In 2023, Sichuan University admitted 25% of 920 international applicants (228 total), with 65% of students receiving scholarships and 82% using study support like tutoring (28 daily visits) and HSK classes (90% score boost).
Table of Contents
Admission Basics
In 2023, Sichuan University’s International Education College received 920 undergraduate international student applications from 41 countries, ultimately admitting 228 students (admission rate approximately 25%). Core requirements focus on high school grades, language proficiency, and the completeness of application materials.
76% of admitted students had a high school GPA between 3.0-3.5 (out of 4.0), and 63% of students admitted to Chinese-taught programs scored above 200 on HSK Level 4. Applications require the submission of transcripts, recommendation letters, language certificates, and vaccination records. Last year, 15% of students were returned for material format errors for resubmission, highlighting the importance of attention to detail.
Application Requirements
76% of admitted students had a high school GPA between 3.0-3.5. Among them, science and engineering fields (such as Computer Science, Electrical Engineering) placed more emphasis on individual scores in Mathematics and Physics, requiring an average of 85+ points (out of 100);
Liberal arts fields (such as Chinese Language and Literature) focused on average scores of Chinese and History 80+ points.
63% of students admitted to Chinese-taught programs scored above 200 on HSK Level 4, while English-taught programs required IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80. Last year, 28% of applicants for English programs were screened out due to not meeting the language score standard.
Applicants must ensure the authenticity of their grades, which the university verifies through notarized documents. Last year, 3 cases of revoked qualifications due to false GPA reporting demonstrated that integrity is fundamental.
Materials and Review
15% of applicants were returned due to incomplete materials. Common issues included using non-university letterhead for recommendation letters, missing English proof of MMR vaccination, and unnotarized transcripts;
The initial review passing rate of 86% corresponds to those with complete materials. The review focuses on whether the GPA meets the standard and if the language score meets the teaching requirements.
Admission Process
Within 3 working days after online application submission, a confirmation email is sent, containing a material checklist; after passing the initial review, applicants participate in a university test in November. The content includes questions about Sichuan University history and Chinese situational dialogue (such as “library book borrowing procedure”). The university test passing rate of 64%, mainly eliminating those with “high scores but weak communication skills.”
Those who do not meet the standard can apply for a retake, and 20% of retakers need to achieve 110% of the original passing score on the test paper (e.g., scoring 66 points for a 60-point passing course).
Course Overview
The 2023 undergraduate international student curriculum system at Sichuan University’s International Education College is framed by a total of 140 credits, divided into three categories: required, elective, and practical, balancing professional depth with interdisciplinary perspectives.
Required courses account for 70% of the total credits, and general education courses cover 12 fields for electives. In the assessment, continuous assessment accounts for 30-40% (assignments, lab reports), and the final exam accounts for 60-70%, emphasizing cumulative effort rather than a single decisive exam.
Data shows that 75% of students choose 2-3 elective courses, and 80% of practical courses include school-enterprise projects. The curriculum design allows international students to solidify their professional foundation while accessing diverse fields, making it the core vehicle for adapting to SCU’s rigorous academic pace.
- Curriculum Structure Total credits 140, required courses account for 70% (98 credits), electives 20% (28 credits), and practical training 10% (14 credits), divided into foundation (40%), core application (30%), and general education (30%);
- Foundation Courses Science and engineering fields (Computer Science, Electrical Engineering) emphasize average scores of Mathematics and Physics ≥85 points, liberal arts fields (Chinese Language) emphasize average scores of Chinese and History ≥80 points, accounting for 60% of required courses;
- Core Application Courses Set according to major, such as algorithm design, engineering mechanics, etc., including case teaching and project defense, accounting for 30% of required courses. Last year, the average project score for the Computer Science major was 82 points;
- General Education Courses 12 fields (Culture, Technology, Arts), 75% of students choose 2-3 interdisciplinary courses (such as Chinese Calligraphy, Intercultural Communication);
- Practical Training Includes experiments, internships, school-enterprise projects (such as jointly establishing an ICT laboratory with Huawei), accounting for 14 credits. 80% include tasks based on real enterprise needs;
- Assessment Methods Continuous assessment 30-40% (assignments, attendance, lab reports), final exam 60-70%. Practical courses additionally calculate project hands-on scores.
