China Direct Exchange: Nanjing University


Image of Nanjing, China
Spend the year studying intermediate to advanced Chinese language in Nanjing, China.
Location: Nanjing, China
Language of Instruction: Chinese
Program Type: Semester or Academic Year
Open to non-KU Students: No
Fulfills KU Core 4.2: No
Fulfills KU Core 5: No

  • Applicants must be KU students with at least 2 years of college-level Chinese
  • Two China Direct Exchange Scholarships are available each year and will include tuition and a stipend for room and board
  • Applications for these scholarships opens in February of each year

Annually, two China Direct Exchange Scholarships are available for study at Nankai University in Tianjin and Nanjing University in Nanjing. KU students can study intermediate or advanced level Chinese language and/or conduct graduate research.

Nanjing is the second largest city in the East China region with a total population of 8.5 million. It is located 160 miles west of Shanghai and is a port on the Yangtze River. Nanjing is currently the capital of Jiangsu province, but it has also served as the capital of regional empires and twice as the capital of a united China. 

University dormitory rooms.

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.

Applicants must be degree-seeking KU students, graduate or upper-level undergraduate, in good academic standing (a minimum GPA of 3.0 is usually required) with at least two years of college-level Chinese or its equivalent. Applicants must demonstrate academic interest and commitment to Chinese language, literature, history, philosophy, economy, government, society and other related subjects. Preference will be given to applicants who are US citizens or who have permanent residence status.



China Direct Exchange scholars receive a waiver of tuition and a stipend for room and board from the host university. International travel and other miscellaneous expenses must be covered by personal funds. China Direct Exchange Scholars must also pay Study Abroad fees in order to maintain their KU enrollment and earn KU credit for their studies in China.



Competition for these scholarships opens in February of each year. Each applicant must submit the completed Chinese Direct Exchange Application Form which includes three letters of recommendation, a language proficiency report, a statement of purpose in English, an autobiographical essay in English and Chinese, and official transcript(s). The KU China Exchange Committee will then interview each of the prospective candidates. The scholarship is not official until the partner university has accepted the KU nominee.

For further information and for application forms, please contact Professor Keith McMahon, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, and Chair, KU China Exchange Committee, 2118 Wescoe, 864-3100; or Renee Frias, Program Coodinator, Study Abroad & Global Engagement, 108 Lippincott Hall, 785-864-3742. 

For further information and for application forms, please contact:

Professor Keith McMahon, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, and Chair, KU China Direct Exchange Committee, 2118 Wescoe, 864-3100

Renee Frias, Program Coodinator, Study Abroad & Global Engagement, 108 Lippincott Hall, 785-864-3742

Nanjing City Video