Program Overview
This program is open to Chinese language enthusiasts from across the world. International students who are passionate about the Chinese language, have needs for learning the Chinese languagesystematically, or are interested in Chinese culture, can find suitable Chinese language coursesat Xiamen University (XMU).
Depending on their Chinese proficiency, students will be grouped into three kinds of small classes at the beginning (no prior knowledge), intermediate and advancedlevels. The program will focus on the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, with selectivecourses such as HSK Tutorial, Chinese Idioms and Their Stories, Learning Chinese by Watching Chinese Movies, Chinese Kung Fu, and Chinese Painting. The objective is to help learners improve their Chinese language skills for communication purposes and thereby enable them to use the Chinese language in their studies, life and future careers. Certificates of Completion and transcripts will be issued to students upon completion of the study.
Fall semester: September 2025 to January 2026
Spring semester: February to June 2026
Class time: Monday to Friday
Different classes have different timetables, about 18-24 class hours per week scheduled from Monday toFriday.
Course Introduction: Courses may change every semester, and the actual schedule is subject to the official timetable.
Compulsory Courses
IntegratedChinese (elementary, intermediate, and advanced):The course is designed to methodically teach skills and rules of Chinese pronunciation, reading and writing of Chinese characters, Chinese vocabulary and grammar, and the usage of the Chinese language, and develop the ability to write Chinese compositions. It is designed to help students acquire knowledge about the Chinese language comprehensively, thus laying a solid foundation for using what they have learned about Chinese.
Oral Chinese: In a very pleasant and relaxing classroom atmosphere with professional teaching and ample exercises, students gradually improve their Chinese communication ability and learn about Chinese people’s communication skills. With the improvement of their language ability, they can express their personal views on specific topics completely and fluently in standard Chinese. They will also cultivate the habit of thinking in Chinese and the ability to choose proper expressions for different persons they are talking to on different occasions. All in all, they will learn to deal with various communication situations.
Chinese Listening: This course aims at improving students’ listening skillthrough systematic instruction and plenty of exercises. Students can progressively develop their capacity for critical analysis, contextual deduction, summarization, and generalization. During their study, they will be trained to understand speeches delivered at a faster pace, news broadcasts on familiar topics, and popular radio and TV programs. Finally, they can understand Chinese spoken in real situation and at the same time, consciously pick up new words, phrases, and usages. In a word, they can improve their sensibility on the Chinese language. The course has 4 class periods per week and is offered at all three levels: elementary, intermediate, and advanced.
Selective Courses
HSK tutoring (Level 4, Level 5, and Level 6), Chinese Idioms and Their Stories, Chinese Film and Television Culture Appreciation, Chinese Painting, Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Kung Fu, Reading and Writing of Chinese Characters, Intermediate Chinese Reading, Intermediate Chinese Writing, Advanced Chinese Reading, Advanced Chinese Writing, Introduction to Chinese Culture, Mandarin Phonetics and Reading, Chinese History, Sino-foreign Cultural Exchanges, Chinese Human Geography, Chinese Folk Culture, Chinese Vocabulary and Culture, English-Chinese Translation，Classical Art Appreciation of Guqin (Chinese ancient Zither).
(The availability of some of the above courses is subject to change based on the number of students in each semester.For further details, please visit: http://oec.xmu.edu.cn)
Credit Hours
With the college’s guidance, students may choose courses matching their Chinese proficiency.The maximum credit hours are 24 per semester.
Campus Events
Chinese Corner, Chinese Culture Gala, Songkran Festival, Fun Games, Track and Field Games, Football Games, Xiamen International Marathon, etc.
Certificates Awarded
XMU Continuing Education Certificate of Completion
Fees
Enrolment Fees: RMB 400 (for new students only, and non-refundable)
Tuition: RMB 13,000 per semester; RMB 26,000 per academic year
Accommodation Fee: On-campus housing arrangements will be made based on actual dormitory availability at XMU Xiang’an Campus.Due to the limited number of dormitories, accommodation will be arranged on a first-come, first-served basis according to the order of application. The accommodation fee will be charged based on the standard of the rooms to be allocated. The rent around the Xiang’an campus ranges from approximately 600 to 1500 RMB per room per month. For detailed information, please refer to the “Accommodation Information” section.
Eligibility for Application
1. Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens (overseas Chinese included) aged between 18 and 55, be mentally and physically healthy, and possess a valid regular passport. Please note that we can assist the applicants with a valid regular passport to apply for an appropriate China visa.
2.Applicants must possess a high school diploma or above, or demonstrate equivalent academic qualifications.
Application Documents Required
1.ID photo
2.A scanned copy of the first page of the passport (ordinary passport, valid through October 31, 2025)
3. Birth Certificate
4. Parents’ Identity Documents
5.Photocopies of certificates for the highest education and transcripts, and notarized copies in English or Chinese
6. A photocopy of the HSK certificate (if available)
7.Physical Examination Record for Inbound Travellers(https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/info/1141/1745.htm), 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
8.Financial Support Guarantee Statement(https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/info/1141/1744.htm) and its supporting documents.
9. Certificate of No Criminal Record. The applicants shall submit a valid No Criminal Record Report issued within six months before the applicationdate.
Application Procedure
Applicants should apply and pay the application fee through the Online Application System for international students at http://oec.xmu.edu.cn.
Application Deadline
Autumn Semester: June 30, 2025
Spring Semester: December 30, 2025
Applications will still be accepted after the deadline. However, due to the time required for inbound procedures, applicants who cannot enroll on time will join an already-commenced class.
Admission and Notification
The university will review the application materials submitted by applicants, select outstanding candidates, and compile a list of pre-admitted students in batches. Pre-admitted students are required to log in to the application system and make the payment for one semester’s tuition fee (13,000 yuan in Chinese currency) within the specified timeframe.
Upon confirmation of the tuition payment, the university will conduct Chinese proficiency tests for students in batches. These tests will be conducted online to accurately assess students’ Chinese proficiency levels and assign them to appropriate classes.
Our university will provide relevant admission and visa application materials for applicants who have successfully paid the tuition fees and completed the proficiency tests.
Contact Information
Contact: Ms. Peng, Mr.Zhao
Phone: 0086-592-2186211,2184916
Email: oec@xmu.edu.cn
The responsibility for interpreting this Program Overview rests with the Chinese International Education College / Overseas Education College of Xiamen University.
Chinese International Education College /Overseas Education College
Xiamen University
April 2025
