National Open University in China Degrees Value and Truths Revealed | China AI Search Blog

For anyone navigating the complex world of higher education, especially beyond traditional full-time pathways, finding reliable information can be a maze. In China, one institution frequently appearing in online discussions, particularly on platforms like XiaoHongShu, is the National Open University (国家开放大学), often affectionately abbreviated as Guo Kai (国开). It’s a hot topic, with users sharing unfiltered insights into its unique educational journey. Let's peel back the layers and explore what the National Open University truly offers, its value, and the critical truths you need to know.

What Exactly is China's National Open University?

The National Open University (OUC) isn't just another online course provider; it's a significant pillar in China's educational landscape. Directly overseen by the Ministry of Education (教育部), OUC evolved from its predecessor, the Central Radio and Television University (中央广播电视大学), which was also known as "电大" (Dianda) or sometimes "夜大" (Yeda). Its core mission is to champion lifelong learning (全民终身学习), making higher education accessible, especially for working professionals (上班族) and those who can't pursue traditional full-time degrees. It does this by leveraging modern information technology, embodying an "Internet+" education model.

Open University of China Degree

A crucial aspect highlighted by many users is the legitimacy and recognition of OUC degrees. They are state-recognized (国家承认) and, significantly, verifiable for life on Xuexin.net (学信网终身可查). For international readers, Xuexin.net is China's official platform for higher education qualification verification, akin to a national academic record database. This recognition means an OUC degree holds weight for critical purposes like civil service exams (考公), public institution exams (考编), postgraduate entrance exams (考研), job applications (求职加薪), career promotions (职场晋升), professional title evaluations (职称评定), and even urban residency points (积分落户). Some notes even boldly claim it's internationally recognized, dubbing it an "International Academic Transcript Green Card."

The "Products" of OUC: Diplomas and Degrees

The National Open University offers two main academic "products": the Graduation Certificate (diploma) and the Academic Degree Certificate (bachelor's degree).

Graduation Certificate (毕业证 - Diploma):
- How to Get It: To earn your diploma, you must accumulate the required academic credits and pass all your subjects. For associate degrees, a practical report is necessary; for bachelor's degrees, a graduation thesis and a successful defense are required.
- Ease of Attainment: Generally, users find the OUC diploma easier to obtain compared to degrees from Self-Study Exams (自考) or Adult College Entrance Exams (成考), particularly for associate degrees.
- Timeline: The minimum study period is a fixed 2.5 years for both associate and bachelor's degrees. You have a generous maximum of 8 years to complete your studies. A notable advantage is that OUC graduation can be 6 months to 1 year faster than Adult College Entrance Exams (Chengkao) due to differing enrollment and start times. 2025 Open University of China Application Guide: Easy Enrollment & Graduation
Academic Degree Certificate (学位证 - Bachelor's Degree):
- Importance: For bachelor's degree holders, this certificate significantly boosts competitiveness in the job market and for further studies.
- Difficulty: This is where many users issue strong warnings: obtaining the bachelor's degree certificate is frequently highlighted as being much harder to obtain than just the diploma.
- Requirements for Bachelor's Degree:
  - Average GPA: Your average score for core courses must be 75% or higher.
  - Thesis Performance: Your graduation thesis must be rated "Good" or score 80% or higher. A critical insight shared by users is that the thesis goes through four separate grading stages (from your local learning center all the way to OUC headquarters). You need to achieve 80% or above at each stage, which can be challenging due to varying reviewer preferences. Open University of China Bachelor's Degree: Is it Worthless?
  - English Proficiency: You must pass one of the following English exams:
    - National Open University Bachelor's Degree English Exam
    - Adult Undergraduate Bachelor's Degree English Exam
    - National Public English Test (PETS) Level 3 or higher
    - National College English Test (CET-4) with a score of 425 or higher.
    - Crucial Insight: One note specifically warns that the OUC Degree English exam covers content from 8 textbooks, which students might not even encounter during their regular coursework, making it unexpectedly difficult. Plan your English preparation well in advance!

