OPEN | Sun Yat-sen University 2026 Pre-university Program for International Students

Sun Yat-sen University (hereinafter referred to as “SYSU”) was founded in 1924 by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, a great national hero, patriot, and pioneer of China's democratic revolution. It is a comprehensive, research-driven, and internationally-oriented university. Rooted in the three core cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, i.e., Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Shenzhen, the University has developed a coordinated structure of five campuses across three cities and operates ten well-established affiliated hospitals.

Guided by its commitment to academic excellence and global engagement, SYSU has developed the Pre-university Program to cultivate a new generation of globally minded talents. The program draws upon the University’s strong disciplinary foundation and outstanding educational resources, and is taught by the School of International Studies at the Zhuhai campus.

Designed as a rigorous and forward-looking pathway, the program offers two specialized tracks—Business & Humanities and Sciences & Engineering. The program integrates language development with disciplinary learning, while fostering cultural awareness and global perspectives. It aims to equip students with the academic competence, intellectual curiosity, and intercultural understanding necessary for undergraduate education.

The program is designed to systematically develop students’ comprehensive Chinese language proficiency—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—with a particular emphasis on academic skills. Upon completion, students are expected to meet the linguistic and academic requirements for undergraduate study in Chinese.

Beyond language acquisition, the program seeks to cultivate well-rounded learners by:

• Building a solid foundation in key disciplines within Business & Humanities or Sciences & Engineering 
• Developing essential academic skills, including critical thinking, independent inquiry, and effective communication 
• Facilitating a smooth and confident transition from secondary education to tertiary education 
• Enhancing students’ understanding of Chinese society, history, and culture 
• Strengthening intercultural competence and global awareness 

In parallel, the program provides structured preparation for major standardized assessments, including the HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) and the CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment), thereby enhancing students’ competitiveness for admission to top-tier undergraduate programs.

Curriculum and Academic Structure

The program follows a one-year academic structure (38 weeks), divided into two semesters, with a strong emphasis on intensity, coherence, and academic progression.

• Weekly workload: 32 class hours 
   -  Compulsory courses: 30 hours 
   -  Elective courses: 2 hours 
• Total hours: 1,152 hours/year 

Students who progress to an undergraduate program at Sun Yat-sen University may, subject to the University's academic regulations, transfer at least 15 credits earned during the pre-university program.

Curriculum Framework

The curriculum is organized into four integrated modules:

1. Chinese Language Core Module
This module forms the cornerstone of the program, offering courses such as Comprehensive Chinese, Communicative Chinese, Listening, and Speaking. It aims to systematically develop students’ linguistic competence and prepare them for academic communication in Chinese-medium educational environments.

2. Subject Foundation Module
Tailored to students’ intended academic pathways:

• Business & Humanities Track: Mathematics, Business Chinese, Principles of Economics, Principles of Management 
• Sciences & Engineering Track: Mathematics, Chinese for Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry 

These courses provide essential disciplinary knowledge and establish a solid academic foundation for undergraduate study.

3. China Studies and General Education Module
By combining courses on China’s history, culture, society, and contemporary development with experiential learning opportunities drawn from the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area’s dynamic industrial, technological, financial, and cultural landscape, the program enables students to gain a deeper understanding of China.

Students are also encouraged to enroll in selected undergraduate general education courses, offering early exposure to university-level learning. Upon successful admission to SYSU, students may apply for course exemption and credit transfer in accordance with university regulations.

4. Academic Support Module
This module provides comprehensive academic support, including study skills training, peer-assisted seminar, and targeted preparation for HSK and CSCA examinations, ensuring students’ continuous academic progress and readiness for further study.
 

Completion and Progression
Completion certificates and transcripts will be issued to students who successfully complete all required coursework and assessments. Those who meet the prescribed academic and language standards will be eligible to apply for undergraduate programs at Sun Yat-sen University or other universities in China.

