Beijing Normal University

Brochure for International Students

I          Brief Introduction to Beijing Normal University

Founded in 1902, Beijing Normal University (BNU) is one of China’s earliest-established institutions of higher learning as well as one of the key universities in the country. At present, BNU has 22 schools, 6 departments, 14 research institutes and a number of research centers, and offers 52 undergraduate programs. BNU can confer Master’s degrees in 127 disciplines and Doctorates 70. It has 16 post-doctoral research centers. In the year of 2005, the arts subjects of BNU is the 7th best among the universities and colleges in China; the subjects of Chinese Language and Culture, Pre-school Education, Historical Studies, Psychology, Studies of Educational Techniques,etc are among the top subjects; and the subjects of Chinese Language, Education, Special Needs Education are the 2nd best subjects in China. BNU has a modernized library of 2,900,000 books and 117 scientific laboratories.  There is a large student body including over 8,000 undergraduates, over 8,000 graduate students, over 10,000 undergraduate and diploma students for adult education, and more than 1,500 long-term international students.

BNU began to accept students from abroad in 1965. Over the years, BNU has accumulated rich experience with the Chinese language program and major-related courses for international students. In recent years, BNU has become well-known all around the world, and welcome an increasing number of international students into all of BNU’s schools and departments. Moreover, all of BNU’s schools, departments and institutes welcome international scholars to visit BNU to carry out research.

As one of the first bases in China cultivating the Chinese teachers for foreigners, College of Chinese Language and Culture (CCLC) of BNU shoulders the responsibility of teaching international students Chinese. It offers the international students undergraduate course of Chinese Language. The College also fosters the native and foreign post-graduate students majoring in Chinese Characters and Vocabulary, Linguistics and Applied Linguistics. So far, CCLC has fostered more than 10,000 international students from over 50 countries.

BNU warmly welcomes students who will obey Chinese laws and BNU’s regulations and respect Chinese customs, and sincerely wishes to deepen its friendship with all countries through academic exchanges.

II     Application Requirements

          i.              Non-degree students

Student type, application requirements, and application materials:

Notes:

* All the materials required should be the original form or the copy one with the seal of the organization concerned;

* All the materials required should be in Chinese or English;

* The application materials and application fee are non-refundable.

Application deadlines:

Please first enroll on the website: http://www.bnulxsh.com/apply. And your application materials are expected to arrive at the Office of International Scholars’ and Students’ Affairs by May 30th for the fall semester and by November 30th for the spring semester. If all materials are received before the aforementioned deadlines, applicants will receive their admission response within 45 days.

Brief Introduction to the College of Chinese Language & Culture ( CCLC ) of BNU

  As BNU’s important gateway to the world, CCLC is a comprehensive teaching and research institute, admitting more than 2,000 long-term international students every year.

There are 50 teachers and administrative personnel in the college, including 6 professors, 18 associate professors and 21 lectuers. The teachers have abundant teaching experience, and many have taught abroad as well. The college has well-equipped teaching facilities, including Internet teaching laboratories, listening laboratories, audio-visual classrooms, resource libraries, etc.

The college has a well-structured placement system. New students take placement exams that help assign them to classes of different levels according to their Chinese proficiency. Students who have good oral Chinese ability but poor reading ability or vice versa may choose courses of different grades accordingly. Students studying Chinese in the college for one semester or more will be put into the classes of the four-year undergraduate system. For example, they will be placed in classes numbered 100 to 402. 100 is the preparatory class for students who have not learned Chinese before. 101 and 402 represent the first semester of the first grade and the second semester of the fourth grade respectively.

The courses can be divided into the following three types: language skill courses, linguistics courses, and Chinese literature and culture courses. Language skill courses include reading and writing, oral class, listening comprehension, newspaper and magazine reading, etc; Linguistics courses mainly include modern Chinese, ancient Chinese and language theory; Chinese literature and culture courses mainly include Chinese modern and contemporary literature, Chinese society and customs, etc. The college also offers business Chinese and executive Chinese for diplomats and businessmen working in China. Optional courses such as HSK preparation, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting, Wushu, etc. are all enthusiastically welcomed by the international students each year.

        ii.              Undergraduate students

Applicant requirements:

1.          Over 18 years old and under 40 years old; high school graduation certificate or higher academic degree certificate; average grade of B or higher.

