Your year abroad in China

You will spend your year in China at either Nanjing University in China or at Tunghai University in Taichung, Taiwan. The Year Abroad is a fantastic opportunity to see a Chinese-speaking society in action and to develop your language skills.

Both universities are high quality institutions with extensive experience of teaching Chinese to international students. In addition to their intensive language programmes, both universities offer a range of optional modules, student societies and other extra-curricular experiences to build on your understanding of Chinese cultures and society. Many students take this opportunity to travel locally and (during vacations) across the region.

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Nanjing University

Founded in 1902, Nanjing University is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in China, currently ranked in the top 20 Universities in China in the THE World University Rankings.

Nanjiing University consists of three beautiful campuses, Gulou, Pukou, and Xianlin. As a top university in China, it boasts advanced teaching and research facilities and, like in Sheffield, Nanjing students have access to a wide variety of student led events, societies, sporting activities and all students are actively encouraged to get involved.

The city of Nanjing itself is the capital of Jiangsu province and has plenty of cultural and historical sights to explore such as the famous Confucius temple. Along with its historical sites, the city is a buzzing metropolis full of skyscrapers, luxury hotels, and extensive shopping malls so there is always something to do. The city is also home to several colleges and universities and a large foreign population making it an international metropolis with new faces every day.

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Preparation

As you prepare for the Year Abroad, we will hold a number of workshops to help you choose a host institution and arrange for your time away; you will also receive a handbook that provides detailed information on all relevant issues, from essential paperwork to student life in China.

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Financial support

If you receive a loan through Student Finance, you will continue to receive this for your Year Abroad. This covers your Sheffield tuition fees (at the reduced, Year Abroad rate) and maintenance loan; you may also be able to reclaim some expenses such as travel costs.

Scholarships

Scholarships for study in Nanjing cover Nanjing University tuition fees, accommodation on campus, and a monthly stipend for living expenses for the year. These are funded and managed by the Chinese government and are restricted to students under the age of 25.

Scholarships for study at Tunghai cover Tunghai University tuition fees for the year, plus a monthly stipend for living expenses for one semester. These are funded by the Ministry of Education Republic of China (Taiwan) and there are no age restrictions. 

Normal living costs and travel in both cities are generally lower than in Sheffield. While the Tunghai scholarships do not include housing costs, accommodation on campus is very cheap and there are many affordable options off-campus as well.

Find out more about financial support and the cost of your year abroad

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Student experiences of the year in China

We asked our students to send in photos and videos and share their favourite memories of their year abroad. You can see videos of Joe Lasham's year in Nanjing, starting with moving to China and then travelling through the South East Asia region.