Learn Chinese: Non-degree Programs at HIT
The non-degree Chinese language programs at HIT (Harbin Institute of Technology) let international students study Mandarin in one of China’s most respected academic cities without enrolling in a full degree. HIT runs three tracks — short-term, long-term, and a pre-university pathway — covering everything from a four-week cultural immersion to a full year of intensive language and subject preparation. This guide breaks down each option, the fees, and how to apply.
HIT is one of several leading universities offering non-degree Mandarin study; if you are still comparing campuses, see our overview of Chinese language programs in China, the language program at Nanjing University, and Peking University’s summer Chinese courses.
About Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT)
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), founded in 1920, is one of China’s leading universities, renowned for its excellence in science, engineering, and technology. Located in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, HIT is part of China’s prestigious “C9 League” of elite universities and is recognized globally for cutting-edge research and innovation.
With a comprehensive curriculum spanning engineering, management, natural sciences, and humanities, HIT attracts students worldwide and emphasizes academic rigor, international collaboration, and practical learning.
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) is recognized as a Demonstration Base for International Education in China by the Ministry of Education. Over the past three decades, HIT has provided a variety of short- and long-term Chinese language training courses to tens of thousands of international students from around the world, earning the reputation: Learning Chinese, come to China! Learning Mandarin, come to Harbin! Learning standard Mandarin, come to HIT!
For more details, visit HIT’s official website.
Short-term Chinese Language Program
The short-term Chinese language training program emphasizes practical language application and cultural immersion. It integrates elements of traditional Chinese culture, aiming to enable students to focus on Chinese language learning and cultural experiences during a four-week winter or summer session. The goal is to help students improve their language skills and practical abilities in a short time, gain insights into Chinese traditional culture, and enhance intercultural communication skills.
1. Program Duration: 4 weeks
- Winter Term: late December – mid-January (Application Deadline: November 30)
- Summer Term: June – July (Application Deadline: May 31)
Exact intake dates shift slightly each year — confirm the current calendar on HIT’s official admissions page before applying.
2. Fees (CNY)
- Application Fee: CNY400.00
- Tuition Fee: CNY3500.00 (4 weeks)
- Insurance Fee: CNY160.00
- Accommodation Fee: CNY800.00/month/bed
* Note: All fees except accommodation fees are non-refundable.
3. Eligibility
- Applicants must be citizens of countries other than the People’s Republic of China
- Applicants must be in good health both mentally and physically
Long-term Chinese Language Program
The long-term Chinese language training program offers comprehensive and diverse courses, organized into three levels: elementary (including beginner), intermediate, and advanced, with nine sub-levels. The program focuses on enhancing students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through intensive training, aiming to comprehensively improve their Chinese language proficiency and communication abilities.
1. Program Duration
- Spring Term: March – June (Application Deadline: December 30 of the previous year)
- Fall Term: September – December (Application Deadline: July 15)
Exact intake dates shift slightly each year — confirm the current calendar on HIT’s official admissions page before applying.
2. Fees (CNY)
- Application Fee: CNY400.00
- Tuition Fee: CNY7300.00 (16 weeks)
- Insurance Fee: CNY400.00 (one semester)
- Accommodation Fee: CNY800.00/month/bed
*Note: All fees except accommodation fees are non-refundable.
3. Eligibility
- Applicants must be citizens of countries other than the People’s Republic of China
- Applicants must be in good health both mentally and physically
- Applicants must be high school diploma holders and over the age of 18
Pre-university Program
The Pre-university Program is designed for senior high school graduates or those who wish to gain admission to degree programs.Students who complete the Pre-university Program will receive priority for admission to HIT.
Key features of the Pre-university Program
- Learning Chinese from scratch and programs for obtaining HSK levels 4-5
- Preparation for studying majors in Chinese language
- Developed and adopted by the leading teachers of HIT
Structure of HIT Pre-university Program
- The program is structured according to major areas, with teaching methods tailored to the desired specialty, and accommodates applicants with varying levels of Chinese proficiency.
- Program types: Science and Engineering & Business.
Learning the Chinese language:
- HSK 4-5 (1200-2500 words)
- Covers household level + academic + subject-specific language
- Terminology in the selected direction
- Cultural adaptation program
Subject training:
- Subject-specific terminology for successful comprehension of lecturers and materials at HIT
- Basic subjects –aimed at improving academic performance in school core subjects
- Major subjects will help to prepare for studying their specialty at HIT
- The study courses are customized for the selected stream.
Join the HIT Pre-university Program with Any Level of Chinese
Program A: For beginners in Chinese, learning from scratch. 36 weeks / 1188 hrs / September-July.
| Semester | Sections | Courses | Class Hours | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FallSemester(18 weeks) | Chinese Language | Comprehensive Chinese | 12 | 648 |
| Chinese Listening & Speaking | 4 | |||
| Chinese Reading & Writing | 4 | |||
| Academic Course | Scientific Chinese（Vocabulary） | 4 | ||
| Mathematics | 6 | |||
| HSK | HSK Training | 4 | ||
| Chinese Culture | China Overview Lecture | 1 | ||
| Chinese Language Practical Activity | 1 |
| Semester | Sections | Courses | Class Hours | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpringSemester（Science and Engineering）18 weeks | Chinese Language | Comprehensive Chinese | 8 | 540 |
| Chinese Listening & Speaking | 4 | |||
| Scientific Chinese | 2-4 | |||
| HSK | HSK Training | 4 | ||
| Academic Course | Mathematics | 4-8 | ||
| Physics/Chemistry | 4-6 | |||
| Chinese Culture | China Overview Lecture | 1 | ||
| Chinese Language Practical Activity | 1 |
Program B: A certificate or equivalent of HSK 3 is required for Business, Science and Engineering.
