This article explores the current opportunities to study Chinese in China, the linguistic requirements of universities and scholarships, and artificial intelligence (AI).
For students at leading Barcelona universities, whether through bilateral agreements, Erasmus+ KA107, or Confucius Institute programs, the pathway to study in China is real. But here’s the hidden barrier: most opportunities require an official Chinese language certificate (HSK 3–4 minimum)—and most university programs in Spain don’t prepare students fast enough to reach that level.
Language Requirements: What the Universities Ask
University of Barcelona (UB)
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Offers bilateral exchange programs with Chinese universities.
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Requires official HSK 3–4 certification, depending on the course and institution.
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Some short-term basic programs may allow a basic level, but university-level subjects in Chinese require official certification.
Info: https://www.ub.edu/uri/
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
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Runs exchanges and Erasmus+ KA107 mobility programs with China.
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Hosts the Confucius Institute UAB in partnership with Nanjing University.
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Requires official HSK 3 or above certification if courses are in Chinese, and official HSK certificates for Confucius or government-funded scholarships.
Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
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Partners with elite Chinese universities (Fudan, Tsinghua, BFSU, etc.).
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Requires official HSK 4 or higher certification if courses are taught in Chinese.
Info: UPF International Info
Can You Study in China Without HSK?
Yes—but only in specific cases, such as:
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Short-term Confucius Institute programs (usually 4 weeks, no certificate required).
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Semester-long language programs for absolute beginners.
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One-year preparatory language programs (often funded by Confucius or CSC) that include intensive Chinese courses and don’t require HSK beforehand.
But if your goal is to study regular university subjects in Chinese, an HSK 4, 5 or even 6 is usually mandatory.
The Scholarship System: A Gateway to China
The Chinese government offers multiple scholarship programs for international students, aiming to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. Currently, 279 Chinese universities host students under these scholarships, covering fields like science, education, economics, arts, and more.
Types of Scholarships:
- Bilateral Programs: For undergraduate to doctoral students based on intergovernmental agreements.
- University-Specific Programs: Independent recruitment for Master’s and PhD students.
- Great Wall Program: UNESCO-funded for students from developing countries.
- China-EU Exchange: For EU students across academic levels.
- China-AUN: For ASEAN countries.
- Pacific Islands Program: For island nations.
- WMO Program: For meteorology-related studies.
Language Requirements
Students must generally study in Chinese. If lacking sufficient proficiency, they must complete 1–2 years of preparatory language courses, unless they:
- Studied secondary education in Chinese.
- Hold a valid official HSK certificate.
- Provide proof from their school or Chinese university.
The Language Certification Bottleneck
It seems that obtaining the necessary language certification remains a slow and rigid process. Many students in Spain struggle to prepare for the HSK exams due to:
- Long learning curves.
- Limited testing dates and centers.
- Few intensive, personalized learning options.
This delay can be critical, especially for those pursuing professional or academic goals with fixed deadlines.
Can Artificial Intelligence Accelerate Access to Certification?
AI has proven its usefulness in language learning with tools like:
- ChatGPT or DeepL Write: conversational practice, feedback.
- Speechling or Du Chinese: pronunciation, listening drills.
- Hack Chinese or SuperMemo: spaced repetition for HSK vocabulary.
or more in detail:
AI-Powered Adaptive Learning. Personalized Progress Tracking with Smart Algorithms
Apps like SuperChinese, Du Chinese and Skritter adjust content and review based on your retention speed, making study time 2–3x more effective than static textbooks.
Contextualized Video + Subtitles + AI
Using tools like LingQ, GlotDojo, and ChatGPT, students can break down native video content (YouTube, Bilibili, etc.) into manageable vocabulary sets, grammar patterns, and shadowing exercises.
HSK-Specific Smart Tutoring
AI chatbots (like ChatGPT with custom prompts or fine-tuned models) can simulate HSK mock exams, generate quizzes, explain grammar, and adapt difficulty in real time.
Automated Pronunciation Feedback
Tools like Speechling and Elsa Speak use AI speech analysis to offer native-level feedback on tones, intonation, and rhythm—crucial for Chinese learners who lack daily immersion.
Students can simulate thousands of listening/speaking scenarios in a matter of days—something a traditional class can’t match.
Transcription + Contextual Learning from Native Content
Combining YouTube subtitles, LingQ, or GlotDojo browser extensions with AI summarizers (like Claude or ChatGPT) allows students to study native Chinese content far above their level with tailored breakdowns, bilingual dictionaries, and visual annotations.
Pronunciation
Speech recognition engines, such as those in Speechling or Google’s Read Along AI, provide pronunciation feedback that goes beyond what teachers can offer in class.
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Tools like ChatGPT or Glossika help students generate personalized study plans from real HSK content, matching their goals to time and skill level.
More AI-based tools and use cases will be explored in future articles in this series.
This blog series, AI Chinese – AI Chinese Speech, will explore these tools in depth to help students in Spain unlock opportunities faster and smarter than traditional paths allow.
Yet, most students are still using AI tools passively, without structured, certificate-oriented plans. The question remains:
Can AI build a methodology that actively helps students reach certification levels faster and with better retention?
This article is part of a broader investigation into how AI might not replace teachers, but redefine the learning process—personalizing it, tracking progress against HSK standards, and minimizing time waste.
Promising platforms:
Further analysis on how to integrate these tools systematically will be covered in upcoming articles.
Conclusion
China offers many pathways for students interested in learning Mandarin, from short-term programs to full-degree scholarships. However, the major entry barrier remains the official language certification, particularly the HSK.
With the current methods, reaching HSK 4–5 can take years. Yet, students often need a faster, more agile system to access these academic opportunities.
Artificial intelligence offers potential, but we don’t yet know if it can truly accelerate the process—or simply support it. Through future articles and case studies, we aim to explore how AI might transform the road to Chinese proficiency from a long march into a guided sprint.
Stay tuned.
Erasmus+ KA107: Studying Outside the EU
The Erasmus+ KA107 program allows students in European universities to study or do internships outside of the EU, including China. The program funds travel, tuition, and living expenses.
Requirements:
- Be enrolled at a participating university
- Language proficiency according to destination
- Academic performance and motivation letter
Official Info: Erasmus+ KA107
©picture: superchinese.
@Yolanda Muriel 
yolandamuriel.com 