Which IFP Route Should You Choose?
Illustration for which IFP route should you choose, showing three doors for Route A, B and C by HSK level, a student, and the Bangladesh and China flags.
Which IFP Route Should You Choose? Route A, B or C by HSK Level
Match your HSK level to IFP Route A, B or C, compare hours and start months, and see what Bangladeshi students should confirm with CCN.
Which IFP route should you choose? Your HSK level gives the first answer: Route A suits students with zero Chinese or a level below HSK 3, Route B suits HSK 3 or above, and Route C suits HSK 4 or above. This guide explains the three CCN International Foundation Programme routes, shows where two routes overlap and lists what Bangladeshi students should confirm with CCN before they apply. It uses CCN's IFP information as the main source.
What Are IFP Route A, B and C?
IFP Route A, B and C are the three standard study routes of the CCN International Foundation Programme, and your Chinese level decides which one fits. All three routes prepare students for Chinese-taught degree study in China.
Three routes, one goal: preparing for Chinese-taught degree study
All three routes share one goal: preparing you for Chinese-taught degree study at a CCN member university. China Campus Network (CCN) is a consortium of 37 Chinese universities, and its members developed the CCN International Foundation Programme together. The CCN member universities use IFP results as a decisive factor in admission and scholarship decisions.
Why the routes differ: Chinese level and academic profile
The routes differ because students start with different amounts of Chinese. CCN says the recommended route depends on the student's Chinese language level and academic profile. Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes ask for at least HSK 4, according to the Shanghai government's HSK Q&A. Route A builds Chinese from the beginning, while Route B and Route C start from HSK 3 and HSK 4.
IFP UG and IFP PG use the same three routes
Yes, CCN says the three routes apply to both IFP UG and IFP PG. The level of study changes the age, qualification and result rules, but the route structure stays the same.
Which IFP Route Should You Choose at a Glance?
Match your HSK level to a route first, then check the hours and the start month. The tables below use CCN's IFP route details.
Route comparison table
The three routes differ in length, HSK level and start month.
| Route | Chinese level | Teaching weeks | Teaching hours | Period | Sample weekly sessions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route A | Zero Chinese or below HSK 3 | 36 | 1,300 | September to July | 32 to 38 |
| Route B | HSK 3 or above | 18 | 650 | March to July | 34 to 38 |
| Route C | HSK 4 or above | 12 | 400 | April to July | 36 to 40 |
The weekly sessions come from CCN's sample timetables for the IFP UG Business stream, and actual timetables vary by centre.
Quick answer by HSK level
Zero Chinese or a level below HSK 3 points to Route A, HSK 3 points to Route B, and HSK 4 or above points to Route B or Route C.
| Your Chinese level | Likely route | Note |
|---|---|---|
| No Chinese | Route A | Builds Chinese from the start |
| HSK 1 to 2 | Route A | The entry table lists HSK 0 to 2 |
| HSK 3 | Route B | Route B1 lists HSK 3 to 4 |
| HSK 4 | Route B or Route C | Both ranges include HSK 4, so CCN recommends |
| HSK 5 | Route C | Route C1 lists HSK 4 to 6 |
| HSK 6 or above | Ask CCN | The B3, B4, C3 and C4 variants list HSK 6 and above |
Route A: Choose It If You Have Little or No Chinese
Choose Route A if you have no Chinese or a level below HSK 3. It is the longest route and the only one that starts in September.
Who Route A suits (HSK 0 to 2)
Route A suits students with zero Chinese, and the entry table lists HSK 0 to 2 or equivalent. It is the only route that accepts students who have not started Chinese.
What you study: 1,300 hours over 36 weeks, September to July
Route A has 36 teaching weeks and 1,300 teaching hours, from September to July. The CCN calendar shows two teaching blocks of 18 weeks, separated by exam weeks and a holiday.
Workload: sessions per week and self-study
The sample Route A timetable has 32 to 38 class sessions a week, or six to eight class hours a day. CCN also recommends 3 to 5 hours of self-study on weekdays and 8 to 12 hours at weekends.
Strengths and limits
Route A gives the most Chinese training, but it takes the longest and starts only in September. General Chinese takes 62% of the IFP UG curriculum in the Business and Humanities streams, which builds a base for later subject study. The limit is time: you spend a full academic year in the programme before degree entry.
Route B: Choose It If You Hold HSK 3
Choose Route B if you already hold HSK 3 or above and want a shorter programme than Route A.
