Self-Taught Higher Education Examinations
Self-Taught Higher Education Examinations (STHEE)
Self-Taught Higher Education Examinations let people finish higher education and earn a degree without attending regular classes. In China, STHEE is run by the National Education Examinations Authority (NEEA), an agency of the Ministry of Education, and has been held every year since 1981.
In 1998, China’s Higher Education Law officially supported the STHEE system. Students who pass the exams receive certificates of educational background or related credentials.
STHEE is similar to Korea’s Self-Education Bachelor’s Degree system. There are two levels: specialized (like a 2–3 year program) and undergraduate (a 4-year program). Majors available through STHEE vary by region and by the examining university, so not every major is offered everywhere.
The military has its own STHEE under a PLA committee.
How it works: Each major has practical courses and written courses. Some parts are national examinations (set by NEEA) and some are provincial examinations (set by regional EEAs or military authorities). The number of subjects and credits depends on the level: diploma-level programs typically require at least about 15 subjects and 70 credits; undergraduate programs require about 13 subjects and 70 credits. Some majors also include dissertations or other requirements.
National exams are usually held twice a year (April and October). Provincial exams may occur in January and July in some regions or for the army. Students can choose 1–4 national courses per exam session. Practical courses are run by the examining university; if a practical course has a written counterpart, you must pass that written course first.
To earn a graduate certificate, you must pass all required courses for your major. To obtain a bachelor’s degree, you must also meet additional requirements set by the examining university (such as completing a dissertation and meeting other criteria).
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 00:46 (CET).