International Prospectus 2016

Overview of Hunan University

Hunan University is situated at the foot of the picturesque Yuelu Hill and on the west bank of the rippling Xiang River in Changsha, capital city of Hunan Province, is honored as an "Ancient Millenarian Academy, Famous Centennial University". Hunan University traces its origin to Yuelu Academy founded in 976 A.D. officially named in 1926. 

Hunan University is a comprehensive university featuring studies in engineering, with a strong foundation in science, a unique cultural background in liberal arts and its own characteristics in economics and management. Hunan University, affiliated with the Ministry of Education of China, is included in China's "Project 211" and "Project 985" for priority investment and construction. The University now has the Graduate School and 23 colleges and departments. Professional disciplines involve 11 subject categories, such as philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, science, engineering, management, and medicine.

It has a staff of over 4,300 with a faculty of nearly 2000, of which, nearly 1,270 are professors and associate professors, 4 are members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. The student body totals nearly 30,000, of which over 20,800, are undergraduates and 14,000 are graduates. The university has established academic exchanges with 140 universities and research institutes across the world. Hunan University is also home to over 1000 students from 90 countries and regions.

Carrying on good educational tradition during the long history of personnel cultivation, Hunan University has focused on the pith of the admonition of "Seeking Truth from Facts; Daring to be Pioneers" The university has produced more than 160,000 senior professionals, of whom large numbers of the graduates have grown into academic expertise, entrepreneurs and managers in governmental departments, and 13 alumni have been elected as members of the Chinese Academy of Science or the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Center of International Studies is a university department in charge of admission, management, teaching affairs and accommodations of international students studying in all colleges. At present, the center consists of 5 offices, namely Admission and Visa Office, International Students Management Office, Administrative and Teaching Affairs Office, Teaching and Research Office of Chinese Teachers, International Education Office. Senior Director Xie Jun is in charge of the center. Office Address is Dezhiyuan International Students Apartment of Hunan University, Zuo Jialong, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan Province. 

Scientific Research

Introduction to 2 State Key Laboratories 

Hunan University has tremendous strength in research. It has been equipped with 2 state key laboratories, 1 national engineering technology research center, 5 key laboratories of the Ministry of Education, 5 provincial or ministerial-level engineering technology centers, 17 key laboratories of Hunan Province, and 13 provincial-level social science research bases of Hunan Province. Hunan University has formed powerful research groups in the fields of chemistry engineering, civil engineering, architectural design, mechanical manufacturing and vehicle automation, mechatronics and automation, technology of computer application, materials science and engineering, and environmental engineering; management science and engineering, international trade, finance, accounting and so on are playing an important role in their fields of scientific research; and social science research is also developing promisingly.

The State Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Manufacturing for Vehicle Body (ADMVB) was approved to be set up in September of 2006 by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. Affiliated with Hunan University, ADMVB is one of the important research bases supported by national top-priority investment and construction.

The main research directions are vehicle styling and aerodynamics, design and optimization of vehicle structure, theory of vehicle CAE and its applications, vehicle safety and human body injury biomechanics, material and manufacturing for vehicle body. The emphasis is placed on the original and systematic research to develop the key basic theory and technology of design and manufacturing of vehicle body.

	Now ADMVB covers an area of 5,000 square meters in Hunan University and holds an innovation and experiment base of 10,000 square meters in Langli Industry Park of Changsha City.

The State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics

With the approval from Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, was set up at Hunan University in July of 2001.

The major research areas of the laboratory include nanometer and molecule scale bioanalysis, chemo/biosensing technologies, new detection techniques in life science aswell as chemometrics. Over 300 important projects from the national and the provincial governments have been undertaken or accomplished at the laboratory. More than 600 papers are included in SCI in the past five years from the laboratory. The laboratory has also obtained the following top research achievements: the second-class National Natural Science Award, the third-class National Natural Science Award, the fourth-class National Natural Science and Technology Progress Award as well as numerous Science and Technology Progress Award from Ministry of Education and Hunan Province. The analytical chemistry discipline of the laboratory has been authorized by Ministry of Education as the National Key Discipline.

