China or Russia? Compare tuition, CSC vs Russian Government quota scholarships, language, admission tests, visas and part-time work rules for Bangladeshi students.
China and Russia are two of the most popular study destinations for Bangladeshi students looking for affordable degrees and government scholarships. In short: China usually suits students who want a wide choice of English-taught programmes, strong engineering and business universities and a generous full scholarship (CSC) that includes a monthly stipend. Russia usually suits students who are comfortable studying in Russian after a preparatory year, want a government quota scholarship with a dedicated Bangladesh allocation, and value the freedom to work part-time without a separate work permit.
Neither country is "better" for everyone. This guide compares China vs Russia for Bangladeshi students on tuition, scholarships, admission, language, visas, work rights and student life, using official university and government sources, so you and your family can decide which fits your goals and budget.
Key Takeaways
Tuition: Both countries are affordable compared with Western destinations. Official examples show many Chinese bachelor's programmes at about RMB 17,500 to 29,800 per year and Russian programmes such as RUDN's at about USD 5,100 to 8,000 per year.
Scholarships: China's CSC covers tuition, accommodation, insurance and a monthly stipend. Russia's government quota covers tuition, the preparatory year and a monthly stipend, with 200 places for Bangladesh in 2026.
Language: Russia mostly teaches in Russian after a preparatory year. China offers both English-taught and Chinese-taught degrees.
Admission: From 2026/27, many Chinese universities require undergraduate applicants to submit a CSCA test report. Russian admission is usually based on documents, with entrance tests at some universities.
Work: Full-time students in Russia can work in their free time without a work permit. In China, part-time work is tightly limited and needs university and immigration approval.
Fees, quotas and rules change every year. Always confirm the latest details with the university and official sources.
China vs Russia at a Glance
Main scholarship: China: Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC). Russia: Russian Government quota scholarship.
Teaching language: China: English or Chinese. Russia: mostly Russian, with some English-taught programmes.
Language preparation: China: optional one-year Chinese preparatory programmes. Russia: a preparatory faculty year is common for Russian-taught degrees.
Student visa: China: X1 visa with JW201/JW202 form, then a residence permit within 30 days. Russia: student visa based on an invitation issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, then an extension after arrival.
Part-time work: China: limited and approval-based. Russia: allowed for full-time students in free time.
Climate: China: varies widely, from tropical south to cold north. Russia: long, cold winters in most student cities.
Tuition Fees: China vs Russia
Tuition depends on the university, subject, level and language of instruction. The official examples below show the typical range, not a guaranteed fee for your programme. Approximate taka conversions use rates of about BDT 18.3 per Chinese yuan and BDT 122.85 per US dollar (exchange-rates.org, early October 2026).
China
Zhejiang University lists bachelor's tuition of RMB 19,800 per year for humanities, RMB 24,800 for economics, business, law, science and engineering, and RMB 29,800 for medical science and art on its fees page. RMB 24,800 is roughly BDT 4.5 lakh per year.
Sichuan University lists RMB 17,500 per year for humanities, economics and management and RMB 22,000 for science and engineering on its fee page.
Russia
RUDN University in Moscow, in its January 2026 fee order, lists annual fees for students from outside the CIS such as USD 5,750 for Applied Informatics and Civil Engineering and USD 7,000 to 8,000 for Economics. USD 5,750 is roughly BDT 7.1 lakh per year.
Preparatory year: RUDN lists USD 4,300 per year for its preparatory faculty, while Tomsk State University lists RUB 265,000 for its 2026 to 2027 preparatory programme.
Moscow universities are generally among the more expensive in Russia, and regional universities can cost less. For detailed budgets, read our guides to the cost of studying in China and the cost of studying in Russia from Bangladesh.
Medicine (MBBS) fees
Medicine is one of the main reasons Bangladeshi students consider both countries. Zhejiang University lists RMB 42,800 per year for MBBS and Sichuan University lists RMB 45,000 per year for clinical medicine, while RUDN lists USD 10,500 per year for General Medicine taught in Russian and USD 12,000 for the English-taught version. If you plan to practise in Bangladesh, check the latest Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) rules before choosing any foreign medical programme.
