Ⅰ. Course Overview
The aim of this program is to cultivate foreigners with good Chinese listening, speaking, reading, writing ability and professional translation ability. After completing their studies, learners can improve their Chinese level, understand the development of Chinese culture and Chinese society, and have strong intercultural communication ability.
According to the students’ Chinese levels, which belong to stages of the primary, the intermediate or the advanced level, to ensure quality, teaching will be conducted in small classes of 20 students at the maximum.
II. Eligibility
1. General Requirements
(1) Applicants must be physically and mentally healthy, friendly to China, have no criminal record, and be non-Chinese citizens holding a valid foreign passport;
(2) Applicants must possess a high school diploma or above;
2.Applicants must comply with the relevant provisions of the Notice by the Ministry of Education of Regulating Admission of International Students in China's Higher Education Institutions.
III. Application Time
The application time for fall semester (September 2024 - January 2025) is from March 15 to June 30, 2024;
The application time for spring semester (February 2025 - July 2025) is from October 15 to December 31, 2024.
Note: Applicants can choose one semester of language study or one academic year (two semesters) of language study according to their own needs. The system will no longer be accessible after the deadline. To prevent a situation where applicants are unable to submit supplementary materials, applicants are advised to complete the application at least two weeks before the deadline.
IV. Curriculum Provision
The program consists of compulsory and elective courses. The compulsory courses will take about 20 hours each week.
1. Compulsory Courses
Below are the different class levels that this program offers, together with the objectives of the courses.
Courses |
Course objectives |
Hours |
Elementary 1 |
Have preliminary listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Be able to make simple communication on familiar topics relating to daily life. Be able to use simple communication strategies to support daily communication. Have a small knowledge of the Chinese culture and contemporary China, and possess simple skills for cross-cultural communication. Through the completion of Elementary Chinese 1, students will basically meet the assessment requirements for Band 1 of “Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education”. |
20 per week |
Elementary 2 |
Have basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Be able to conduct simple communication on familiar topics relating to daily life. Be able to use basic communication strategies to support daily communication. Have a preliminary knowledge of the Chinese culture and contemporary China, and possess simple skills for cross-cultural communication. Through the completion of Elementary Chinese 2, students will basically meet the assessment requirements for Band 2 of “Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education”. |
20 per week |
Intermediate 1 |
Have general listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Be able to conduct simple communication on topics relating to daily life, learning, and work. Have the ability to carry out most daily communications. Have a preliminary knowledge of the Chinese culture and contemporary China, and possess simple cross-cultural communication skills. Through the completion of Intermediate Chinese 1, students will basically meet the assessment requirements for Band 3 of “Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education”. |
20 per week |
Intermediate 2 |
Have certain listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and preliminary translation skills. Be able to conduct more complete and effective communication on complex topics of life, learning, and work. Have a sound knowledge of Chinese culture and contemporary China, and possess basic skills for cross-cultural communication. Through the completion of Intermediate Chinese 2, students will basically meet the assessment requirements for Band 3 of “Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education”. |
20 per week |
Intermediate 3 |
Possess certain listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and basic translation skills. Be able to conduct more complete and effective communication on complex topics of life, learning, and work. Have a sound knowledge of Chinese culture and contemporary China, and possess basic skills for cross-cultural communication. Through the completion of Intermediate Chinese 3, students will basically meet the assessment requirements for Band 4 of “Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education”. |
20 per week |
Advanced 1 |
Have certain listening, speaking, reading, writing skills and basic translation skills. Be able to conduct complete, smooth and effective social communication on complex topics relating to life, learning, and work. Have a sound knowledge of Chinese culture and contemporary Chinese, possess preliminary skills for cross-culture communication. Through the completion of Advanced Chinese 1, students will basically meet the assessment requirements for Band 5 of “Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education”. |
20 per week |
Advanced 2 |
Have certain listening, speaking, reading, writing skills and general translation skills. Be able to conduct plentiful, fluent, and appropriate communication on the topics relating to learning and work of specialized fields. Have a sound knowledge of Chinese culture and contemporary China, and have certain competence for cross-cultural communication. Through the completion of Advanced Chinese 2, students will basically meet the assessment requirements for Band 6 of “Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education”. |
20 per week |
Advanced 3 |
Be capable of dealing with language materials on a variety of topics and genres, and conducting in-depth communication and discussion. Be able to conduct formal and appropriate communication on complex topics relating to life and academic studies with clear logic, rigorous structure, and coherent and reasonable text organization. Be able to conduct communication flexibly with various communication strategies. Possess an in-depth understanding of Chinese culture, an international vision and cross-culture communication competence. Through the completion of Advanced Chinese 3, students will meet the assessment requirements for Band 7, Band 8, and Band 9 of “Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education”. |
20 per week |
2. Optional Courses
Apart from language courses, a wide variety of cultural experience is offered, which will help students to increase their understanding of China and its rich culture. Below is a short overview. The specific courses are arranged according to the interest of students and the number of courses selected during the semester.
