Peking University Chinese Language Program Strategy

Peking University Chinese Language Program has many subprograms; this article introduces a comprehensive strategy for admission. Based on the 70 years of teaching accumulation of the College of Chinese as a foreign language education (started from the “Chinese language special course for foreign students” in 1952), Peking University has created a Chinese learning system covering short-term reinforcement, summer concentration, long-term learning and preparatory education convergence, which adapts to the needs of International learners from zero basis to advanced, from fun learning to academic application (College of Chinese as a foreign language education of Peking University, 2,025). This paper focuses on the four core Chinese learning projects, explains the course settings, application points and learning advantages, and helps to plan the Chinese improvement path efficiently.

1. Spring Four-Week Chinese Training Program: Short-term and Efficient Chinese Reinforcement Options

The project is the “Chinese fast charging” program of Peking University for international learners. It is taught by the College of Foreign Chinese Education, focusing on the practical ability of listening, speaking, reading and writing. It is suitable for people who want to focus on improving their Chinese level in a short period of time (International Student Office of Peking University International Cooperation Department, 2,025).

1.1 Core Design of Chinese Course

• course content: take “intensive reading + oral English” as the dual core compulsory course, 4 hours per day (20 hours per week), the whole process of Chinese teaching, and strengthen the real scene communication ability;
• Class rules: before entering the school, you need to complete the online Chinese proficiency test, which is divided into primary, intermediate and advanced classes (no zero starting point class), with no more than 20 people per class, ensuring the quality of interaction.
• Certificate of Completion: Those who pass the assessment are awarded the report card of Peking University and the certificate of advanced studies, and those who miss more than 1/4 of the courses are unable to obtain the certification.

1.2 Key Information of Application and Learning

• time node: 2,026 class time is from February 23rd to March 20th, and the application period is from November 15, 2,025 to January 10, 2,026;
• Application materials: a copy of the passport, a certificate of education/study (in Chinese / English) and 1 recommendation letter (in Chinese / English) need to be submitted online, and the Chinese certificate can be supplemented.
• Fee standard: the application fee is 400 yuan (non-refundable), and the tuition fee is 8,000 yuan (including textbook fee), which is paid online; The refund should be applied before February 13th, and 50% of the tuition fee can be refunded.
• supporting support: provide accommodation in Zhongguan New Park (180-220 yuan/person/day, first come, first served), and issue campus cards to use the canteen and library.

2. Chinese Summer School of Peking University: A Peking University Chinese Language Program with Multiple Durations and Scenes

Founded in the 80s of the last century, the Chinese summer school is a popular choice for international learners to “learn Chinese while perceiving China”, attracting more than 300 people from more than 30 countries every year, providing a full scene Chinese course from zero basis to business application (student office, Peking University International Cooperation Department, 2,025).

2.1 Chinese Course Type and Level Adaptation

2.2 Advantages of Chinese Learning

• teaching material system: targeted teaching materials, such as “into China” (applicable to 4-6 weeks of short-term training, mainly for dialogue), “Boya Chinese” (covering 1,000-10,000 new words in stages, adapting to long-term improvement);
• cultural integration: open lectures on China’s national conditions in English, organise visits to the Imperial Palace and the Great Wall and foster friendship between Chinese and foreign students, and understand the Chinese context in practice;
• Flexible application: 2,025 applications will be opened from December 1st, and the end of class A in four weeks will be on June 1st, and the end of class B in four weeks will be on July 6th. Zero basis can be reported to the basic class.

More information about the language summer school can be found at: Learn Chinese: Peking University Summer Courses 2025

3. Peking University Chinese Language Program for Advanced Students: Professional Promotion and Academic Chinese Training

The refresher program is divided into ordinary refresher students (Chinese + interdisciplinary learning) and senior refresher students (Chinese Topic Research), which is suitable for learners who want to deepen their Chinese ability in combination with professional or academic needs (International Student Office, international cooperation department, Peking University, 2,025).

3.1 General Advanced Students: Chinese + Customised Learning

• Chinese course: it provides multi-level immersion Chinese training, and students can choose primary/secondary/senior classes according to their foundation. The course is connected with the spring four weeks and summer school systems.
• interdisciplinary adaptation: you can choose the Chinese teaching courses of other departments of Peking University (above 180 points of HSK6 level), such as Chinese culture, history, etc., to achieve the double promotion of “Chinese + professional”;
• learning cycle: 1-2 semesters, 15-20 hours per week, and a certificate of advanced studies from Peking University.