Scholarships: CSC vs Russian Government Quota
China: Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
According to the 2026 CSC application guide from Beijing Language and Culture University, the full scholarship covers:
Tuition fees
A free university dormitory or an accommodation subsidy
Comprehensive medical insurance
A monthly stipend of CNY 2,500 for undergraduates, CNY 3,000 for master's students and CNY 3,500 for doctoral students
Applications usually open months before the September intake. For example, Xiamen University's 2026 CSC University Program accepted applications from 1 December 2025 to 15 February 2026. Chinese universities also offer their own scholarships. See our China scholarship guide for Bangladeshi students.
Russia: Government Quota Scholarship
Russia offers state-funded places for international students each year. NUST MISIS explains that the quota covers full tuition, Russian-language preparatory courses for students who do not speak Russian, a monthly stipend for the whole study period and a place in a university dormitory. Students still pay a dormitory fee, which MISIS lists at RUB 2,500 to 3,769 per month for state-funded students. Travel and medical insurance are generally not covered.
For Bangladesh, the Director of the Russian House in Dhaka said the annual quota grew from 65 scholarships in 2018 to 200 in 2026, as reported by UNB. MISIS lists 15 January 2027 as the application deadline for non-CIS countries for the 2027/28 intake. Read more in our Russia scholarships guide for Bangladeshi students.
Which scholarship is better?
The CSC is generally more generous on living support because it includes accommodation and insurance as well as a stipend. Russia's quota stands out for having a specific Bangladesh allocation and for including the preparatory language year. Both are competitive, so strong academic results, a clear study plan and complete documents matter in either case.
Admission Requirements and Process
China
Academic documents: HSC (or equivalent) for bachelor's, a bachelor's degree for master's, and a master's for PhD, with transcripts.
CSCA test: From the 2026/27 academic year, Zhejiang University requires all international undergraduate applicants to submit a valid CSCA test report. Check whether your chosen university requires it.
Language: Chinese-taught bachelor's programmes commonly ask for HSK 4. For example, the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology lists HSK 4 with a score of 180 or more. English-taught programmes ask for proof of English ability.
Typical intake: September, with applications usually opening from late in the previous year.
Russia
Academic documents: HSC (or equivalent) for bachelor's, with transcripts and, often, translation and legalisation.
Entrance assessment: Varies by university. Some admit on documents, others hold online tests or interviews.
Language: Russian-taught degrees usually begin with a preparatory year. English-taught programmes are available at some universities. See our guide to English-medium programmes in Russia.
Invitation letter: After admission, the university requests an official invitation for your visa.
Student Visa Process from Bangladesh
China
Bangladeshi students apply for the X1 visa (for study longer than 180 days) through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in Dhaka. Its official X1 requirements include your passport, photo, JW201 or JW202 form, admission letter and, for self-funded students, a bank statement showing at least USD 2,500 for each year of study. After arrival, X1 holders must apply for a residence permit within 30 days. Full details are in our China student visa guide.
Russia
Your Russian university applies for an invitation, which is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. St Petersburg State University says invitations are issued within 20 working days. You then apply for a student visa at the Russian Embassy. The first visa is typically valid for up to 90 days and is extended to a longer multiple-entry visa after you arrive. Migration registration must be completed within a few working days of arrival. See our Russia student visa guide.
Part-Time Work Rules
Russia
According to St Petersburg State University, full-time international students can work in their free time without a work permit under Russian law, and the employer must notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Work must not clash with classes, and part-time or distance students do not have the same right. Read more about working while studying in Russia.
China
China's work-study rules are much stricter. Under the Ministry of Education's work-study measures summarised by the official Study in China portal, students must be at least 18 and have studied at their university for more than a year, positions must be approved by the university, the residence permit must be annotated, and work is capped at 8 hours a week (16 hours a week during vacations) within the university's city.
In both countries, part-time income should never be your main plan for paying tuition or living costs.
Living Costs and Accommodation
China: Dormitory fees vary widely. Central China Normal University in Wuhan, for example, lists shared rooms from RMB 450 per person per month on its dormitory page, while big-city universities can charge much more.
