2021 Sun Yat-Sen University International Students (Ph.D. Degree) Admission Guide

Sun Yat-Sen University (SYSU) was founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, with an educational tradition spanning over 100 years. As a university directly affiliated with the Ministry of Education of China, SYSU has become a first-class domestically and internationally renowned modern comprehensive university with the strong support of both the Ministry of Education of China and Guangdong Province. Composed of five campuses located in the three cities of Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Shenzhen, and ten affiliated hospitals, SYSU is marching towards a world-class university and striving to become a global academic center.

In accordance with the relevant documents stipulated by the Ministry of Education and other relevant departments as well as the actual conditions of SYSU, this guide is formulated as follows.

Ⅰ. Eligibility

1. Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens with a valid foreign passport.

2. Applicants should be in good health and meet the physical standards that are required for applying for a student visa or residence permit.

3. Applicants for doctoral programs must hold a master’s degree equivalent to that of Chinese universities.

4. Applicants should be friendly to China, hardworking and diligent in their studies with excellent academic performance, upstanding and law-abiding, without any records of violations of the rules and regulations of their school, or any other security penalties or criminal records.

5. Applicants should hold an HSK (level V) certificate (with 180 points or above). Those who have completed their last degree with Chinese as the language of instruction should submit certificates of Chinese language proficiency issued by their former university and can be exempted from providing HSK certificates after SYSU’s verification.

6. Scholarship applicants should meet the age requirements.

Ⅱ. Application Deadline

March 30th, 2021. (please refer to the scholarship application guides for the time of scholarships application)

Ⅲ. Application Procedures

Applicants are required to visit SYSU Office of International Students’ Affairs (http://iso.sysu.edu.cn) for online application. Please choose “APPLY ONLINE” accordingly, fill in relevant information correctly and completely, and upload the application materials as below.

(1) Valid passport (Applicants staying in China’s mainland at the time of application should submit the visa page/residence permit page, and the entry page additionally.)

(2) Master’s and bachelor’s degree certificates (Those who are about to graduate should provide a certificate confirming their expected date of graduation issued by their university.)

(3) Academic transcripts of their studies at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

(4) Language Proficiency Certificate.

(5) Two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors.

(6) Plan for studying in China.

(7) Proof of economic conditions.

(8) Physical examination report.

(9) Commitment letter.

(10) Other supporting materials that may be required.

Note: All the application materials should be in their original copy in Chinese/English. If the original copy of the following materials is written in non-Chinese/English, a notarized copy in Chinese/English is required.

Ⅳ. Majors and Divisions

1. Please refer to the attachment for the list of majors of Sun Yat-sen University for international students (Ph.D. degree) in 2021 and the scholarship application guides for all scholarship programs.

2. Please visit http://www.sysu.edu.cn for further information about divisions and the attachment for list of divisions of Sun Yat-sen University for international students (Ph.D. degree) in 2021.

V. Selection Procedures

1. Qualification Approval

SYSU will comprehensively review applicants’ identification, highest degree certificates, academic transcripts, language proficiency levels, study plan, recommendation letters to decide on the assessment list.

2. Assessment

Assessment is organized by the divisions and is generally conducted in one of the following ways: (1) face-to-face interview (2) face-to-face interview plus written tests. Specific assessment methods, location and time will be chosen by each division and notified to the applicant.

3. Admission Policy

Admission decisions will be based on applicants’ qualification approval and assessment results, as well as their program choices. The results published by the Scholarship Management Department for the scholarship recipients’ list shall prevail.

Admission results will be released by SYSU via the online application system. The Admission Letter and the Visa Application Form for Foreigners to Study in China will be mailed to applicants between July and August according to the postal address provided by them in the application system.

4. Admitted applicants should apply for an X1 visa from the Chinese Embassy or Chinese Consulate with the Admission Letter and the Visa Application Form for Foreigners to Study in China and change the X1 visa into a residence permit for foreign students within 30 days after entering China. Otherwise, they will face expulsion. Applicants with a non-study visa are not allowed to register. Those with an expired visa or residence certificate will not be allowed to live on campus or carry out any activity.

Ⅵ. Fees (RMB)

1. Tuition Fee (RMB/person/academic year) and Registration Fee (including necessary admission assessment fees)

2. Overall Insurance and Benefit Plan (including Accidental Injury Medical Treatment Insurance, Hospitalization Medical Insurance and Morality Insurance): 800 RMB /person/academic year.

