Measures of Status Management for International Students of Taizhou University (Trial)

Chapter 1 General Provisions

Article 1 In order to enhance the internationalization of higher education, actively promote international students’ education and standardize the management of international students, we hereby issue the Measures of Status Management for International Students of Taizhou University (hereafter referred to as Measures), which is integrated with the situation in Taizhou University (hereafter referred to as TZU) and in accordance with Administrative Measures for the Enrollment and Education of International Students by Schools (the 42nd Decree issued jointly by Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Public Security), Regulations on College Student Management (the 41st Decree issued by Ministry of Education), Notice of Ministry of Education on Issuing Quality Standards of Higher Education for Foreign Students in China (Trial) (JW〔2018〕No. 50).

Article 2 The term International Students as indicated in the Measures especially refers to foreign students in China who are receiving bachelor’s degree education of TZU.

Article 3 International students are required to

a. Obey the laws of the People’s Republic of China and respect the customs of Chinese people;

b. Obey the rules and regulations of the university and study hard;

c. Respect the customs of current students from various countries and promote exchange and cooperation in international education, culture and economics.

Chapter 2 Application, Enrollment and Registration

Article 4 Foreign students with a senior high-school diploma and standardized Chinese language proficiency are eligible to apply for undergraduate study at TZU.

Article 5 The International School is in charge of making external recruitment propaganda, reviewing international students’ application materials, issuing Letter of Admission and Visa Application Form for Study in China, arranging students to enter their respective degree programs with relevant schools as well as submitting  students’ name-lists to the Academic Affairs Department, which is in turn responsible for compiling student ID numbers.

Article 6 Every international freshman, after his/her arrival at TZU, is required to hold his/her Admission Letter and relevant certificates to complete his/her registration within the specified time frame and pay fees according to the relevant requirements. During the registration period, the International school, together with the Academic Affairs Department, the Student Affairs Department and Finance Department, shall go through formalities including certificate examination, payment management, regulation education, issuance of student ID cards and application of residence permits. The relevant schools are responsible for the teaching arrangement and teaching material distribution. If one has to defer his/her registration, with good reason, he/she should file, in advance, an application attached with relevant certificates to clarify the situation. Generally 2 weeks is the upper limit for such a deferment.Failure to apply for a deferment or keep the time limit will automatically nullify the student’s admission status.

Article 7 Every International freshman is required to take a physical check-up or have his/her physical condition rechecked within three weeks after enrolment according to the relevant requirements. Students who are certified as qualified can be registered whereas those who are found to be physically unfit will have their enrollment eligibility canceled. The International School is responsible for the arrangement of students’ physical check-up and re-check up.

Those who cheat or cut corners, whenever verified, will have their enrollment eligibility or student status canceled.

Article 8 Current students from foreign universities and junior college graduates from foreign academies, which have signed a cooperative agreement with TZU, can be allowed to join an undergraduate class of TZU in the middle of the course.

Article 9 An international student with formal student status at another Chinese university can apply for transfer into TZU, upon the consent and academic qualification of his/her current university and approval of the provincial educational administrative departments. For an applicant, he/she is required to submit the relevant certificates including Admission Certificate, Enrollment Certificate, Academic Transcript, Health certificate and Non-criminal Record. An international student can only be allowed to transfer into TZU upon his/her completion of formalities concerning university transfer, departure from his/her current university and foreign residence permit transfer.

Chapter 3  Program of Study

Article 10 Operated on a credit basis, regular BA (Bachelor’s Degree) programs usually last 4 years, with an exception of 5 years for a few majors. An undergraduate is allowed to finish a 4-year program in 3 to 6 years (or a 5-year program in 5 to 7 years), possible suspension included. Moreover, there is no scholarship for an extended international student. He/she has to pay required tuition and accommodation fee to cover the extended semester(s). The date when a candidate has obtained his/her student status is assumed as the beginning of his/her program.

