. This is the default career pathway for graduates who remain in China. It requires a high level of Mandarin proficiency — essentially HSK6 working level. For Eva, this pathway would require commitment to career in China, which should be treated as a separate major life decision.

Specialty alignment for Eva

Neurology/neurosurgery: Huashan Hospital (Fudan) is Asia's leading neurology centre — clinical exposure volume has no European equivalent. Strong for academic neurology or neuro-oncology research career. Also strong: oncology (Shanghai Cancer Center).

Haematology/oncology: Ruijin Hospital (SJTU) is world-class. Unique feature: SJTU's AI/precision medicine ecosystem could position Eva at intersection of clinical medicine and biomedical technology — rare internationally.

Global health / public health / epidemiology: ZJU's strength. Less natural alignment with emergency medicine or aerospace medicine specifically. Good for research-focused general internal medicine or infectious disease.

General internal medicine / academic medicine: PKU comprehensive. Less specifically aligned with emergency or aerospace medicine. Best for career aimed at China or US academic medicine — if language barrier is overcome.

Fit for Eva's Profile (Learner / Achiever / Context / Intellection / Input)

Intellectual environment

Fudan's broader university has genuinely interdisciplinary culture. Being one of few European students creates unusual visibility — Input profile deeply stimulated by cultural and clinical immersion unavailable in Europe. Shanghai's cosmopolitan character eases transition.

SJTU's AI/engineering/biotech culture is unique globally. For someone with analytical depth and interest in systems-level thinking, this cross-faculty innovation ecosystem has no direct European equivalent. The Context strength in Eva's profile would be richly exercised by exposure to Chinese healthcare policy and technology context.

ZJU's Hangzhou context: ancient cultural heritage + Alibaba-era tech ecosystem + scenic natural environment. Intellectually stimulating, research-oriented faculty; the most sustainable long-term environment of the four for a contemplative, analytically-oriented student.

PKU's intellectual environment is China's most celebrated — closest Chinese analog to the European liberal university ideal. Extraordinary for Eva's depth-seeking profile if the language barrier were surmounted.

Pressure / intensity fit

Chinese medical education is intensely demanding. Eva's Achiever profile will respond well. Cultural adjustment adds cognitive load in Years 1–2 but typically resolves. The dual challenge of medical curriculum + concurrent Mandarin study is exactly the kind of compounded difficulty Achiever/Learner profiles sustain well.

SJTU culture has reputation for strong academic pressure. Suits Achiever. Less reflective space than Edinburgh or ZJU.

High pressure but ZJU noted for slightly more balanced environment. Research culture and Hangzhou lifestyle provide more contemplative space — better fit for Intellection/Context profile than the Shanghai schools.

Maximum pressure — and maximum language barrier. The isolation of being in a Chinese-language environment without fluency would be psychologically costly in ways that undermine Eva's strengths.

Eva-specific note

If Eva's career trajectory points toward academic neurology, neuro-oncology, or global medicine leadership — Fudan + Huashan Hospital is an extraordinary platform. The EU licensure question is the primary unresolved risk.

If Eva's interest evolves toward biomedical innovation or precision medicine leadership, SJTU's unique ecosystem is transformative. High potential but requires more due diligence on the newer MBBS program specifics.

Best overall cost-quality-lifestyle balance of the four. If China is chosen primarily for cost efficiency + Asia experience + research quality, ZJU is the most pragmatic and sustainable choice for a European student.

Only viable if Eva takes a gap year dedicated to Mandarin study before the 2027 application cycle. Not recommended for the current timeline without that commitment.

Summary: Key Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

✓Huashan (neurology) + Zhongshan (cardiology/hepatology) — clinical exposure with no European parallel
✓Shanghai: most internationally accessible city in China for European student
✓Fudan brand recognised in research contexts globally
✓Overseas internship option for exceptional students
✓CSC full scholarship opportunity significantly changes cost calculus

✓Ruijin Hospital — world-class haematology/oncology clinical exposure
✓AI/biotech/medicine intersection unique globally
✓Lower tuition than Fudan at comparable institutional prestige
✓SJTU brand globally strong

✓Lowest total cost of the four — most cost-efficient China option
✓Hangzhou: best quality of life and most liveable city in this table
✓Lowest Mandarin threshold (HSK4)
✓ZJU MBBS-specific scholarship available
✓Strong research culture with elective integration

✓China's #1 university — most prestigious credential possible in China
✓Best flight connections to Prague of the four
✓PKU intellectual environment exceptional

Disadvantages

✗Most expensive of the four Chinese options
✗EU licensure non-automatic — major career risk for Czech return
✗12h flights; proximity-preferring parent issue
✗HSK4–5 required before internship — sustained language study burden
✗No compulsory research year (unlike Edinburgh)

✗MBBS program recently expanded — limited documented international graduate outcomes vs. Fudan/ZJU
✗Same EU licensure risk as all China options
✗12h flights; same family distance issue
✗Admissions requirements less well-documented — higher uncertainty

✗Same EU licensure complexity as all China options
✗Slightly less prestigious brand internationally than Fudan or PKU specifically
✗12h flights; family distance
✗Less aligned with emergency/aerospace medicine specifically

✗Not viable for 2027 entry without gap year for Mandarin study
✗No on-campus housing guarantee for self-funded international undergrads
✗Same EU licensure risk
✗Beijing: significantly higher air pollution vs. Shanghai/Hangzhou

Strategic Assessment for Eva's Specific Profile

Verdict

Best China option if career aims toward global/research medicine

Fudan is strongest for Eva's profile if the goal is international academic medicine — especially neurology, neuro-oncology, or global health leadership. Huashan Hospital's clinical exposure volume has no European equivalent. The EU licensure question is the primary unresolved risk that must be answered before enrolment. If CSC scholarship is awarded, the cost case becomes very compelling.

High potential, higher uncertainty — due diligence required

SJTU SOM is exciting for its AI/biotech/medicine intersection. For someone who might evolve toward biomedical innovation leadership, this environment is unique globally. However, the recently expanded MBBS program has less documented international graduate track record. Requires more verification than Fudan/ZJU before applying.

Best value China option — most pragmatic choice

ZJU offers the optimal cost-prestige-lifestyle balance. Lowest tuition, most liveable city, research culture well-matched to Eva's Intellection/Learner profile, lowest Mandarin threshold. If China is chosen primarily for quality + value + Asia exposure + research environment, ZJU is the most rational and sustainable selection. EU licensure uncertainty is the shared caveat across all four.

Not viable on 2027 timeline without gap year

PKUHSC would be Eva's strongest Chinese credential — but HSK5 at application stage and Chinese-language interview make it inaccessible for 2027 entry without prior Mandarin investment. Could be reconsidered if a structured gap year for intensive Chinese language study (e.g., full-year HSK programme in China or at a Czech sinology faculty) is planned before the 2028 application cycle.