School System and Semesters

Undergraduate programs last 4 years, master programs last 3 years and doctoral programs last 3 years. Students may apply for graduation ahead of schedule or behind the schedule according to the progress of their studies.

There are two semesters in each academic year. The autumn semester, the first of the academic year, generally starts in September and ends in January of the next year, and the spring  semester, the second of the academic year, usually starts in February and ends in July. There are a winter and a summer vacation every year. Summer vacation usually lasts 2 months, and winter vacation lasts about 4 weeks. Besides winter and summer vacations, Chinese public holidays include New Year’s Day, Pure Brightness Day, Labor Day, Mid-Autumn Day, National Day, and the Chinese Spring Festival.