2.          Requirements for HSK degree：

l        Six or above for liberal arts applicants

l        Three or above for science applicants (six or above for applicants for psychology, economics and information )

l        Three or above for applicants to the Chinese Language Program designed for international students. Those whose HSK degrees are below the requirement but have received at least 300 hours training of the Chinese language can apply for the Trial Undergraduate Program.

3.        Entrance Examination: No Examinations, but applicants’ materials required should be verified. Applicants who apply for foreign languages, arts and science need to undergo interviews or related examinations in the applied fields.  

Application materials:

1.        Completed “Application Form for International Students” issued by BNU;

2.        High school graduation certificate;

3.        High school report;

4.        HSK certificate(In order to apply for a Trial Undergraduate Program, Chinese Language Program applicants whose HSK degree is below three should provide a certification of at least 300 hours training in Chinese );

5.        Two recommendation letters from two teachers;

6.        Application fee of RMB 500 yuan (cash or check);

7.        Two photos of the same size as for the passport

Notes:

* All the materials required should be the original form or the copy one with related official seal of the organization concerned;

* All the materials required should be in Chinese or English;

* The application materials and application fee are non-refundable.

Application deadlines:

1.        Please first enroll on the website: http://www.bnulxsh.com/apply. And your application materials are expected to arrive at the Office of International Scholars and Students’ Affairs by June 15th. Applicants will receive their admission response within 45 days if all materials are received before the aforementioned deadlines.

2.        Chinese Language Program applicants can also apply for the spring semester program. Their application materials are expected to arrive at the Office of International Scholars and Students’ Affairs by November 30th. Applicants will receive their admission response within 45 days.

About Trial Undergraduate Program in Chinese Language:

1.        The duration of the trial undergraduate program is one year.

2.        The curriculum of the trial undergraduate program in Chinese language is the same as that of the undergraduate program; students in the trial undergraduate program should pay the same tuition as international students in other undergraduate programs.

3.        Students who have earned a three or above degree in HSK during the trial undergraduate program and who have passed related examinations can be accepted as undergraduate students majoring in Chinese language. The credits during the trial undergraduate program are viewed as valid; students who have not earned a three or above degree in HSK during the trial undergraduate program or students who haven’t passed related examinations will be only given a certificate for completing the Chinese language course. No tuition and other fees will be returned.

About Mid-course Program in Chinese Languge:

Applicants who have studied one year or more as a Chinese major in their native countries or in some other Chinese universities can apply for the Mid-course Program. In this case, applicants are required to provide related certificates and college reports to show that they have undergone such study previously. They also must take the comprehensive entrance examination held by the College of Chinese Language and Culture. Applicants who have passed the entrance examination will be accepted to the Mid-course Program. Students in this program will study in the College of Chinese Language and Culture for at least three years.

The comprehensive examination will be arranged twice a year: one is on the third  Saturday in June and the other is on the second Saturday in December. The examination fee is RMB 250 yuan.

About Study Duration, Completion of Courses, Graduation and Degree Awarded:

1.        The studying duration for undergraduate students is four years. In case a student cannot graduate in time, the duration can be prolonged, but no more than 2 years. During the prolonged academic year(s), if students fail to finish the thesis, they should pay the tuition of RMB 4200yuan for each semester and if they fail to finish their courses, they should pay the tuition of the prolonged period according to the tuition standard.

2.        Students who finish all the courses ahead of time can apply for an earlier graduation on the premise that their duration of undergraduate study in BNU is no less than three years. However, they are still required to pay four years’ tuition.  Students in the Mid-course Program in Chinese language will study for at least three years, and tuition is paid according to the actual duration of study.

