Studying in China: The Ultimate Guide
Program length
Considering the ideal length of your study abroad experience can help you eliminate some of the possibilities while looking for the most suitable ones.
Most traditional credit study abroad programs last for one semester or one academic year. Many also offer summer semester options.
If you are pursuing a full degree program, you will need to study for several years, depending on the degree you wish to obtain.
In Chinese universities and other academic institutions, the academic year is generally divided into fall semester and spring semester. The fall semester usually starts in early to mid-XNUMX and ends in XNUMX or early XNUMX. After a period of rest Chinese New Year, the spring semester usually starts in February or early March and ends in mid-July.
If you don’t need college credits or don’t have time to spend a full semester in China, there are many short-term language courses to choose from. Click here for more information
Traditional Chinese Study Abroad Program for University Students
If you are a college student considering studying in China, you are likely to be interested in participating in a traditional study abroad program (that is, a semester or one-year program where you can get transferable university credits) as part of your undergraduate experience.
Students who wish to earn credits by studying in China have many options. Some are purely language-focused, while many others include English-taught courses in language courses and other subjects.
Remember, it is important to communicate with your school’s study abroad office in advance to ensure that they accept transfer credits for your chosen Chinese study abroad program.
The following are credits for some study abroad programs focusing on Chinese language and culture:
China Language Institute (CLI) Study Abroad Program: This credit program is based in the picturesque city of Guilin and Guangxi Normal University, including Chinese courses and Chinese history, politics, economics and culture courses taught in English.
CET: CET is located in many different cities such as Beijing and Harbin, and provides credit study abroad programs focusing on Chinese.
Inter-School Program (IUP): This program is another reliable option with a focus on Chinese. It is held at Tsinghua University in Beijing and provides students with the opportunity to earn one semester or one year of credits.
Non-language study abroad program
You can also find traditional study abroad programs that do not focus on language in China. Although these usually include language components, they emphasize teaching other subjects in English.
Two interesting options to consider include:
IFSA Butler China Public Health Policy and Practice
IFSA Butler International Business in China
Non-traditional Chinese learning options
If you are a recent graduate or an experienced professional and are not interested in getting university credits, then non-traditional study abroad programs may be more suitable for you.
If you want to study abroad to improve your Chinese, you can consider studying Chinese at a private school. Chinese school. One of the main benefits of a school like this is the flexible schedule, which allows rolling application dates and customizable course lengths.
Some private language schools, such as the Chinese Language Institute (CLI), also offer one-to-one courses, which are very suitable for students looking for more personalized courses.
If you really want to improve your fluency, look out for courses that offer language commitment options, because always speaking Chinese is the best way to quickly improve your skills.
Degree-granting programs of Chinese universities
Studying for degree-granting courses in Chinese universities is another increasingly popular option.
The Chinese degree-granting program is very suitable for students who already have a high level of Chinese and want to use Chinese to learn other subjects. They are also a good choice for students who want to study subjects not related to Chinese in China.
Keep in mind that the quality of these courses offered can vary greatly, so it is best to do some research and talk to former international students who have experienced the course before trying it.
Chinese University Rankings
In recent years, the overall quality of many university projects in China, especially those in the field of science and technology, has soared to new heights. For example, when asked which university in the world is best for studying engineering, most people might think of MIT. However, Tsinghua, one of China’s top universities in Beijing, now has world-class engineering projects, according to U.S. News and World Report.
When trying to decide which Chinese university to choose, it can sometimes be helpful to consult an expert. List of Chinese University Rankings Learn about their relative quality.
Top universities in China include:
Tsinghua University (Beijing)
Peking University (Beijing)
Shanghai Jiaotong University (Shanghai)
University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei, Anhui Province)
Zhejiang University (Hangzhou, Zhejiang)
