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Student status registration: the record a university keeps and files for each student

Unofficial entry · Sources checked

Student status (学籍) is the standing that a higher education institution registers for an enrolled student. Under Order No. 42 of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security, a university manages student status for international students by reference to the rules for Chinese students. For the admission steps that come before registration, see Admission and documents.

Each provision below is named with its document and number. The English is this site's translation of the Chinese text.

What the official text says

Measures for the Administration of Schools Recruiting and Educating International Students (Order No. 42)

  • Article 21 provides that universities issue academic certificates or other academic credentials to international students under national rules. For international students in higher academic education, the university shall promptly handle electronic registration of their student status and graduation certificate.
  • Article 31 provides that the university manages student status work for international students by reference to the rules for Chinese students.
  • Article 31 provides that when a university decides to withdraw an international student (退学处理) or to expel a student (开除学籍处分), the decision shall be filed for the record (备案) under the provisions of the education administration department of the State Council.
  • Article 31 does not list the grounds for withdrawal or expulsion.

Quality Standards for the Higher Education of International Students in China (Trial) (Ministry of Education notice 教外〔2018〕50号)

  • Section 10.1 provides that universities shall improve their student status management system under national rules.
  • Section 10.1 provides that universities shall standardise student status management for international students.
  • Section 10.1 provides that universities shall implement electronic registration of student status and academic records for international students.
  • Section 10.1 provides that universities shall set the conditions and procedures for changing majors.
  • These are trial standards addressed to higher education institutions.

Provisions on the Administration of Students in Regular Higher Education Institutions (Ministry of Education Order No. 41)

Order No. 41 is the general regulation for students of regular higher education institutions. Articles 9 and 12 do not mention international students.

  • Article 9 provides that at reporting, the school conducts a preliminary review of a new student's admission eligibility (入学资格).
  • Article 9 provides that a student who passes the review completes entry formalities and has student status registered (予以注册学籍).
  • Article 9 provides that the school cancels admission eligibility where the admission documents or candidate information do not match the student's actual situation, or where other violations of national admission rules are found.
  • Article 12 provides that at the start of each term, students complete registration under school rules.
  • Article 12 provides that a student who cannot register on time shall handle deferred registration (暂缓注册).
  • Article 12 provides that a student who has not paid tuition as the school requires, or who fails another registration condition, is not registered.
  • Articles 9 and 12 state no registration dates.

Related terms

Sources

Checked 11 October 2026.

This entry is an unofficial summary. It is not legal or immigration advice, and it is not published by the Ministry of Education or the other bodies named. If they differ, the official text and the instructions of the body handling your case prevail.

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