Exhibit 3

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (AS AMENDED, THE “ACT”) OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT, (B) AN EXEMPTION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OR (C) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED. ANY ATTEMPT TO TRANSFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATE THIS SECURITY IN VIOLATION OF THESE RESTRICTIONS SHALL BE VOID.

PROMISSORY NOTE

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, CHINACAST EDUCATION CORPORATION, a Delaware entity (the “Borrower”), hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the order of Fir Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, L.P. or its assigns (the “Noteholder”, and together with the Borrower, the “Parties”), the principal amount of $77,263.50 (the “Loan”), together with all accrued interest thereon, as provided in this Promissory Note (the “Note”).

This Note has been issued pursuant to the Notes and Warrants Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2012, by and among the Company, the Noteholder and the other parties thereto (the “Purchase Agreement”).

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.

“Advance” means each disbursement made by the Noteholder to the Borrower pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

“Applicable Rate” means the rate equal to twenty percent (20.0%) per annum.

“Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close.

“Debt” of the Borrower, means all (a) indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) obligations for the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade payables arising in the ordinary course of business; (c) obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments; (d) obligations as lessee under capital leases; (e) obligations in respect of any interest rate swaps, currency exchange agreements,

commodity swaps, caps, collar agreements or similar arrangements entered into by the Borrower providing for protection against fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices or the exchange of nominal interest obligations, either generally or under specific contingencies; (f) obligations under acceptance facilities and letters of credit; and (g) guaranties, endorsements (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), and other contingent obligations to purchase, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to invest in any Person, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss, in each case, in respect of indebtedness set out in clauses (a) through (f) of a Person other than the Borrower.

“Default” means any of the events specified in Section 7 which constitutes an Event of Default or which, upon the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both pursuant to Section 7 would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

“Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of any nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether at the national, state, territorial, provincial, municipal or any other level, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of, or pertaining to, government (including any supranational bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

“Law” as to any Person, means any law (including common law), statute, ordinance, treaty, rule, regulation, policy or requirement of any Governmental Authority and authoritative interpretations thereon, whether now or hereafter in effect, in each case, applicable to or binding on such Person or any of its properties or to which such Person or any of its properties is subject.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest.

“Loan” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Maturity Date” means the earlier of (a) April 10, 2013 and (b) the date on which all amounts under this Note shall become due and payable pursuant to Section 9.

“Note” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Noteholder” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Parties” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.

“Permitted Debt” means Debt (a) existing or arising under this Note; (b) existing as of the date of this Note; (c) indebtedness of the Company in an amount not to exceed $5.0

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million outstanding at any one time in the aggregate for the purposes permitted under Section 4.1 of the Purchase Agreement and upon the same terms as this Note; provided, however, if the terms of such indebtedness are materially more favorable than the terms of this Note, then the Noteholder shall be entitled to receive the same terms of such indebtedness with respect to this Note; and (d) indebtedness of the Company which is subordinated to this Note.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, limited or general partnership, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or other entity.

2. Final Payment Date; Optional Prepayments.

2.1 Final Payment Date. The aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loan, all accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts payable under this Note shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date.

2.2 Optional Prepayment. The Borrower may prepay the Loan prior to the Maturity Date in whole or in part at any time or from time to time by paying 102.5% of the principal amount to be prepaid together with accrued interest on the prepaid principal amount to the date of prepayment; provided, however, that if the Loan is repaid in full prior to the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Noteholder an additional amount equal to the greater of (a) ten percent (10.0%) of the aggregate principal amount of the Loan minus the sum of (i) all interest paid thereon plus (ii) any prepayment penalties paid in accordance with the first clause of this sentence and (b) zero. No prepaid amount may be reborrowed.

3. Interest.

3.1 Interest Rate. Except as otherwise provided herein, the outstanding principal amount of the Loan made hereunder shall bear interest at the Applicable Rate from the date the Loan was made until the Loan is paid in full, whether at maturity, upon acceleration, by prepayment or otherwise.

3.2 Interest Payment Dates. Interest shall be payable semi-annually in arrears to the Noteholder with the first interest payment due on October 10, 2012.

3.3 Computation of Interest. All computations of interest shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 days, and the actual number of days elapsed. Interest shall accrue on the Loan on the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on the Loan for the day on which it is paid.

