The Chinese In-Country language program is an excellent opportunity for students to experience Chinese culture first-hand.
CDU's four-week Chinese In-Country language program takes place at our partner institution, Anhui Normal University. The program can be taken for university credit or as a non-award course.
The program caters for relative beginners, intermediate and advanced speakers of Mandarin. These levels don't correspond to the six levels of the CDU Chinese program in a straightforward way, so you will be placed in an appropriate level after taking a test at the start of the program.
The program combines an engaging mix of language study and cultural activities. The program consists of:
- three hours of language study each weekday morning
- a weekly one-on-one session with a Chinese tutor
- occasional afternoon cultural activities
- provision for local excursions on weekends.
The program caters for adults (18 years of age to 28 years old), from relative beginners to more advanced students.
Like all of our In-Country programs, it combines rigorous coursework taught by friendly and supportive teachers, along with cultural immersion and daily interaction with native speakers.
Access the application form (PDF, 545.29 KB)
Find out more about language courses at CDU.
Contact
Ms Amy Yu
China In-Country language program coordinator
Lecturer in Chinese Language
T: 08 8946 7736
E: amy.yu@cdu.edu.au
Essential Information
Who can take the program?
Anyone can apply for the Chinese In-Country program, CDU students, students enrolled at other institutions and members of the public.
CDU students
If you are taking the program for course credit at CDU, the program is equivalent to a full unit of Mandarin Chinese study. Scholarships may be available.
Students from other institutions
If you are enrolled at another Australian university you may apply for the program but you will need to check with your institution if it will count as credit for your course.
Members of the public
You're welcome to join the in-country program as part of the non-award program of CDU's Confucius Institute.
You will undertake the same study as higher education students and will have the opportunity to complete the same assessments, but no grades will be recorded. You will receive a certificate of attendance. Scholarships are not available for non-award study.
Non-award participants will pay a course fee of A$700 and, like other students, you will be responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living expenses.
Application & enrolment
Applications are usually due by the end of August each year. We recommend you confirm the due date with the College of Indigenous Futures, Arts & Society.
- Submit an Application for Selection form.
- Once accepted to the program, if you are an enrolled CDU student, contact CDU International to find out if you are eligible to apply for any scholarships. If you're enrolled at another university you should check with your institution regarding scholarships.
- Submit a Supplementary Details form. This provides a checklist of the various details you must attend to, and also gives us information about your travel arrangements and next of kin in case of an emergency.
- Submit a Movement Request for Official Travel (PDF, 356 KB) prior to travel.
- Ensure your passport has at least six months validity from the date you will leave China.
- Sign an form in which you agree to respect the authority of the Australian and Chinese lecturers and to not engage in unacceptable behaviour, which may put the welfare or learning of other students at risk.
Other required forms
Depending on your student type, there may be other details that need to be taken care of. We will let you know if this is the case.
CDU enrolled students
To enrol, please submit the Higher Education Enrolment Form (PDF 118KB) soon after you have been accepted to the program. This provides the basis for fee billing.
Non-CDU enrolled Higher Education students
To enrol, submit the HE106 - Cross Institutional Enrolment Form (PDF 90KB) ;soon after you have been accepted to the program. Ensure the form is authorised by your university and is returned to CDU Student Central. This provides a basis for fee billing.
Non-award study
You're welcome to join the program as part of the non-award program at CDU's Confucius Institute.
You will undertake the same study as Higher Education students and complete the same assessments, but no grades will be recorded. You will receive a certificate of attendance.
You will pay a course fee of A$700 and, like other students, you're responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living expenses.
No scholarships are available for non-award study.
Results for Higher Education students
HE students will receive an official CDU grade on successful completion. You will be notified in the normal way at the end of the Summer Semester period.
This in an intensive course for which you are awarded university credit. As such you should commit to the course the same way you would in any unit you take internally.
Travel & visas
You're responsible for passport, visa and travel arrangements.
Passport
Ensure your passport has at least six months validity from the date you will leave China.
Australians who do not yet have a passport can find information on how to obtain one at The Australia Passport Office website.
Visa
Anhui Normal University will advise you on how to apply for a student visa. You may need to return a form to Anhui Normal University for processing first. You then apply to the Chinese embassy or consulate for an appropriate visa.
This process may take a number of weeks, especially if you are applying for your visa by mail from the NT. Please start this process as soon as you have been accepted to the program.
General information about Chinese visas can be found on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Australia.
Travel arrangements
You need to arrange your own travel to China.
Please schedule your flights to arrive before the course begins and to depart after it ends. It's important to be present on the first and last days of the program.
If many students are arriving at about the same time at the same airport (preferably Nanjing) it may be possible for Anhui Normal University to organise transport to the campus. Please seek advice on this before booking your ticket.
Health & insurance
Travel insurance in compulsory to undertake an In-Country language program. You will need to provide evidence that you are covered for accidental injuries, hospitalisation and medical evacuation for the duration of the program.
Come to China prepared with ample supplies of any medicines and prescriptions you take regularly. Please inform us of any allergies or medical conditions that may affect your participation in the study program.
Scholarships & grants
Contact CDU International to find out if you are eligible to apply for any scholarships or grants.
CDU's Confucius Institute has a limited amount of scholarship money available for the program. If there are more applicants than scholarships available we take into consideration things like your course and level of study and/or whether a scholarship was received for previous In-Country program.
Expenses
Course fees
In-country language programs are an accredited HECS-HELP liable unit. You pay for it in the same way you pay for other CDU units; e.g. domestic students can elect to pay for it upfront or defer their fees.
Accommodation
You're responsible for your own living expenses for the duration of the program.
Most students stay at the University's accomodation for the duration program. A dorm room shared with a second person costs around A$60 for the entire program(depending on exchange rates).
You can choose to stay at the nearby hotel which costs approximately A$35 per night.
Inexpensive meals can be bought from Anhui Normal University dining halls.
Events & excursion
You can expect a welcoming function and some excursions to be paid for by the host institution.
You will need to pay for any other excursions, trips or activities that you choose to arrange or become involved in.
Provision of information
Participants in any In-Country study program are required to supply CDU with certain information.
All information supplied will be kept in the strictest confidence. Information collection, storage and dissemination will be governed by the Information Act (NT) and the University's Privacy and Confidentiality Policy.
Information for the Chinese in-country program includes:
- Primary and secondary emergency contact details in Australia.
- Flight details and itinerary.
- Transfer details to and from the airport, accommodation and program venue(s) (except as arranged through the program).
- Insurance details (travel and medical).
- Contact details whilst in China (e.g. a mobile phone with 'Global Roaming' capability).
- Special dietary, religious, medical, or assistance requirements.
- Photocopies of the your passport, and Chinese and (if applicable) Australian visas
In addition to forms previously listed, all participants will also need to fill out, sign and forward the following documentation to the appropriate program administrators:
- Indemnity form.
- Movement Request for International University Travel (docx, 348 KB) for insurance purposes.
- DFAT declaration (if applicable at the time).
- Talent release form, (doc 46 KB) (so CDU can use pictures of your participation).
- Medical clearance (from your doctor).