Degree Programs (Chinese-instructed Programs)

Application 

Any non-Chinese citizen holding a valid foreign passport who wishes to come to study at Hunan University may apply directly to Admission & Visa Office, Center of International Studies, Hunan University.

For Prospective Undergraduate Students:

Application Checklist

1. Application form

2. High School Graduation Certificate 

3. High School transcripts

4. Health Certificate

5. Chinese Language Results

6. Scanned copy of Passport (photo page and latest Chinese Visa if applicable)

7. Proof of Study from Currently University (if you currently study in China)

8. Transfer Letter from Previous Chinese University (if you currently study in China)

9. Non-Criminal Certificate

Requirements

Requirements of Application Form of Hunan University:

1.All blanks of Application form must be filled.

2.Signature of the applicant is required

Requirements of Health Report:

1.Must be done within 6 months

2.A photo is needed on the report

3.The photo must be stamped by the hospital

4.Doctor must sign at the end of the report

5.A hospital stamp is also needed at the end

6.The date of Health Report is needed

7.The full name is required in the first blank which should be the same with passport name.

Requirements of Non-criminal Certificate

1.Must be issued by local police station overseas

2.Must be issued by university or local police station if the student is studying in China

3.Hand-writing certificate if not accepted

4.All information on the certificate must be written in Chinese or English, if not must be translated by authorized translation companies.

Requirements of all documents:

All documents, if not in Chinese or English, must be translated into English or Chinese and notarized. 

Deadline

The Application deadline is July 1.

Duration

Bachelor in Architecture: 5 years 

Other Undergraduate Program: 4 years 

Procedures 

Visit http://www-en.hnu.edu.cn/ or Send scanned copy of following documents to Admission and Visa Office, Center of International Studies, Hunan University:

Mr. Zhou Kai: zhoukai@hnu.edu.cn

Ms. Zeng Ting: 303183478@qq.com

Admission

The Admission Office accesses the application documents and issues Admission Letter and JW202 Form to successful applicants.

Tuition Fee

Application fee is non-refundable.

Accommodation Fee

Single Room: 700 Yuan/Month (need to be paid by semester)

For Prospective Master Students:

Application Checklist

1. Application form 

2. Two recommendation letter by professors

3. Bachelor degree certificate and graduation certificate

4. Bachelor transcripts

5. Research Proposal of 800 words

6. Health Certificate 

7. Scanned copy of Passport (photo page and latest Chinese Visa if applicable)

8. Proof of Study from Currently University (if you currently study in China)

9. Transfer Letter from Previous Chinese University (if you are currently studying in China)

10. Non-Criminal Certificate

Requirements

Requirements of Application Form of Hunan University:

1.All blanks of Application form must be filled.

2.Signature of the applicant is required

Requirements of Health Report:

1.Must be done within 6 months

2.A photo is needed on the report

3.The photo must be stamped by the hospital

4.Doctor must sign at the end of the report

5.A hospital stamp is also needed at the end

6.The date of Health Report is needed

7.The full name is required in the first blank which should be the same with passport name.

Requirements of Non-criminal Certificate

1.Must be issued by local police station overseas

2.Must be issued by university or local police station if the student is studying in China

3.Hand-writing certificate if not accepted

4.All information on the certificate must be written in Chinese or English, if not must be translated by authorized translation companies.

Requirements of all documents:

All documents, if not in Chinese or English, must be translated into English or Chinese and notarized. 

Deadline

The Application deadline is July 1 and December 20.

Duration

Master Programs: 2-3 years

Procedures 

Visit http://www-en.hnu.edu.cn/ or Send scanned copy of following documents to Admission and Visa Office, Center of International Studies, Hunan University:

Mr. Zhou Kai: zhoukai@hnu.edu.cn

Ms. Zeng Ting: 303183478@qq.com

Admission

The Admission Office accesses the application documents and issues Admission Letter and JW202 Form to successful applicants.

