Education is not a one-time deal: self-study exams have no age or prior education limits; both adult college entrance exams and open universities offer pathways to further education

Cost: Registration and textbook fees amount to only a few hundred yuan per year. The trade-off is the need for long-term self-study or part-time classes; for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree while still working, the minimum study period is two and a half years, which requires consistent dedication over time.
In plain terms: If you missed out on higher education at age 18, there are three legitimate options available: self-study exams, adult college entrance exams, and open universities. Self-study exams impose no age restrictions or limits on prior educational attainment, though full-time students are ineligible to apply. Adult college entrance exams require applicants to hold a high school diploma or equivalent. All three routes take time, but none depend on how well you performed academically at age 18.
Benefit: The Regulations on Self-Study Examinations for Higher Education explicitly state in Article 3: “All citizens of the People’s Republic of China, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, race, or prior educational background, may participate in self-study examinations for higher education in accordance with these regulations.” Article 20 adds that full-time students at all levels of education are barred from taking these exams. Article 25 outlines three requirements for earning a diploma: successfully completing all required courses, finishing a graduation thesis or practical assignment, and meeting criteria for moral conduct. Once these conditions are met, a diploma is granted. It further notes that “diplomas awarded for associate or bachelor’s degrees are recognized by the state.” Article 32 guarantees that non-working graduates receive the same salary treatment as peers from regular higher education institutions. Article 21 of the Higher Education Law also affirms that self-study examinations are a state-recognized pathway to higher education, with successful candidates receiving corresponding academic credentials. The 2025 National Enrollment Rules for Adult Higher Education state that eligible applicants must be “working professionals and other members of society who are not currently enrolled in any nationally recognized high or secondary schools.” Those applying for undergraduate or associate programs must hold a high school diploma or equivalent, while applicants for bachelor’s degrees must already hold an associate diploma, bachelor’s certificate, or higher. Full-time study requires a minimum of four years for undergraduates and two years for associate or bachelor’s degree candidates; part-time study demands five years for undergraduates and two and a half years for the other two pathways. Full-time study means leaving one’s job to attend classes full-time, while part-time study allows individuals to continue working while pursuing their degree. The Ministry of Education’s guidelines on open universities specify that registration is open to all; upon completing required coursework and earning sufficient credits, students receive course certificates, and those meeting all academic and conduct criteria earn academic or non-academic credentials, with degrees awarded where applicable (nationwide).
Evidence grade: A
Sources:国务院 (1988, 2014 修订). 高等教育自学考试暂行条例（第三、二十、二十五、三十二条）. https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=ff8080816f3cbb3c016f415d64e5236d（国家法律法规数据库）；全国人大常委会 (2018). 高等教育法（第二十一条）. https://flk.npc.gov.cn/detail?id=ff8080816f135f46016f20df64ec16c5（国家法律法规数据库）；教育部办公厅 (2025). 关于做好 2025 年全国成人高校招生工作的通知（教学厅〔2025〕6 号）及附件《2025 年全国成人高校招生办法》. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202509/content_7040877.htm；教育部 (2016). 关于办好开放大学的意见（教职成〔2016〕2 号）. http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2016/content_5067956.htm；教育部 (2007). 关于进一步做好高等学校各类招生管理工作的通知（教发〔2007〕13 号）：「普通专升本招生计划按不超过当年应届普通高职（专科）毕业生5%的比例安排」. http://www.moe.gov.cn/s78/A03/s7050/201006/t20100607_88782.html；中国政府网 (2020). 今年扩招硕士18.9万，专升本32.2万——毕业生就业帮扶发力，教育部副部长翁铁慧：「扩大普通高校专升本的规模，同比争取增加32.2万人」. http://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2020-02/29/content_5484774.htm；福建省教育考试院 (2026). 转发时引「教育部高校学生司《关于做好2026年普通高等学校专升本考试招生工作的通知》（教学司函〔2025〕53号）」. https://www.eeafj.cn/gkzsb/20260310/14437.html
Notes: There is also a separate pathway called “regular bachelor’s degree programs for associate graduates,” governed by a 2007 Ministry of Education notice that originally capped enrollment at 5% of that year’s associate graduates. Starting in 2020, this cap was lifted, with enrollment rising by 322,000 students that year. Annual enrollment details are set by internal ministry directives, such as Document No. 53 (2025) issued by the Department of Higher Education; these documents are not publicly released, only referenced in provincial-level notices. Eligibility is determined by each province, typically limited to local associate graduates, so it is not detailed here. As of autumn 2025, higher education for adults is no longer referred to as “correspondence” or “part-time” study, with “part-time” now the official term. This form of education is distinct from skill-based training, which is covered in Section 23. Be cautious of any “quick certification” schemes or unaccredited credentials advertised as equivalent to official diplomas; these are also addressed in Section 23, Item 8.