1. Programs for International Students at Shanxi Agricultural University (SXAU)

International students have the following options for study in degree and non-degree programs at Shanxi Agricultural University: 

1) Undergraduate Programs 

2) Master's Programs 

3) Doctoral Programs 

4) Degree Programs Offered in English 

5) Chinese Language Program 

6) Visiting Student Programs 

7) Research Scholar Programs 

8) Short-term characteristic Specialty Programs 

2. Study Duration and academic schedule 

The normal duration of study for each program is as follows: four years for bachelor's degrees, three years for master's degrees, and three years for doctoral degrees. Students may, in particular cases, apply for early or delayed graduation. 

SXAU divides every academic year into spring and autumn semesters, with the latter marking the commencement of the academic year. The autumn semester starts in late August or early September and ends in mid-or late January of the following year, while the spring semester begins in late February or early March and ends in mid-July. There will be a winter and summer vacation every year. The summer vacation usually lasts six weeks, and the winter vacation lasts four weeks and normally coincides with the Chinese New Year. Please check the latest academic calendar for details. 

3. Application procedure 

1) Application Schedule

Academic degree programs: March 1 to June 1 every year 

Non-degree programs: Spring semester: March 1 to June 15 

                                      Autumn semester: September 1 to December 15 

2) Application 

Each applicant must deliver hard copy of the application form and other required materials to Foreign Affairs Office, Shanxi Agricultural University (address is enclosed in the Contact Information item)

3) Qualification of Applicants

    A. Each applicant must be non-Chinese citizens above the age of 18 with good health and a valid passport and must abide by Chinese laws and the regulations of SXAU and also respect Chinese social customs.

    B. Requirement of language proficiency: 

        (a) For programs offered in Chinese: applicants for the programs of humanities, social sciences, management should pass Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level 5  or above before admission, and those for science and engineering programs should pass Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level 4 or above before admission.

        (b) For doctoral program applicants: if English proficiency is sufficient, the Chinese language requirement could be adjusted for some majors. 

        (c) General Visiting Students are allowed to take specialty courses when they pass Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level 5 and above before admission. Holders of the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level 6 and above can take specialty courses directly.

        (d) Senior Visiting Students and Research Scholars are not required to take the Chinese language proficiency exam, on the premise that the candidate experiences no obstacles in communicating with their adviser.

        (e) Applicants of Chinese-taught programs without Chinese language proficiency must take Chinese language training courses in the Chinese Language Training Center at SXAU for one to two years to reach the language requirements before major studies.

4)  Application documents

Generally, applicants must fill in and provide the following documents truly, correctly and completely                                                                                                  ★Notes:

No application documents will be returned.

The applicants must send the following documents to the Foreign Affairs Office two months prior to school terms.

Applicants must pay the application fee before sending application materials.

Accept cash or online payment. RMB only. Non-refundable.

The application is invalid if the application materials are incomplete or the application fee is not paid.

4.  Scholarships

Currently, Shanxi Agricultural University offers two kinds of scholarships to international students: Shanxi Government Scholarship (SGS) and Shanxi Agricultural University Scholarship (SAUS). The scholarships are mostly open to both academic degree program students (undergraduate and graduate) and non-degree program students (the visiting/exchange students and Chinese language students). The scholarships cover full or part of the tuition, living allowance, medical insurance and basic textbooks. Outstanding international students studying for undergraduate and graduate degree at SXAU are given priority for scholarships. Normally the students will get the scholarship every year until they finish their studies on the premise that they are approved by SXAU every year. 

5.  Medical insurance

Students are required to purchase the Comprehensive Insurance Plan of Foreign Students provided by Ping An Insurance Co on the day of registration, which has been recognized and recommended by the Chinese Ministry of Education. A waiver of medical insurance can be considered for short-term international students (less than three months) if they can provide a certificate of medical insurance coverage of similar kind. Students who do not have valid medical insurance are not allowed to register. 

6.  Tuition fees

The tuition fees for undergraduate program, master's program and doctoral program are different.

7.  Accommodation and board

SXAU provides dormitories with a phone, TV set and bathroom for applicants and research scholars. For the double room, $6 per day per person. The board expense in SXAU's Foreigner Cafe is around $50 per month per person. The board expense of the Student Dining Hall is around $40 per person per month. Currently, the dormitory fee is free for PhD students.

8.  Visa Application and Registration

Please bring your passport, Admission Notice, Visa Application Form (JW202), and original Form of Health Record for Foreigners to the embassy or consulate of the People's Republic of China, and apply for a student visa. All the documents should be original. Students shall come to Foreign Affairs Office Shanxi Agricultural University for registration during the dates indicated on the Admission Notice with the aforementioned documents. Applicants can consult the embassy or consulate of the PRC for specific requirements.

A study period of six months and above requires an ordinary passport and X1 visa. Accepted applicants need to exchange their X1 visas to a residence permit at the local Exit and Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau, within 30 days of arrival in China. If your period of study is less than six months, you may apply for an X2 visa.

9.  Contact Information

Tel: 0086-354-6288491            

Fax: 0086-354-6288303

Email: shiyunlong1218@163.com

Address: Foreign Affairs Office Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu county, Shanxi, China, 030801