Chinese universities award degrees with specific names (e.g., 工学学士 "Gongxue Xueshi") that don't directly map to Western titles. An English resume reader in the U.S. or UK needs to immediately understand the level and field of study. If you simply write "Xueshi" or "Benke," recruiters and ATS systems may misinterpret the credential as a lower-level associate degree.
Use the standard English equivalent for the Chinese degree level:
Match the field to the most common English degree name. For example:
Because Chinese bachelor's programs are typically four years (some engineering programs are five), add a duration note. This signal prevents confusion with three-year bachelor's programs common in Europe or the UK.
Example:
Bachelor of Engineering (4-Year Degree), Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 2020
Chinese universities usually grade on a 100-point scale or a 4.0/5.0 scale. When you convert, use the widely accepted formula:
Then average the converted values. Include the converted GPA followed by the original scale in parentheses.
Example:
GPA: 3.6/4.0 (converted from a 100-point scale: 86/100)
If your university does not provide an official class rank, do not create one. Say "Top 10% of class" only if it appears on an official transcript or certificate.
A course titled "Gongye Zidonghua Jishu" means nothing to an English reader. Translate the course to a descriptive English title that any hiring manager would recognize.
Before:
"Gongye Zidonghua Jishu"
After:
"Industrial Automation Technology"
Instead of listing a translated course name under "Courses," use it as evidence of a skill in a bullet point under a project or experience section.
Before:
After:
Most ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) read text in a linear, top-to-bottom order. They cannot parse tables, columns, or images. Place the degree information on one line in plain text without tabs or line breaks between the degree name, institution, and date.
Correct format for ATS:
Bachelor of Engineering (4-Year Degree), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2021
Incorrect format:
Bachelor of Engineering | Shanghai Jiao Tong University | 2021
(Tab or column formatting may cause ATS to read each segment as a separate field or miss the date entirely.)
No. Write the university name in English only, using the official English name listed on the university website. Including Chinese characters can confuse ATS parsers and make the resume look cluttered.
Still list the degree exactly as above. Do not mention accreditation. If the employer asks, you can provide a credential evaluation from a service like WES or ECE, but do not add that note on the resume itself.
Convert to a 4.0 scale using the standard conversion: divide your 5.0-scale GPA by 5 and multiply by 4. For example, a 4.2/5.0 becomes a 3.36/4.0. Always note the conversion in parentheses.
No. Use only the English degree title. The terms "Benke" and "Xueshi" are not recognized by most English-speaking recruiters and will slow down their reading.
Once your Chinese credentials are accurately formatted, use PrismResume's free checker to scan your resume for any lingering translation errors or ATS format issues.
PrismResume provides a free resume check — no sign-up required.
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Convert your Chinese engineering degree accurately for US resumes: translate the title, add the original university name, avoid false accreditation claims, and prove your skills with coursework and…
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