Optional Courses |
Course Objectives |
Hours |
Mandarin Pronunciation |
To master the pronunciation of Mandarin. |
2 per week |
HSK Counselling |
Through intensive training, students consolidate the words and basic Chinese grammar, are familiar with HSK test questions at all levels, and master certain examination strategies. |
2 per week |
All-media Chinese |
Read the news in Chinese, master Chinese expressions of journalism terminology, and enhance the understanding of contemporary Chinese society. |
2 per week |
Writing in Standard Chinese- Advanced Written Chinese |
Learn to master the vocabulary, syntax, and textual structure of standard written Chinese and improve the precision and appropriateness of writing in Chinese. |
2 per week |
Chinese Culture in Life - Food, Clothing, Housing and Transportation |
By understanding the basic needs and its characteristics in contemporary Chinese daily life, get a deep understanding of the context of Chinese cultural development, and form a general concept of Chinese culture. |
2 per week |
The Speed of China – Contemporary Transportation |
Learn about the ways of transportation in Chinese daily life, understand the rapid development of contemporary transportation in China, and explore the conditions and reasons for its development. |
2 per week |
A Collection of Chinese Art |
Learn about the basic forms of traditional Chinese musical instruments and that of music and opera, Chinese calligraphy and painting. And gain an in-depth understanding of the Chinese Art and the Chinese aesthetics. |
2 per week |
A Travel Across Time and Space - Chinese Tea Culture |
Learn words and expressions of Chinese Tea Culture. Understand the basic knowledge of tea, learn its brewing method. Understand the importance that tea holds in Chinese culture and how it has influenced Chinese people. |
2 per two weeks |
Green China – Documentary of Environmental Protection in China |
Conduct Audio-visual and speaking of Chinese language (vocabulary and expressions) on the four themes of “Geography of China”, “Beautiful China”, “Climate Change and Environmental Protection”, and “Environmental Protection in Action”. |
2 per two weeks |
V. Method of Assessment
The weight assigned to the results of each course will be the same as follows: assignments 30%, the mid-term test 30% and the final test will be 40%.
VI. Application Method
Applicants must login to the SDU Online Application System for International Students (http://www.apply.sdu.edu.cn) in order to apply. The application information should be fully filled in and required documents have to be uploaded. No paper application has to be sent through the post.
VII. Application Documents
1. Personal information page of the passport (regular personal passport valid beyond October 31, 2024).
2. High school diploma or pre-graduation certificate (the pre-graduation certificate must be stamped with the school seal).
3. Transcript of all high school courses (stamped with the school seal).
4. Letter of motivation in Chinese or English.
Recommended content: (1) Personal introduction; (2) Knowledge of China and Shandong University; (3) Study plan.
5. Foreigner Physical Examination Form.
Applicants must take physical examinations in strict accordance with the requirements of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, which must be fully filled in (please click the link to download the template: https://www.istudy.sdu.edu.cn/info/1267/3354.htm). Incomplete forms or forms without signature of the attending physician, hospital stamp, and stamped photo will not be considered. Please ensure the physical examination remains valid during the application as the result is valid for only 6 months.