3.         Students who fail to earn the required amount of credits within six years will only be given a certificate of completing the courses. Students who have taken all the required courses and have earned the required amount of credits can graduate, and are awarded the appropriate diploma.

4.         Students who have received a diploma and who are up to the standard listed in the Detailed Rules and Regulations in Conferring Bachelor’s Degree will be awarded a Bachelor’s Degree and will be given a certificate. As for students who major in Chinese language in the CCLC must get a nine HSK degree in order to be awarded a Bachelor’s Degree.

      iii.              Graduate students

Applicant requirements:

1.        Applicants for the program of Master’s Degree should have Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent academic degree or above.

2.        Applicants for the program of PhD should have Master’s Degree or equivalent academic degree or above.

Application materials:

1.        Completed “Application Form for International Students” issued by BNU;

2.        Completed “Registration Form” issued by BNU;

3.        Personal statement

4.        Two recommendation letters from associate professors or scholars with higher academic titles

5.        Applicants for the program of Master’s Degree should submit original or notarized certificate of Bachelor’s degree and university report;

Applicants for the program of PhD should submit original or notarized certificate

of Master’s degree and postgraduate school report;

6.        HSK certificate;

7.        Application fee of RMB 600 yuan;

8.        Four photos of the same size as for the passport;

9.        Please submit the academic papers published in journals, the patent or other academic achievement (certificate of original form or the copy one, if you have any).

Notes:

* All the materials required should be the original form or the copy one with related official seal of the organization concerned;

* All the materials required should be in Chinese or English;

* The application materials and application fee are non-refundable.

Application time and procedure:

  Applicants should first go on Internet to enroll, and then submit to the International Students’ Office the related files.

  The website for enrollment is http://graduate.bnu.edu.cn/lxsbm, and the time for enrollment is from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st each year.

  Applicants should submit the related files to the Office of Graduate School (Room A 212 in Main Building) or the International Students’ Office before Jan 8th.

Methods to select among applicants:

  The International Students’ Office will admit students through two ways:

1.        Non-examination admission ( but applicants’ materials required should be verified;)

2.        Entrance Examination admission.

A.       Applicants who have qualifications required as follow may apply for the non-examination admission:

a)        Excellent Chinese capacity (eight HSK degree or above for arts applicants; six HSK degree or above for science applicants)

b)        Applicants who plan to take Master’s program apply for the same or related majors as the ones of their Bachelor’s Degree and have a good school report; Applicants who plan to take PhD’s program apply for the same or related majors as the ones of their Master’s Degree and have a good school report.

* The application for non-examination admission is accepted till June 15th each year.

B.       Applicants who lack qualifications for non-examination admission should take the entrance examination, including a written examination and an interview.

Time: The written examination is usually held on the last weekend of April

Subjects of Examination: Applicants are supposed to take two course-related tests (Chinese is required to answer questions)

Interview: The interview will be held during the period of written examinations or on the day after the written ones. And the time and place will be informed during the written examinations.

About Admission

Non-examination Admission: The related department, Graduate School of BNU and the International Students’ Office will verify the materials of non-examination applicants and decide whether to admit the applicants. And those who fail to pass the verification should take the entrance examination.

Entrance Examination Admission: The examination result will be announced on the Internet 20 days after the examination; and the admission result will be announced on the Internet 10 days after that.

Trial program: Applicants whose entrance examination scores are below standard but nearly up to it will also be accepted, but as trial graduate students.

About the trial program

1.        The duration of the trial program is one year, during which period the students do not possess the status of a graduate student.

2.        The curriculum of the trial program is identical to other graduate programs; as such, trial students are expected to pay the same tuition as international students in other graduate programs.

3.        Trial students will take the following year’s graduate entrance examination after paying the application fee. Those who pass the examination will be formally enrolled as graduate students and will possess graduate student status. The credits gained during the trial year are viewed as valid. Those who can’t pass the following year’s entrance examination will only be viewed as having completed a non-degree program. Tuition paid during the trial year will not be returned.

