Key Takeaways
Six Chinese universities where business and finance degrees are taught in English, with the programs, costs and career tracks each one opens.
Business degrees in China without fluent Chinese
When students think "study business in China," they often stop at the language barrier. That barrier is smaller than it looks. Several Chinese universities run finance master's and MBA programs entirely in English, and they sit inside the world's most dynamic commercial environment.
Why Business in China
You study where the companies are. Shanghai is a global finance center; Beijing is policy and corporate HQ territory; Guangzhou and Hangzhou are entrepreneurship hubs. A Chinese business degree also signals something to employers: you can operate across cultures in the world's second-largest economy.
Business and Finance Degree Options
Business-related degrees in China include finance, economics, management and MBA programs. Applicants should check the degree level, teaching language, curriculum and work experience requirements for each program.
French-speaking applicants may search for ‘étudier le commerce en Chine’, which means studying business in China, and still need to confirm whether the program is a bachelor, a master or an MBA.
Joyous Future keeps MBA records separate from undergraduate business degrees so that entry requirements are not mixed up.
Six Universities That Deliver
1) Fudan University (Shanghai), Master of Finance (International Finance, MIF) & EMA
Fudan's MIF is the flagship English-taught finance degree for international students, with deep links to Shanghai's financial district. The Economics and Management (EMA) master's broadens the path.
2) University of International Business and Economics (Beijing), IMBA (English-taught)
UIBE is a finance and trade specialist. Its English-taught IMBA is compact, practical, and well-connected in Beijing's corporate scene.
3) Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou), International MBA (IMBA)
SYSU's IMBA gives you southern-China business access, including Hong Kong and Southeast Asia networks, at a lower cost than Shanghai.
4) East China Normal University (Shanghai), Global BBA
A four-year English-taught bachelor's in business administration for students who want the full undergraduate experience in Shanghai.
5) Beijing Language and Culture University, Finance & International Business (English-taught)
BLCU pairs language strength with practical English-taught finance and international-business bachelor's and master's options, a lighter-entry route than the elite giants.
6) Renmin University of China (Beijing), Chinese Philosophy (English-taught)
Not business per se, but for students focused on China's management culture and thought, Renmin's English-taught master's is a distinctive angle few consider.
The strongest English-taught finance options sit in Shanghai: the Fudan Master of Finance and the Fudan EMA. In Beijing, the University of International Business and Economics route is the most trade-focused.
Admission Requirements
Most ask for a bachelor's (for master's), English proof (IELTS and TOEFL or prior English-medium study), and a statement of purpose. Undergraduate tracks (Global BBA, BLCU finance) need high-school completion. Check each program page for exact deadlines and documents.
If your target is a global MBA rather than a specialist finance master’s, compare the SYSU international MBA and the ECNU Global BBA for undergraduates.
Career Opportunities
Graduates place into multinational banks, consulting, tech firms, and China-focused roles in their home countries. Shanghai-based programs (Fudan, ECNU) offer the strongest internship access during study.
Universities and programs in this guide
University Pages
- Fudan University
- University of International Business and Economics
- Sun Yat-sen University
- East China Normal University
- Beijing Language and Culture University
- Renmin University of China
Program Pages
- Master of Finance – International Finance (MIF) at Fudan University
- International Master of Business Administration (IMBA) at University of International Business and Economics (master’s)
- Global BBA (Business Administration) at East China Normal University (bachelor’s)
- Finance (English-taught Undergraduate Program) at Beijing Language and Culture University
- International Business (MIB) at Beijing Language and Culture University (professional master’s)
- MA in Chinese Philosophy and Culture (CPC) at Renmin University of China (master’s)
Related guides
- Business and finance universities
- English-taught computer science programs
- Beijing vs Shanghai for business careers
- Scholarships for international students
FAQ
Q1: Can I study business in China in English?
Yes. Fudan (MIF and EMA), UIBE (IMBA), SYSU (IMBA), and ECNU (Global BBA) are English-taught, among others.
Q2: Is an MBA from China respected internationally?
Degrees from recognized universities like Fudan and SYSU are respected, especially with the China expertise they signal. Verify recognition with your home body.
Q3: Do I need work experience for these programs?
Master's and IMBA programs often prefer some experience but do not always require it. Bachelor's tracks do not.