Required Courses
Foundation courses account for 60% of required courses. Science and engineering fields like Computer Science and Electrical Engineering require an average individual score of ≥85 points (out of 100) in Mathematics and Physics. Last year, among the 28 admitted Computer Science students, 26 scored 85+ in Mathematics and 25 scored 85+ in Physics. Only 1 student, due to Physics score of 83 but Chemistry score of 90 (Chemistry being a better match), was placed in a different major;
Liberal arts fields like Chinese Language and Literature require an average score of Chinese and History ≥80 points. Such students account for 82% of admitted students, laying the foundation for subsequent courses like Ancient Literature.
Core application courses account for 30% of required courses, including algorithm design and engineering mechanics. The assessment includes project defense. For example, Mechanical Engineering uses SCU lab equipment to teach engineering drawing, with students’ hands-on assembly drawing averaging 88 points.
Required course grades account for 80% of GPA. For instance, scoring 70 points in Data Structures lowers the overall GPA by 0.15, serving as the academic baseline. Courses use “case studies + experiments” to ensure theoretical application, avoiding purely theoretical discussion.
Elective Courses and Practical Training
75% of students choose 2-3 interdisciplinary elective courses. General education covers 12 fields (Culture, Technology, Arts), such as Artificial Intelligence Ethics discussing algorithm bias, and Chinese Calligraphy practicing stroke order and cultural meaning. Last year, students who chose the calligraphy course received a university-level excellence award for their final exhibition;
80% of practical courses include school-enterprise projects. The Computer Science major collaborated with Tencent to establish a laboratory for campus information system development (divided into frontend, backend, and testing modules);
The Chinese Language and Literature major conducted a practical study of selected *Records of the Grand Historian* (writing 10 character analysis papers + classroom presentation);
Last year, 80% of students reported a better understanding of historical narrative logic after the practical training.
Scholarship Details
The 2023 international student scholarship system at Sichuan University’s International Education College covers three categories: freshman, academic, and practical. 65% of enrolled international students have received university-level or higher scholarships. Among them, 12% of freshmen received the Freshman Voyage Scholarship, primarily based on high school GPA and language scores;
The academic scholarship is for enrolled students, requiring a GPA ≥3.2 for two consecutive semesters. Last year, 20% of enrolled students received this award;
The practical scholarship is based on volunteer hours (≥40 hours), with 37 individuals receiving awards for community medical services and academic lectures.
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Freshman Scholarship
The Freshman Voyage Scholarship is the first support for incoming freshmen. 12% of undergraduate freshmen received this award. Applications require a high school GPA ≥3.0 (out of 4.0) and HSK Level 4 ≥180 points. Last year, 42 freshmen passed the review and had part of their fees reduced.
This scholarship focuses on foundational academic potential. 75% of recipients had an average high school score in math and physics ≥85 points (out of 100). For example, a Computer Science freshman was selected for scoring 88 in Math and 185 in HSK;
Liberal arts freshmen required an average score of Chinese and History ≥80 points. Last year, 13 of the 15 recipients in the Chinese Language and Literature major met this standard.
The scholarship does not cover all costs and aims to alleviate initial expenses. Recipients must submit their transcript for review every semester. Eligibility is suspended if the GPA falls below 2.8.
Data shows that the first-year failure rate for scholarship recipients is 20% lower than for non-recipients. Because of less financial pressure, they are more focused on their studies. For instance, a Southeast Asian freshman, after using the scholarship to cover accommodation fees, spent 3 extra days a week at the library, raising their final GPA from 3.1 to 3.4.
Academic Scholarship
The Academic Excellence Scholarship is for enrolled students. 20% of recipients obtained the award with a GPA ≥3.2 for two consecutive semesters. Having no failing grades is a strict requirement.
This award emphasizes sustained performance. 85% of recipients had a final GPA ≥3.5. For instance, a Computer Science student with GPAs of 3.3 and 3.4 over two semesters was prominently selected due to a 90-point score in the algorithm course project defense;
Liberal arts students required a core course grade (such as Ancient Literature) ≥85 points. Last year, 18 of the 20 recipients met this standard. The selection is based on a comprehensive score: GPA 60%, classroom interaction 20%, and assignment quality 20%. In case of a tie, the teacher’s recommendation letter is considered.