18 weeks / 540 hours / March-July
| Semester | Sections | Courses | Class Hours | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring semester（Science and Engineering） | Chinese Language | Comprehensive Chinese | 8 | 540 |
| Chinese Listening & Speaking | 4 | |||
| Scientific Chinese | 2-4 | |||
| HSK | HSK Training | 4 | ||
| Academic Course | Mathematics | 4-8 | ||
| Physics/Chemistry | 4-6 | |||
| Chinese Culture | China Overview Lecture | 1 | ||
| Chinese Language Practical Activity | 1 |
| Semester | Sections | Courses | Class Hours | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring semester（Business） | Chinese Language | Comprehensive Chinese | 8 | 540 |
| Chinese Listening & Speaking | 4 | |||
| Business Chinese | 2-6 | |||
| HSK | HSK Training | 4 | ||
| Academic Course | Mathematics | 6-10 | ||
| Chinese Culture | China Overview Lecture | 1 | ||
| Chinese Language Practical Activity | 1 |
Eligibility
- Applicants must be citizens of a country other than the People’s Republic of China.
- Applicants must be senior high school holders and under the age of 28.
- Applicants should be in good health both mentally and physically.
Note: International students who complete pre-university courses at HIT can obtain priority admission to degree programs.
Programs and Fees
| Program | Term | Application Deadline | Tuition | Language Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36-Week, Chinese-taught (1188 class hours) | Fall: September–January / Spring: March–July | July 31 | CNY24,600/year | None required (beginners welcome) |
| 18-Week, Chinese-taught (540 class hours) | Spring: March–July | January 31 | CNY12,300 | HSK Level 3 or above |
| 18-Week, English-taught (540 class hours) | Spring: March–July | January 31 | CNY18,000 | English proficiency proof |
Fees and deadlines reflect HIT’s current official admissions notice; always re-check the official page (linked in References) before applying, as figures are updated each cycle.
Application Documents
The application documents in other languages must be notarized in either English or Chinese.
- Log into the online HIT application system to fill in the application form.
- Passport homepage;
- Senior high school diploma or its equivalent;
- Academic transcripts;
- Language proficiency certificates;
- 18-week Pre-university Program: HSK level 3 or above
- Applicants for the 36-week Pre-university Program are not required to provide any language proficiency certificates;
- Curriculum vitae;
- Non-criminal record report (usually issued within six months before the application submission date);
- Payment receipt of the application fee (CNY400.00/USD60.00).
Note: The application fee is non-refundable. Currently, Alipay or WeChat payment is not supported. Please mark the applicant’s passport number on the remittance voucher.
How to Apply to HIT
Application Process for all programs
- Step 1: Log in to the online application system to fill in the application form.
- Step 2: Upload application documents as required, including application fee voucher
- Step 3: Pay the application fee of CNY400.00 or USD60.00.
Remittance Information
Bank Name: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Harbin, DaZhi Branch
Bank Address: 318 East Dazhi Street, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
Name: Harbin Institute of Technology
Account Number: 3500040109008900513
SWIFT/BIC: ICBKCNBJHLJ
Note:
1. Currently, Alipay or WeChat payment is not supported.
2. Please mark the applicant’s passport number on the remittance voucher.
Contact HIT
Tel: +86-451-86418461/E-mail: StudyatHIT@hit.edu.cn
Frequently Asked Questions
What non-degree Chinese language programs does HIT offer?
HIT offers three non-degree tracks for international students: a four-week short-term program (winter or summer) focused on language and cultural immersion, a long-term program running by semester with nine proficiency sub-levels, and a pre-university program that prepares students for degree study. All are taught at HIT’s campus in Harbin and lead to a certificate rather than a degree.
How much does it cost to study Chinese at HIT?
Tuition for the short-term program is CNY3,500 for four weeks, and the long-term program is CNY7,300 per 16-week semester. Pre-university tuition ranges from CNY12,300 for an 18-week Chinese-taught course to CNY24,600 per year for the 36-week track. A CNY400 application fee applies to every program, plus insurance and accommodation. Always confirm current figures on HIT’s official page.
What are the application deadlines for HIT’s Chinese programs?
Deadlines vary by intake. The short-term winter session closes around November 30 and the summer session around May 31. Long-term spring applications close around December 30 and fall around July 15. Pre-university applications close on July 31 (36-week) or January 31 (18-week). Dates shift each year, so verify the current calendar before applying.
Do I need an HSK certificate to enroll at HIT?
It depends on the track. The short-term and 36-week pre-university programs accept complete beginners with no HSK certificate. The 18-week Chinese-taught pre-university program requires HSK Level 3 or above, while the English-taught pre-university option requires proof of English proficiency instead. The long-term program places students across nine levels by ability.
Who is eligible to apply for non-degree study at HIT?
Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens in good physical and mental health. Short-term and long-term language students generally need to be at least 18, and long-term applicants should hold a high school diploma. Pre-university applicants must be senior high school graduates under the age of 28. A clean criminal-record report is required for the pre-university track.
References
- Harbin Institute of Technology — International Students admissions (Study at HIT): https://studyathit.hit.edu.cn/18339/list.htm
- HIT Online Application System: https://hit.at0086.cn/StuApplication
- Harbin Institute of Technology — official website: http://en.hit.edu.cn/