Short study in China

This opportunity is available to UNE students who have completed first year Chinese. Students who have passed 200 or 300 level UNE Chinese units may also apply, as SNNU offers classes at several levels.

The program must be taken for credit, and therefore only students whose degree or diploma program allows it are eligible to apply.

For first-time participants, the first four weeks of study is counted towards the UNE unit ICLU300, In-Country Language Unit (6 credit points), and the second four weeks of study, if taken, is counted towards the UNE unit ICLU301, In-Country Language Unit 2 (6 credit points).

Returning students who meet the eligibility criteria, who have completed ICLU300 at SNNU in a previous year, may apply to take the first four weeks of study as ICLU301.

Students must commence their SNNU study with the first four-week block. The second four-week block is only available as an extension of the first.

UNE's partner university in China for language study is Shaanxi Normal University (SNNU) 陕西师范大学（Shǎnxī shīfàn dàxué）which is located in the vibrant and historic city of Xi'an 西安 in central north-west China. Xi'an has been the capital of China at various points in Chinese history, and as the eastern end of the Silk Road it has cosmopolitan and multicultural traditions.

You can read more about Shaanxi Normal University here: http://english.snnu.edu.cn/. For a general broad introduction to the wonderful city of Xi'an, Wikipedia makes a good starting point: Xi'an

At SNNU you will be enrolled within the university’s International School of Chinese Studies 国际汉学院. On the first day of the course all students are given a written placement test, and then assigned to a level on the basis of that test. After classes have begun there is some flexibility for changing levels in discussion with the teachers there. Two or sometimes three levels of classes are offered to UNE short course students, roughly equivalent to UNE study as follows:

• Level 1 for those who are just completing first year at UNE, with grades at Credit level or above
• Level 2 for those who are just completing second year at UNE
• Level 3 for those who have completed 3 or more years of study at UNE

The textbooks used at SNNU are available for purchase after the placement test on the first day of the course. There is an exam at the end of each course and your results from that exam must be shown to Chinese department staff at UNE in order for your UNE credit to be approved.

Note: You should plan to arrive a few days before the first day of class.

(Subject to confirmation. Costs below are given as a guideline only – this year's costs will be communicated to you as soon as they have been confirmed by SNNU)

Tuition fees to SNNU (Shǎnxī  shīfàn dàxué 陕西师范大学)

* Australian dollar equivalents are estimates only. You can check conversion rates here: http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

• 4 weeks: 3000 yuan RMB (approx $626 AUD*)
• 8 weeks: 5000 yuan RMB (approx $1043 AUD*)

• If there are only one or two students in a class at a higher level, the tuition fee may be slightly higher.
• If students request additional classes, they are charged by the hour at the following rates. One student: 100 yuan. 2-3 students: 70 yuan.

Accommodation

On-campus accommodation (recommended). This will be booked for the whole group if possible.

• Own room: 200 yuan RMB per day (approx $42 AUD*)
• Twin share: 100 yuan RMB per day (approx $21 AUD*)

If the on-campus accommodation is unavailable, rooms will be sought in a hotel just outside the campus. The rate there is higher.

Additional expenses

• Travel expenses, both international and domestic
• Meals (you should be able to eat good ordinary local food for $10 - $20 AUD per day or less; western-style treats cost more)
• Travel Visa
• Insurance (when taking this course for credit as part of your course, you may be eligible to be covered by UNE insurance)
• Personal expenses
• Textbooks and study materials for purchase at SNNU
• SNNU airport pickup service to meet airport arrivals and transport you directly to your on-campus accommodation

The 4 and 8-week intensive courses at SNNU must be taken as the UNE units ICLU300 and ICLU301. They do not replace any of the other core UNE Chinese units, but are additional to them. Prior to applying to the UNE Chinese discipline to participate in the short course, you  must check that the regulations of your particular degree or diploma allow it, by checking your degree rules on the Course and Unit Catalogue and/or asking for advice through AskUNE.

If you successfully complete the 4 weeks of study at SNNU, you receive 6 credit points towards your UNE degree or diploma (normally ICLU300). Similarly, if your degree program regulations allow you to take the 8 weeks of intensive study at SNNU you receive 12 UNE credit points towards your degree (ICLU300 and ICLU301).

Procedure for applying for credit

On submitting your form to staff in Chinese at UNE to apply for the short course, you indicate your intention to apply for UNE credit.

Do not enrol in ICLU units until notified to do so, after your initial application for the short course has been assessed.

Generally, if you’re taking the 4 week course you would enrol in the unit ICLU300 In-Country Language Unit, unless you have previously taken ICLU300, in which case you enrol in ICLU301 In-Country Language Unit 2. If you’re taking the 8-week course you enrol in both ICLU300 and ICLU301. Once your initial application has been approved, you are then notified that you can go ahead and enrol in the appropriate UNE unit.

On your return from China you must submit proof of successful completion of each four-week course to staff in Chinese at UNE for ratification, and the appropriate number of points will then be credited towards your degree or diploma.

All applications will be handled in the first instance through UNE. Applications are submitted, on the form provided, to staff in the Chinese discipline, School of HASS. Students should not apply directly to SNNU in the first instance.

There are several steps in the application process and it is very important that you follow them in the right order.

1. Complete the form entitled “Short Course at SNNU Application Form” available on  this page and /or the Chinese Teahouse Moodle page, and submit as instructed.
2. The applications will be assessed.
3. The successful applications will be processed by staff in Chinese and the School of HASS here at UNE, and then forwarded as a group to SNNU for approval.
4. On receipt of notification from UNE that your application is approved, you may enrol in the appropriate UNE ICLU unit for Trimester 3, and you may make your travel bookings.
5. We will inform you when it is time to go ahead and complete the online application form for SNNU, and will give you guidance on how to do so.
6. SNNU will process your applications and send an official letter of admission for each student.
7. You use the letter of admission to apply for your student visa.

Note: The UNE Moodle site “Chinese Teahouse” will be used to circulate information and updates on short course arrangements.

Please complete the Application form and submit it along with the required information to Robyn Markey (rmarkey@une.edu.au) by the date specified on the form.