Tuition Fee

Application fee is non-refundable.

Accommodation Fee

Single Room: 700 Yuan/Month (need to be paid by semester)

Contacts: 

Address:

Admission & Visa Office,

Overseas Students Center, 

Hunan University

Changsha, Hunan Province

P. R. China

410082

Tel: +86-731-88823130       

Fax: +86-731-88823130

Website: overseashnu.com     

Email: lxhuda@126.com

For Prospective PhD students

Application Checklist

1. Application form

2. Two recommendation letter by professors

3. Master degree certificate and graduation certificate

4. Master transcripts

5. Research Proposal of 1500 words

6. Health Certificate

7. Scanned copy of Passport (photo page and latest Chinese Visa if applicable)

8. Transfer Letter from Previous Chinese University (if you currently study in China)

9. Proof of Study from Currently University (if you currently study in China)

10. Non-Criminal Certificate

Requirements

Requirements of Application Form of Hunan University:

3.All blanks of Application form must be filled.

4.Signature of the applicant is required

Requirements of Health Report:

8.Must be done within 6 months

9.A photo is needed on the report

10.The photo must be stamped by the hospital

11.Doctor must sign at the end of the report

12.A hospital stamp is also needed at the end

13.The date of Health Report is needed

14.The full name is required in the first blank which should be the same with passport name.

Requirements of Non-criminal Certificate

5.Must be issued by local police station overseas

6.Must be issued by university or local police station if the student is studying in China

7.Hand-writing certificate if not accepted

8.All information on the certificate must be written in Chinese or English, if not must be translated by authorized translation companies.

Requirements of all documents:

All documents, if not in Chinese or English, must be translated into English or Chinese and notarized. 

Deadline

The Application deadline is July 1 and December 20.

Duration

PhD Programs: 3-4 years

Procedures 

Visit http://www-en.hnu.edu.cn/ or Send scanned copy of following documents to Admission and Visa Office, Center of International Studies, Hunan University:

Mr. Zhou Kai: zhoukai@hnu.edu.cn

Ms. Zeng Ting: 303183478@qq.com

Admission

The Admission Office accesses the application documents and issues Admission Letter and JW202 Form to successful applicants.

Tuition Fee

Application fee is non-refundable.

Accommodation Fee

Single Room: 700 Yuan/Month (need to be paid by semester)

Chinese Language Programs 

A. The Chinese Language Center

Since 1992, the Chinese Language Center has undertaken the teaching of Chinese for more than 3,000 students from countries and regions such as the United States, Canada, Ecuador, Guyana, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Sweden Holland, Russia, Czech, Mongolia, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Egypt, Ghana, Israel, Nigeria and Burundi.

There are more than 20 full-time and part-time experienced teachers working in the Chinese Language Center. All the teachers are holders of master's degrees or above, among whom are 12 holders of doctoral degrees and senior professional titles, specializing in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, International Sinology and Distance Teaching of Chinese as a Second Language more than 70% of the teachers have served as teachers of Chinese or educational management staff in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Korea, Japan, Thailand and Russia.

This center hosts the testing of HSK (the Chinese Proficiency Test) and is in charge of the test paper making and candidate instruction for the 8^th to 14^th "Chinese Bridge" (Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students) organized by Hanban (Chinese Language Council International). The center has also participated in the work of the Confucius Institute in Korea and Chinese Language Centers in Vietnam.

B. Chinese Language Courses

Application 

Any non-Chinese citizen holding a valid foreign passport who wishes to come to study at Hunan University may apply directly to Admission & Visa Office, Center of International Studies, Hunan University.

