Announcement
Letter Regarding the Standard Tuition Fees for Graduate Diplomas in 2026
Letter Regarding the Standard Tuition Fees for Graduate Diplomas in 2026
Document No.: APSB-GPO-2026-TU-001
To: All Prospective and Enrolled Students of Graduate Diploma Programs
From: Office of Graduate Program Administration (China), The Asia Pacific School of Business
Subject: Announcement on Standard Tuition Fees for Graduate Diplomas in 2026
Dear Students,
To ensure the smooth operation of graduate diploma programs and clarify the fee standards for the 2026 academic year, we hereby issue this letter to inform you of the standard tuition fees and related charges for graduate diploma programs. All fees are formulated in accordance with the school's financial management regulations and relevant international education standards, and are uniformly implemented for the 2026 academic year.
The detailed breakdown of standard tuition fees and related charges is as follows:
Fee Item | Specification | Amount (USD) | Remarks |
Tuition Fee | 16 credits, $25 per credit | 400.00 | Mandatory |
Transcript Fee | One set of official transcript | 25.00 | Mandatory |
Diploma Fee | Graduate diploma production and issuance | 25.00 | Mandatory |
Graduation Application Fee | Graduation review and application processing | 25.00 | Mandatory |
Student Registration Fee | Academic registration and student status management | 50.00 | Mandatory (one-time payment upon enrollment) |
Application Fee | Program application review | 50.00 | Mandatory (one-time payment upon application) |
Hague Apostille Fee | Document apostille service | 285.00 | Optional (for students needing international document recognition) |
2.5% of the total amount of mandatory fees | Calculated based on actual mandatory fees | Mandatory |
Notes:
1. The total amount of mandatory fees (excluding optional Hague Apostille Fee and tax) is $575.00. The tax is calculated at 2.5% of the total mandatory fees, which is $14.38. Therefore, the total amount of mandatory fees including tax is $589.38.
2. The Hague Apostille Fee is only applicable to students who need to use their academic documents in countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. Students who need this service should submit an application to the Office of Graduate Program Administration separately.
3. All fees must be paid in full within the specified time limit. Failure to pay on time will affect the handling of student registration, course selection, graduation and other procedures.
4. For any questions about the fee standards, please contact the Office of Graduate Program Administration (China) via email at sec@apsb.edu.eu or by phone at +86-400-030-APSB during working hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM).
5.
We hereby inform you of the above matters. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Executive Director
Office of Graduate Program Administration
The Asia Pacific School of Business
January 13, 2026
Distinction Between a Graduate Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, and Master’s Degree
A Graduate Diploma (or Postgraduate Diploma), a Bachelor’s Degree, and a Master’s Degree represent three distinct levels of qualification within the higher education system.
Simply put, their relationship can be understood as follows: A Bachelor’s Degree is the foundation, a Master’s Degree is the advanced academic peak, and a Graduate Diploma serves as a "bridge" or "supplement" between the two, focusing on practical skills.
Below is a detailed comparative analysis:
1. Level & Academic Depth
• Bachelor’s Degree
￮ Level: Undergraduate stage (Level 6/7).
￮ Focus: Serves as the entry-level qualification of higher education.
￮ Content: Emphasizes general education and the breadth of foundational professional knowledge, cultivating logical thinking and basic professional literacy.
￮ Duration: Typically 3-4 years of full-time study.
• Graduate Diploma
￮ Level: Postgraduate stage (Level 8), lower than a Master’s Degree.
￮ Focus: Often considered the "first half" or a "condensed version" of a Master’s program, or an independent professional qualification.
￮ Content: Focuses heavily on coursework with little to no requirement for academic research (Thesis/Dissertation). It places greater emphasis on career skill enhancement and knowledge updates in specific fields.
￮ Duration: Typically 1 year of full-time study.
• Master’s Degree
￮ Level: Postgraduate stage (Level 9), higher than a Graduate Diploma.
￮ Focus: An advanced academic degree in higher education.
￮ Content: Includes in-depth coursework and usually requires the completion of a Thesis or Research Project, fostering independent research capabilities and academic innovation.
￮ Duration: Typically 1-2 years of full-time study.
2. Entry Requirements
• Bachelor’s Degree: Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduate Diploma: Usually requires a Bachelor’s Degree; in some cases, college graduates with extensive work experience may be eligible (often part of a "Top-up to Master’s" pathway).
• Master’s Degree: Usually requires a Bachelor’s Degree with a certain grade point average; some programs require relevant work experience.
3. Qualification Value & Recognition
Dimension | Bachelor’s Degree | Graduate Diploma | Master’s Degree |
Academic Recognition | Recognized as a full Degree. | Recognized as a Diploma/Certificate (non-degree). Note: In some countries like China, specific programs may be accredited by the Service Center for Chinese Study Abroad (CSCSE) at the master's level. | Recognized as a full Degree. |
Further Studies | Eligible to apply for a Master’s or Graduate Diploma. | Can serve as a stepping stone to a Master’s. Credits are often transferable (e.g., allowing entry into the second year of a Master’s program). | Eligible to apply for a Doctorate (PhD). |
Public Service Exams | The basic threshold for civil service exams in China. | Generally not recognized as a Master’s qualification for civil service exams; candidates may only apply at the undergraduate level. However, it is recognized by many foreign and private enterprises. | A valuable asset for civil service exams; eligible for positions requiring a Master’s degree. |
Employment Competitiveness | The standard entry-level credential for the workforce. | Suitable for career switching or skill upgrading; highly recognized in specific industries (e.g., IT, Design, Business). | A key criterion for career advancement, residency permits, and talent recruitment programs. |
Salary Expectations | Entry-level undergraduate salary. | Usually slightly higher than a Bachelor’s but lower than a Master’s (varies by industry). | Standard starting salary for Master’s graduates; eligible for talent subsidies. |
4. Summary & Recommendations
• If you are a recent graduate aiming for a career in a state-owned enterprise, civil service, or planning to pursue a PhD, a Master’s Degree is the best choice.
• If you want to switch careers quickly, have budget constraints, or wish to "test the waters" in a new field before committing to a full Master’s program, a Graduate Diploma offers flexibility and high cost-performance.
• If you hold a college diploma and wish to upgrade your qualifications, a Graduate Diploma is often an important "indirect path" to obtaining a Master’s Degree.
Special Note:
If you are considering programs at the The Asia Pacific School of Business, please note that the Joint Graduate School of Traditional Chinese Medicine offers Master’s Degree programs. These are formal degree education programs, fundamentally different from Graduate Diplomas. The degree certificates hold higher international recognition and meet the accreditation standards for returning overseas Chinese students.
