China

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

The University of Helsinki offers exchange opportunities at the following universities in mainland China:

Students of all faculties: 

  • Fudan University
  • Peking University
  • Renmin University
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University
  • Wuhan University

Students of specific faculties:

  • Beijing Forestry University (Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry)
  • Nanjing Forestry University (Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry)
  • Fudan University Law School (Faculty of Law)
  • Peking University Law School (Faculty of Law)

In order to see the Faculty specific destinations, please sign in or choose your degree programme on top of the page.

NB! Only Fudan University accepts Chinese citizens as exchange students.

You can find comprehensive instructions for going on exchange under the Study Abroad theme.

Fudan University
Peking University
Renmin University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Wuhan University

Fudan University

Student testimonials

  • "I only studied Mandarin, the courses were very high quality!"
  • "Upon arrival, there were study counselors and student coordinators present who were happy to help and responded very actively to questions! I always received help whenever I needed it."

Who can apply?

  • Students of all faculties
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s students
  • Students with English skills at least on level B2 OR Chinese at least 10 credits
  • Students with minimum GPA of 3,8

Faculties not open to exchange students

MBA courses, LLM courses and courses in basic medical sciences and clinical medicine are not open for exchange students.

What can you study here?

Chinese Language Program in International Cultural Exchange School, ICES (Chinese on a full-time basis)

  • Fudan will give you a schedule based on your placement test in the beginning of your exchange. It will include about 20 hours of language teaching per week. You cannot choose the language courses yourself, and there is no course list available beforehand. If you want to study Chinese language full-time during exchange, please write "full-time Chinese languages studies" as the course name when you apply for exchange at the University of Helsinki. You can indicate in Sisu study plan 320 hours as the workload at the host university and 25 ECTS as the amount of credits at the University of Helsinki.
  • If your written and oral proficiency in Chinese is very good at the time of your departure, you can also study subjects other than Chinese together with Chinese students. However, this depends on Fudan University and is usually possible only after the student has taken language courses there.

English-language courses offered on undergraduate and graduate level, study in specific majors. 

  • Graduate level courses are only offered in the following schools: Department of Chinese Language and Literature, School of Economics, School of International Relations and Public Affairs, and School of Philosophy.
  • Additionally students can study Chinese language courses (electives), but no guarantee on availability each semester.

How many credits do you need to complete?

Students studying Chinese as a foreign language on a full-time basis: 

  • Minimum 300 hours of language teaching at the target university per term.
  • 320 hours of language teaching at the target university = 25 ECTS

Students pursuing English-language courses: 

  • Minimum 10 Fudan University credits per term
  • 1 Fudan credit = 2 ECTS

Terms

August - January / February - June

Housing, costs and fees

  • University administered housing: 65 - 120 CNY / day + living utilities fee
  • Private housing close to campus: 3000-6000 CNY / month
  • Food and meals: around 6000 CNY / semester
  • Personal expenses: around 1000 CNY / month
  • Academic expenses: around 500 CNY / semester
  • Insurance: around 400 CNY / semester
  • Related to student visa, students must complete physical examination after enrollment at Fudan if they stay in the mainland of China for more than 180 days. Physical exam costs around 600 CNY. 

Other important matters

Fudan University can host students with Chinese passport, but cannot provide on-campus housing for them.

Exchange opportunities available 

2 students for one academic year or 4 students for one term.

Peking University

Student testimonials

  • "The quality of teaching was excellent."
  • "I personally liked the courses and my teachers were really excited and eager to teach. Instructions were given through Wechat which I think was convenient."
  • "The level of Chinese language instruction was high-quality, student-centered, and intensive, and all the teachers were really nice. The workload was significant, but attending classes was enjoyable."
  • "People in Beijing speak the most standard mandarin Chinese."

Who can apply?

  • Students of all faculties
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s students
  • Students with Chinese at least 10 credits

Faculties not open to exchange students

Courses from the Health Science Center, School of Software and Microelectronics or Shenzhen Graduate School are not open to exchange students. English-taught graduate courses of special Master programs (MBA, MIR, LLM, MPP, Yenching Academy, etc.) are not open to exchange students. 

What can you study here?

  • Chinese language training courses at School of Chinese as a Second Language: course allocation (elementary, intermediate or advanced) will depend on the result of the pre-arrival online self-assessment on Chinese language proficiency and the face-to-face interview in the orientation week.
  • Participation in Chinese-taught courses is possible if the student has very good proficiency in both written and oral Chinese at the time of departure. However, this depends on Peking University and is usually possible only after the student has participated in language courses at Peking University or if the student has completed level 6 of the HSK test "(with each item over 70 points)". Some English courses are available, but not enough for full-time studies.

How many credits do you need to complete?

