Understanding the intricacies of the Chinese higher education system can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with its unique dual-credential structure. In China, educational qualifications and academic degrees are two distinct types of credentials, each represented by separate documents: certificates of graduation and degree certificates. This blog post aims to elucidate the relationship between these credentials and the various academic paths within the Chinese education system, providing valuable insights for anyone evaluating the academic backgrounds of Chinese students.
The Two Types of Credentials
In English, the term “educational qualification” broadly refers to degrees and other academic accomplishments. However, in China, qualifications (学历, xueli) and degrees (学位, xuewei) are distinct. Qualifications represent the completion of a recognised educational programme, documented by a Certificate of Graduation (毕业证书/毕业文凭). Degrees, on the other hand, signify a certain level of academic achievement and are documented by separate degree certificates.
Qualifications Explained
The term for educational qualifications in Chinese, xueli (学历), literally translates to "educational experience". This credential is awarded upon completing a recognised educational programme, and it is documented by a Certificate of Graduation. Here are the common types of qualifications in China:
1. Zhuanke （专科） Certificate of Graduation: Often translated as a Diploma of a (2-year or 3-year) junior college course, this certificate is issued to students who complete short-cycle higher education programmes.
2. Benke （本科） Certificate of Graduation: Commonly referred to as a Diploma or Graduation Certificate of a (4-year or 5-year) undergraduate course, this certificate signifies the completion of a standard undergraduate programme.
Certificates of Graduation （毕业证书） are essential as they serve as complete exit credentials, facilitating access to both employment and further education. For example, employers in China traditionally require qualifications rather than degrees, especially at the benke (bachelor) level. Additionally, a benke qualification is accepted as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree for admission into master’s programmes.
There are also non-qualification programmes, which include short-term, highly specialised training or academic programmes that are not fully recognised. These programmes issue Certificates of Completion (结业证书), which indicate deficiencies in comparison to fully qualified programmes.
Degrees Explained
The term for academic degree in Chinese, xuewei (学位), translates to "academic position/status". Academic degrees represent a defined level of academic achievement and are documented by degree certificates. The relationship between qualifications and degrees is particularly interesting in China:
1. Bachelor's Degree （学士学位）: To obtain a bachelor’s degree, a student must have a corresponding benke qualification. Between 1985 and 1991/92, the bachelor degree certificate was combined with the benke Certificate of Graduation, serving a dual purpose. However, the dual-credential system as it stands today requires separate documentation for qualifications and degrees.
2. Master’s and Doctoral Degrees（硕士学位/ 博士学位）: Unlike bachelor’s degrees, master’s and doctoral degrees have always had separate certificates. A master’s degree requires a benke qualification, while a doctoral degree necessitates a master’s degree.
The dual-credential system was established with the introduction of academic degrees in 1981. This system aims to distinguish between the completion of an educational programme (qualification) and the attainment of a certain academic level (degree).
Conclusion
The dual-credential system in China underscores the importance of recognising both qualifications and degrees when assessing academic backgrounds. Certificates of Graduation signify the completion of educational programmes, providing access to employment and further education, while degree certificates represent the attainment of specific academic levels.
For UK-based employers, educational institutions, and other stakeholders, this knowledge is crucial for accurately interpreting the credentials of Chinese applicants, ensuring that their qualifications and degrees are appropriately recognised and valued.
Are you a Chinese university graduate looking to continue your studies or start a career overseas, specifically in the UK, US, Canada, or other English-speaking nations? As a highly experienced and qualified translator and a full member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists in the UK, I can provide certified translations of your academic credentials. Get in touch with me today to see how I can help!
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