Abstract: The recent development of oxidation protective coating materials for C/C composites, such as glass, noble metal, ceramics and multi-layer coating systems are reviewed. New advances in the traditional preparation technologies of carbon/carbon composite coatings and the exploitation of new techniques for the preparation of oxidation protective coatings in recent years are also introduced. Combined with the future applications of coated carbon-carbon composites in aviation, spaceflight and military fields, the next development direction in the investigation of the oxidation resistant coating is also proposed. It is shown that there is an obvious gap between the present research results and application in severe environments. The low preparation cost and long service life of the oxidation protective coating at high temperature and in a high rate gas eroding environment will be the main emphasis for future development. Improvement of the bonding between coating and matrix and the exploitation of new preparation techniques are the most important topics in for future research. Multi-layer and gradient ceramic coated carbon/carbon composites could work for a long time at high temperature and in a high gas rate eroding environment.