News & updates · · 2 min read
Chinese university academic calendar: intakes, semesters and the Spring Festival break
The main intake is September, with a second intake in February or March at many universities. Language programmes run four intakes a year.
The Chinese academic year runs from September to January (autumn semester) and from February or March to July (spring semester). The main intake for degree programmes is September; a smaller second intake in February or March exists at a number of universities, particularly for language programmes and some master's degrees.
Chinese language centres typically run four entry points a year: March, June or July, September and December, with tuition around CNY 10,000–14,000 per semester. This makes them the most flexible way to begin studying in China.
Two dates shape the calendar. National Day week at the beginning of October closes campuses and fills transport nationwide. Spring Festival, which falls in January or February depending on the lunar calendar, empties the campus for around two weeks and is the largest travel period of the year. Research students often find this a productive quiet period; travellers are advised to plan well ahead.