Chapter 4 Attendance Regulation and Discipline

Article 11 Attendance management system for international students can be implemented in various forms based on various courses, internship and social practice. When an international student, due to illness or other special reasons, cannot attend a class or participate in an activity arranged or organized by the university, he/she should ask for leave in advance. Absence from class without applying for leave or keeping the time limit will not be excused. Absent class hours shall be calculated in accordance with actual missing class hours for courses and 5 class hours per day for internship. International students who have made unexcused absence will be duly criticized, educated, or even disciplined.  

Article 12 When an international student intends to ask for leave, he/she is required to submit a written application for leave. Medical proof is needed for a sick leave. An international BA candidate’s leave is within the power of his/her college to prove. However, if his/her leave exceeds 3 days, it should be recorded, after its approval by his/her college, by the International School. If his/her leave exceeds 2 weeks, it should be verified, after its approval by his/her college, by the International School. Anyone who is absent from school for one third of the total class hours shall be suspended from the university.

In special cases, a student who is not able to submit the written application is allowed to make an oral request for leave. After the obstacle to the submission of written application is cleared, he/she shall submit necessary proof immediately through the above procedures.

Article 13 An international student shall timely go through the procedures for resumption from leave prior to the end of his/her leave. One who fails to apply for resumption from leave will be regarded as overstaying his/her leave without applying. One who fails to return to the university to study after the expiration of his/her leave shall go through the procedures for renewing his/her leave.

Article 14 The teacher in charge of a course is responsible for the roll call in his/her class. He/she is also required to report in time the results of the roll call to the relevant school. At the start of each month, each school will submit detailed information of the previous month’s absence to the International School as well as file relevant proof away for future consultation.

Chapter 5 Curriculum, Assessment & Academic Records

Article 15 The curricula and the minimum requirements for a BA program will be specified in the Curriculum Plan for International BA Candidates issued by each college (school) every year. An undergraduate student is required to take various courses according to the Curriculum Plan for Specialized Talents in the registered field.

Article 16 International students’ curricula, assessment, academic records as well as credit and score evaluation standards shall be governed by the related regulations issued by the university.

Article 17 Overview of China and Chinese are the two compulsory courses for college-level international degree students.

Article 18 A foreign academy graduate who has joined an undergraduate class of TZU in the middle of the course, a current student from a foreign university, or an international student who has transferred from another Chinese university can be exempt from taking certain courses, upon his/her personal application, verification of the relevant school, approval of the International School and recognition of the Academic Affairs Department. All the other courses are required to be taken according to the Curriculum Plan for Specialized Talents issued by the university.

Article 19 If a student has failed the exam for a course, for which credits must be obtained according to the Curriculum Plan for Specialized Talents, he/she is required to repeat it in later semesters. The credits for the repeated course shall be included in the total credits of the courses selected in the later semesters and the actual academic score shall be recorded.

Article 20 Every international student must closely follow  regulations on examination. Anyone who has violated regulations on examination shall be duly punished in accordance with Taizhou University’s Rules/Regulations and Management of International Students (Pilot Version).

Article 21 Procedures for International students’ course selection and application for delayed examination shall be governed by the related regulations for undergraduate students issued by the university.

Article 22 Chinese is the regular working language in academic instruction for international students. The university can also offer courses instructed in foreign languages (i.e. languages other than Chinese). A college-level international degree student whose courses are instructed in a foreign language is required to write his/her graduation thesis in this foreign language, but with an abstract in Chinese.  

Chapter 6 Transfer of Program/University

Article 23 An international student is allowed to transfer into another program (major) if qualified during his/her academic study in TZU. Each international student is allowed to make only one transfer.

Article 24 For an international student, he/she has to obtain the consent from his/her present school as well as the intended school before his/her application can be submitted to the International School for verification, and to the Academic Affairs Office for record. The university will publish the list of international students that apply for transfer of major/program. The application will finally goes to the university’s president’s meeting for approval, and then issued and promulgated by the university.

Article 25 Transfer of major/program is not allowed under any one of the following circumstances:

a. The student in question has been transferred from another major;

b. The student status of the student in question has been suspended;

c. The student in question is in grade three or above of their undergraduate;

d. The student in question has been transferred from another university;

e. The student in question cannot provide justifiable excuses.

