To meet the growing international demand for Chinese language teachers, facilitate Chinese language education around the world, and support the professional development of Chinese language teachers, the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) has established the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (hereinafter referred to as the Scholarship) for eligible Chinese language teachers outside of China. Confucius Institutes, independent Confucius Classrooms, selected HSK test centers, foreign educational institutions, Chinese language teacher training programs/Chinese departments at foreign universities, professional associations for Chinese language teaching, Chinese embassies (consulates) abroad (hereinafter collectively referred to as Recommending Institutions) may recommend outstanding students and in-service Chinese language teachers to further their studies in international Chinese language education and related programs at Chinese universities (hereinafter referred to as Host Institutions). Xiamen University is among the universities that recruit international students under this scholarship scheme.

Xiamen University (XMU), founded in 1921 by renowned patriotic overseas Chinese leader Mr. Tan Kah Kee, was the first Chinese university established by an overseas Chinese person. XMU has long been listed among China's leading universities on the national 211 Project, 985 Project and Double First-Class Initiative, which have been launched by the Chinese government to support selected universities in achieving world-class standing. Nestled snugly between green hills and the blue sea, XMU is renowned as one of the most beautiful universities around the world for its excellent education facilities and beautiful environment.

Xiamen University currently comprises Siming Campus, Zhangzhou Campus, Xiang’an Campus and XMU Malaysia. XMU consists of six academic divisions, 34 schools (Immediate Department, Immediate Center) and 17 research institutes. XMU ranks among ESI’s global top 1% in 19 disciplines, with chemistry, materials science and engineering in ESI’s global top 1‰. In 2022, six XMU disciplines –Chemistry, Marine Science, Biology, Ecology, Statistics and Pedagogy – were included in the nation’s list of disciplines in the second round of "double first-class" construction. XMU currently has a faculty of nearly 3,000, of whom 74% are full or associate professors. Among them, 35 are the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences or of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. XMU currently has an enrollment of more than 46,000 students, including over 21,000 students in bachelor’s degree programs, 19,000 in master’s degree programs, and 5,700 in doctoral degree programs.

XMU implements a comprehensive global outreach strategy. The University has signed cooperation agreements with 270 overseas universities. Actively involved in international Chinese education, XMU has built 14 Confucius Institutes, 1 Chinese Language and Culture Research Center, 42 Confucius Classrooms in 12 countries on five continents, the highest numbers with the most extensive geographic coverage among Chinese universities on the List of “Double First-Class” Universities. In September 2013, the construction of XMU Malaysia was approved, becoming the first and currently the only overseas branch of Xiamen University that is wholly owned by a Chinese "double first-class" university, has an independent campus, and carries out multidisciplinary and multilevel education, hailed as a jewel on the crown of the "Belt and Road Initiative".

I. ELIGIBILITY

1. Be a non-Chinese citizen;

2. Be friendly to China, have no criminal record, abide by the laws and regulations of China and the rules and regulations of the Host Institution;

3. Be in good physical and mental health, be in good academic and behavioral standing;

4. Be interested in Chinese language education and related work;

5. Be aged between 16 and 35 years on September 1, 2024. The maximum age limit for in-service Chinese teachers may be extended to 45, but those who apply for a scholarship for a Bachelor’s degree shall be younger than 25 under most circumstances.

Notes:

Foreign citizens of Chinese origin, including former Chinese citizens who have obtained foreign citizenship, as well as the non-Chinese descendants of present or former Chinese citizens, will be subject to a preliminary review of citizenship status by XMU during the admission stage, and to verification of citizenship by the entry and exit administration department of China's public security authorities. Applicants who fail to pass the preliminary review or verification of citizenship will be deemed to have voluntarily relinquished their eligibility for admission, as well as the subsequent academic registration that they may obtain.

II. CATEGORIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

1.Chinese Language Teacher Program

(1) Scholarship for Master's Degree in International Chinese Language Education

The program commences in September 2024 and provides scholarship for a maximum of two academic years. Applicants shall hold a Bachelor's degree, and have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK Test (Level 5) as well as 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level). Priority will be given to applicants who may provide a work contract with a teaching institution upon completing their studies in China or a proof to the same effect.

(2) Scholarship for Bachelor's Degree in International Chinese Language Education (the major of Chinese language)

The program commences in September 2024, and the scholarship is provided for a maximum of four academic years. Applicants shall hold a senior high school diploma and have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK Test (Level 4) and 60 on the HSKK test (Intermediate Level).

(3) Scholarship for One-Academic-Year Study

The program commences in September 2024, and provides scholarship for a maximum of eleven months. International students who have benefited from similar scholarships within 3 years are not eligible.

i. International Chinese language education programs: Applicants shall have a minimum score of 270 on the HSK test (Level 3), and an HSKK test score is required.

ii. Chinese Language Study: Applicants shall have a minimum score of 210 on the HSK test (Level 3). Priority will be given to applicants who provide an HSKK test score.

(4) Scholarship for One-Semester Study

The program commences either in September 2024 or March 2025, and provides scholarship of a maximum of five months. International students who have benefited from similar scholarships within 3 years are not eligible. Applicants for the area of international Chinese language education shall have a minimum score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 3), and an HSKK test score is required.

