Beijing Normal University - Chinese Language
- Immerse yourself in Chinese language and culture in Beijing
- Study Mandarin Chinese at one of the best universities in China
- Extracurricular activities include Chinese calligraphy, cooking, painting, and martial arts
- Open to students who have taken at least one year of college-level Chinese
The University of Kansas has made arrangements with Beijing Normal University for semester or year study abroad opportunities to study Chinese language at the Beijing Normal University Chinese Language Center. Study Abroad & Global Engagement, in partnership with the KU East Asian Language and Cultures Department (EALC), will help KU students to apply and study at Beijing Normal University. Interested students should discuss their study abroad plans with EALC department early on in the process.
Summer study abroad options with Beijing Normal University are possible, contact Study Abroad & Global Engagement for more details. For additional study abroad opportunities in Mainland China, see the Student Initiated Program (SIP) options for China.
Beijing Normal University (BNU) is well respected university in Beijing with a history of more than 100 years. BNU has a student population of 20,000 students and is located northwest of downtown Beijing in Haidian district.
Beijing, the capital of the country, is located at the northern tip of the North China Plain and is the second largest city in the country with a population of 20 million. Combining rich history and bustling metropolis, Beijing is one of few cities that has served as a political, diplomatic and cultural center for a nation as large as China for so long. The city is home to some of the world’s most famous historical sites, like the expansive Great Wall and the splendid Forbidden City.
The BNU Chinese Language Center offers excellent Chinese language classes which focus on reading, writing, speaking and listening language skills in Chinese. Students take 20 hours a week of Chinese language courses
For additional fees, students can elect to take one to two courses about China that are taught in English. See Beijing Normal University: International Students Office for more information about the English-taught courses available at Beijing Normal University
For additional fees, the BNU Center offers the following extracurricular activities in Chinese calligraphy, cooking, martial arts and painting.
Students will stay in single or shared rooms in an international student dormitory on campus at BNU. For housing options see accommodation for International Students.
Approximate Dates: Academic Year: Early September to late June; Fall: Late August to mid-January; Spring Semester: Mid-February to late June. Check with Study Abroad & Global Engagement for specific dates for each term.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Preference will be given to KU undergraduate and graduate students who have had at least one year of university-level Mandarin Chinese and who have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Students below a 3.0 cumulative GPA may petition to apply for the program with an additional reference from a KU Chinese language instructor.