For Chinese Language Program Applicants:

1.Application Form 

2.Scanned copy of Passport

3.Scanned copy of latest visa for entering China(if applicable)

4.Foreigner Physical Examination Form

5.Previous Chinese Language Results such as HSK (Optional)

6.High School Transcript(or higher diploma)

7.Proof of Study from Currently university(if you currently study in China)

8.Transfer Letter from Previous Chinese University(if you currently study in China)

9.Non-Criminal Certificate

Requirements

Requirements of Application Form of Hunan University:

5.All blanks of Application form must be filled.

6.Signature of the applicant is required

Requirements of Health Report:

15.Must be done within 6 months

16.A photo is needed on the report

17.The photo must be stamped by the hospital

18.Doctor must sign at the end of the report

19.A hospital stamp is also needed at the end

20.The date of Health Report is needed

21.The full name is required in the first blank which should be the same with passport name.

Requirements of Non-criminal Certificate

9.Must be issued by local police station overseas

10.Must be issued by university or local police station if the student is studying in China

11.Hand-writing certificate if not accepted

12.All information on the certificate must be written in Chinese or English, if not must be translated by authorized translation companies.

Requirements of all documents:

All documents, if not in Chinese or English, must be translated into English or Chinese and notarized. 

Deadline

The Application deadline is July 1 and December 20.

Duration

0.5 year to 1 year

Procedures 

Visit http://www-en.hnu.edu.cn/ or Send scanned copy of following documents to Admission and Visa Office, Center of International Studies, Hunan University:

Mr. Zhou Kai: zhoukai@hnu.edu.cn

Ms. Zeng Ting: 303183478@qq.com

Admission

The Admission Office accesses the application documents and issues Admission Letter and JW202 Form to successful applicants.

Tuition Fee

Application fee is non-refundable.

Accommodation Fee

Single Room: 700 Yuan/Month (need to be paid by semester)

English-Taught Programs

1. College of Information Science and Engineering (Master and PhD) include 2 doctoral programs in Computer Science and Technology and Software Engineering, 3 master programs (Computer Science and Technology, Information and Communication Engineering and Software Engineering). The college currently has 1 member of Chinese Academy of Engineering, 1 Cheung Kong Scholar, 1 chair professor, 2 of Talent Project for the New Century of the Ministry of Education, 17 visiting and part-time professors, and 86 full and professors, most of whom are holders of doctoral degrees. Since 2002, the college has been undertaking the English-taught master and doctoral programs in computer science and technology. All the courses are instructed in English, and the textbooks are all in English. At present, 47 professors are undertaking the teaching work, and 70% of them have overseas study or work experience. So far, the college has accepted more than 100 foreign students every year for master's or doctoral degree, and some graduates are working for large-scale Chinese enterprises and companies.

Curriculum for International Students

All students can begin degree dissertation after acquiring the credits required

3.School of Economics and Trade (Master and PhD)

In order to attract more high-quality overseas talents, our university optimizes resources and expands the diversification of English-taught programs. In the light of the achievements made in the programs of Computer Science and Technology, the university takes innovations to integrate the teaching staff and materials of College of Economics and Trade, College of Accounting and College of Finance and Statistics 

into a good cycling of teaching resources so as to apply for an English-taught program of economics to the Ministry of Education of China and China Scholarship Council and received approval in March of 2009. We began to recruit students from May, 2009. There are above 100 international students studying for master or doctoral degrees in the college at present. 

Majors for Master Programs of Economics:Program of Theoretical Economics: Theory and Policy of Macro-Economics; Property Right, System and Economic Development; Modern Corporate Theory; Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development; History of Chinese Economic Thoughts; Globalization and Economic Development of the World

Program of Applied Economics: The courses of the program include:

3. College of Business Administration (Master and PhD)

College of Business Administration is one of the most vigorous and featured colleges of the university, and it has seven departments: Department of Business Administration, Marketing, E-Commerce, Accounting, Information Management and Information System, Financial Management, and Finance Engineering.

It has 2 first-order disciplines authorized to confer Ph.D. degrees, 4 second-order disciplines authorized to confer Ph.D. degrees, 2 centers for post-doctoral research, 4 second-order disciplines authorized to confer master degree, and offers professional master degree for MBA, EMBA, MPAcc, and Property Assessment, and has 6 bachelor programs. 