(5) Scholarship for Four-Week Study

The program commences either in July or December, 2024, and provides a four-week scholarship. For the areas of Chinese Study, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiji Culture, Chinese Language plus Home-Stay Experience in a Chinese Family, and Special Four-week Program for Confucius Institutes, applicants are required to provide HSK test scores. The program may be organized and applied for by a recommending institution with 10-15 participants per group. Prior to the trip, a detailed study plan shall be made in consultation with host institutions and such plan shall be submitted to CLEC for approval.

2. Scholarships for Online Programs

(1) The Online Program for One-Year Chinese Language Study commences in September or March each year. Under most circumstances, a score of 180 on the HSK test (Level 3) is required, and priority will be given to those who also provide an HSKK test score.

(2) The Online Program for One-Semester Chinese Language Study commences in September or March each year. Under most circumstances, an HSK test score (regardless of level or score) is required.

(3) Please consult Chinese International Education College/Overseas Education College of Xiamen University for the eligibility and application for Special Online Study Programs.

III. APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Online registration on the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship application website (http://cis.chinese.cn) will be available from March 1st, 2024. For programs commencing in September, student application must complete before May 15th. Please log on to search for recommending institutions and host institutions; upload application materials online; and track the application progress, comments and results. Scholarship holders need to confirm with the host institutions to go through the procedures of studying in China, print out the scholarship certificate online, and register at host institutions on the designated date as per the letter of admission.

The application deadlines (Beijing Time) are:

1. For programs commencing in July (Four-Week Study Program), student application must complete before April 15th; recommending institutions and Xiamen University must complete review before April 25th;

2.For programs commencing in September, student application must complete before May 15th; recommending institutions and Xiamen University must complete review before May 25th;

3. For programs commencing in December (Four-Week Study Program), student application must complete before September 15th; recommending institutions and Xiamen University must complete review before September 25th;

4. For programs commencing in March 2025 (One-Semester Study Program), student application must complete before October 31th, 2024; recommending institutions and Xiamen University must complete review before November 10th, 2024.

CLEC will entrust an expert panel to review the applications. Decisions will be made based on HSK and HSKK levels and scores, geographical distribution, and other factors. The results will be published about three months before the program starts.

IV. Application Documents for International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

Please refer to the attached list of application materials for the International Chinese Teachers Scholarship.

Applicants should also provide other supporting documents required by the University according to the provisions of the relevant enrollment regulations of the University or other practical needs:

1.Admissions Guide for the Long-Term Chinese Language Program:

/info/1017/77642.htm

2. Application Guide to Bachelor's Programs:

https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/Admissions/Undergraduate_Students.htm

3. Application Guide to Master's Programs:

https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/Admissions/Master_s_Students.htm  

V. Policies Regarding Currently Employed Chinese Language Teachers and Chinese Bridge Award Recipients

1.In-Service Chinese Language Teachers

Priority will be given to In-service Chinese language teachers who provide proof of employment and a letter of recommendation from the employer.

2. Chinese Bridge Winners

Applicants who have won the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Certificate in various Chinese Bridge competitions should submit their application documents along with their scholarship certificates to Xiamen University on the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website.

For further inquiry, please contact chinesebridge@chinese.cn.

VI. OTHERS

1. For course schedule in the program of Chinese Language and International Chinese language education, as well as the training plan of the Four-Week Study programs, please contact Chinese International Education College/Overseas Education College of Xiamen University at oec@xmu.edu.cn.

2. Applicants shall be familiar with the specific criteria and deadlines for registration, and submit necessary documents according to specific requirements.

3. Degree students are subject to the annual assessment according to the Annual Appraisal Procedures of International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.

4．For enrollment and other matters, please contact us in a timely manner.

5. Students who fail to pass the pre-enrollment medical examination, withdraw from school midway, or fail to report to school or suspend their studies without permission will be disqualified for scholarship.

6. The English version of this Guide is provided for reference and as a general guide only. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese versions, the Chinese version shall prevail. This application guide may be adjusted by the latest notice from the competent department of scholarship or the requirements of our university.

VII.  CONTACTS

Division of Scholarships, Center for Language Education And Cooperation

Email: scholarships@chinese.cn

Tel: +86-10-58595743

+86-10-58595999 (Asia, Africa)

+86-10-5859595973 (America, Oceania )

+86-10-58595827 (Europe)

Website: http://cis.chinese.cn

Office of Admissions and Examinations, Xiamen University

Add: 422 South Siming Road, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China 361005

Tel: +86 (0)592 2184792, 2188375

Fax: +86-592-2180256

Email: admissions@xmu.edu.cn

Web: http://admissions.xmu.edu.cn

Chinese International Education College/Overseas Education College of Xiamen University (for the management and teaching of the programs of Chinese language and International Chinese language education)

Tel: +86 (0) 592 2186211            

Fax: +86 (0) 592 2093346

Email: oec@xmu.edu.cn              

Website: http:

VIII. APPENDIXES

1.  Coverage and Standard for the International Chinese Language.pdf

2.  List of Application Materials for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.pdf