Ⅶ. Scholarship Programs

Information of the scholarship programs can be found in the “SCHOLARSHIP” of SYSU Office of International Students’ Affairs (http://iso.sysu.edu.cn):

1. Chinese Government Scholarships “Bilateral Program” (full or partial scholarships)

Eligible applicants should directly submit their application to the dispatching authorities for overseas study of their home countries or the Education Office of the Chinese Embassy (or the Consulate General) from January to early April. Application deadlines vary by countries. Please check in advance. Please refer to the application guide of 2021 Sun Yat-sen University Chinese Government Scholarships “Bilateral Program” for specific assessment methods.

2. Chinese Government Scholarships “Sino-US Degree-study Scholarship” (full scholarships) (SYSU Agency No.: 10558)

American applicants should directly submit their application to the SYSU Office of International Student’s Affairs. Time of Application: from January 2021 to March 30th, 2021.

3. Chinese Government Scholarships “Chinese University Program” (full scholarships) (SYSU Agency No.: 10558)

SYSU is the admission university of the Chinese Government Scholarships, enrolling scholarship students for this program globally (for master’s students and doctoral students only). Applicants should directly submit their application to SYSU Office of International Students’ Affairs. The University is responsible for reviewing their application materials and submitting them to the China Scholarship Council by organizing an expert panel. Admission results are subject to the determination of the China Scholarship Council. Application Time: from December, 2020 to March 30th, 2021.

4. “China Studies Program (CSP) ” Ph.D. Fellowships (full scholarships)

The scholarship is set up by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of Ministry of Education in order to support international students to study subjects in humanities and social sciences at Chinese universities. SYSU is the admission university of the “China Studies Program (CSP)”, enrolling doctoral students globally. Time of Application: from December 2020 to February 28th, 2021.

5. Guangdong Government Outstanding International Students Scholarship for New Students (partial scholarships)

Non-government scholarship students who have been admitted and registered for admission can submit their application for this scholarship. Students with outstanding performance can get the scholarship for the first academic year. The amount of scholarship for Ph. D. students is 30,000 RMB/person/academic year. Students can continue to apply for this scholarship based on the relevant regulations and their scores.

Ⅷ. Accommodation and Insurance Policies

1. Self-funded international students should arrange accommodation by themselves due to limited rooms.

2. Recipients of Chinese Government Scholarships will be accommodated in school dormitory according to relevant regulations.

3. SYSU implements an insurance system covering all international students. International students must insure themselves in accordance with relevant regulations of China and SYSU. If they do not insure themselves as required, they must purchase insurance within a limited period. Otherwise SYSU will refuse to register them. If current international students are without insurance, then they will be dismissed from university.

Ⅸ. Supervision 

1. Admitted students must complete the registration procedures in accordance with the date and location required in the Admission Letter. Registration in advance will not be accepted. Students who fail to register as required within the prescribed time without approval will be disqualified from admission qualifications. Scholarship recipients will be disqualified.

2. Applicants should be responsible for the materials submitted. In accordance with relevant regulations of China and SYSU, applicants who fabricate materials to obtain admissions will have their admission qualifications and student status cancelled by SYSU. After verification, relevant administrative departments will be informed of the facts of fabrication of the applicants.

3. In accordance with the relevant regulations and requirements of the Ministry of Education, the university will conduct physical examination and review of admission eligibility for all admitted applicants after enrollment. Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements or provide fabricated materials will be disqualified from admissions or student status. Scholarship recipients will be disqualified.

4. The SYSU Office of International Students’ Affairs performs the supervisory duties of the admissions. The Discipline Inspection and Supervision Department performs the specific supervisory duties.

X. Supplementary Provisions

1. This guide is applicable to the admissions work for 2021 SYSU International Students (Ph.D.) and shall be implemented as of the date of publication.

2. This guide will be explained by SYSU Office of International Students’ Affairs authorized by SYSU Undergraduate Admission Leading Group.

3. If the policies of the Ministry of Education and relevant departments are adjusted, the new regulations will be implemented accordingly.

    Website: http://iso.sysu.edu.cn

    Email：admissions@mail.sysu.edu.cn

    Enquiry Tel: 0086（20）84110819
    Supervision Department Tel: 0086（20）84115582
    Fax: 0086（20）84115621

    Address: Office of International Students’ Affairs, Sun Yat-sen University, 135 Xingangxi Road, Guangzhou, 510275, P.R. China

Attachment: 1. Foreigner Physical Examination Form

                    2. Commitment Letter

                    3. List of Majors of Sun Yat-sen University’s Majors for International Students (Ph.D. Degree) 2021

                    4. List of Divisions of Sun Yat-sen University for International Students (Ph.D. Degree) 2021