Q1. Is it compulsory to find a host supervisor before application?

A: There is no need for finding a host supervisor while applying online. All of your materials and documents (only if your online application is complete) will be sent to the schools and departments for their reference. Online interviews will be organized by schools and departments afterwards. Professors will select prospective students according to application materials and interview performances. 

Q2. How will USTC help to find supervisors?

A: The application documents of applicants whose online application is complete will be sent to relevant schools/departments, which later will select candidates for online interview and organize the online interview. Professors will select prospective students according to application materials and interview performances.

Q3. If I do not have a pre-acceptance from one of USTC professors, how much chance is there for me to get final admission?

A: The admission decision is based on a comprehensive evaluation of applicants' academic performance, interview performance, qualifications, certificates and other related materials. Schools/departments will help applicants who pass the interview to find host supervisors and rank all applicants based on their comprehensive evaluation. Thus whether you have a host supervisor or not while applying has little to do with the final admission decision. 

Q4. Do I need to pay any application fees?

A: No, you don't. We don't charge any application fees for online application to USTC.

Q5. How can I find which program is taught in English?

A: Most of the doctoral programs can be conducted in English, and some master's degree programs can be conducted in English. On the following websites, you can find master's programs instructed in Chinese or English. 

http://ic.ustc.edu.cn/en/v7info.php?Nav_x=10

Q6. Where can I get information for a specific program, like courses, credits, requirements, etc.?

A: You may refer to USTC Graduate School for such information (in Chinese): 

https://gradschool.ustc.edu.cn/article/2199  

As for information in English, we suggest you to contact professors or departments.

Professors'  profile: http://ic.ustc.edu.cn/en/v7info.php?Nav_x=77

Schools/departments: http://en.ustc.edu.cn/Schools.htm

Q7. What should I submit for “Photocopy of degree certificate and academic transcript notarized by Ministry of Education or equivalent authority”?

A: You have to get the photocopy of your original degree certificate and transcripts to be notarized by Ministry of Education or equivalent authority, like HEC.

Q8. Where should I get physical examination?

A: Public hospitals would be a good choice. For private hospital, we suggest you to confirm with Chinese Embassy to see whether it is recognized.

Q9. Is there any requirement for the average scores of applicants in previous schools?

A: There is no requirement for the average scores of applicants in previous schools but all applicants should submit high school/university (if applicable) transcripts (in Chinese or English) and their scores in previous schools will be considered while USTC evaluates each applicant.

Q10. Is there any requirement for Chinese language proficiency?

A: Applicants for programs instructed in Chinese must provide the photocopy of HSK certificate (level 4 or above) or other proof of their Chinese language proficiency. Applicants whose native language is Chinese, or who can provide proof of studying at a high school where the teaching language is Chinese, can apply for HSK test exemption. 

Q11. What is HSK?

A: HSK is a standard national test to examine the Chinese language proficiency of non-Chinese-native speakers. HSK certificate is only valid for 2 years.

http://www.chinesetest.cn/ChangeLan.do?languge=en&t=1414651410446

Q12. I know Chinese well and want to apply for a program taught in Chinese, but I don't have the HSK certificate. What should I do?

A: Applicants who apply for programs instructed in Chinese must have HSK4. Applicants whose native language is Chinese, or can provide proof of studying at a high school where the teaching language is Chinese, can apply for HSK test exemption.

Q13. Where can I check the HSK Test Centers?

A: HSK Test is held by Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC). The test centers are all over the world. Test takers can check the nearest test center at http://www.chinesetest.cn/ChangeLan.do?languge=en&t=1563436128335.

Q14. Is there any requirement for English language proficiency?

A: Yes, applicants who apply for programs instructed in English must provide English language proficiency.

Q15. I know English well and want to apply for a program taught in English, but I don't have TOEFL or IELTS result. What should I do?

A: You have to submit other documents as a proof of your English proficiency.  A letter from your previous university can prove that all the courses were given in English.

Q16. Do  applicants need to provide the original documents? When to provide them?

A: Yes, all the original copies of the documents provided in the Online Application System should be presented at the time of entrance examination and registration. USTC will check all the documents. If any certificate provided proves to be fake, the qualification for entrance examination and admission will be terminated. 

Q17. What to do if I cannot find the major that I want to apply in the first/second level discipline?

A: All the disciplines which can be provided with degrees from USTC are included in the first/second level discipline list on the online application system. If you cannot find your major on the list, you need to select a first/second level discipline that is most closely related to your major.

Q18. Is there any requirement for recommenders/referees? 

A: You are suggested to request teachers in your previous university and are familiar with your academic performance to provide you with recommendation/reference letters. Recommendation letters provided by a professor, a researcher, an associate professor, or an assistant professor are all acceptable.

Q19. Does my referee need to send the original reference letter to USTC?

A: No need. You just need to request the referee to upload the reference letter for you according to the requirement in the email received.      

Q20. I fail to submit the online application several times. What should I do?

A: If your online application can't be made successfully several times, please check whether you open it with the appropriate browser: IE or Google Chrome. If still it fails, please send an email to isa@ustc.edu.cn.

Q21. If my score is not in the form of centesimal system, how can I fill it?    

A: Please provide your overall GPA in centesimal system (eg. 82/100). If you do not know how to convert it, please provide your overall GPA in the following format: 2.61/4 or 3.15/5.