About the University

Founded in 1900, Soochow University is a key comprehensive and research-oriented university in China. 

It was among the first institutions selected for the Ministry of Education's “2011 Plan” and is a “Double First-Class” construction university. 

19 of its disciplines are ranked in the top 1% of the ESI global rankings, with 5 disciplines among the top 1‰. 

The university actively advances its internationalization strategy and has established cooperation and exchanges with over 200 universities in 

more than 30 countries (regions).

National ranking: 18th (Nature Index Ranking, 2025)

Asia ranking: 108th (Asia University Rankings, 2025)

World ranking: 292nd (U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings, 2025)

Program Overview

This program is designed to help international students who come to China for undergraduate studies improve their Chinese language proficiency, 

foundational subject knowledge, and cross-cultural adaptability through one academic year of intensive study. 

It aims to lay a solid foundation for their future university studies and prepare them for the entrance academic proficiency test for undergraduate study in China.

★ Upon completion of the program, students who meet the assessment requirements and achieve outstanding results will be given priority 

for admission to undergraduate programs at Soochow University.

Program Highlights

1. Small-class teaching with 15–20 students per class.

2. Courses taught by experienced faculty, fostering comprehensive development in Chinese listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

3. 3–5 cultural excursions and corporate visits organized each semester.

4. Intensive training on high-frequency exam content and mock tests, enabling students to reach HSK Level 5 by the end of the course.

5. Provision of preparatory professional development guidance.

6. Opportunities for CSCA/HSK mock tests.

7. Upon passing the CSCA and HSK Level 4 examinations, you will be given priority for direct entry to an undergraduate programme at Soochow University.

Curriculum

1. Class Type: Liberal Arts (Chinese-Medium)

2. Study Track  

★Study Track ①:

One Semester (Reinforcement of Professional Knowledge), 17 weeks, offered annually from March to July (Spring Semester).

★Study Track ②:

One Academic Year (Building a Solid Foundation + Reinforcement of Professional Knowledge), 17 weeks/semester, offered annually from 

September to July of the following year.

*Notes:

1.Preparatory professional development guidance is only offered in the spring semester.

2.Specialized Chinese includes Business Chinese and Liberal Arts Chinese, determined by the chosen undergraduate major.

3.Mathematics is a compulsory course. Depending on the applicant’s intended major and Chinese proficiency, the course schedule may be adjusted accordingly.

Activity Arrangements

3–5 cultural excursions and corporate visits are organized each semester:

Visit historical sites and museums to explore China’s development journey.

Participate in intangible cultural heritage handicraft workshops to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture.

Explore the Suzhou Industrial Park and renowned enterprises to grasp industry frontiers.

Eligibility

1. Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens holding a valid passport and comply with the relevant regulations of the Ministry of Education, 

    such as the“Notice on Regulating the Admission of International Students to Higher Education Institutions in China.”

2. Applicants must be physically and mentally healthy with no criminal record.

3. Aged 18 to 23.

4. High school graduate with satisfactory grades in all subjects.

5. For the one-semester program: HSK Level 4 (minimum 180) is required.

    For the one-academic-year program: HSK Level 3 (minimum 180) is required.

Online Application Procedure

1. Application Period:

   One-semester program: From now until December 31, 2026

   One-academic-year program: From now until July 30, 2026

   Log in to the Soochow University International Student Service System at https://suda.17gz.org or https://iaa.suda.edu.cn, 

   and complete the registration and information as required by the system.

2. Submission of Application Documents:

(1) Scanned copy of the passport bio-page

Applicants must hold an ordinary passport valid until after July 1, 2027. 

Those already studying in China must also submit copies of the visa page and entry stamp page.

*Note: Applicants who were originally Chinese citizens and later acquired foreign nationality, or who hold a foreign passport but have one or both parents 

          who are Chinese citizens, must additionally provide proof of the date of naturalization, a certificate of renunciation of Chinese nationality or a foreign birth certificate, 

           along with scanned copies of visa records for entering and exiting China in the past four years.

(2) Notarized high school diploma

If the applicant is currently a school student, a pre-graduation certificate or proof of enrollment issued by the school must be submitted. 

If the document is in a language other than English, an English translation and notarized English or Chinese version must also be provided.

(3) High school academic transcripts

Transcripts should be issued and stamped by the student affairs office of the school. Transcripts in Chinese or English are acceptable; 

for transcripts in other languages, an English translation and notarized Chinese or English version must be provided.

