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China ends its temporary recognition of distance-learning qualifications

On 28 January 2023, the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) – China’s international qualification recognition authority under the Ministry of Education – announced that its temporary measures for the recognition of distance-learning qualifications would be cancelled from the start of the 2023 spring semester. These measures were introduced on a temporary basis in April 2020.

The CSCSE says that the change is in consideration of the current relaxation of COVID control measures in China and the recovery of international travel and offline lecturing. In the notice, the CSCSE reiterated its earlier statements that the policy relaxation had been a temporary measure during the pandemic period and only applied to programmes where students had originally registered for face-to-face instruction, as China does not recognise the validity of overseas distance learning courses.

However, the CSCSE also said that it would review applications on a case-by-case basis for students who are unable to immediately return to in-person courses due to “objective reasons”. These students should present relevant written proof which should be provided along with their degree/diploma certificate when applying for recognition of their degree.

 

Analysis by Zhao Chen, British Council China, and Kevin Prest, British Council Insight Hubs:

China’s policy on distance-learning degrees continues to be that foreign online degrees are not recognised. This notice is in line with previous announcements, which have consistently pointed out that recognition flexibility during the pandemic was temporary and does not apply to courses designed as purely online programmes. The British Council China and the Department for International Trade, in cooperation with the Open University of China, have conducted research on online higher education provision in China. Our report, published in March 2022, can help the UK higher education sector understand the situation for distance learning in China and better support their Chinese students.

The announcement defined the “spring semester” as the first study period of 2023, and was clear that in principle this would also include universities whose spring terms started earlier in January before the announcement. The CSCSE stated that these institutions’ students should return to in-person classes “as soon as possible”. However, the announcement also clarified that students who are unable to switch to offline study in time could still have their degrees recognised by providing relevant documents, either from the university if students are not able to change their study mode for the spring semester at short notice, or from other sources to prove that they faced difficulties in areas such as visa applications, flight bookings or accommodation.

Special requirements apply to students who are currently in the thesis writing stage. Students on taught degree programmes that have already completed all required classes can continue to complete their studies based on their institution’s own requirements. However, students on primarily research-based courses should complete their research and writing up in the relevant overseas country from the spring semester of 2023.

The requirements do not directly address TNE providers. However, the changes show that the Ministry of Education is keen to return to in-person delivery now that China's pandemic restrictions have been lifted. UK HEIs offering transnational education programmes in China should coordinate with their local partners.

 

Sources:

CSCSE Announcement on the Adjustment of the Recognition of Distance-Learning https://www.cscse.edu.cn/cscse/sy/tzgg/2023012917420185452/index.html

CSCSE Explanation of the Adjustment of the Recognition of Distance-Learning (Q&A #1) https://www.cscse.edu.cn/cscse/sy/tzgg/2023012917385990106/index.html

CSCSE Further Explanation of the Adjustment of the Recognition of Distance-Learning (Q&A #2) https://www.cscse.edu.cn/cscse/sy/tzgg/2023012917442942281/index.html