Article 26 Transfer of university is not allowed under any one of the following circumstances:

a. The student in question has been in the present university less than a semester;

b. The student in question is to be expulsed;

c. The student in question has been transferred from another university;

d. The student in question cannot provide justifiable excuses.

Article 27 The detailed procedures for international students’ transfer of major/program are carried out in accordance with the regulations on management of students’ transfer of major in TZU.

Chapter 7 Suspension and Resumption

Article 28 Generally, international students are required to finish their academic study in a continuous sequence. If one has to interrupt his/her study due to sickness or physical injury, he/she is required to file a written application for a suspension, with a medical certificate from a relevant hospital approving a long-time treatment and rest. If one infects hepatitis or tuberculosis, he/she is also required to suspend his/her study. A female international student can apply for suspension due to maternity leave. Those with other specific reasons shall be approved by the university.

Article 29 An international student, due to sickness (with a certificate from the hospital) or other specific reasons (e.g. starting a business or joining the army), shall file a written application for suspension to his/her relevant school to obtain its consent before the application goes to the International School for verification. The application finally goes to the Academic Affairs Office for record. The suspension ( retention of his/her student status ) could be 1 year, but no more than 2 years in total.

Article 30An international student whose application for suspension has been approved is required, within 15 days from the approval, to curtail his/her visa (or his/her residence permit in China ), complete necessary formalities, and leave China for his/her home country as soon as possible. All the travel expenses will be on him/herself. He/she will not enjoy the student status when he/she is on a suspension. TZU will hold no liability for the student’s security during his/her suspension. The credit(s) earned during the suspension will not be accepted by TZU.

Article 31After the suspension, the student in question is required to file an application for resumption with relevant certificates and proof. (One who has been suspended due to sickness or physical injury is required to submit valid medical statements concerning his/her recovery and physical condition for study. The university will entrust a hospital with verifying his/her recovery and physical condition for study.) The student in question can resume his/her study after he/she has obtained the consent from his/her relevant school; the approval from the International School; and the record from the Academic Affairs Office before the beginning of a new semester. The student is required to resume to study in the corresponding grade of his/her former major and former relevant school.

Chapter 8 Academic Warning and Student Status Cancellation

Article 32 An international student is expected to check his/her academic credits before the start of course selection every new semester. Each semester his/her relevant school will give an assessment of his/her academic credits after all the make-up examinations end. His/her relevant school will issue a Notice of Academic Warning to those who has failed to obtain 1/2 and above of required academic credits of the present semester. Each semester the school will issue the note once. The school will publish a list of the international students who will receive such notice 2 weeks after the end of the make-up examinations. The notice will also be delivered to the international students and be reported to the International School and the Academic Affairs Office for record.

As for dealing with the warning, the relevant schools are required to keep in record the necessary notes and process materials, and draw up and carry out corresponding supporting measures in order to help the student grow up and become a useful person.

Article 33  Under any one of the following circumstances the student status of an international student will be canceled:

a. One has applied for a withdrawal, and has been persuaded in vain;

b. One has failed to complete required procedures for resumption or extension after the end of his/her suspension and within two weeks after the beginning of a new semester;

c. One’s recovery has not been verified by the hospital entrusted by TZU and his/her application for resumption has thus been rejected by TZU;

d. One has been diagnosed with serious mental illness or one has been disabled, which has rendered him/her incapable of academic study;

e. One has contracted an infectious illness that has rendered him/her incapable of academic study;

f. One has failed to attend required activities for two weeks in succession without applying for leave or obtaining the required approval of his/her leave;

g. One has failed to be registered within two weeks after the prescribed date without justifiable reason;

h. One has received Notes of Cautionary Warning in 2 successive semesters or 3 Notes of Cautionary Warning in total;

i. One has failed to pay required fees or tuition before a prescribed deadline;

j. One has maliciously made remarks against China or the Chinese people;

k. One has to be expelled in accordance with the related regulations;

l. One with other reasons that prohibit continued studies and prescribed by TZU.

