PROGRAM PROFILE

The Chinese Foundation Program (1+4 Program) is NUFE's flagship program offered to international applicants, which combines a one-year intensive Chinese foundation program and a four-year Bachelor's Degree program or a three-year Master's Degree program instructed in Chinese. This program is designed for overseas high school graduates or undergraduates who would like to learn the Chinese language and a degree program instructed in Chinese. International students are scheduled to take intensive Chinese training in one academic year and must pass the HSK-4 / HSK-5 test. Having passed the interview and comprehensive selection organized by NUFE, qualified graduates can enter their preferred degree programs for further study.

For eligible graduates, available Bachelor's Degree programs are listed below:

Please note that the Business Administration program instructed in English (BBA) is a new option for Chinese Foundation Program graduates. The BBA program is taught in English, so the HSK level is not mandatory for the graduates. However, we suggest that graduates who want to join the scholarship competition pass HSK tests like others, as HSK scores play an important part in scholarship assessment. 

The availability of Bachelor's Degree programs is subject to change without notice. The available Master's Degree programs will be listed later.

TUITION FEE STANDARD

Chinese Foundation Stage: 13000 CNY/Academic Year
Bachelor's Degree Programs: 17000 CNY/Academic Year

Master's Degree Programs: 23000 CNY/Academic Year

Accommodation: triple room 4000 CNY/Academic Year (The dormitory is unavailable during winter and summer vacations for maintenance purposes.)

Mandatory Insurance: 600 CNY/Academic Year

Refundable Dormitory Deposit: 1000 CNY at check-in

Non-refundable Application Fee: 400 CNY. 

International students must also pay for textbooks, health checkups, visa applications, and residence permit applications after arrival. Some applicants recommended by NUFE's overseas admission partners may have favorable tuition fee discounts for the one-year preparatory language program. For more information, please consult our overseas admission partners.

ONE-YEAR FOUNDATION STAGE (SEPTEMBER 2026--JUNE 2027)

The one-year Chinese foundation stage starts in September 2026 and ends in July 2027. Qualified graduates are allowed to enter their Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree programs starting in September 2027, and some selected graduates will take 2nd-year language training.

The language program consists of two semesters, each lasting 18 weeks. Students are required to attend 20-25 class hours every week. Major courses include Comprehensive Chinese (6 class hours), Chinese Listening (6 class hours), Chinese Reading and Writing (6 class hours), and HSK Test Enhancement (3 class hours). In the second semester, students will take preparatory courses including Introductory Mathematics, Introductory Computing, Principles of Management, etc.

For course details, see the course description (partially listed):  Course Descriptions for Chinese Preparatory Program.zip. For the course calendar, see the sample weekly calendar:  Sample Calendar of Chinese Preparatory Program.pdf.

COMPREHENSIVE SELECTION AFTER THE FOUNDATION STAGE (LATE JUNE 2027)

In June 2027, NUFE will start a comprehensive selection, which reviews graduates' overall performance, including Chinese course results, HSK level, attendance rate, daily conduct, dorm discipline, and interview results.  NUFE will select qualified graduates for degree programs and confirm tuition and scholarship conditions. If you are unsure about how the selection system works, please refer to the assessment roadmap for current Chinese Foundation Program students on campus.

DEGREE PROGRAMS 

Qualified graduates will be approved to get admitted into 4-year Bachelor's Degree Programs, starting in September 2027 and ending in June 2031. Several graduates may take the 2nd year of language study; some may finish the study and leave NUFE. Qualified graduates with Bachelor's Degrees can get admitted into Master's Degree Programs.

Please be aware that HSK-5 is the minimum language requirement for Master's Degree Programs. Additionally, there will be a significant difference between the freshman scholarship amount of 17,000 CNY and the tuition fee for first-year master's degree students, which is 23,000 CNY.  Please wait for further updates regarding the details of the Master's Degree Programs.

Most graduates of the Chinese Foundation Program will be promoted to Bachelor's Degree Programs. For the syllabuses of  Bachelor's Degree programs, please check the NUFE Bachelor's Degree Program Syllabuses 2020 (Chinese Version)  2020版培养方案.pdf.  For the requirements for graduation and degree conferment, please check the NUFE Bachelor's Degree Program Graduation Requirements For International Students (Chinese Version) 南京财经大学外国留学生本科生培养方案基本要求.pdf  and the NUFE Bachelor's Degree Conferment Requirements For International Students (Chinese Version)  南京财经大学外国留学生学士学位授予实施细则.pdf.

CHINA SCHOLASTIC COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT (CSCA)

The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is a standardized test designed for international students who plan to pursue undergraduate degrees in China. Organized by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and developed in collaboration with experts from Chinese universities, the CSCA evaluates students' language proficiency and academic readiness. This assessment helps students better prepare for their undergraduate studies in China. For more details about the CSCA, please visit their official website.

According to information obtained by NUFE, students enrolled in the Chinese Foundation Program will not be required to take the CSCA test in 2027 when they transition to bachelor's degree programs. We will provide any updates in this section as soon as they become available.