Students studying Chinese as a foreign language on a full-time basis: 

  • Minimum 300 hours of language teaching at the target university per term
  • 320 hours of language teaching at the target university = 25 ECTS

Students pursuing other courses: 

  • Minimum 10 Peking University credits per term
  • 1 Peking University credit = 2 ECTS

Terms

September - January / February - June

Housing, costs and fees

See the attached PKU student exchange brochure for a reference of costs.

Other important matters

  • Destinations in mainland China do not accept Chinese citizens as exchange students.
  • PKU has an age limit: Applicants should be above 18 of age and under 45.

Exchange opportunities available 

2 students for one academic year or 4 students for one term.

Renmin University

Student testimonials

  • "I was able to take courses not offered at my home university and develop my knowledge in areas and ways I otherwise would not have."

Who can apply?

  • Students of all faculties
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s students
  • Students with English skills at least on level B2 OR Chinese at least 10 credits
  • Students with minimum GPA of 3,8

Faculties not open to exchange students

What can you study here?

The updated list of courses will be available one month before each semester. Please refer to the previous course
list as a reference.

How many credits do you need to complete?

Students studying Chinese as a foreign language on a full-time basis:

  • Minimum 300 hours of language teaching at the target university per term. Students must take all 5 Chinese language courses per term.
  • 320 hours of language teaching at the target university = 25 ECTS

Students pursuing English-language courses: 

  • Minimum 10 Renmin University credits per term
  • 1 Renmin University credit = 2 ECTS

Terms

September - January / February - July

Housing, costs and fees

See the attached RUC guide for international students for a reference of costs.

Other important matters

Destinations in mainland China do not accept Chinese citizens as exchange students.

Exchange opportunities available 

2 students for one academic year or 4 students for one term.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Student testimonials

New destination from academic year 2026-27 onwards.

Who can apply?

  • Students of all faculties
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s students
  • Students with English skills at least on level B2 OR Chinese skills at least on level HSK 5
  • Students with minimum GPA of 3,8

Faculties not open to exchange students 

  • School of Medicine
  • School of Electronics, Information and Electrical Engineering
  • School of Computer Science and Technology
  • Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance

What can you study here?

  • Bachelor level courses in English (for reference only): mathematics, future technology, aeronautics and astronautics, bio-medical engineering, material sciences, mechanical engineering, foreign languages. Undergraduate courses are not available for graduate students.
  • Master level courses in English (for reference only): physics and astronomy, oceanography, media and communication, mechanical engineering, material sciences, life sciences and biotechnology, International and public affairs, humanities, foreign languages, environmental sciences, agriculture and biology, design, aeronautics and astronautics, law.
  • Intensive Chinese Language Program: program provides different levels of Chinese language classes based on your proficiency. The courses include listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 

How many credits do you need to complete?

Students studying in Intensive Chinese Language Program:

  • Minimum 300 hours of language teaching at the target university per term
  • 320 hours of language teaching at the target university = 25 ECTS

Students pursuing courses in English:

  • Minimum 12 SJTU credits per term (maximum 15 credits per term)
  • 1 SJTU credit = 1,5 ECTS

Terms

September - January / February - June

Housing, costs and fees

  • The average cost of living: 4,000 CNY / month
  • Food: 2,000 CNY / month at university canteen
  • Health insurance: 400 CNY for half year, 800 CNY for one year

Other important matters

Destinations in mainland China do not accept Chinese citizens as exchange students.

Exchange opportunities available 

2 students for one academic year or 4 students for one term.

Wuhan University

Student testimonials

Who can apply?

  • Students of all faculties
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s students
  • Master's students must obtain their Bachelor’s degree diploma at least four months before their exchange begins
  • Students with English skills at least on level B2 OR Chinese at least 10 credits
  • Students with minimum GPA of 3,8

What can you study here?

  • Full-time study of Chinese Speciality: Chinese dialects. For students who major in Chinese language at the home university do not need to prove language proficiency.
  • Courses in English: economics and management (undergraduate), software (undergraduate), political science and public administration (graduate), international law (graduate).

How many credits do you need to complete?

Students studying Chinese as a foreign language on a full-time basis: 

  • Minimum 300 hours of language teaching at the target university per term
  • 320 hours of language teaching at the target university = 25 ECTS

Students pursuing English-language courses: 

  • Minimum 10 Wuhan University credits per term
  • 1 Wuhan credit = 2 ECTS

Terms

September - January / February - July

Housing, costs and fees

Living expenses 1,500 - 2,500 CNY / month. Obligatory local health insurance 400 CNY / semester.

Other important matters

Destinations in mainland China do not accept Chinese citizens as exchange students.

Exchange opportunities available 

2 students for one academic year or 4 students for one term.