Business administration stresses the integration and infiltration of modern business theories and the curriculum group in investment, finance, human resource management and so on, enabling students with the skills and stage ties of modern business administration. Fully embodied in the program is the principle of cultivating cross-disciplinary personnel who are comprehensively competent in analysis and financing. 

Objective: Train students with a solid foundation of basic theoretical knowledge in this discipline and of systematic specialized knowledge in this research area；Develop students’ ability of innovation, independent analysis and problem-solving；Be committed to train students qualified for all kinds of management job and the senior talents in scientific research institution, research institution or teaching colleges in universities.

Duration：2 to 4 years；

Research Language 

The specialized courses is given in English；

Thesis proposal , paper reading report and thesis should be written in English or Chinese；

Research paper published on academic journals should be in English or Chinese；

Credits：

Issue the Graduation Certificate and Degree Certificate

Thesis defense is passed and verified by college, graduate school and academic degree committee，master degree certificate in Management or Business Management will be issued.

Major Research Fields

4. Programs in College of Mechanical Engineering (Master)

Master of Industrial Engineering is a program taught in College of Mechanical Engineering and Vehicle Engineering; students of Engineering, Business, Management Background are welcome to apply for the program. Students with working experiences are preferred.

The main objectives of the prgrams are:

?Training students with solid foundation of fundamental theories and professional knowledge of industrial engineering, mastering scientific methodologies;

?Tracking the latest researches throughout the world on the basis of mastery of industrial 

engineering theories and analytical skills;

?Exploring the common issues and experiences of manufacturing in modern time by international comparison and combining advanced experiences of China, advanced nations, and other developing countries.

?Researching the issues of industrial upgrading and management improvement of world’s governments or manufacturing enterprises from perspective of globalization.

Duration of study

The program is a 2-year, full-time program, consisting of course study for 1st year and thesis writing for 2nd year.

Credit Requirement

To acquire industrial engineering degree, the total credits should be no less than 70 including 9 core courses (compulsory) of 26 credits (in total), 2 selective courses of 6 credits(3 credits each),  degree thesis 38 credits(including 2 credits of research proposal and 2 credits of academic activity)

Courses

Core Courses and Credits

Selective Courses (choose only 2)

Scholarships

In order to facilitate exchanges and cooperation in the fields of education, science and technology, culture, economics and trade. Chinese Government Scholarship and Confucius Institute Scholarship are offered.

A. Chinese Government Scholarship, A Scholarship Authorized to Hunan

University for Overseas Postgraduate Students

This scholarship is sponsored by the Ministry of Education, China, with the aim of supporting the development of top universities in the world and developing Chinese brand in higher education. It is a full scholarship for some of China’s best institutions of higher education to conduct autonomous enrollment.

a. Funding Programs 

  Master Degree and Doctoral Degree Programs

b. Time of Application 

Applicants should apply to the Center of International Studies, Hunan University from early January to March 15th.

c. Qualifications of Applicants

   Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens in good health

   Applicants should not be studying in China at the time of application

   Requirements of educational background and age

   The applicant for a master's degree must be the holder of a bachelor's degree with the age below 35.

   The applicant for a doctoral degree must be the holder of a master's degree with the age below 40.

d. Coverage and Amount of Funding

   Registration fee, tuition fee, basic textbook costs and on-campus accommodation. 

   Living allowance and one-off settlement allowance.

   Comprehensive medical insurance. 

   Amount of Funding for Living Allowance

   Master's degree students: RMB 1,700 per month

   Doctoral degree students: RMB 2,000 per month

   International travel expenses: To be paid by the students themselves.

e. Documents of Application

The CSC Online Application for Study in China is available in http://laihua.csc.edu.cn. 