About duration of study

The duration of study for graduate students (both the programs of Master and PhD) is three years. Those who cannot graduate in time can extend their duration of study, the longest extension being 2 years. During the prolonged academic year(s), if students fail to finish the thesis, they should pay the tuition of RMB 4200yuan for each semester and if they fail to finish their courses, they should pay the tuition of the prolonged period according to the tuition standard.Students who have finished all the courses ahead of time can apply for an earlier graduation on the condition that three years’ tuition is paid.

      iv.              Research Scholars

Application materials:

1.        Completed “Application Form for Research Scholars” issued by BNU;

2.        Employment certificate in applicant’s home country;

3.        Applicant’s research proposal at BNU;

4.        Resume;

5.        Two photos of the same size as for the passport;

6.        Application fee of RMB 600 yuan (cash or check).

Application deadlines:

Please first enroll on the website: http://www.bnulxsh.com/apply. And your application materials are expected to arrive at the Office of International Scholars and Students’ Affairs by June 15th for the fall semester and by Dec 15th for the spring semester. If all materials are received before the aforementioned deadlines, applicants will receive the Office’s response within 45 days.

        v.              Short-term Students

BNU offers short-term summer program of Chineses Learning for International Learners each year. As for the details, please go on the Internet: http://www.bnulxsh.com.

If any organization wants to take the Chinese culture program or take the Chineses Learning program solely (over 15 people for each class), please contact with the International Students’ Office directly.

III.              Tuition

          i.              Tuition for long-term students:

RMB / person

        ii.              Tuition for short-term students:

The tuition for short-term students is based on the tuition standard of class hours (20hours/week) as follow:

Two weeks: US$270/person

Three weeks: US$350/person

Four weeks: US$400/person

More than four weeks: US$90/person for each week;

The application fee is US$40/person. And each class usually have 15 persons. The activities and other requirements for teaching will be discussed seperately.

IV.              School Life

Accommodation

BNU has five international student dormitories. The daily cost for each bed will be RMB 40yuan, RMB 60yuan, RMB 65yuan, RMB 75yuan, RMB 85yuan, RMB 95yuan. Students may choose to live in double rooms or single rooms. After receiving the Admission Notice, students may choose the kind of accommodations they like on the Internet. The web-site is: http://www.bnulxsh.com.

Eighteen hours hot water every day, coin-operated washers and dryers are available in each international student apartment. Equipped public kitchens or canteens are available in some international students’ apartments. Computer labs, gymnasiums and cafeterias are also available in some apartment buildings.

If students choose to live with their relatives in China or to rent houses off campus, they must inform the Office of International Scholars and Students’ Affairs beforehand, and they must register at the local police station within 24 hours after living with the relatives or living in a rented house.

Food

The canteen in Lanhui International Students’ Apartment have seating for 200 people. The average cost per day is about RMB 20yuan. Other canteens as well as restaurants on campus are also open to international students, and within walking distance of campus there are a variety of Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Western fast-food restaurants.

Out-of-class Activities

Travel and entertainment activities are organized free of charge by the Office of International Scholars and Students’ Affairs once a month for long-term international students. In winter vacations, the Office will organize some travelling activities. Students who enjoy government scholarship participatey will have some subsidies.

In order to foster exchanges between Chinese students and international students and to deepen international students’ understanding of Chinese society, the Office organizes various cultural activities throughout the year. For example, parties for both Chinese and international students, “Language Practice Week” and trips to rural Chinese areas and to Chinese enterprises.

V.                 Mailing address and other information:

The Office of International Scholars and Students’ Affairs

Beijing Normal University

19# Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China

Postal code: 100875

[MemberClass=1]Tel: 0086-10-58807986, 58808364, 58800325 Fax: 0086-10-58800823 E-mail: isp@bnu.edu.cn WebSite: http://www.bnulxsh.com[/MemberClass]