Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (GSCAS), through its various departments and research institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS institutes) across the country, offers the following programs to foreign students in a wide range of specialties and research fields: Master Program, Ph.D. Program, Program for Regular Visiting Students, and Program for Senior Visiting Students.

CHAPTER I APPLICATION

1. Qualifications Any foreigners who are healthy and willing to abide by the Chinese laws and decrees, respect the Chinese customs and habits, and meet the following qualifications may apply directly to GSCAS or CAS institutes. Foreigners wishing to study in GSCAS may request an application form (GSCAS Application For Admission for Foreign Students) from the Foreign Affairs and International Students Office of GSCAS (See Chapter VII for contact details), or download the application form directly from GSCAS website (www.gscas.ac.cn).

Master Program: An applicant must be under 40 years old, has obtained or is working in the last year toward a Bachelor degree of China, or the foreign equivalent of such a degree. In the latter case, admission will be contingent on the final receipt of such a degree.

Ph.D. Program: An applicant must be under 45 years old, has obtained or is working toward a Master degree of China, or the foreign equivalent of such a degree. In the latter case, admission will be contingent on the final receipt of such a degree.

Program for Regular Visiting Students: An applicant must be under 45 years old, has obtained a Bachelor degree of China, or the foreign equivalent of such a degree.

Program for Senior Visiting Students: An applicant must be under 45 years old, has obtained a Master degree of China, or the foreign equivalent of such a degree.

2. Application Materials to Be Submitted:

• Two letters of recommendation from your instructors at least at associate professor level or other person familiar with your activities with equivalent academic achievement;
• Curriculum vitae;
• A financial support statement by your sponsor along with bank statements (original or notarized photocopy);
• An Application Form for GSCAS Scholarship for those wishing to apply for such scholarship.

If any of the materials is neither in Chinese nor in English, a copy of notarized translation in Chinese or English is required. For applicants outside mainland China, payments must be made in US dollars in the form of personal check or money order or travelers check attached to the application form, payable to the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. For applicants currently in mainland China, payments must be made in Chinese currency by sending money directly to the following bank account (Please specify that the money is for the application fee):

Account Name: Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Account Number: 0200004909008804791 Bank Name & Branch: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Yong Ding .Road Office Beijing Municipal Branch Cui Wei Road Subbranch China Address: Taiping Road 44B Zip Code: 100039

3. Application Deadline

• Master Program: March 31^st for Fall entrance;
• Ph.D. Program: March 31^st for Fall entrance; November 30^th for Spring entrance.
• Program for Regular Visiting Students and Program for Senior Visiting Students: No deadline. Applicants may apply at any time of the year.

CHAPTER II ENTRANCE EXAMINATION AND ADMISSION

There are two ways for GSCAS admission. One is general admission open to the public, and the other is special admission under CAS international exchange agreements or agreements at the institute level acknowledged by CAS. In the latter case, degree applicants should go through special entrance examinations or other procedures in accordance to the agreements.

General Admission Procedures

1. Preliminary Examination: Applicants for Master Program or Ph.D. Program are required to take a preliminary examination, which consists of two tests in the applicants’ respective academic fields and one English test. Applicants whose native language or official language is English will be exempted from the English test. All the tests are in written form and each lasts for 3 hours. Applicants will be notified of the time and venue of the tests after their application is received by GSCAS.

2. Interview: Applicants having passed the preliminary examination should expect to be interviewed, and should be responsible for all the travel and other related expenses. An interview notice will be sent to each applicant.

3. Admission An Admission Letter and a Visa Application Form for Foreigners Wishing to Study in China (Form JW202) will be sent to the successful applicant who will study in China for more than one year; and an Admission Letter will be sent to those who will study in China for less than one year.

CHAPTER III VISA APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION

Applicants admitted should bring passport, Admission Letter, Visa Application Form for Foreigners Wishing to Study in China, Form of Physical Examination Record for Foreigners to the embassy or consulates of the People’s Republic of China in their respective countries and apply for a visa. New students should register before the deadline stipulated by GSCAS or their respective CAS institute, and pay the tuition fee. Students unable to register before the deadline should make advanced arrangement with GSCAS or their respective CAS institute. All the newly registered students will be subject to a physical reexamination and those found unqualified will not be allowed to study in GSCAS.

CHAPTER IV PROGRAM DURATION

It takes 2-3 years for students to complete the Master Degree Program, and 3-4 years to complete the Ph.D. Program. A graduation certificate and a degree will be conferred to the students upon their successful completion of the curriculum and the oral defense of degree dissertation, and upon their meeting of all the other requirements stipulated by the GSCAS Degree Conferring Regulations. Students who are unable to successfully complete their curriculum, or are disqualified from presenting degree dissertation, or fail their oral defense of degree dissertation will be permitted to continue their study as visiting students or will be asked to quit their study, depending on the individual situation. The program for all visiting students is no more than 2 years. A GSCAS certificate will be issued upon a student’s meeting of his/her program requirements.

CHAPTER V EXPENSES