1.General Information on Schooling for Foreigners

The Chinese education system provides primary education for six years, followed by six years of secondary school. At higher-education institutions, junior college programs take two to three years, bachelor's programs take four to five years, and master's and doctoral programs take two to three years. Each school year consists of two semesters, with each semester about 21 weeks long. The first semester begins on September 1 and ends in mid-January of the next year, and the second semester begins in early or mid-February and ends in early July. Each school year has about 10 weeks of summer and winter breaks.

A foreign national wishing to attend a primary or secondary school in Guangzhou should apply for a residence permit for educational purposes according to the Interim Administrative Provisions on Primary and Secondary Schools Admitting Foreign Students. A foreign national wishing to attend a higher-education institution in Guangzhou should apply for a residence permit for educational purposes according to the Administrative Provisions on Higher-education Institutions Admitting International Students.

An applicant who has entered China with a regular passport and a visa X may apply for a residence permit in the Department of Entry and Exit Administration of Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau by presenting the letter of offer that he or she has received from a higher-education institution and other required documents (for details, see the entry-exit service guide of Bureau of Public Security of Guangzhou Municipality at http://www.gzjd.gov.cn)

School-age children of foreign nationals residing in Guangzhou may apply to attend their nearest school by presenting their Guangdong Residence Permits. The children may also choose to attend a school dedicated to foreign children in Guangzhou.

For more information on how to obtain a residence permit and the privileges associated with the residence permit, please contact:

※ External Affairs Department, Guangzhou Municipal Personnel Bureau
Tel: 83126138、83126038
Add: No. 1, Fuqian Road

2.Higher Education

When we talk about higher education institutions in China, we usually refer to universities, colleges and higher specialized colleges. Higher education institutions have three major tasks: teaching, research and community service.

Chinese universities are classified into higher educational institutions directly under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, higher educational institutions under the auspices of the provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government,higher educational institutions run by local central cities as well as non-government schools. In china universities and independent colleges are institutions of the same level.

To ensure the quality of students, China has established a strict entrance examination system. Students who have achieved a high school diploma need to pass the National College entrance examination before entering higher education institution.

The academic year of full-time universities is divided into two semesters (a small number of institutions have begun testing a three-semester system). The first semester begins in early September and the second semester begins in mid-February. There are about 20 weeks in a semester and 5 days per week of learning. In addition to winter and summer vacations, there is one day off for January 1 the New Year's Day, three days off respectively for the International Labor Day (May 1) holidays and the National Day (October 1) holidays. For other commemoration days or traditional festivals, students will stay in school.

3.Academic Degrees System

China has established a three-tiered academic degrees system for higher education consisting of the bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees.Academic degrees cover 12 categories, including philosophy, economics, law (including political science, sociology, ethnology, etc.), mathematics, education (including physical education), literature (including linguistics, art, and library sciences), history, science, engineering, medicine, management and Military Science.

4.Teaching and Research

Teaching in Chinese universities is conducted in accordance with teaching plans and syllabuses. Major forms of teaching are classroom lectures, classroom discussions, experiments, exercise courses and tutorials. On-the-spot teaching, visits, internships, researches and other activities are organized, to enhance knowledge after class, as well as to develop students' abilities for practical work and their ability to apply the knowledge learned in class. Libraries or information rooms are set up in universities and departments, providing students a good environment for their study and research. Modern teaching equipment and methods are used to realize teaching goals in universities.

5.Student Management

Students should complete registration formalities within the requested time. Information of a new student will be reviewed before he/she becomes a formal student of the university.

Both the student's attendance to classes and his examination scores are important. Students should not be absent from classes without a reason. They must participate in the examinations stipulated in the teaching plan. Students will move to higher grade levels after complete the required courses and passing the examinations; Due to the implement of credit system, students will obtain credits after passing the examination of a course. Those who fail the examination will study for one more year, or go to a lower grade, or study the course again or leave school in accordance with stipulations of the university.

Students having both ability and moral integrity will be granted rewards and commendations. Students who violate rules of universities shall be subject to disciplinary measures.

6.Campus Culture

Chinese universities attach great importance to developing healthy and progressive campus culture with local characteristics, and believe that it directly influences students. Campus culture has positive effects on students and creates a good atmosphere.

To develop campus culture, student organizations carry out activities, including scientific experiments, academic exchanges, performances, sports competitions, and charity activities. International students may participate in the activities held by Chinese student organizations; universities also organize performances, sports competitions, Chinese language activities and tours specifically for international students. Through participation in these activities international students can deepen their understanding of Chinese culture, and promote exchange with Chinese teachers and students.

7.Living Facilitie

Chinese universities provide student with dormitories and restaurants. Most students live on campus. In order to make a convenience living condition for international students, dormitories and restaurants dedicated to foreign students from any country have been build on campus.

8.School System

Guangzhou's schools include pre-primary, primary, junior/senior high schools, universities and graduate schools. Age requirements for students and the study periods of different schools vary.

Kindergartens enroll children over the age of three, with three years' duration;

Primary and secondary education adopts the 6/3 system, that is, the students study in primary schools for six years from the age of 6-7 years old and in junior high school for three years from the age of 12-13 years old;

The entrance age for most high schools is 15-16 years old, with a study period of three years. Secondary schools fall into two categories: schools that enroll junior high school graduates (study period: 3-4 years) and schools enroll high school graduates (study period: 2 years); the schooling period is 3-4 years for vocational junior high schools and 3 years for Skilled Workers Schools; students usually study in vocational senior high school from 15 or 16 years old for 2-3 years, sometimes as long as four years.

It requires four to five years for a student to complete undergraduate courses, and two to three years to complete the courses of specialized college and higher vocational schools;

To obtain a master's or doctorate degree, students should complete postgraduate education; the entrance age of postgraduate students should be less than 40 years of age, with a study period of 2-3 years; the entrance age of doctoral students should be less than 45 years of age, with a study period of 3 years;

The study period in full-time adult secondary schools is generally the same as that of most full-time schools; the study period in part-time or amateur adult secondary schools usually is one year longer than that of most full-time schools. Adult College undergraduate education generally lasts 4-5 years, adult vocational college education, having a variety of forms, lasts 2-4 years.

The Compulsory Education Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that the state implement a nine-year compulsory education system. The compulsory stages include primary and junior high school education periods.