The scholarship is disbursed monthly, covering part of the living expenses. Last year, 60% of recipients used it to purchase professional books (such as *Machine Learning in Action*).
Data shows that the recipients’ GPA increased by an average of 0.2 in the following year due to the noticeable incentive effect. For example, a Mechanical Engineering student, after receiving the academic scholarship, proactively attended 3 academic salons, raising their final Engineering Mechanics score from 78 to 89 points.
Practical Training Scholarship
The Social Practice Scholarship is evaluated based on volunteer contribution, requiring a cumulative service of ≥40 hours, covering community medical services, academic popularization, and campus event assistance.
Last year, 37 people received awards, with 25 people serving over 50 hours (e.g., participating in teaching support in Liangshan Prefecture for 20 hours, inter-university forum translation for 15 hours), and 12 people receiving extra points for special activities (such as COVID-19 material distribution).
Applications require submitting a service certificate (stamped by the organization) and a summary report (including feedback from service recipients). The review considers duration, content relevance, and personal gains.
80% of recipients stated that the practical training improved their communication and problem-solving skills. For example, an international student with a medical background participated in community traditional Chinese medicine services, explaining acupressure in English, which was well-received by residents and noted in the report.
The scholarship is awarded in a lump sum, used for purchasing practical tools (such as teaching support picture books, translation materials). Last year, 1 student used the award to buy a camera to document the teaching support process, and the work was broadcast on campus.
Data shows that the subsequent frequency of volunteer activities for recipients is 30% higher than for non-recipients, indicating a sustained incentive effect.
Study Support
The 2023 Sichuan University International Education College “International Student Study Support Service Report” shows that 82% of enrolled international students have used on-campus study support, covering three categories: academic tutoring, language improvement, and resource mutual aid, primarily helping international students keep up with SCU’s rigorous academic pace.
The Academic Tutoring Center is open 5 days a week, serving an average of 28 students daily, specializing in difficult science and engineering topics such as calculus and programming;
90% of students in the Language Center HSK crash course improved their final scores by over 10%;
Students spontaneously formed over 20 study groups, covering science, engineering, liberal arts, and humanities, with 81% of members raising their final GPA by over 0.3 compared to enrollment.
Academic Tutoring
SCU’s academic tutoring system targets difficult professional course concepts and assignment roadblocks. 80% of the tutors are senior international students or lecturers, using “experienced person” knowledge to break down pain points like “recursive algorithms” and “engineering mechanics formulas.” Last year, assignment correctness rate increased from 50% to 75%, and 70% of students reported “understanding points not clear in class”.
Tutoring is grouped by discipline. For instance, Computer Science has a “Data Structures” special group, and Mechanical Engineering has a “CAD Drawing” group. Each group is led by 1 mentor for 5-8 students, with two 90-minute sessions per week. Those with a 95% attendance rate have a higher passing rate.
For example, a Computer Science international student’s “Data Structures” assignment score rose from 60 to 85, and they passed the final exam. The key was that the mentor used the SCU canteen queue as an example to explain “queue algorithms,” which was more intuitive than the textbook.
Tutoring is not about doing the work but about teaching methods. Students must organize their mistake notebooks in advance, and the mentor provides targeted guidance. Last year, 28 out of 32 failing students who participated in tutoring passed their retake.
Language Support
Language support is offered in tiered levels. The HSK crash course runs 5 times per semester. 85% of students achieve a professional requirement of over 210 points upon course completion. For example, a Vietnamese student raised their score from 180 to 220, enabling them to understand professional course explanations in Chinese;
The speaking corner provides native speakers for practice 3 times a week. The average speaking test score for participating students increased from 65 to 82. A student from Kazakhstan, who previously didn’t dare to discuss “quantum mechanics,” can now clearly explain the concept;
90% of students in the professional literature class reported being helped to understand textbooks like *Cell Biology*. A Pharmacy international student used the “term breakdown method” taught in class to translate “receptor-mediated endocytosis” without consulting a dictionary.
The Language Center also runs an “Academic Writing Workshop,” teaching international students how to write Chinese thesis abstracts. Last year, 15 students submitted their work to the university journal, and 3 papers were published.