(4) Language proficiency certificate

For the one-semester program: HSK Level 4 certificate (score of 180 or above) must be submitted.

For the one-academic-year program: HSK Level 3 certificate (score of 180 or above) must be submitted.

*Note: ① HSK certificates obtained in September 2024 or later are required. 

           ② Native Chinese speakers or applicants who completed high school education in Chinese may be exempted upon evaluation by our university.

(5) Health certificate valid within 6 months

[Health certificates dated on or after March 1, 2026 are considered valid. 

Download the 'Foreigner Physical Examination Form' from the Soochow University International Student Online Application System 

and undergo the check-up at a licensed local hospital. Applicants must complete all required checks specified in the form. 

The examination form must be completed in Chinese or English, signed by the physician, and bear the hospital's embossed seal across the photograph.

(6) Non-criminal record certificate

Applicants must submit a valid non-criminal record certificate issued by the local public security authority, 

usually within 6 months prior to the application submission date.

*Note: Graduating students currently enrolled in a Chinese institution may submit a certificate of good conduct instead.

(7) Financial guarantee letter and guarantor's deposit certificate

The deposit certificate should be no less than USD 5,000, accompanied by proof of income.

*Note: All documents uploaded through the system must be clear, authentic, and valid. Consequences arising from false, unclear, or unrecognizable documents shall be borne by the applicant.

Admission, Visa, and Registration

1. Document Review and Assessment

Our university will review the application documents, conduct admission interviews as appropriate, 

and select candidates for admission and class placement based on merit. During this period, applicants can log in to the Soochow University International Student Service System 

to check their application status and related notifications.

2. Admission

Applicants who pass the document review and assessment will be admitted, and an electronic Admission Notice will be sent by the end of July. 

[Depending on the relevant policies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the National Immigration Administration, 

and the study period applied for, electronic visa documents such as the Visa Application for Study in China (JW202 Form) or the Short-term Study in China Information Form (DQ Form) 

will be sent to the email address provided in the online application. The university will not mail paper copies of these documents. 

The entire process from admission confirmation to document issuance takes approximately 3–4 weeks.

3. Visa Application

Prior to entry, take the electronic Admission Notice, the JW202 Form or DQ Form copies, and other documents to the Chinese embassy (consulate) to apply for an X1 or X2 (study) visa. 

Application requirements and procedures are subject to the regulations of the local Chinese embassy (consulate), whose decisions on visa issuance or refusal are final.

4. Registration

New students must register on time according to the date specified in the Admission Notice. 

Failure to register by the deadline without a justified reason will be treated as voluntary withdrawal.

★ Bring the following items when registering:

   ① Admission Notice (electronic version);

   ② Copies of passport bio-page, visa page, and entry stamp page;

   ③ Copy of the JW202 Form or DQ Form;

   ④ Temporary Residence Registration Form;

   ⑤ Five recent 2-inch passport photos with white background;

   ⑥ Original copies of all physical examination documents if the check-up was conducted in your home country;

   ⑦ Copy of the remittance receipt for tuition and application fee.

5. Preliminary and Review of Admission Qualifications

The university will conduct preliminary and follow-up checks on admission qualifications at the time of registration and after enrollment. 

If any discrepancy is found between the submitted documents (Admission Notice, personal information, etc.) and the actual situation, 

or if fraudulent practices are discovered, the student will be deemed unqualified, the admission will be revoked, and no fees already paid will be refunded.

Fees

1. Tuition and Application Fee

2. Accommodation

*Notes:

1. All the above fees will not be refunded once the course has officially begun.

2. Due to limited dormitory resources, on-campus accommodation will be arranged uniformly by the university based on actual availability.

Payment Method

Please remit the tuition and application fee to the university's official bank account using the following bank details (see image below). 

Include the note '2026HWYK+applicant's passport number' in the remittance remarks, and submit a copy of the remittance receipt on the registration day.

Campus and Surrounding Facilities

Soochow University features advanced research laboratories, a modern library, multi-functional classrooms, 

smart dining halls, and clean dormitories, comprehensively meeting your study, living, and research needs.

Contact Us

Address: Yiyuan Building, Tiancizhuang Campus, Soochow University, No. 333 Ganjiang East Road, Gusu District, Suzhou

Postal Code: 215000

Tel: +86-512-65223787 / 65223403

Contact Person: Ms. Chen

Email: haiwai-zs@suda.edu.cn

Website: https://oversea.suda.edu.cn/