I. General Information
The International College offers year-round Chinese Language and Culture programs, with admissions for both the spring & summer and the autumn & winter semesters. The autumn & winter semester usually runs from early September to late January.
Students are placed in the class that suits them best by taking a Chinese placement test. A semester usually consists of 17 or 18 weeks, with 18 class hours of language courses per week. Electives are also offered, and students may choose one or two courses according to their interests and Chinese level. Upon completion of the language course, students who meet the assessment requirements will be issued a certificate of completion from Zhejiang University.
In addition to the coursework, the International College arranges cultural visits each semester. Students may also join a variety of student clubs according to their interests, interact and grow together with Chinese students, and enjoy a vibrant campus life.
II. Course Structure
Elementary Class (Levels 1–3)
Teaching target: beginners, or applicants with only basic communication skills.
Teaching objectives: to cultivate interest in language learning, help learners quickly master basic language skills, and enhance Chinese communication abilities.
Compulsory courses: 18 class hours per week — intensive reading, speaking, and listening.
Elective courses: 2–4 class hours per week — Knowledge of Chinese Characters, Chinese Story Reading, Traditional Chinese Dance, etc.
Intermediate Class (Levels 4–5)
Teaching target: applicants with intermediate Chinese proficiency who can manage daily communication.
Teaching objective: to broaden learners’ horizons and interests, develop reading and writing skills, deepen knowledge of the Chinese language, and improve overall proficiency.
Compulsory courses: 18 class hours per week — intensive reading, speaking, reading, and writing.
Elective courses: 2–4 class hours per week — Introduction to Chinese Cities, Chinese Movies & TV Dramas, Go, Chinese Music, Learning Chinese through Songs, PE, etc.
Advanced Class (Levels 6–7)
Teaching target: applicants with advanced Chinese proficiency.
Teaching objective: to develop comprehensive language capability—combining language with culture, and general with special-purpose language—so that learners gain cross-cultural communication skills alongside an in-depth understanding of traditional Chinese culture and contemporary China.
Compulsory courses: 18 class hours per week — intensive reading, speaking, reading, and writing.
Elective courses: 2–4 class hours per week — China’s Digital Economy, Approaching Contemporary China, Ancient Chinese, etc.
Note: The actual offering of elective courses and lecture series varies from semester to semester.
Applicants are warmly welcome to experience the Chinese language & culture courses offered by the International College online (Link).
III. Application Deadline
10 May 2026.
Note: Applicants must complete the application in the Online Application System for International Students of Zhejiang University (Link) before the deadline, provide all materials in full as required, and pay the application fee.
IV. Fee Structure
1. Application fee: RMB 400 yuan
2. Tuition fee: RMB 9,000 yuan / semester
3. Insurance fee: RMB 400 yuan / semester
4. On-campus accommodation fees: please refer to “Current Students – Accommodation” (Link) on the website of the International College.
5. Way of Payment: Application fee and tuition fee should be paid in the Online Application System (Link). If one fails to make the online payment, then one MUST pay the application fee to the University’s Bank Account (Link) and upload the remittance letter to the system. When remitting, you must fill in the application serial number and the applicant’s name.
V. Eligibility
Applicants must be a citizen of a foreign country, aged between 18 and 65, in good physical and mental health, with a high school diploma or higher.
VI. Application Procedure
1. Set up an account: Log in to the Online Application System for International Students (Link), and set up and activate your account.
2. Submit application: Fill out the online application form for international students (Chinese Language Student) and upload a photocopy of your passport. Applicants who previously studied in the mainland of China should provide certificates of their study experience (graduation certificates, certificates of non-degree studies, etc.). Applicants currently studying in the mainland of China should provide a certificate of student status (attendance must be included). If necessary, the university will require additional materials.
3. Pay the application fee: Pay the application fee (RMB 400 yuan) online.
4. Check result: Log in to the application system (Link) to check the result.
5. Pay the tuition fee: Pre-admitted students must log in to the application system and pay the tuition fee for one semester (RMB 9,000) within the time limit set by the university.
6. Obtain documents for visa: Relevant admission and visa application materials will be provided by the university to applicants who have completed the tuition payment.
7. Take a Chinese proficiency test: After the tuition payment is confirmed, the university will arrange an online placement test in batches to match students’ Chinese proficiency to their classes. Applicants will be notified of the specific arrangements by email.
Special Reminder
1. The application fee will NOT be refunded regardless of the admission result.
2. The university will only reserve places for students who have paid the tuition for the first semester in advance. If a student later gives up schooling for personal reasons, the paid tuition fee for the first semester will NOT be refunded.
3. For admitted students who fail to meet the school’s registration requirements, the paid tuition fee will NOT be refunded.
4. For registration arrangements, on-campus accommodation reservation, insurance, etc., the university will notify enrolled applicants by email or other means before the start of the new semester.
VII. Registration
Registration takes place in early September 2026. The exact time will be confirmed on the admission notice. Admitted students shall register according to the time specified in the admission notice.
VIII. Insurance and Physical Check-up
1. Insurance
According to the regulations of the Ministry of Education, international students who come to study for one semester or longer must purchase comprehensive medical insurance in the mainland of China as a necessary requirement for registration for the new semester. Students who fail to purchase qualifying comprehensive medical insurance will NOT be registered by the university.
Information related to purchasing insurance will be notified in detail before registration. Admitted students should handle insurance matters strictly according to the instructions in the notice.
2. Physical Check-up
International students who will study for more than 6 months should obtain a “Certificate of Verification of Physical Examination Record for Foreigners.” Students may have a bilingual physical examination report (containing Chinese) completed in their home country and verified by the Zhejiang International Travel Healthcare Center (ZITHC) after arriving, or take a physical check-up at ZITHC. Those ascertained upon examination as having any disease for which no entry is allowed, as specified in China’s laws, shall leave immediately for their home country.
IX. Accommodation
Chinese language students will study and live on the Yuquan Campus of Zhejiang University. Specific accommodation reservation procedures and other relevant information will be announced in subsequent notifications.
X. Scholarships
This program accepts the following two types of scholarship students.
1. Chinese Government Scholarship (Link)
Established by the Chinese government for talented students and scholars to pursue higher education or conduct research at Chinese universities. Applicants should directly contact the dispatching authorities for overseas study of their home countries.
2. International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (Link)
Established by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC), Ministry of Education, to train professional Chinese language teachers outside China. Please refer to the ZJU Application Guide for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship for details (Link).
XI. Contact
Office of International Chinese Language Education
Address: Room 316, International College Building, West Zone, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China 310058
Tel: +86-571-87953040 / +86-571-87953089
Fax: +86-571-87951755
Email: admission3@zju.edu.cn
Website: https://iczu.zju.edu.cn/iczuen/
For more information, please visit the website of the International College of Zhejiang University or follow our WeChat official account “lxzdZJU”.
Note: Should there be any change in the above content, the final interpretation from the International College of Zhejiang University shall prevail. Please stay updated by regularly checking the website of the International College (Link) in time.