B. Confucius Institute Scholarship

Confucius Institute Scholarship is established by Confucius Institute Headquarters, with a goal of encouraging students and teachers worldwide, who are studying and/or teaching Chinese as a second language, to study Chinese language and culture in China.

a. Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens in good health and meet one of the qualifications:

   Outstanding students at Confucius Institutes (classrooms) worldwide.

   Mandarin teachers and those who intend to become Mandarin teachers and who are devoted to the spread of language and culture.

   Outstanding examinees of Chinese tests organized by Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters.

   Outstanding participants of any of the following "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competitions, held for foreign college students, for foreign secondary school students, or for foreign students in China.

   Those who are qualified according to certain Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters agreements.

c. Supported Majors

Chinese Language Program is supported.

d. Scholarship Coverage 

   Scholarship holders are exempt from tuition, accommodation fees on campus and outpatient medical service

   One settlement subsidy

   Monthly allowances 

   Comprehensive Medical Insurance

e. Documents of Application

All applicants must submit the following materials to the Overseas Students Office of Hunan University before April 1st: 

Admission and Visa Office, Overseas Students Center, Hunan University, 

Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China. 

Post Code: 410082 

Contact: Xie Jun 

TEL/FAX: 0086-731-88823130

EMAIL: fymary@gmail.com 

Application documents will not be returned.

IMIE Scholarship

International Master of Industrial Engineering (IMIE) Scholarship is sponsored by Ministry of Education, in order to enhance the industrial and business mobility among developing countries.

Part I Program Introduction

1．Program objectives

Upholding the characteristics of “internationalization, Engineering, professionalization, interdisplinary”, the main objectives of the programs are:

?Training students with solid foundation of fundamental theories and professional knowledge of industrial engineering, mastering scientific methodologies;

?Tracking the latest researches throughout the world on the basis of mastery of industrial engineering theories and analytical skills;

?Exploring the common issues and experiences of manufacturing in modern time by international comparison and combining advanced experiences of China, advanced nations, and other developing countries.

?Researching the issues of industrial upgrading and management improvement of world’s governments or manufacturing enterprises from perspective of globalization.

2．Teaching Methods

Duration of study

The program is a 2-year, full-time program, consisting of course study for 1st year and thesis writing for 2nd year.

Credit Requirement

To acquire industrial engineering degree, the total credits should be no less than 70 including 9 core courses (compulsory) of 26 credits (in total), 2 selective courses of 6 credits(3 credits each),  degree thesis 38 credits(including 2 credits of research proposal and 2 credits of academic activity)

3. Courses

Core Courses and Credits

Selective Courses (choose only 2)

4. Master’s Thesis

After thesis writing, with consent of supervisor and review of college, trainee can apply for thesis evaluation and defense. After passing the evaluation of thesis evaluation, thesis defense can be organized. The thesis defense committee members are selected by college which usually consists of 3 to 5 professors and associate professors or other experts in the relevant discipline, and it should be, in principle, participated by 1-2 associate professors or experts in business.

5. Degree-conferring

After meeting all the training objectives and accomplishing thesis defense, a trainee can be conferred with master degree with successful evaluation of Degree Evaluation Committee.

Part II How to Apply

1．Qualifications of Application

Applicants should:

?Be in compliance with the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the university regulations, and respect Chinese customs and habits;

?Be non-Chinese nationality and hold valid foreign passport;

?Hold a Bachelor’s degree;

?Native English speakers, or holders of Bachelor’s degree from institutions where the language of instruction is solely in English, do not need to provide English test scores;

?All applicants should have bachelor degree or above and within 45 years old. Applicants of leading position or experiences of leading position and decision-making will be given favorable considerations.

?Be healthy, capable of studying, without diseases classified as “ prohibited entry into China” under Chinese laws and regulations;

?Recommended by the Chinese Embassies in applicant’s country.

