The Chinese education is divided into the two categories of diploma education and non-diploma education.

"Diploma education":refers to admit students according to the admission scheme issued by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, implement teachings according to the teaching programs approved by educational administrative department, and after finishing their studies, the students will be conferred national uniformly printed diploma and degree certificates by the schools. At present, the diploma education of Chinese higher education is divided into the four levels including associate degree program, undergraduate program (including the second degree), Master's program and doctoral program.

"Non-diploma education":refers to all kinds of trainings and continuing educations. After finishing their studies, the students will be conferred with the corresponding certificates by the training departments.