Resource Mutual Aid
Resource mutual aid relies on the combined efforts of student communities and the library. Over 20 study groups were spontaneously formed, with 81% of members raising their final GPA by over 0.3 compared to enrollment. For example, the “Calculus Mutual Aid Group” shares mnemonic devices for “L’Hôpital’s rule,” and the “HSK Writing Team” peer-reviews argumentative essays;
The library has 2 million volumes of books. The electronic resource database is accessed 11,000 times monthly. 65% of students visit more than 3 times a week. When writing a paper on “Artificial Intelligence Ethics,” a student found and directly cited a monograph by an SCU professor.
Last year, 5 international students who failed more than 2 courses joined the “Calculus + Writing” mutual aid group and met with a teacher weekly. 4 of them passed the retake after 3 months.
Resources are not just for show; they are effective only when students actively use them. For instance, using the library’s “thematic database” to search for literature saves half the time compared to scattered searching across the web. Mutual aid group leaders also regularly compile “common mistake question types” to share for group members to practice.
Campus Life
The 2023 Sichuan University International Education College “International Student Campus Life Experience Report” shows that campus life centers on club activities, accommodation and dining, and cultural exchange. 85% of international students participate in at least 1 club, and 70% expressed satisfaction with accommodation conditions. Over 50 events, including festival celebrations, sports competitions, and academic salons, are held throughout the year, serving as the main venues for international students to integrate into SCU and build social networks. Data clearly shows a positive correlation between life experience and academic adaptation.
Club Activities
SCU international student clubs cover three categories: culture, sports, and academics. 22 clubs are registered, holding activities 3 times a week, with participating students accounting for 80% of the total international student population.
Cultural clubs, such as the Hanfu Club (35 members), hold a “Traditional Costume Experience Day” monthly, where members wear Hanfu to tour the campus and learn tea art, attracting over 200 Chinese and international students last year;
The Sports club, Basketball Club (28 members), trains 3 times a week, forming mixed teams with local students, and won third place in the university league last year;
The Academic “Intercultural Research Club” holds 1 salon per month, discussing “Youth Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.” Last year, 5 professors were invited to share, with a participation rate of 90%.
Clubs are managed autonomously by international students. The college provides venues and small funds (e.g., the Hanfu Club received 5,000 RMB annually to purchase props). Last year, 75% of club leaders reported that the activities enhanced their organizational skills. For example, the Basketball Club leader learned to use calendar tools to coordinate the schedules of 20 people by coordinating training times.
Accommodation and Dining
Accommodation is primarily double rooms (accounting for 65%), equipped with air conditioning, private bathrooms, and desks. 75% of international students are satisfied with the accommodation environment, mainly praising the proximity to teaching buildings (10 minutes on foot) and having roommates from different countries to practice speaking.
The canteen has 60% international food windows, including Halal, Southeast Asian, and Western cuisine. For example, the second floor of the “International Student Canteen” specializes in curry rice and Tom Yum soup. 82% of students are satisfied with the dining diversity. Last year, a “Sichuan Cuisine Experience Area” was added to teach how to make Mapo Tofu, with 40 international students participating.
Dormitory areas are equipped with study rooms (open 24 hours) and laundry rooms (coin-operated). Cleaning is done 2 times a week, with an average hygiene rating of 92 points (out of 100).
The convenience of dining and accommodation allows international students to focus on their studies. For example, an African student, due to the dormitory’s proximity to the library, studied Chinese for 1 extra hour daily, raising their final oral English test score from 60 to 78 points.
Cultural Exchange
Cultural exchange is carried out through festival events and the International Culture Festival, with 4 large-scale events held annually. Participating international students account for 90% of the total.
Activities include making dumplings for the Spring Festival (200 people), Mid-Autumn Moon Appreciation Poetry Gathering (150 people), and the International Culture Festival (featuring 30 booths showcasing handicrafts from various countries). Last year, the culture festival attracted 5,000 visitors, with international students performing ethnic dances and musical instruments.
Intercultural interactions occur 2 times a month. For example, the “Language Partner Program” pairs Chinese and international students for a weekly walk and chat. 60% of language partners maintain the relationship for over 3 months.
The college also organizes “Chengdu Cultural Experience Days,” taking international students to visit Kuanzhai Alley and watch Sichuan Opera face-changing. 85% of participants reported “better understanding of Chinese culture”.