 

When to Apply

• Application Period: From now until July 31, 2026 
• Program Start: September 2026 (exact date as indicated in the Admission Notice); Expected entry date for the one-semester program: February 2027 

Eligibility
Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens holding a valid foreign passport and meet the requirements set out in Document No.12 (2020) of Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. Applicants with the following conditions should note that they should meet the following requirements:

1. Applicants born abroad with foreign nationality at birth: 

o If both or one of the parents are Chinese citizens, they should have obtained permanent residency abroad prior to the applicant’s birth. 
o The applicant should have resided outside China for at least two years between May 1, 2023 and April 30, 2026. 

2. Former Chinese citizens who have acquired foreign nationality: 

o Should have obtained foreign nationality before May 1, 2023 and completed the renunciation of Chinese citizenship. 
o Should have resided outside China for at least two years between May 1, 2023 and April 30, 2026. 

Additional requirements:
• Physically and mentally healthy, meeting Chinese visa and residence permit requirements 
• Applicants must have completed senior high school or higher education, or an equivalent level of education. 
• Friendly toward China, academically motivated, of good conduct, with no criminal record 
• Applicants under 18 years old as of September 1, 2026 should submit a notarized guardian guarantee; the guardian should reside in Guangdong Province 
 

Application Procedure
1. Online Application: Complete the application form at http://apply.sysu.edu.cn 
2. Upload Documents: Submit required signed forms and supporting materials 
3. Qualification Review: University reviews submitted documents for eligibility and shortlists the most qualified applicants 
4. Pre-Admission Notification: Applicants can check pre-admission results online 
5. Admission and Registration: Receive the official Admission Notice, apply for visa, pay tuition, and register on campus 
 

Application Checklist
1. Photocopy of passport (expiry date not before December 1, 2026)
2. Proof of senior high school graduation or higher education, or of an equivalent level of education
Pre-graduation certificate for applicants who have not obtained the graduation certificate
3. Complete transcripts 
4. Language proficiency certificate (e.g., HSK); Applicants for one semester should submit a valid HSK level 4 certificate
5. Study plan (≥600 words, in English or Chinese) 
6. Certificate of no criminal record (issued within 6 months prior to application) 
7. Notarized guardian documents (if under 18 before September 1, 2026), and the guardian must reside in Guangdong Province. 
8. Additional supporting materials (e.g., awards, certificates) 

All documents should be in Chinese or English. Documents in other languages should be accompanied by certified translations in Chinese or English.

Tuition and Fees
• Tuition Only: CNY 30,400 per year or CNY 15,200 per semester 
• Tuition + Accommodation: CNY 35,000 per year or CNY 17,500 per semester 
Accommodation is provided in International Student Residence, Liyuan Building 6, with shared double-rooms of approximately 25 m² and full living amenities.

Visa and Insurance

• Accepted students should bring the Admission Notice and the Confirmation Form for Study in China or the Information Form for Foreign Students' Short-term Visit to the Chinese embassy or consulate in their home country to apply for an X1 or X2 visa. Those who enter China with an X1 visa must apply for a study-type residence permit within 30 days after entry. International students whose visa or residence permit has expired are not permitted to live on campus or engage in any activities.

• Students are required to be covered by a broad insurance plan. In accordance with Chinese national regulations and the university's requirements, international students must purchase the comprehensive medical insurance for international students studying in China (covering accidental and illness medical treatment, hospitalization, accidental disability, and death) at a cost of RMB 800 per student per academic year (RMB 400 per student per semester). Students who fail to purchase insurance as required will be given a deadline to obtain coverage; failure to do so will result in ineligibility for registration. For students already enrolled, failure to comply with this requirement will result in dismissal from SYSU.

Supervision and Regulations
• Submission of false documents will result in cancellation of application, admission, or registration. 
• Failure to register or comply with visa/insurance requirements will result in revocation of admission. 
• Applicants should comply with the latest regulations of SYSU.

Contact Information
Tel.: +86 756 3668351 / 3668001
Email: sysuyk@mail.sysu.edu.cn
Address: Zhuhai Campus, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 2 College Road, Tangjiawan, Zhuhai, Guangdong, China
Postcode: 519082