2．Procedures of Application

?Filling in the form in the electronic version “International Master of Industrial Engineering Application Form”, printing it and signing it with dates;

?Sending electronic copies of all the application materials to the International Study Center of Hunan University by Email: imiehnu@126.com

?If accepted, the applicants must submit the hard copies of all the application materials to the International Study Center of Hunan University in person at the very beginning of the new semester for registration;

3．Required Documents 

Please read the following carefully and prepare the application materials as required. If the application materials are incomplete, the application will not be accepted.

Note: All application materials must be in English or Chinese. If originals can not be provided, please make sure you will provide notarized copies in English or Chinese. Accepted or not, all the application materials will not be returned.

4．Deadline

The deadline of application is July 31 

5．Eligibility

Center of International Studies of Hunan University will check the eligibility of the applicants according to relevant regulations.

6．Registration

The specific time will be stated on the Admission Notice. The applicants must register, according to the stated time, in Hunan University. Early arrival is not accepted.

7．Contact Information

Tel: +86-731-88823130

Fax: +86-731-88823130

Email: imiehnu@126.com

Website: http://www.hnu.edu.cn/ 

Post Address: 

Center of International Studies, Hunan University;

Room B160, Floor B1, Hunan University International Students Apartment;

Dezhiyuan, Zuojialong, Yuelu District, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China

Accommodation & Life

 University System and Semesters

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 2-month winter vacation and a 4-week summer vacation every year. There are also Chinese public holidays including New Year's Day: Chinese Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, Dragon Boating Festival, Mid-Autumn Day and National Day.

 Currency and Bank

Renminbi (RMB) is the sole circulating currency in China. Banks like Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Construction Bank of China have branches on the campus to provide convenient depositing and withdrawing services, both in RMB and foreign currencies. Your passport or residence certificate is needed when you open an account.

 Postal and Telecommunications

Post office and telecommunication agencies on campus area provide services of remittance, deposit and telecommunications

 Library, Hospital and Sports Facilities

There are libraries, hospitals and multifunctional gymnasiums on both south and north campuses of the university. All these facilities are free of charge to registered students. Other large-scale hospitals, such as Xiangya Hospital and People's Hospital of Hunan Province also provide convenient services for students if needed.

 Insurance

Students who will study here for more than one semester are required to buy medical insurance, which includes accident insurance and hospitalization insurance. The Chinese government will buy medical insurance for students under Chinese government scholarship programs. Self-financed students can buy their insurance by themselves before or after coming to China.

Accommodation  International Students Apartment (equipped with private bathroom, air conditioner, internet access, public kitchen, and public laundry facilities).  Food and Living Expenses  There are various restaurants on and near the campus, like western restaurants, Islamic restaurants, Chinese restaurants and snack bars, and students can choose any one for meals as they like. There are also a couple of cafeterias providing rich varieties of food. Cost of living in Changsha is comparatively low.

Local Communications Many bus routes connecting the university with major downtown shopping areas, hospitals, the airport, and the railway station are available, the fare of which is RMB 1 to 2. It is very convenient to take a taxi in Changsha. Taxi service is available around the clock. Extracurricular Activities Hunan University arranges various entertainment and sports activities, visits, and tours for international students. The colleges also organize many extracurricular activities for their students.

Student Associations International students can apply for membership of the Students' Union and Graduate Students' Union of Hunan University, and can take part in all their activities. International students may set up their own student organizations with the approval of the university, and operate in accordance with the Chinese law and the rules of the university. Network Service There are internet interfaces in each room of the university apartment buildings, and it is very convenient for students to surf online. International students can also go to the Campus Network Center and the library for internet accesses. Booking Train or Air Tickets International students can book train or air tickets from Ticket Service Center on the campus.

Highlights of HNU

 A university affiliated to the Ministry of Education of China.

 A university included in "Project 211" and "Project 985" for priority investment and construction. 

 A time-honored university tracing back Yuelu Academy founded in 976 A. D.

 A university located in picturesque surroundings with rich natural resources.

 Most programs in engineering can be instructed in English.

 Scholarship opportunities for 10% of the applicants.