Xiamen University (XMU), founded in 1921 by renowned patriotic overseas Chinese leader Mr. Tan Kah Kee, holds the distinction of being the first Chinese university established by an overseas Chinese individual. XMU has consistently ranked among China’s top universities under 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 exceptional education facilities and captivating environment.

Founded in 1956, The Chinese International Education College / Overseas Education College of Xiamen University is one of the earliest institutions in China dedicated to providing international Chinese language education. The College boasts a team of highly qualified teachers with professional background in international Chinese language teaching. They possess extensive knowledge, advancing teaching skills, and abundant firsthand teaching experience. Since 1997, the College has been offering an undergraduate program in the Chinese language for international students, which aims to cultivate Chinese language professionals who are able to adapt to the needs of the modern international society. Graduates of the program will be proficient in using the Chinese language for business and trade activities, Chinese language teaching, cultural dissemination and communication, and other related fields.

The program offers three study orientations: Chinese for Business, Chinese for Education, and Chinese for Culture.

Program Overview

Chinese for Business aims to equip students with strong communication skills in Chinese and a comprehensive understanding of international trade, enabling them to fluently use Chinese in negotiations and discussions related to China-foreign business interactions.

Chinese for Education aims to provide students with a solid foundation in the theories and methodologies of teaching Chinese as a foreign language, and equip them with comprehensive literary and cultural knowledge. Students will acquire competitive skills necessary for teaching and conducting research in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (TCFL) and promoting the Chinese language internationally.

Chinese for Culture aims to cultivate students’ proficiency in Chinese language communication, systematically enhance their knowledge and skills in the Chinese language, and deepen their understanding of China’s national conditions. Students will be able to effectively utilize the Chinese language in cross-cultural exchanges between China and other countries.

Curriculum

Main Chinese language courses: Chinese, Speaking, and Listening (each consists of three levels: primary, intermediate, and advanced)

Common required course: Overview of China

Specialised courses:

Main specialised courses for Business: Basic Principles of Economics, Practices of International Trade, Introduction to Chinese Economy, International Trade, International Finance, Currency and Banking, Marketing, Management, Case Studies of International Trade, E-Commerce, etc.

Main specialised courses for Culture: Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature, Ancient Chinese Literature, Ancient Chinese, Chinese History, Introduction to Chinese Culture, Sino-foreign Cultural Exchange, Chinese Folk Culture, Chinese Human Geography, Idioms and Chinese Culture, Business Culture, lectures on cultural topics, etc.

Main specialised courses for Education: Modern Chinese Phonetics, Modern Chinese Grammar, Modern Chinese Vocabulary, Modern Chinese Rhetoric, Theory and Method of TCSL, General Theory of Education, Educational Psychology, Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature, Introduction to Chinese Culture, Ancient Chinese Literature, Ancient Chinese Language, Chinese Human Geography, etc.

I. Eligibility

1. General Requirements

Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens aged between 18 and 30 by September 1, 2024, be in good mental and physical health, and possess a valid regular passport. Applicants under the age of 18 should submit a Guarantee Statement.
Link: https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/info/1141/2009.htm

Applicants should be a graduating senior high school student or hold a senior high school diploma with a satisfactory academic record.

Scholarship applicants should also meet the age limit requirements for the respective scholarships.

2. Requirements about Nationalities

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, are required to follow the system instructions to provide the basic information and upload the supporting documents based on their citizenship status. During the admission stage, XMU will conduct a preliminary review of the citizenship status of the applicants. Additionally, the entry and exit administration department of China’s public security authorities will verify the citizenship of the applicants. If an applicant fail to pass the preliminary review or verification of citizenship, they will be deemed to have voluntarily relinquished their eligibility for admission, as well as any subsequent academic registration they may obtain.

In accordance with Article 5 of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, individuals whose both parents are Chinese citizens and have both settled abroad, or whose one parent is a Chinese citizen and has settled abroad, shall not possess Chinese citizenship, if they were born outside China and acquired foreign citizenship at birth. Starting in 2021, if such individuals apply for the undergraduate program at XMU as international students, in addition to meeting the University’s all other application requirements, they are required to have held a valid foreign passport or documentary proof of lawful acquisition of foreign citizenship for at least four years and have actually resided in a foreign country for at least two years within the past four years (as of April 30, 2024) (nine months of residence in a foreign country counts as a full year). The actual length of foreign residence will be determined on the basis of the entry and exit stamps in the applicant’s passport. This requirement is also applicable to residents of the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao who have emigrated to a foreign country and obtained foreign citizenship and are applying for undergraduate programs at XMU as international students.

