Programme information is compiled from the official Sun Yat-sen University programme information for international students and is provided as a reference for prospective students.
For international students planning to pursue a Chinese-taught undergraduate degree in China, language ability and academic preparation can be just as important as high-school grades.
The Sun Yat-sen University International Foundation Programme is designed to help international students strengthen their Chinese language skills, build academic foundations and prepare for key examinations such as HSK and CSCA before progressing to undergraduate study.
Organised by the School of International Translation at Sun Yat-sen University, the programme is taught at the university’s Zhuhai Campus and offers two academic directions: Humanities & Business and Science & Engineering.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Sun Yat-sen University |
| Programme | International Student Foundation Programme |
| Location | Zhuhai Campus |
| Standard duration | 1 academic year |
| Teaching language | Chinese |
| Academic directions | Humanities & Business / Science & Engineering |
| Total study hours | 1,152 hours |
| Credits | 64 credits |
| Key preparation | Chinese, HSK & CSCA |
| Tuition | RMB 30,400/year |
| Accommodation | RMB 4,600/year |
The programme provides a structured preparatory year for international students who intend to continue to Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes.
Rather than focusing only on Chinese language learning, the programme combines four areas:
Chinese language development
Academic subject preparation
Chinese culture and general education
HSK and CSCA preparation
This integrated structure is designed to help students make the transition from secondary education to university-level study in China.
Students who successfully complete the required courses receive a Sun Yat-sen University International Student Foundation Programme Certificate.
The standard programme lasts one academic year, covering two semesters and approximately 38 weeks of study.
Students receive around 32 class hours per week, with a total of 1,152 hours and 64 credits during the academic year.
The core Chinese courses include:
Comprehensive Chinese
Communicative Chinese
Chinese Listening
Chinese Speaking
The focus is on developing the practical and academic Chinese needed for future Chinese-taught university study.
Students following the Humanities & Business direction study:
Foundation Mathematics
Business Chinese
Principles of Economics
Principles of Management
Students following the Science & Engineering direction study:
Foundation Mathematics
Technical Chinese
Foundation Physics
Foundation Chemistry
This subject preparation gives students an opportunity to strengthen their academic foundations before beginning university-level study.
A major component of the programme is preparation for the examinations that are important for international students entering Chinese universities.
The programme develops students’ Chinese listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities while providing HSK preparation.
For students planning to study a degree in Chinese, reaching the required Chinese proficiency is an important part of the transition to undergraduate education.
The programme also includes CSCA preparation, helping students prepare for an important assessment associated with undergraduate study in China.
Combining Chinese-language preparation with CSCA preparation allows students to strengthen both their language and academic preparation during the foundation year.
The foundation programme also includes courses and activities related to Chinese society and culture.
Students study areas such as:
Introduction to China
Traditional Chinese Culture
Chinese history and society
The programme also makes use of the resources of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, helping international students understand China’s social, economic, technological and cultural development.
Students may also have opportunities to take selected undergraduate general education courses. Subject to university regulations, equivalent courses may potentially be recognised towards undergraduate credits after students progress to an eligible Sun Yat-sen University degree programme.
The programme is designed as a preparatory pathway rather than a standalone degree.
After completing the required foundation courses and meeting the relevant academic and language standards, students can apply for undergraduate study at Sun Yat-sen University or other Chinese universities, subject to the admission requirements of the chosen programme.
For students who are admitted to an eligible Sun Yat-sen University undergraduate programme, some foundation courses may be eligible for credit recognition under the university’s relevant regulations, with recognised credits potentially reaching a maximum of 15 credits or more. Credit recognition is subject to the relevant regulations and the final assessment of the undergraduate programme.
This gives the programme a clear purpose:
Foundation → Academic & Chinese Preparation → Undergraduate Study
The published programme tuition is:
RMB 30,400 per academic year
An option including accommodation is:
RMB 35,000 per academic year
The accommodation package includes a place in a double room at the Liyuan International Student Apartment on the Zhuhai Campus.
The programme is taught at Sun Yat-sen University’s Zhuhai Campus, located in Guangdong Province within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The location gives international students the opportunity to study in southern China while accessing the wider academic, economic and cultural resources of the Greater Bay Area.
The Sun Yat-sen University International Foundation Programme may be particularly suitable for students who:
Plan to pursue a Chinese-taught bachelor’s degree in China
Need to improve their Chinese before starting university
Want structured HSK preparation
Need additional academic preparation in Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry
Need preparation for CSCA
Are transitioning from an overseas secondary education system to a Chinese university
Want a more structured pathway before beginning undergraduate study
A foundation year is not necessarily required for every international student. Students who already meet the Chinese-language and academic requirements of their target undergraduate programme may be able to pursue a direct degree pathway.