Navigating China's Adult Education Landscape: OUC Compared

The National Open University is one of several pathways for Adult Education (成人学历) in China. Understanding how it stacks up against others is key:

Self-Study Higher Education Examination (自考 - Zikao):
- Mechanism: No entrance exam. You take individual subject exams. Once all required subjects are passed, you can apply for graduation.
- Difficulty: Generally considered more difficult than OUC, demanding strong self-discipline.
- Timeline: Can be the fastest for graduation if you pass all exams quickly (e.g., as fast as 1.5 years for associate, 2 years for bachelor's).
- Value: Some perceive it to have slightly higher "value" among non-full-time degrees, though many notes argue that employers generally view all non-full-time degrees similarly (distinct from full-time degrees). 1-Minute Guide to Degree Upgrading: Self-Study, Adult College, Open University of China
Adult College Entrance Examination (成人高考 / 成考 - Chengkao):
- Mechanism: Requires passing a national unified entrance exam (held annually in October). Once admitted, the study process is more structured, sometimes involving in-person classes.
- Difficulty: Easier than Self-Study, but it requires an entrance exam (unlike OUC).
- Timeline: Typically 2.5 years after admission. OUC is noted to allow earlier admission and thus earlier graduation compared to Chengkao.
Unified Enrollment (统招 - Tongzhao) - Full-Time Education:
- Mechanism: This refers to the traditional, highly competitive college entrance exam (高考 - Gaokao) leading to full-time, on-campus study. This is the pathway most commonly associated with university education globally.
- Value: This is considered the highest value and the only "full-time" degree in China. Many employers explicitly seek full-time graduates. It's crucial to understand that OUC, Zikao, and Chengkao are NOT full-time degrees, despite any misleading claims you might encounter online.

Recommended Combined Pathways: Users on XiaoHongShu frequently discuss strategic combinations:

OUC Associate + Chengkao Bachelor: Described as "the easiest way to get a degree."
OUC Associate + Zikao Bachelor: Can be the fastest route to getting both degrees, potentially within 2.5 years.
Full-Time Associate Graduate + OUC Bachelor: Allows you to pursue a "double degree" (双学位), which is seen as more advantageous.

Essential Tips & Insights from XiaoHongShu Users

Navigating the OUC system effectively requires insider knowledge. Here are key takeaways:

Beware of "Information Asymmetry" (信息差) & Scam Alerts! The OUC system can appear straightforward but has many hidden complexities. Users vehemently warn against overly simple promises. Do not trust agencies making claims like:
- "Guaranteed pass/certificate" (包过包拿证)
- "No studying required" / "Register and graduate"
- "Full-time equivalent" (OUC, Zikao, and Chengkao are all non-full-time degrees. Anyone telling you otherwise is misleading you.)
- Be cautious of search results that are agency advertisements; they might not offer the best or most honest information. Zhang Xuefeng: Common Open University of China Scams Warning: Open University of China Scams
Choosing Your Major, Not Just the School: OUC is the fixed institution; you can't choose other universities within this system. Focus on selecting a popular or relevant major (热门专业) that aligns with your career goals, as niche majors might lead to employment difficulties.
- Professional Restrictions: Be aware that non-full-time Law degrees generally do not qualify you to take the lawyer's license exam in China. Similarly, non-full-time Pharmacy or Nursing degrees generally do not qualify you to take the nurse's license exam. Open University of China: Who Should NOT Enroll
Financial Prudence:
- Pay Tuition Directly: Always pay your tuition fees to the university's official website, NEVER to an individual or an agency in a lump sum. Fees are typically paid annually for two years.
- Costs: Tuition is usually around 2,000+ RMB per year, totaling 5,000-6,000 RMB for the full program. Registration fees are usually 100-500 RMB. Prices can vary by province.
- Retake Fees: If you fail an exam and need to retake it, you'll generally bear the retake costs.
Study & Exam Strategies:
- Active Learning: Don't just register; participate in online learning and complete assignments.
- Exam Formats: Exams can be machine-based, written, or entirely online. Some provinces may require offline, in-person exams, sometimes with face recognition for verification.
- Preparation is Key: While often described as "easy to pass," teachers can provide guidance. Filling out the entire exam paper is often advised.
- Thesis/Report: For bachelor's degrees, start planning and preparing your graduation thesis early. Don't procrastinate, and remember the multiple grading stages.
- Degree English: If you aim for a bachelor's degree certificate, prioritize preparing for the English exam well in advance, as it can be surprisingly demanding.
Eligibility & Application:
- Age: Generally requires being 17 or 18 years old or older.
- Prior Education: For an associate degree, you need a high school, vocational school, or equivalent diploma. For a bachelor's degree, you need an associate degree that is verifiable on Xuexin.net.
- No Concurrent Study: You generally cannot enroll for a bachelor's degree while still studying for an associate degree.
- Front-End Degree Authenticity: Your prior education documents must be genuine; submitting false ones can invalidate your OUC degree later.
- Location: While some notes suggest national enrollment with no regional limits, others mention that enrollment generally requires being in your household registration location (户籍地).
Managing Expectations:
- "Worthless" Claims: Don't be discouraged by people who say OUC degrees are useless. While they are non-full-time, they are state-recognized and can significantly enhance your competitiveness in various aspects of life and career. Open University of China: Reassessing its Value
- Time Commitment: Although flexible, it still requires active participation and time, especially for exams which might conflict with work schedules.