3. Language Proficiency Requirement

1) HSK 3 with a score of 180 or higher;

2) HSK 4 with a score of 210 or higher can directly enter the second-year studies. (After enrolment, submit an application to the Academic Secretary with your HSK certificate.)

3）Applicants who have no grounding in the Chinese language or who have not obtained a HSK3 score of 180 or higher can first improve their Chinese language skills at XMU.

II. Application Timeline

Notes: Beijing Time; late applications will not be considered.

III. Application Procedures

Applicants should apply and pay the application fee through the XMU Online Application System for international students at http://application.xmu.edu.cn.

IV. Application Documents

1. A scanned copy of the first page of the passport (regular passport, valid at least through October 31, 2024)

2. Birth Certificate

3. Parents’ Identity Documents

4. Senior High School Diploma and the Academic Transcripts

(1) Certificate of Expected Graduation and the academic transcripts for graduating senior high school students. Official Senior High School Diploma should be provided before their entry to XMU in September of the academic year.

(2) The originals of the diplomas and certification documents should be made available upon registration for review.

5. Language Proficiency Certificate: marked under the “Application Requirements” section.

6. One Letter of Recommendation with the information about the recommender, including personal name, employer, work position and contact details, signed by the recommender or bearing the stamp of the recommending organization.

7. Personal Statement (minimum 800 words), which should include a self-introduction, educational experience, motivations, study plan and career aspirations. It needs to be written in Chinese for Chinese-medium programs, or in English for English-medium programs.

8. Pre-Acceptance Letter. Priority of admission will be given to applicants who have acquired the pre-acceptance letter stamped by the college.

Link: https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/info/1141/1969.htm

9. Physical Examination Record for Inbound Travelers, including chest X-ray image, electrocardiogram, laboratory exam results and data sheets of some required items, with the lower part of the applicant’s photo stamped by the hospital. Physical examination results are valid for six months.

Link: https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/info/1141/1745.htm

10. Financial Support Guarantee Statement and its supporting documents. Applicants for scholarships are not exempt from this requirement.

Link: https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/info/1141/1744.htm

11. No Criminal Record Report. The applicants shall submit a valid No Criminal Record Report issued within six months before the date of submission of the application.

12. Other supporting documents, such as competition awards, merit certificates, community service or special skills certificates (if applicable), may be submitted in the “Other Supporting Materials” section in the application system as well.

Notes:

1. Once the application is submitted, the applicant will not be able to modify the application information or application materials. Therefore, before submitting your application, please check carefully to ensure that the information and materials submitted are comprehensive, true and complete. Applications with inaccuracies or omissions will not be accepted by the University. Action for misconduct will be taken according to the “Monitoring, Complaints and Action for Misconduct” section.

2. Any documents in a language other than Chinese or English should be accompanied by a notarized translation in Chinese or English.

3. In general, there is no need to send original hard-copy materials through courier service. However, under extraordinary circumstances, the University reserves the rights to require applicants to mail original hard-copy documents for further review and identification. Application materials will not be returned under any circumstances.

V. Admission and Selection

1. Verification of qualifications

There will be a holistic review of the applicant’s foreign citizenship, highest degree diploma, academic performance, language proficiency, research plan, recommendations, physical and mental health, etc.

2. Academic assessment

Once applicants have successfully passed the verification of qualifications, the college will proceed with an academic assessment. This assessment includes the evaluation of the application documents and may involve a remote interview or written examination if deemed necessary. The academic assessment focuses on evaluating the applicant’s academic capabilities, communicative competence, overall merit, and other relevant factors.

3. The admission decision will be made based on the verification of the applicant’s qualifications and academic assessment results, as well as their program choices. Applicants are advised to regularly log into the XMU Online Application System to check for notifications and updates on their application status. Applicants should also keep their phones accessible and regularly check their email accounts for any communication from the University. The outcome of application will be published on the application system in June or July.