Russia: RUDN lists dormitory rooms from RUB 1,000 to 17,000 per month depending on room type, and MISIS lists RUB 2,500 to 3,769 per month for state-funded students.
In both countries, the city matters a lot. Capital cities cost more than regional university cities. Compare cities using our guide to the best Russian cities for Bangladeshi students.
Student Life, Climate and Culture
Climate: Russian winters are long and very cold in most student cities. China ranges from hot, humid southern cities like Guangzhou to very cold northern cities like Harbin, so you have more choice.
Distance and travel: China is closer to Bangladesh, with direct flights to several Chinese cities. Travel to Russia usually takes longer and often involves a connection.
Food: Halal food is available in both countries, especially in larger cities and in areas with Muslim communities, but availability varies by campus.
Community: Both countries have established Bangladeshi student communities, which can help new students settle in.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose China if you:
Want a wide range of English-taught programmes
Are aiming for a full CSC scholarship with stipend, housing and insurance
Prefer warmer cities or shorter travel to Bangladesh
Are interested in engineering, technology, business or Chinese language
Choose Russia if you:
Are willing to spend a preparatory year learning Russian
Want to apply for the Russian Government quota with its Bangladesh allocation
Value the right to work part-time without a separate work permit
Are interested in engineering, natural sciences, medicine or Russian-taught programmes
Still deciding between Asian destinations? Our Malaysia vs China comparison and Russia vs Malaysia comparison may also help.
Common Mistakes When Comparing China and Russia
Comparing tuition without checking the language of instruction or the cost of a preparatory year
Assuming every scholarship covers living costs, insurance and travel
Ignoring new entry tests such as the CSCA for Chinese undergraduate programmes
Choosing a medical programme without checking BMDC and university authorisation rules
Planning to cover costs through part-time work
Using old fee figures from unofficial websites
Missing scholarship deadlines, which often close months before the intake
Frequently Asked Questions
Is China or Russia better for Bangladeshi students?
It depends on your subject, budget and language preference. China offers more English-taught options and a CSC scholarship with stipend and housing. Russia offers a government quota with a Bangladesh allocation and more flexible part-time work rights, but most degrees are in Russian.
Which is cheaper, China or Russia?
Both are affordable. Official examples show many Chinese bachelor's programmes at about RMB 17,500 to 29,800 per year and Russian programmes at RUDN from about USD 5,100 per year. The real difference depends on your university, city and whether you need a preparatory year.
Is it easier to get a scholarship in China or Russia?
Both are competitive. Russia has a specific annual quota for Bangladesh, which was 200 places in 2026. China's CSC is offered through several channels, including embassy and university programmes. Your academic record and the quality of your application matter most.
Can I study in English in Russia and China?
Yes, but English-taught options are more widely available in China. In Russia, most degrees are taught in Russian, although some universities offer English-taught programmes, often at a higher fee.
Can international students work in China and Russia?
Full-time students in Russia can work in their free time without a separate work permit. In China, students need university approval and an annotated residence permit, and hours are limited to 8 per week during term.
Which is better for MBBS, China or Russia?
Both have universities that teach medicine to international students. Compare official fees, the language of instruction, clinical training and current BMDC requirements before deciding, and confirm that the university is authorised to teach medicine to international students.
Do I need IELTS for China or Russia?
Requirements vary by university and programme. Many English-taught programmes ask for proof of English ability, while Russian-taught and Chinese-taught degrees focus on language preparation instead. Check each university's requirements before applying.
Get Personalised Advice from Southern Trip Limited
Choosing between China and Russia is a big decision. Southern Trip Limited works with students heading to both countries and can help you compare universities, official fees, scholarship options and visa requirements based on your academic profile and budget. Admission, scholarship and visa decisions are made by universities and authorities, so we do not guarantee outcomes, but we help you make a well-informed choice.
Explore our Study in China and Study in Russia pages, or contact Southern Trip Limited to book a counselling session.
Information in this comparison was checked against official university, government and embassy sources in October 2026. Fees, quotas, deadlines and rules change regularly, so always confirm the latest details before applying.