The Chinese educational system is highly competitive and there is ample evidence throughout the different stages of the system. Despite this failure at school levels they are very low and the literacy rate exceeds 94 percent, according to World Bank data. A coninuación explain the structure around several basic levels:
Primary Education: Primary education generally begins at six years of age and is mandatory. Its duration is usually six years. During the period of compulsory education, teaching guidelines contemplate attention both to purely academic questions as to the moral and labor.
secondary education, itself divided into junior secondary education and secondary education in the second cycle. The first cycle usually lasts 3 years and is mandatory (the Chinese authorities have established a total of nine years of compulsory education). To enter upper secondary education, be overcome relevant training exams. The second cycle of secondary education also lasts, usually three years.
Professional education: since 1996, the Vocational Education Act was enacted, have laid the foundation for a well-structured professional education. Within it several levels differ.
Higher education: in higher education, which is taught in universities, colleges and vocational training centers, we must distinguish vocational training, higher education and postgraduate courses (Masters and PhD).
The academic year is structured around two semesters of about 20 weeks each. The first begins in September and the second in February. Class attendance is mandatory.
university system
Structurally, the Chinese university system is quite similar to most Western countries. The first level of university studies, which reach students after completing secondary education, is the undergraduate, similar to the European level, which lasts for four years. Immediately following are the masters degree, which is offered for three years. Finally, the PhD is the highest university level and duration includes three years.
Us teaching undergraduate levels (undergraduate) is taught in Chinese, but institutions increasingly greater effort is made to internationalize. Not surprisingly, at the university level, Chinese students must choose at least four quarterly subjects in English. On the other hand, universities with the highest percentage of international students, foreign teachers teach their classes in English, especially those related to the business and financial area. In the case of study in Mandarin, international students have to perform one or two academic years
As far as funding is concerned, China has a policy of cost sharing in which students provide a variable percentage and dependent on their income level. In this sense it must differentiate between students studying finance themselves and those who study through a grant from the government.
This formula provides access to higher education scholarships from the government. widespread access to higher education is intended. In this regard, in recent years they have launched specific plans aimed at people with financial difficulties. These plans include scholarships, tuition exemptions or reductions, part-time jobs or government loans.