VI. Length of Program, Duration of Study and Conferral of Degree

Length of Program： 4 years

Duration of study:   4–6 years

Time of enrolment: Autumn, usually in September.

Students will be awarded a graduation certificate by XMU after they have completed all the courses prescribed in the academic scheme and have satisfied the graduation requirements within the duration of study prescribed by XMU. Those who have also satisfied the requirements for degree conferral will be conferred a Bachelor’s Degree by XMU.

VII. Study Costs

Application Fee: RMB 400 (payable upon signing up online, and non-refundable)

Tuition Fee：RMB 26,000/year.

Notes:  Tuition fees are payable in RMB by academic year and do not include textbook fees. Tuition fees are subject to change without prior notice upon approval by price regulators.

Other Expenses

1. Accommodation

(1) International student apartments are available on Xiang’an campuses. The apartments on Xiang’an campus are in suites, with each suite consisting of four twin-rooms. Each room is equipped with beds, desks and chairs, wardrobes, an air conditioner, a water heater, a bathroom (suites have a different bathroom arrangement), and Internet access (paid by students). Communal self-service washers and dryers and other equipment are available.

(2) Due to the limited availability of on-campus accommodation, priority will be given to students who are recipients of scholarships that include subsidies for on-campus accommodation.

(3) Surplus accommodation will be allotted to students who are recipients of scholarships with no subsidies for accommodation and to self-funded students. Students with on-campus accommodation can reside in on-campus housing until June 30 of the academic year. The accommodation fees range from RMB 1,600 to 4,000 per academic year per person on Xiang’an campus. Please refer to the up-to-date information regarding accommodation fees.

(4) International students residing in on-campus accommodation are responsible for paying for their water and electricity consumption. For rates and charges as well as payment methods, please refer to the Enrollment Instructions for New Students.

For more information, please call:

+86 (0)592 2886252 (Xiang’an Campus)

(5) Students who cannot obtain on-campus accommodation are expected to arrange for their own off-campus accommodation before their arrival. The monthly rental fee for an apartment near Xiang’an campus range from RMB 600 to 2,500.

(6) For students who are recipients of Chinese Government Scholarships or International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarships that cover on-campus accommodation expenses, there may be an option to apply for an accommodation subsidy if they choose to live off-campus instead of accepting the free on-campus accommodation.

Food: approximately RMB 1,000 to 1,500/month

Medical Insurance: For the safety and wellbeing of international students in China, under the regulations of the Chinese Ministry of Education and Xiamen University, international students are required to purchase medical insurance for an annual fee of RMB 800. Please refer to the enrolment instructions for detailed information of medical insurance.

Note:

1. For more information about accommodation, insurance or scholarship Stipend, please contact the Overseas Students Affairs Office (OSAO, Tel: + 86 (0)592 2183606, Email: osao@xmu.edu.cn).

2. Xiamen University strictly adheres to the tuition policies set by the Chinese government. The charging of fees will be conducted in accordance with the regulations stipulated in the admission guide. Applicants are advised not to trust any fee payment notices that are not officially communicated through the admission guide or enrollment instructions.

VIII. Scholarship Programs

(I) Chinese Government Scholarships - Bilateral Programs (CSC Type A)

Applicants who are eligible for the “Chinese Government Scholarship – Country-Specific Bilateral Program” can submit the applications to their home country’s international student dispatching department or the education office of the Chinese embassy (consulate) in their home country. In general, the application period is from January to early April every year. However, application deadlines may vary from country to country. Please follow the updates of the local Chinese embassy (consulate).

(II) Chinese Government Scholarship – University Programs (CSC Type B)

Xiamen University, as an enrolling institution under the Chinese Government Scholarship Programs, admits students from around the world who are recipients of such scholarships. XMU Agency No.: 10384. Eligible applicants should submit their applications for admission and scholarships through the XMU Online Application System for international students (application.xmu.edu.cn) within the application period specified in the prospectus; they should also register on the “Chinese Government Scholarship Information System” (studyinchina.csc.edu.cn).