Who Route B suits
Route B suits students with HSK 3 or above. The entry table lists HSK 3 to 4 for Route B1.
What you study: 650 hours over 18 weeks, March to July
Route B has 18 teaching weeks and 650 teaching hours, from March to July. It finishes with an exam week in July, like the other routes.
Workload in the sample timetable
The sample Route B timetable has 34 to 38 class sessions a week. It mixes core Chinese classes, Listening, Speaking, HSK Intensive, Mathematics and Chinese for Business and Humanities.
Route B1 and the B3 and B4 variants
Route B1 is the standard Route B for HSK 3 to 4, and CCN also names B3 and B4 variants for HSK 6 and above. CCN Malaysia's FAQ lists the same minimums, at least HSK 3 for B1 and at least HSK 6 for B3 and B4. The sources do not explain how the variants differ in content, so ask CCN Bangladesh before assuming anything.
Route C: Choose It If You Hold HSK 4 or Above
Choose Route C if you hold HSK 4 or above and your Chinese is already solid. It is the shortest route and starts in April.
Who Route C suits
Route C suits students with HSK 4 or above. The entry table lists HSK 4 to 6 for Route C1, and HSK 4 is also the level that Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes ask for at entry.
What you study: 400 hours over 12 weeks, April to July
Route C has 12 teaching weeks and 400 teaching hours, from April to July. The route packs its hours into fewer weeks, so each week carries more teaching.
Workload and interview speaking practice
The sample Route C timetable has 36 to 40 class sessions a week, and it includes Interview Speaking classes. The other timetable entries cover Chinese for Business and Humanities, Mathematics and core Chinese classes.
Route C1 and the C3 and C4 variants
Route C1 is the standard Route C for HSK 4 to 6, and CCN names C3 and C4 variants for HSK 6 and above. As with Route B, the sources do not explain the variants in detail, so confirm them with CCN Bangladesh.
Which IFP Route Should You Choose When Two Routes Fit?
If your HSK level fits two routes, choose the route that CCN recommends after it reviews your profile. CCN states no rule that forces an HSK 4 student into one route.
Why HSK 4 can fit both Route B and Route C
HSK 4 sits inside both ranges: Route B1 lists HSK 3 to 4, and Route C1 lists HSK 4 to 6. Route B asks for HSK 3 or above and Route C asks for HSK 4 or above, so an HSK 4 holder meets both minimums.
Trade-offs: more teaching hours versus a shorter programme
Route B offers 250 more teaching hours and six more teaching weeks than Route C, and both routes end in July. More hours give more time to strengthen Chinese, while fewer weeks mean a quicker and heavier schedule.
How CCN assesses your profile and recommends a route
CCN assesses your academic and scholarship profile and recommends a route in the second step of the application. You first submit academic records, Chinese level, target major and preferred study destination. Your offer then confirms the route, the placement tier and the scholarship tier where applicable. The how to apply for the CCN IFP page covers the process in more detail.
What stays the same across routes
CCN applies one graduation rule and one set of guarantee conditions to every route. Each subject's final score combines attendance (10%), monthly exams (20%), mid-term and term-end exams (20%) and the graduation exam (50%). CCN lists the admission and scholarship conditions without separating them by route.
What Each Route Adds Beyond Chinese: Subjects and CSCA Preparation
Shorter routes shift teaching time from General Chinese to subject study and CSCA preparation. The curriculum tables show the change.
Share of teaching by route (Business and Humanities streams)
The IFP UG tables for the Business and Humanities streams show how the balance moves across the three routes.
| Module | Route A | Route B | Route C |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Chinese | 62% | 37% | 10% |
| Chinese for Subject Purposes | 12% | 22% | 34% |
| High school subject (Mathematics) | 13% | 23% | 28% |
| CSCA test preparation | 13% | 18% | 28% |
CCN notes that the academic scheme is for reference and may be adjusted, so treat the percentages as a guide.
What the shift means for your preparation
Route C puts only 10% of its teaching into General Chinese, so it works best for students whose Chinese is already solid. Route A puts 62% there, which suits a beginner. Mathematics rises from 13% in Route A to 28% in Route C.
Which IFP Route Should You Choose as a Bangladeshi Student?
Bangladeshi students choose a route by the same HSK levels as other applicants, then check the intake month and proof of Chinese level. CCN lists no Bangladesh-specific route rule.
If you have never studied Chinese
Choose Route A. It is the route listed for zero Chinese, and it starts in September.