Notable Mentions

Zhang Xuefeng (张雪峰): A prominent education commentator whose views on OUC and non-full-time degrees are frequently cited, often clarifying misconceptions.
"One University Student Per Village Program" (一村一名大学生计划): A specific OUC program tailored for students with rural household registration and junior/senior high school backgrounds, focusing on agriculture and forestry majors.
OUC Experimental College AI Program (国开实验学院人工智能): A specific, modern program mentioned by a user, highlighting OUC's evolving offerings. Enrolled in Open University of China Experimental College: AI Program
Academic Transcript (学籍): Your academic status can typically be queried on Xuexin.net within one month of enrollment, providing early verification.

The Final Word

The National Open University (Guo Kai) offers a legitimate and accessible pathway for adult learners in China seeking state-recognized degrees. While it provides immense flexibility and opens doors for career advancement, further studies, and social integration, it's essential to approach it with realistic expectations and an understanding of its nuances. Armed with the insights shared by countless students on platforms like XiaoHongShu, you can navigate the OUC system wisely and truly leverage this unique educational opportunity. Your path to lifelong learning starts with informed choices.

See the image gallery below for additional visuals from the analyzed social media posts.

Image Gallery

All images from the trending posts that inspired this article:

Open University of China: Degree Value Concerns

破防了😭国开就是废纸一张！！！

Zhang Xuefeng: Common Open University of China Scams

张雪峰：国开常见骗局，别再傻傻上当了！！

Open University of China: Is the Degree Worthless?

国开就是废纸一张！！！

Warning: Open University of China Scams

毕业三年后我被骗了！避雷国开！！！

Open University of China Degree

国家开放大学学历

Open University of China: Top 4 Scams

国家开放大学💅四大骗局❗️

Open University of China: Reassessing its Value

不要再觉得国开没用了！！

2025 Open University of China Application Guide: Easy Enrollment & Graduation

25年国开大学报考攻略📚简单好毕业

Open University of China: Critical Review & Enrollment Warning

国开真的恶心了，骂醒一个是一个

Open University of China Policy Update: March Adjustments

国家开放大学政策更新：三月调整

Open University of China: Who Should NOT Enroll

国家开放大学这些人打死也不要报

2025 Open University of China Application Guide

2025年国家开放大学报考指南

Enrolled in Open University of China Experimental College: AI Program

又报了个国开实验学院人工智能～

Open University of China: Critical Review & Enrollment Warning

国开太恶心了，骂醒一个是一个

1-Minute Guide to Degree Upgrading: Self-Study, Adult College, Open University of China

1分钟带你认识学历提升：自考、成考、国开

Open University of China Bachelor's Degree: Is it Worthless?

谁报国开本科谁是傻子

Open University of China: Concerns over Recognition

原来国开不被认可

Open University of China Graduation Certificate: Value Concerns

国家开放大学毕业证就是废纸一张😱

Zhang Xuefeng on Open University of China: Non-Full-time Degrees Explained

讲国家开放大学张雪峰解答：非全日制学历

Open University of China Degree: Is it Worthless?

国开就是一张废纸！！

This article is based on trending content from XiaoHongShu. View the original search results and detailed analysis to explore the individual posts and community insights that inspired this piece.