(III) International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

The MOE’s Center for Language Education and Cooperation have launched this scholarship program with a view to encouraging students and Chinese language teachers from across the world to study or conduct research on the Chinese language and culture. Applicants should contact Confucius Institutes, independently operated Confucius Classrooms, certain HSK test centers, Chinese language (education) departments of foreign universities, or Chinese embassies (consulates) in their home countries for recommendation. Eligible applicants should submit their applications on the “International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship Application System” (cis.chinese.cn) within the application period. The scholarship is available to applicants for Undergraduate Program of Chinese Language (Education).

(IV) Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship

The scholarship is open to international students who wish to study in degree programs in Fujian Province. This scholarship is awarded for one academic year only and provides funding of RMB 30,000 for undergraduates, RMB 40,000 for master’s students, and RMB 50,000 for doctoral students. The selection process for the scholarship involves the University selecting the best candidates from the pool of students who have passed the annual review. Shortlisted students will be recommended for the renewal of the scholarship in the subsequent year. Applicants should submit their applications for admission and the scholarship through the XMU Online Application System for international students (application.xmu.edu.cn) within the application period specified in the admission prospectus.

(V) Xiamen Tan Kah Kee Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Xiamen Tan Kah Kee Education Foundation in 2017 as part of its efforts to foster the Tan Kah Kee spirit of entrepreneurship and dedication to education. The scholarship is specifically available to international students of Chinese descent from countries along the Maritime Silk Road who wish to study in undergraduate, master’s or doctoral programs. Applicants should submit their applications for admission and the scholarship through the XMU Online Application System for international students (application.xmu.edu.cn) within the application period specified in the admission prospectus.

(VI) Xiamen University Scholarship for New International Students

XMU offers scholarships to doctoral, master’s and undergraduate candidates.

These scholarships cover the tuition fees for the selected recipients. Applicants should submit their applications for admission and the scholarship through the XMU Online Application System for international students (application.xmu.edu.cn).

Notes:

1. This Admission Guide is subject to adjustments based on the latest notices and updates from the scholarship authorities. Applicants should refer to the most recent version of the Admission Guide under “Scholarships” section at https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/.

2. Under the XMU Guidelines on Selecting Candidates for International Students Scholarships, the University upholds the principle of formality, equality and impartiality and select the best candidates from the pool of qualified and admitted students. The shortlisted candidates will be submitted to the university and the relevant scholarship authorities for final approval. The scholarship recipients will be assessed on an annual basis in accordance with the relevant scholarship regulations, and only those meeting the required standards will have their scholarship renewed for the subsequent year. Those who fail to pass the annual assessment will no longer be eligible for the scholarship.

IX.  Monitoring, Complaints and Action for Misconduct

1. All information related to the application and admission process at Xiamen University will be officially published on the XMU Admissions Web (https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn) or the websites of relevant schools. Applicants should exercise caution and be wary of any misinformation or fake news from unofficial sources.

2. Under the guidance of the University’s Student Recruitment Leadership Group, XMU’s international student recruitment is jointly conducted by its Admissions Office and the relevant schools/colleges and is subject to monitoring by the University’s Supervision Division (Tel: +86 (0)592 2186219).

3. Applicants are responsible for the truthfulness and accuracy of the information and documents that they submit. If an applicant fails to meet the admission regulations for international students or engages in any form of falsification or misrepresentation, once confirmed, it will lead to disqualification of their application, enrollment, student status, graduation, and revocation of any degrees awarded, in accordance with the regulations set forth by the educational authorities and the University.

X. Contact Information

Chinese International Education College/Overseas Education College (for non-degree Chinese language program applications)
Tel: +86 (0) 592 2186211/2184916
Email: oec@xmu.edu.cn
Website: http:

Office of Admissions and Examinations, Xiamen University (for degree program applications)
Tel: +86 (0) 592 2184792, 2188375
Fax: +86 (0) 592 2180256
Email: admissions@xmu.edu.cn
Website: http://admissions.xmu.edu.cn

Office of International Students Affairs, Xiamen University (for international students management)
Tel: +86 (0) 592 2183606
Fax:  +86 (0) 592 2186589
Email: osao@xmu.edu.cn
Website: http://xsc.xmu.edu.cn

HSK Test – Xiamen University Test Center
Tel: +86 (0) 592 2186211/2184916
Fax:  +86 (0) 592 2093346
Website: http://www.chinesetest.cn

The XMU International Education College / Overseas Education College Chinese Language is responsible for interpreting this Admission Guide.