3.4 Interest Rate Limitation. If at any time and for any reason whatsoever, the interest rate payable on the Loan shall exceed the maximum rate of interest permitted to be charged by the Noteholder to the Borrower under applicable Law, such interest rate shall be reduced automatically to the maximum rate of interest permitted to be charged under applicable Law.

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4. Payment Mechanics.

4.1 Manner of Payments. All payments of interest and principal shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America no later than 12:00 PM on the date on which such payment is due by cashier’s check, certified check or by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Noteholder’s account at a bank specified by the Noteholder in writing to the Borrower from time to time.

4.2 Application of Payments. All payments made hereunder shall be applied first to the payment of any fees or charges outstanding hereunder, second to accrued interest, and third to the payment of the principal amount outstanding under the Note.

4.3 Business Day Convention. Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension will be taken into account in calculating the amount of interest payable under this Note.

4.4 Evidence of Debt. The Noteholder is authorized to record on the grid attached hereto as Exhibit A the Loan made to the Borrower and each payment or prepayment thereof. The entries made by the Noteholder shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of the Noteholder to record such payments or prepayments, or any inaccuracy therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loan in accordance with the terms of this Note.

4.5 Rescission of Payments. If at any time any payment made by the Borrower under this Note is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or otherwise, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be reinstated as though such payment had not been made.

5. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Noteholder on the date hereof as follows:

5.1 Power and Authority. The Borrower has the power and authority, and the legal right, to execute and deliver this Note and to perform its obligations hereunder.

5.2 Authorization; Execution and Delivery. The execution and delivery of this Note by the Borrower and the performance of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action in accordance with all applicable Laws. The Borrower has duly executed and delivered this Note.

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5.3 No Conflict or Result in a Breach or Default. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Note will not conflict with or result in a breach of or default under any Law to which the Borrower is subject or any material agreement to which the Borrower is a party.

6. Limitation on Indebtedness. Until all amounts outstanding under this Note have been repaid in full, the Company shall not incur any Debt other than Permitted Debt.

7. Events of Default. The occurrence and continuance of any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder:

7.1 Failure to Pay. The Borrower fails to pay (a) any principal amount of the Loan when due or (b) interest or any other amount when due and such failure continues for 30 business days after written notice to the Borrower.

7.2 Bankruptcy.

(a) the Borrower commences any case, proceeding or other action (i) under any existing or future Law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts or (ii) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets, or the Borrower makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(b) there is commenced against the Borrower any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in Section 7.2(a) above which (i) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (ii) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of 90 days; or

(c) there is commenced against the Borrower any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution or similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets which results in the entry of an order for any such relief which has not been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 90 days from the entry thereof.

7.3 Representation or Warranty Proves to be False. Any representation or warranty made by Borrower in connection with this Note shall prove to have been false in any material respect when made.

8. Notice of Event of Default. Borrower covenants and agrees that until this Note is paid in full it will promptly after becoming aware of the occurrence of an Event of Default or an event, act or condition that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, provide each Noteholder with a certificate of the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of Borrower specifying the nature thereof and Borrower’s proposed response thereto.

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9. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Noteholder may at its option, by written notice to the Borrower (a) declare the entire principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued interest thereon and all other amounts payable hereunder, immediately due and payable; and/or (b) exercise any or all of its rights, powers or remedies under applicable Law; provided, however that, if an Event of Default described in Section 7.2 shall occur, the principal of and accrued interest on the Loan shall become immediately due and payable without any notice, declaration or other act on the part of the Noteholder.

10. Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Note. Upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Note, and upon delivery of an unsecured indemnity agreement from any Noteholder reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower, or, in the case of any such mutilation, upon the surrender of such Note for cancellation to the Borrower, the Borrower at its expense will execute and deliver to such Noteholder, in lieu thereof, a new Note of like tenor. Any Note in lieu of which any such new Note has been so executed and delivered by the Borrower shall thereafter be deemed to be not outstanding for any purpose.