3.2 Advanced Students: Chinese Research

• core direction: under the guidance of Professor Peking University, carry out Chinese ontology research, second language acquisition and other special studies, suitable for researchers with a certain Chinese foundation;
• resource support: open the library and electronic resources, participate in the academic forum of the College of Chinese as a foreign language education (such as the “international Chinese Forum of Peking University”), and deepen the ability of Chinese research.

4. Preparatory Education Students Chinese Connection Project: The Basic Guarantee of Chinese for Undergraduate Entrance Examination

The preparatory education student project (general/medical department) is designed for international students who plan to study at Peking University. Chinese courses account for more than 50%, and it is a key link to achieve the “transition from language to professional learning” (International Students Office, International Cooperation Department, Peking University, 2,024).

4.1 Chinese Curriculum

• proportion of class hours: 20 hours of Chinese classes per week (divided into primary / middle / Advanced), including professional Chinese elective (such as medical Chinese, science and Engineering Chinese), which adapts to the needs of subsequent undergraduate majors;
• teaching objectives: not only to improve daily communication skills, but also to focus on academic Chinese training (such as paper writing and classroom discussion) to ensure that it can keep up with the pace of undergraduate Chinese teaching;
• Convergence advantages: after passing the preparatory education Chinese examination, you can directly enter the Peking University undergraduate course, without additional participation in the Chinese proficiency test.

5. Core Advantages and Application Suggestions of the Peking University Chinese Language Program

5.1 Three Core Advantages

1. Faculty authority: The school of Chinese language education has 51 in-service teachers (including 8 professors and 24 associate professors), and 70% of the teachers have overseas teaching experience, meeting the needs of international learners (School of Chinese language education, Peking University, 2,025).
2. system improvement: from zero basis (summer basic classes) to academic application (preparatory education professional Chinese), from 1 month (four weeks in spring) to 2 years (Preparatory Education), covering the whole stage of learning needs;
3. Certification gold content: the Chinese learning certificate issued by Peking University is recognised by global universities and enterprises, and is an authoritative certificate of Chinese ability.

5.2 Suggestions for Application

• short-term reinforcement: if it is only available for 1-2 months, priority should be given to spring four-week Chinese training (February) or Chinese summer school (7-8 months);
• Zero basic introduction: directly report to the “basic class” of the Chinese summer school, zero starting point is friendly and contains cultural experience;
• Undergraduate Entrance Examination: select a preparatory education student project, systematically learn academic Chinese, and seamlessly link up undergraduate program;
• professional improvement: apply for ordinary advanced students, combine the professional content of Chinese courses, and adapt to business or academic needs.

Before applying Peking University Chinese Language Program, you need to prepare your passport, education certificate and recommendation letter in advance. The Chinese proficiency test needs to be completed truthfully (the basis for class division). It is recommended to apply for accommodation in the school as early as possible (the housing supply of Zhongguan New Park is tight).

References

1. International Students Office, International Cooperation Department, Peking University (2025). 2,026 Peking University spring four-week Chinese study program enrollment brochure. derive from https://isd.pku.edu.cn/cn/news/detail.php?id=609
2. International Students Office, International Cooperation Department, Peking University (2025). Chinese summer school. derive from https://isd.pku.edu.cn/cn/study/summer.php
3. International Students Office, International Cooperation Department, Peking University (2025). Advanced students. derive from https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/cn/further.php
4. International Students Office, International Cooperation Department, Peking University (2024). 2,025 Peking University international students’ preparatory education enrollment brochure. derive from https://www.isd.pku.edu.cn/cn/news/detail.php?id=108
5. College of foreign Chinese education, Peking University (2025). About the college. derive from https://hanyu.pku.edu.cn/index.htm

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• Alt text: the exchange scene of Chinese and foreign students in the Chinese learning program of Peking University
• Picture Title: Classroom Communication Map of the Chinese learning project at Peking University
• Picture Description: the scene of international students participating in a Chinese course learning in Peking University Campus
• Picture caption: The Chinese learning project of Peking University provides an immersion language environment for international learners