Tsinghua University

Areas of Study:

English-taught: architecture, business, communications, development studies, economics, engineering (civil, electrical, mechanical), international relations, and science (biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, physics).

Students can also choose to study Mandarin in Tsinghua's Chinese Language Program.

Mandarin-taught: architecture, biochemistry, biology, business, chemistry, Chinese language & literature,  engineering (aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, materials, mechanical), environmental science, Humanities, information science & technology, journalism & communication, law, math, microbiology, physics, psychology public policy and social sciences.

Restrictions:  Graduate courses in English, Non-Chinese foreign language courses, kinesiology/sport courses, arts courses. 

Course information in English is listed per semester (use the previous year's information to make a tentative course list for your application). Examples: Spring 2019 courses, Fall 2018 courses. 
For courses taught in Chinese, please look them up under the relevant faculty/department. 

Course Requirements:

In most cases, one UCalgary Half Course Equivalent (3 units) = 3 Tsinghua credits, although 4 Tsinghua credits may be required for some math, science and language courses. 1 Tsinghua credit = 16 academic hours at Tsinghua, and students are limited to a maximum of 20 Tsinghua credits per semester. 

The academic year is divided into two semesters.

• Autumn Semester runs from mid September to mid January
• Spring Semester runs from late February to mid July

Tsinghua offers three different types of on-campus dormitory rooms to international students at the Zijing International Student Apartments:

• Single Room (Private bathroom & toilet)
• AB Room (Shared bathroom & toilet)
• Double Room (Public bathroom and toilet)

Bedding, TV, air-conditioning, telephone, internet access, and furniture are included with each room. Dormitory prices are RMB 80/day for Single/AB rooms, and RMB 40/day for double rooms. The apartments provide cleaning services every two days, and buildings provide study rooms, a laundry room, and public washing machines. Some buildings are also equipped with a shared kitchen and dryer. Application to the dorms is mentioned as part of the application process to Tsinghua. 

On-campus accommodation (for students who apply for CLIC funding by the relevant deadline) is covered by a housing subsidy.

Off campus accommodation is also possible but support is very limited - you may need to request assistance from your Chinese buddy or friends in Beijing. See the "Off-Campus Accommodation Booking" information here. 

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-).

Tsinghua offers a selection of English-taught courses each semester. However, a minimum of Chinese 205/207 is required for this program and the language program.

Students who want to take courses taught in Mandarin must have high intermediate to advanced Mandarin (HSK 5).

Please note: China restricts access to exchange programs to citizens of other countries. Students who plan to travel on a Chinese passport are not eligible for exchange in China.

Do I have to speak Mandarin for this exchange?

For courses in English, a minimum of Chinese 205/207 is required. However if you want to take courses taught in Mandarin, you must have high-intermediate to advanced Mandarin (HSK 5).

What's special about Tsinghua?

Tsinghua University, one of the most esteemed universities in China (and the world) is an open university, with nearly all student organizations and activities open to international students. Chinese students studying at Tsinghua University are among the best and brightest of their peers in China - many of them can use English proficiently, and are very happy to help and communicate with international students. At the beginning of each semester (two weeks into the new term), hundreds of Student Associations will conduct a large-scale recruitment event, usually located around the Zijing field and opposite to the C building. International students can join any of these organizations.

Additionally, Tsinghua's Buddy Program and AICE association are two Student Associations that are dedicated to serving the diverse community of international students at Tsinghua. Other registered international student associations where students can meet like-minded friends at the university include: the Korean Students Association, Russian Students Association, Malaysia Students Association, Japanese Students Association, Canadian Students Association, Vietnamese Students Association, Indonesia Students Association, Thailand Students Association, African Students Association, and the Latin American Students Association.

Tsinghua only permits smoking on campus in designated, remote outdoor locations.

What resources are available for new students?

Campus Life: See information about a variety of campus life features here.

There is a buddy program at Tsinghua for all incoming exchange students, which is useful for transitioning to life in China. 

Student Dining: Tsinghua student dining halls are famous for their good service and reasonable price among the universities in Beijing. There are more than 10 student dining halls  on campus, providing a variety of dishes including Muslim and Western food. Close to the Zijing International Student Apartments are the Zhilanyuan, Zijingyuan, Taoliyuan, and Yushuyuan dining halls. In addition, there are several fast food restaurants and cafes on campus, and a bakery.
Off-campus, there are a variety of restaurants just outside the Main Gate including McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, Yoshinoya, and a variety of Chinese restaurants.

Sports & Recreation: Various sports facilities are provided on campus, which include: the West Lake outdoor swimming pool, the Natatorium (swimming and diving), the Comprehensive Gymnasium (badminton, table tennis, basketball, and gymnastics), the West Gymnasium (badminton, basketball, volleyball, and billiards), the West Sports Field, the East Sports Field, Zijing Sports Complex (basketball, tennis, volleyball, and soccer), and Inflatable Dome (badminton and table tennis).

Music, Art & Culture: Professional music and art performances such as symphony, drama, song and dance are frequently staged in the New Tsinghua Xuetang and Meng Min Wei Concert Hall. Movies screenings are available in the Auditorium. Most shows offer discounted ticket prices to students but you should queue early for the shows that you want to catch due to the popularity of these tickets. To know more about the upcoming shows, keep a lookout for the billboards along the roads in school and at the New Tsinghua Xuetang. You can also check out the website: http://www.hall.tsinghua.edu.cn/and add "新清华学堂" if you have a renren account at http://www.renren.com to get the latest updates.

What supports or services are available at Tsinghua?

Counselling and Learning Supports: The Center for Student Learning and Development at Tsinghua provides guidance, academic counseling and support services to improve the learning quality of the students. For the students with difficulties in course study, the Center organizes student volunteers and faculties to offer Q&A and counseling services, helping the students improve their confidence, methodology and capability in study.

The Student Counseling Center provides services to help students adapt to society, explore student's potentials, promote their personal growth, relieve psychological conflicts and pressure, and prevent psychological crisis. Counseling services in English are available to the international students.

LGBTQ: There are no laws against homosexuality in China and it is legal to change one's gender, but positive/protective rights for LGBTQ people don't exist. Our Chinese counterparts advise that students should keep a low profile in Beijing as one's sexuality is something that one might only discuss with close friends, and is not an identity that is shown publicly.

Accessibility: Students with accessibility needs are encouraged to contact our office early so that we may contact Tsinghua to determine if they can meet your needs.  

Halal: Muslim students can enjoy halal food from Tsinghua's Muslim Canteen. 

What's the weather like in Beijing?

In north China, public heating is generally turned on from mid-November (around November 15th) to mid-March (around March 15th). In order to provide proper internal air circulation, public areas will often open windows for ventilation, even in cooler weather, so it is important to pack some warm clothes for the winter, even if the winters aren't as cold as in Calgary. 

• Spring: Except for the occasional, mild sandstorm, the weather is pleasant. Temperatures fluctuate between 0°C to 26°C.
• Summer: Hot and humid. Temperatures range from 18°C to 35°C.
• Autumn: The weather is cool with occasional rain. Average temperatures hover between 0°C to 26°C.
• Winter: The weather is dry and windy. Daily temperatures are between -8°C to 5°C.