Two pathways to secure a government job on the day you fill out college applications: government-funded teacher training and targeted medical student programs, at the cost of a six-year service commitment

Cost: Tuition and housing fees are waived, and you receive a living stipend. The trade-off is that for six years after graduation you cannot freely choose a career; breaking the contract requires you to repay all funds, pay a penalty, and accept a negative mark on your credit record. The difficulty lies in the fact that you cannot relocate during these six years.

In plain terms: Both programs involve the state covering your education costs upfront; in return, you must work at a designated location for six years after graduation. Government-funded teacher training is offered only at six universities directly under the Ministry of Education, with admission occurring in an early admission round. For targeted medical students, a tripartite agreement must be signed before receiving the admission letter. Violating the contract leads to repayment obligations, penalties, and a credit record impact. Carefully consider whether you can accept these six years of commitment before applying.

Benefit: Government-funded teacher training is governed by the “Implementation Measures for Government-Funded Education of Teacher-Training Students with Undergraduate-Graduate Continuation at Universities Directly Under the Ministry of Education” (2024), which supersedes the 2018 version. Article 2 stipulates that central government funds cover tuition, housing, and living stipends. Article 3 specifies that training targets areas below provincial capitals in central and western regions (except for five autonomous regions, border provinces, Hainan, Guizhou, and Qinghai). It also states that placement is not permitted in municipalities, special economic zones, or main urban districts of provincial capitals. Article 9 requires graduates to teach at designated primary or secondary schools within their home province for at least six years; those assigned to urban schools must spend at least one year teaching in rural areas. Article 13 mandates accountability for non-compliance, including credit record inclusion and exclusion from other civil service roles until the term ends. Article 6 allows reclassification to non-teacher majors if unsuited for teaching within one year, with repayment of benefits. Article 14 treats failure to obtain a master’s degree and teaching certification as a breach, requiring repayment and penalties. Article 21 ensures that sufficient government posts are allocated for these graduates. Targeted medical students follow a separate policy: prior to enrollment, they sign an agreement with their university and local health and human resources authorities to serve rural medical institutions for six years. After employment, they must complete three years of standardized residency training. Their breach records are similarly logged, and severe violations are publicly disclosed. Unlike teachers, medical graduates may leave after fulfilling their six-year term, as explicitly permitted by regulations.

Evidence grade: A

Sources:国务院办公厅 (2024). 关于转发教育部等部门《教育部直属师范大学本研衔接师范生公费教育实施办法》的通知（国办发〔2024〕27 号，第二、三、六、九、十三、十四、二十一条）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202406/content_6957261.htm；国家卫生健康委、中央编办、国家发展改革委、教育部、财政部、人力资源社会保障部、国家中医药局 (2019). 关于做好农村订单定向免费培养医学生就业安置和履约管理工作的通知. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2019-11/13/content_5451684.htm

Notes: The 2024 policy shifted teacher training to an undergraduate-graduate continuum, rendering the older “immediate post-graduation teaching” model obsolete. Existing agreements remain valid. Securing a government post does not guarantee automatic placement; actual assignments depend on local hiring needs. Medical students must also account for three years of residency, extending their total commitment period. Individual provinces may offer additional programs with varying criteria; always consult the latest local admissions documents.