If you have studied Chinese: proving your HSK level
Prepare a valid HSK result or an equivalent proof, and ask CCN Bangladesh which proof it accepts. The entry table says "HSK or equivalent". CCN Malaysia's FAQ describes HSK exemptions for Malaysian applicants with school Chinese results, and those rules belong to that office, so do not assume they apply in Bangladesh.
Planning around the September, March and April intakes
Route A starts in September, Route B in March and Route C in April, so match the start month to the date your results will be ready. Confirm the application deadline for your intake with CCN Bangladesh.
Entry rules that apply to every route
Every route has the same basic entry rules: age, qualification and compulsory subjects. For IFP UG, you must be at least 17 and under 24, hold an upper secondary qualification with a minimum GPA of 60, and have passed Mathematics for the Business and Humanities streams or Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for the Science and Engineering streams. For IFP PG, the age limit is under 29 and the minimum GPA is 80.
After Your Route: CSCA, Graduation and University Placement
After the route ends, three things decide your progression: the CSCA, your IFP results and the university's rules.
CSCA preparation inside the IFP
CCN says IFP students must take the CSCA, and every route includes CSCA test preparation. The Shanghai government's CSCA FAQ describes the exam as a standardised test of language proficiency and academic readiness, with Mathematics compulsory for all programmes. Route C gives 28% of its teaching to CSCA preparation, while Route A gives 13%.
The 60% graduation rule
You must reach at least 60% in Chinese for Academic Purposes and at least 60% on average across all subjects. The same rule applies to all three routes.
Placement and scholarship conditions
For IFP UG, the admission guarantee asks for an average of at least 60%, at least 60% in Chinese for Academic Purposes and a CSCA pass where required. Scholarship ranges are 75% to 90% for IFP UG and 85% to 90% for IFP PG. Each student may apply to two of the universities you can progress to, and CCN states that the scholarship guarantee does not promise an award from one specific university. See CCN scholarship opportunities for more.
Common Mistakes When Choosing an IFP Route
Most mistakes come from choosing by speed or from old information. The four mistakes below are easy to avoid.
Choosing by speed alone
The shortest route is not the best route for every student. Route C takes 12 weeks, but it needs HSK 4 or above and gives only 10% of its teaching to General Chinese. Let the CCN assessment guide the choice.
Assuming HSK 4 always means Route C
HSK 4 meets the minimum for Route C, but it also fits Route B. Both ranges include HSK 4, and CCN recommends the route after assessment.
Trusting outdated route hours
Use the current hours: 1,300, 650 and 400. Older third-party pages list 1,080, 540 and 330 hours with different start months. Check the date of any page before you plan.
Misreading the B3, B4, C3 and C4 variants
The variants carry a higher HSK level, HSK 6 and above, and the sources do not explain them in detail. Do not apply the Route B1 or Route C1 rules to them. Ask CCN Bangladesh instead.
Next Steps: Get Your Route Confirmed
Ask CCN Bangladesh to confirm your route from your HSK level and academic profile. You can contact CCN Bangladesh, email support@ccnbangladesh.com or call +8801822219444. Share your HSK result or proof, your qualification, your target stream and your preferred start month.
Conclusion
Which IFP route should you choose? Start with your HSK level, then let CCN confirm the route. Route A suits zero Chinese or a level below HSK 3, Route B suits HSK 3, and Route C suits HSK 4 or above, with HSK 4 fitting both Route B and Route C. Shorter routes carry less General Chinese and more subject and CSCA preparation, so match the route to your real Chinese level, not to the shortest timetable. Ask CCN Bangladesh to confirm your route in writing before you pay or enrol.
Frequently asked questions
Which IFP route is best with no Chinese?
Can students join Route B with HSK 3?
Can students join Route C with HSK 4?
Which route is the shortest?
When does each route start?
Does the route change the graduation rule?
Do the routes apply to IFP PG too?
Who decides my route?
Does my route change my scholarship or admission guarantee?
Is an HSK certificate needed to apply?
Need a quick quote for your IFP route and costs?
Tell the CCN Bangladesh team your Chinese level and target stream. Ask for a written breakdown before you pay anything.
Tell us about your study plan
Share your education, Chinese level and preferred stream. The CCN Bangladesh team will suggest a suitable IFP route and explain the conditions in writing.
Message the CCN Bangladesh team on WhatsApp or send an email. Include your latest education, Chinese level and preferred stream.
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