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be non-Chinese nationals and in good health.
Applicants' passports will not expire before July 15, 2027.
Applicants have to be less than 24 years old when applying.
Applicants must own a high school diploma or Level-3 (or higher) course certificate under the ISCED 2011 standard of UNESCO. Graduating applicants must obtain high school diplomas or higher degrees before the comprehensive selection (high school diploma for undergraduate programs and Bachelor's Degree for postgraduate programs); otherwise, they can't get admitted into degree programs after the language program.
The average remark of the corresponding study has to be 80 (out of 100) or 3.5 (out of 4), 4 (out of 5), or above.
Applicants must have sufficient financial support for their studies and life in China.

ACCOMMODATION

Starting in September 2025, most students enrolled in the Chinese Foundation Program are housed at Fujianlu Campus. Upon graduating from the Chinese Foundation Program and transitioning to degree programs, students will relocate to the dormitories at Xianlin Campus. The dorms at Fujianlu Campus are situated in downtown Nanjing, specifically at No. 3 Student Dormitory, 128 Tielubeijie, Gulou District, Nanjing (鼓楼区铁路北街128号学生公寓3号站). The typical dormitory setup at Fujianlu Campus consists of triple rooms. All students residing on campus must adhere to NUFE's accommodation policies. For more information on dormitory details, please refer to http://english.nufe.edu.cn/info/1107/1461.htm.

SCHOLARSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Based on NUFE's performance-based scholarship system, newly admitted students in the Chinese Foundation Program must self-support their language study. After the comprehensive selection, they can apply for scholarships for the first year in degree programs. NUFE's financial policy states that payment of tuition fees and the disbursement of scholarships are separate processes. Students who receive NUFE scholarships must pay their tuition fees at the beginning of the academic year before receiving the scholarship funds. Please see http://english.nufe.edu.cn/info/1105/1478.htm for the details of the scholarship system.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should submit applications and required documents using NUFE's Online Application System. When you start your application in the system, please select "Preppy" & "Chinese Preparatory Program" and then choose "Chinese Foundation Program (Tuition Fee 13000 CNY / Year) " to start your application. NUFE Admission Officers will release admission updates and feedback in the system, so we suggest all applicants log into the system frequently and follow up on updates in time.

Once applicants submit their application package, the admissions officers at NUFE will start reviewing it. Applicants who pass the preliminary review will receive a payment notice for the application fee (400 CNY) from the application system. To proceed to the next steps, please complete the application fee transfer and upload the transfer receipt to our application system within 7 days (see the application fee payment tutorial: Application Fee Payment.pdf). This application fee will offset the 400 CNY accommodation fee for the next academic year once you are admitted and have arrived at NUFE.

APPLICATION DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

1. Passport Personal Information Page

The expiration date has to be later than July 15, 2027.

2. Highest Diploma / Degree Obtained

Please submit the highest diploma / degree you have obtained. If you are a graduating student, please add a graduating certificate issued by your current school or institution indicating the expected time of graduation.

3. Academic Transcript

The transcript corresponds to your highest diploma / degree. If you are a graduating student, please add the transcript issued by your current school or institution.

4. Curriculum Vitae / Personal Resume

Please design your C.V. in your fashion and include your permanent contact information, education experiences, work/internship experiences, awards, etc.

5. Certificate of No-Criminal Conviction

Non-criminal records issued by local law enforcement authorities.

6. Foreigner Physical Examination Form

Please finish the required checkup terms set by the form and have the form stamped by the medical institution. The form template is accessible in the Online Application System.

7. Bank Statement

The balance or deposit should be more than 3,000 USD or equivalence.

8. Achievements, Merits, Awards, or Skill References (If Available)

If you have any previous achievements, awards, or skill certificates, please submit them.

9. Foreign Language Certificates (If Available)

Please submit your test reports if you have taken language tests like HSK, IELTS, or TOEFL.

10. Guardian Power of Attorney (for Minor Applicants Only)

If you are under 18 years old when applying, please submit the letter written by your guardians, which appoints an acting guardian in China with their IDs and signatures appended.

11. Study-in-China Relevant Documents (If Available)

If you have any study experience in China, please submit the corresponding transcript and graduation certificate issued by the Chinese university or institution.

12. Chinese Visas (If Available)

Please submit relevant visas or residence permits if you have visited or lived in China.

13. Employment Certificate (If Available)

If you have any jobs after graduation, please submit relevant employment certificates.

14. Additional Documents Required for Admissions

Our admission officers may require additional documents if necessary.

ADMISSIONS

The application period is from November 15, 2025, to June 15, 2026. Early bird admission is scheduled to be released in late January 2026, and the last batch will be released no later than June 30, 2026.

MISCELLANEOUS

As a secular university, NUFE doesn't permit religious activities on our campus.

Please let our admission officers know if you have any archery expertise (Olympic recurve bow, compound bow, or traditional archery).

ADMISSION CONTACT

Contact our admission officers.