11. Miscellaneous.

11.1 Notices.

(a) All notices, requests or other communications required or permitted to be delivered hereunder shall be delivered in writing, in each case to the address specified below or to such other address as such Party may from time to time specify in writing in compliance with this provision:

(i) If to the Borrower:

ChinaCast Education Corporation

Unit 1005, Golden Tower B2

No. 82 Dongsihuanzhong Rd, Chaoyang

Beijing 100124 China

Attention: Doug Woodrum

Fax: +(86) 10 8751 0788

(ii) If to the Noteholder:

c/o Fir Tree Inc.

505 Fifth Ave., 23rd Floor

New York, NY 10017

Attn: Brian Meyer, Esq.

Telephone: 212-599-0090

Facsimile: 212-599-1330

E-mail: bmeyer@firtree.com

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(b) Notices if (i) mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by hand or overnight courier service shall be deemed to have been given when received; (ii) sent by facsimile during the recipient’s normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given when sent (and if sent after normal business hours shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of the recipient’s business on the next business day); and (iii) sent by e-mail shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgment).

11.2 Governing Law. This Note and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Note and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to its principles or rules of conflict of laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

11.3 Submission to Jurisdiction.

(a) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees that any legal action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Note may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York and (ii) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any such action, suit or proceeding. Final judgment against the Borrower in any action, suit or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction by suit on the judgment.

(b) Nothing in this Section 11.3 shall affect the right of the Noteholder to (i) commence legal proceedings or otherwise sue the Borrower in any other court having jurisdiction over the Borrower or (ii) serve process upon the Borrower in any manner authorized by the laws of any such jurisdiction.

11.4 Venue. The Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Note in any court referred to in Section 11.3 and the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

11.5 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY

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RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATING TO THIS NOTE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY.

11.6 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Note and any amendments, waivers, consents or supplements hereto may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Note constitutes the entire contract between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect thereto.

11.7 Successors and Assigns. This Note or any of the rights hereunder may not be assigned or transferred by the Noteholder to any Person without the prior written consent of the Borrower. The Borrower may not assign or transfer this Note or any of its rights hereunder without the prior written consent of the Noteholder. This Note shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Parties and their permitted assigns.

11.8 Waiver of Notice. The Borrower hereby waives demand for payment, presentment for payment, protest, notice of payment, notice of dishonor, notice of nonpayment, notice of acceleration of maturity and diligence in taking any action to collect sums owing hereunder.

11.9 Interpretation. For purposes of this Note (a) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (b) the word “or” is not exclusive; and (c) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereto” and “hereunder” refer to this Note as a whole. The definitions given for any defined terms in this Note shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein: (x) to Schedules, Exhibits and Sections mean the Schedules, Exhibits and Sections of this Note; (y) to an agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof; and (z) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any regulations promulgated thereunder. This Note shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party drafting an instrument or causing any instrument to be drafted.

11.10 Amendments and Waivers. No term of this Note may be waived, modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by both of the parties hereto. Any waiver of the terms hereof shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose given.

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11.11 Headings. The headings of the various Sections and subsections herein are for reference only and shall not define, modify, expand or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.

11.12 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising on the part of the Noteholder, of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

11.13 Severability. If any term or provision of this Note is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Note or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction.

11.14 Fees and Expense. The Borrower shall pay upon written demand all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by any Noteholder in enforcing its interests under this Note. Borrower agrees to indemnify each Noteholder and each of its respective directors, officers, trustees, employees and agents against, and to hold each of them harmless from, any actual losses, damages, claims, liabilities and related expenses arising out of, in any way connected with or as a result of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance, or administration of this Note; provided that the foregoing indemnity shall not apply to any losses, damages, claims, liabilities or related expenses (A) to the extent they have resulted from the wilful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence of any Noteholder or any director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of a Noteholder or (B) arising from a breach of the obligations of this Note by a Noteholder or any director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of a Noteholder.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed this Note as of April 10, 2012.

CHINACAST EDUCATION CORPORATION
By	/s/ Derek Feng
Name: Derek Feng
Title: Chief Executive Officer

By its acceptance of this Note, the Noteholder acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Note.
FIR TREE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND, L.P.
By:	/s/ Brian Meyer
Name: Brian Meyer
Title: Authorized Person

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EXHIBIT A

ADVANCES AND PAYMENTS ON THE LOAN

Date of Advance Amount of
Advance Amount of
Principal Paid Unpaid
Principal
Amount of
Note Name of
Person Making
the Notation

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