Zhejiang University offers international students rich opportunities to study as exchange students. The Student Exchange Program welcomes students from our partner universities who wish to study at ZJU for one or two semesters and transfer credits to their home institutions. To become an exchange student, candidates must be officially nominated by their home institution and pay tuition to that institution. On-campus housing is provided.
Fact Sheet and Application Instructions
University-wide student exchange program — Fact Sheet for University-Wide Exchange Students, Fall & Winter Term 2026–2027 (PDF).
Prospective students interested in studying at ZJU should contact their home-university coordinator for the password to the resource link (Link). This link is for nominated partners’ use and is password-protected.
1. Orientation
Orientation week takes place at the beginning of each new semester, right after the registration date. Exchange students are strongly advised to take part, as course registration is completed during orientation.
2. Study Programs
Undergraduate Program
Students are affiliated with an undergraduate faculty or school and take undergraduate-level courses alongside ZJU students. Students admitted with an advanced level of Chinese (e.g. HSK 5 or above) may also take courses in Chinese Language and in Survey of China (each 48 teaching hours per semester).
Graduate Program
Students are affiliated with a graduate school and take graduate-level courses alongside ZJU students. They may also take courses in Chinese Language (32 teaching hours per semester) and in Survey of China (48 teaching hours per semester).
Chinese Language Program
ZJU offers intensive Chinese language and culture courses at different levels. Students are placed in the class that suits them best through a placement test. The program covers reading, listening, practical conversation, and writing, and students may take up to two electives on Chinese society and culture per semester. This is a non-credit program; however, a transcript is provided so the home institution can evaluate it under its own policies.
3. Credit System
Three grading systems are used at Zhejiang University:
1. Percentage system: 60 and above is passing; 100 is full marks.
2. Five-grade scale: Excellent (A), Good (B), Fair (C), Pass (D), Fail (E).
3. Two-grade scale: Pass (P), Fail (F).
1 credit at ZJU is equivalent to 16 teaching hours. For reference, full-degree students at ZJU are required to earn: undergraduates a minimum of 15 credits per semester (169 in total over 4–5 years); master’s students 26 credits (over 2–2.5 years); and PhD students 14 credits (over 3–3.5 years).
There are currently no credit requirements for exchange students. Transcripts are issued by the International College at the end of each semester and sent to the home-university coordinator.
4. Language Requirements
For Chinese-taught Undergraduate / Graduate Courses
Applicants must hold an HSK certificate, generally with a score over 180 in HSK 5.
For English-taught Undergraduate / Graduate Courses
Applicants from non-English-speaking backgrounds must provide an IELTS score of 6.5, a TOEFL iBT score of 88, or a CEFR B2 certificate. Alternatively, an official English proficiency certificate issued by the applicant’s home university (e.g. a language proficiency letter or medium-of-instruction statement) is acceptable. IELTS retakes and the TOEFL MyBest score are accepted.
5. Number of Exchange Students
Please contact the ZJU coordinator for the maximum number of exchange students that can be accepted each semester.
6. Nomination and Application Procedures
Home-University Online Nomination
The nomination link is sent to home-university coordinators (for partners’ internal use only).
Student Online Application
All application materials must be uploaded to the Online Application System, including:
(1) A passport valid for at least six months after the program end date;
(2) Latest official English academic transcripts;
(3) A valid language proficiency certificate.
Application note: Under “Source of Funding,” please choose “University-level Exchange Student.” No application fee is required.
Admission Result
The Admission Notice can be downloaded from the Online Application System. The download link of the electronic Confirmation Form for Study in China / Information Form for Foreign Students’ Short-term Visit (for visa) will be sent to the permanent email address filled in the application system. Admission timelines may differ among exchange programs.
7. Insurance
According to the regulations of the Ministry of Education, international students studying in China must purchase comprehensive medical insurance in the mainland of China as a necessary requirement for registration for the new semester. The insurance covers accidental-injury treatment, outpatient and inpatient treatment, and death/disability liability. For details, see the insurance page.
8. Accommodation
Accommodation is automatically reserved, but students must still complete the online booking procedures as announced on the ZJU International College website. Exchange students are housed on or near the campus where their host college/department is located, and can usually check in within three days before registration. Please prepare a refundable room deposit of RMB 800 upon check-in. For details, see the accommodation page.
9. Living Expenses
Approximately RMB 2,000 per person per month, excluding accommodation.
10. ZJU Contacts for Exchange Programs
Mailing Address: Room 305, Alumni Center (Limoxi Building), Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, China 310058
Coordinator for non-European universities
Contact: Ms. YU Ruowei
Email: zjuexchange@zju.edu.cn
Tel / Fax: +86-571-88981281 / +86-571-87951315
Coordinator for European universities
Contact: Ms. WANG Yitian
Email: zjuexchange@zju.edu.cn
Tel / Fax: +86-571-88982996 / +86-571-87951315
Office of Global Engagement, Zhejiang University