CSCA and HSK: Which Exam You Need for Chinese University Admission in 2026

Chew Sze Chong
Dec 5
4 min read

CSCA vs HSK: Which Exam Do You Need for Chinese University Admission in 2026?

🎯 What are China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) and Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK)?

CSCA is a brand-new standardized test introduced by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) for international students applying to undergraduate programs in Chinese universities. Starting with the 2026 intake, CSCA becomes mandatory for all international applicants to Chinese-government-scholarship (CGS) or scholarship-linked undergraduate programs.

CSCA assesses academic readiness not just Chinese language, but core academic subjects typically required for university: such as mathematics, physics, chemistry (depending on major), plus general competencies.

By contrast, HSK is the long-established Chinese Proficiency Test for non-native speakers. It measures how well you know Mandarin Chinese: reading, writing, listening, etc.

Because they test different things, many students will actually need (or benefit from) both depending on their chosen major or program.

🏛️ When CSCA is Required (2026 Onwards)

For 2026 undergraduate admissions, CSCA is a new requirement for many especially for students applying under scholarship or for scholarship-linked seats.
The first public global CSCA exam is scheduled for December 21, 2025 (and another in January 2026) so applicants for 2026 must plan ahead to register and take CSCA.
Universities like University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) list the CSCA as a required test for submission of application materials.
According to university-level admission guidelines, CSCA score must be submitted together with the application when applying for 2026 admissions.

Bottom line: For many 2026-intake applicants especially those applying under scholarship or via the “regular international admissions” route CSCA is non-negotiable.

🧠 When HSK Language Exam Is Still Important (And When It’s Required)

HSK remains relevant for programs taught in Chinese, or for majors where Chinese-language competency is required. For example, many Chinese-taught undergraduate majors across universities will require HSK certification.
At elite universities such as Tsinghua University, for Chinese-taught programs they typically demand HSK Level 5 (or at least Level 4 with conditional improvement).
For less competitive programs, or for STEM/engineering majors at many universities, HSK Level 4 (or even 180–200 overall points under old HSK scoring) may suffice, depending on the university’s requirements.
If you apply for an English-taught program, often HSK is not required though some universities may still request basic Chinese proficiency, or a placement test on arrival.

In short: HSK is still very relevant especially if you plan to enroll in full-Chinese programs, or wish to be comfortable studying and living in China.

✅ So — CSCA vs HSK: Which One Do You Need?

Your situation / Planned Program	What you likely need
Applying for undergraduate admission (2026), scholarship or government-scholarship route	CSCA Mandatory for Scholarship applications
Program taught fully in Chinese (any major)	HSK required (Level depends on university: 4 to 6 is common)
Program taught in English (common for many international applicants)	HSK often not required, but check English-proficiency requirement instead.
Want flexibility: apply for scholarship + switch to Chinese-taught major / enjoy China-life / long-term use	CSCA + HSK doing both gives maximum flexibility and keeps doors open.

🎯 Recommendation for Singapore Students (or Other International Applicants)

Because 2026 marks a shift in admission requirements in China, here’s what you should do if you intend to study in China:

Register for CSCA ASAP. The first global exam is on 21 Dec 2025 (and another in Jan 2026) so secure a seat early.
If you plan to join a Chinese-taught program start HSK prep now. Even if your target major is English-taught, a good HSK score gives you flexibility to take elective courses in Chinese, improve daily life, or consider Chinese-taught alternative majors.
Check each university’s admission requirements individually. Because every university sets its own HSK threshold from HSK 4 to HSK 6. Don’t assume a one-size-fits-all.
If applying for scholarships treat CSCA as non-negotiable. Without a valid CSCA score, many universities will not accept your application for 2026.
Consider dual preparation (CSCA + HSK) if time and capacity allow. This gives you maximum flexibility especially if you are still choosing between English- vs Chinese-taught tracks, scholarships vs self-funded, or want to keep backup options open.

💡 What This Change Means (And Why It Matters)

The introduction of CSCA reflects a move by Chinese authorities to standardize academic readiness evaluation for international students similar to how local students take the Gaokao (though CSCA is different in content and scope).
For international applicants, this means higher barrier of entry but also clearer, unified assessment criteria across many universities.
Students who rely solely on HSK + high school diplomas may no longer have enough credentials: CSCA acts as a “universal academic qualification check.”
For scholarship-aspiring students, especially from overseas (e.g. Singapore), this means they must plan ahead not just language-wise but academically (maths, sciences) to meet all requirements.

✏️ Final Thoughts: CSCA + HSK — Don’t Treat Them as Alternatives, But as Complementary Requirements

In 2026 and beyond, the safest assumption for any international student applying to China is: you need CSCA and likely HSK (if you want flexibility or enroll in Chinese-taught degree).

Treat CSCA as your ticket in the standardized academic baseline.Treat HSK as your bridge to life and success in China academic performance, social integration, future options.

If you prefer you can let us at Xinstudy Global help you plan: registration timing, score goals, application submission, and backup plan to maximize your chances and minimize risk.