6. Certificate of No Criminal Conviction (it must be within the validity period at the time of application).
7. Scanned copies of Statement of Financial Support through a Guarantor and its supporting documents (applicants for Chinese Government Scholarship are exempt from these requirements), including:
(1) Statement of Financial Support through a Guarantor, which should be filled in Chinese or English (please click the link to download the template: https://www.istudy.sdu.edu.cn/info/1267/3315.htm);
(2) Bank Statement certifying that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover his or her tuition, accommodation, living expenses and international travels during his or her study in China;
(3) The scanned copies of the passport biographic page or I.D. card of the applicant’s financial guarantor (only the applicant himself/herself or his/her direct family can act as a financial guarantor).
8. If you are studying at another university in Mainland China, please submit a recommendation letter issued by the International Students Office or the school of your host university with their contact information.
9. Applicants under the age of 18 must submit relevant supporting documents.
10. Applicants mentioned in the Document No. 12 [2020] of the P.R.C Ministry of Education must submit the following supporting documents:
(1) For Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan residents who immigrated and acquired foreign nationality and are applying as international students, the following documents are required: (a) Certificate of annulment of Chinese nationality; (b) Certificate of annulment of household registration in China; (c) Certificate of acquiring foreign nationality; (d) Passport entry and exit records from April 30, 2020 to April 30, 2024.
(2) For applicants whose both parents or one parent is a Chinese citizen and is settled in a foreign country, obtaining foreign nationality at birth, the following documents are required: (a) Certificate of obtaining foreign nationality at birth; (b) Permanent residence permit, passport, or identification document of the parents (one being a Chinese citizen) before the applicant's birth in a foreign country; (c) Passport entry and exit records from April 30, 2020, to April 30, 2024.
11. Other supplementary documents required by Shandong University.
VIII. Application Instructions
1. All the uploaded documents must be in Chinese or English. For documents in other languages, scanned copies of the original documents and the notarized translations in English or Chinese must both be uploaded. Please scan the original or notarized application documents in color using a scanner. Images captured by mobile phones or cameras will not be accepted. Handwritten documents will not be accepted with the exception of the Foreigner Physical Examination Form or signatures.
2. Shandong University reserves the right to require applicants to provide the original/notarized paper documents or the certification documents issued by the designated certification authority for further inspection.
3. Applicants are required to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the provided application information and materials. If the admissions unit or the certification department verifies that the information is untrue, the applicant's application, admission, or enrollment qualification will be canceled.
IX. Examination and Admission
Shandong University will select the best applicants for admission. Video interviews can be a part of the application process for some cases. Admission results can be checked through the SDU Online Application System for International Students. The application results for study in fall will be declared before July 30th, 2024, and the results for study in next spring will be declared before January 30th, 2025. The admission notice and JW202(or DQ) form will be sent to the admitted applicants by post by College of International Education of Shandong University.
X. Registration
Admitted students must strictly follow the time specified in the admission letter to register at Shandong University. During registration, the original graduation certificate and other required documents will be verified. Those failing to submit the corresponding certificates will be disqualified from enrollment.
XI. Fees
1. Application fee: 400 RMB (The application is invalid for those who have not paid the application fee, and once the application fee is paid, it will be non-refundable).
2. For tuition fees: 9000 RMB / semester, 18000RMB / year.
3. Medical insurance premiums: 400 RMB / semester, 800 RMB / year.
According to the regulations of the Chinese Ministry of Education, international students coming to China must purchase medical insurance in mainland China. The medical insurance fee is 800 RMB per year, per person. Students who have not purchased medical insurance will not be registered (please log in to http://www.lxbx.net for insurance contents and claims procedures).
XII. Scholarship
Outstanding international students may apply for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship, and the admission results of this Scholarship will be announced by June 30, 2024 or December 31, 2024 at the latest. For specific application information, please refer to:https://www.istudy.sdu.edu.cn/info/1403/3405.htm
XIII. Visa
Admitted students must apply for a study visa at the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in their countries of residence with the Admission Notice and JW202(or DQ) Form. International students who will study in China for less than 6 months should apply for the X2 Visa. International students who will study in China for more than 6 months are required to obtain the X1 visa. To stay in China legally, it is mandatory to apply for the Residence Permit within 30 days of arrival in China.
XIV. Contact
Address: Shandong University (Center Campus), No. 27 South Shanda Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
Postal code: 250100
Tel: +86-531-88365586/88364535
Fax: +86-531-88565051/88565623
Email: intladmission@email.sdu.edu.cn cie@sdu.edu.cn