Article 34 The cancellation of an international student will go first to his/her relevant school for a written comment on the Approval Form on the Cancellation of an International Student in TZU; and the form shall be submitted together with relevant process and supporting materials to the International School for verification (except the one that has applied for a withdrawal or has failed to be registered on time) ; to the Academic Affairs Office for record; and to the relevant university leader for approval. Finally it goes to the university president’s meeting for a final decision.

Article 35 The aftermath issues after the cancellation are stipulated as follows:

a. For one who has been diagnosed with mental illness or other illness that can not accord with a qualified standard of a physical examination (include one who has been disabled due to physical injury, which has rendered him/her incapable of academic study), his/her parent or guardian shall escort him/her back home.

b. The Notification of Student Status Cancellation will be delivered to the intended student by the International School. If the intended student is unreachable, it will be delivered in an indwelling manner.

c. If the intended student has failed to go through required formalities within 1 week after the issue of the notification, the university will report his/her cancellation to the Exit and Entry Administration Department of local police.

Article 36 An international student whose student status has been cancelled or who has applied for a withdrawal, cannot apply for resumption. For the one whose student status has been canceled by TZU due to violation of school regulations or Chinese law, his/her tuition will not be refunded.

Chapter 9 Management of Graduation ( Completion )

Article 37 When an international student with proper student status has successfully completed all the required courses and academic procedures as specified in the Curriculum Plan, obtained all the required credits, finished his/her graduation thesis/design, and is verified to be qualified in virtue, wisdom and body, he/she will be graduated and awarded a graduation diploma. The verification of the student’s qualification of graduation shall be in accordance with the Curriculum Plan of the student’s enrollment year.

Article 38  If an international student anticipates that he/she is unable to meet all academic requirements when the program ends, he/she can file to his/her relevant school, 1 month before the scheduled graduation date, an application for a deferment, which will go to his/her relevant school and the International School for verification, and to the Academic Affairs Office for approval.

Article 39 If an international student has met, before schedule, all the academic requirement for graduation, he/she can file, a semester ahead of his/her scheduled graduation, a written application to his/her relevant school. If the application has successfully been verified by the relevant school and the International School, and approved by the Academic Affairs Office, he/she is allowed to be graduated ahead of schedule.

Article 40 If an international student has successfully completed all the required courses and academic procedures as specified in the Curriculum Plan, but is verified to be unqualified for graduation, he/she is allowed to end his/her study and be granted a Certificate of Program-Completion.

Article 41 If an international student has got a certificate of program-Completion, he/she can return to the university and retake the course(s) according to the relevant regulations of the university. If he/she has met all the academic requirement for graduation within the maximum permit of study，he/she is allowed to exchange his/her certificate of program-Completion to a certificate of graduation.

Article 42 If an international undergraduate has satisfied all the requirements specified in the Regulations for International Students on the Conferment of Bachelor’s Degree in TZU (Trial), he/she will be awarded a bachelor’s degree and a certificate of bachelor’s degree as well.

Article 43 If an international student’s student status has been canceled, he/she will be given a Certificate of Credits, or a Proof of Schooling.

Chapter 10 Supplementary Provisions

Article 44 An international student who has studied in the academy that has signed a cooperative agreement with TZU is allowed to join an undergraduate class in the middle of the course in TZU. The detailed procedures see related agreements.

Article 45  The relevant schools are responsible for the management of the study of the international students with student status. The International School will play a cooperative role. Whereas the International School is responsible for the management of the international students’ daily routine and the relevant schools play the cooperative roles. Other foreign affairs activities and specific circumstances are in the charge of the International School.

Article 46  Matters not mentioned see related regulations issued by the university.

Article 47 The regulations above apply to international students enrolled from the autumn semester of 2019 and beyond, and can be referred to for students in other grades.

Article 48 The International School and the Academic Affairs Office are responsible for the explanation of the present regulations.