Semester Schedule

Peking University organizes its academic year into two semesters: the Spring semester and the Autumn semester. Each semester spans approximately 18 weeks, with the final two weeks designated for review and examinations. The academic year commences in September, coinciding with the start of the Autumn semester, while the Spring semester typically begins in February. Summer vacation starts at the end of June and extends for about eight weeks. During this time, a short summer term is available, allowing undergraduate students to enroll in elective courses. The Winter vacation aligns with the Chinese New Year, and as the date of the New Year varies annually, the Winter vacation schedule is not fixed. It generally begins around 10 days prior to the Chinese New Year and concludes approximately 10 days afterward, lasting about 4 weeks. For precise details on the academic schedule, please consult the university’s official calendar.

Duration of Study

The standard duration of undergraduate programs is 4 years; for master’s programs, it is generally 2 to 3 years; and for doctoral programs, it is 4 years.

International students have the option to apply for early graduation or to extend their study period. Undergraduate students may extend their studies up to a maximum of 6 years. Similarly, graduate students may request an extension: master’s students are permitted to extend their studies up to 5 years, and doctoral students up to 8 years.

For detailed regulations, please refer to the Peking University Undergraduate Student Handbook (hereinafter referred to as the Undergraduate Handbook) and the Peking University Graduate Student Handbook (hereinafter referred to as the Graduate Handbook).

Course Arrangement and Credit Requirements

After enrollment, international students should promptly familiarize themselves with the credit, course, and program requirements for their chosen degree. In principle, international students attend classes together with Chinese students, and graduation requirements are identical for both groups. Generally, 15 classroom teaching hours correspond to 1 academic credit. 

Overall, courses at Peking University are categorized into required courses and elective courses:

Required Courses: These are mandatory courses stipulated in the curriculum and include both general required courses and major-specific required courses.  

Elective Courses: These are courses chosen based on the curriculum requirements and personal interests. Elective courses are further divided into major-specific electives, general electives, and public electives.

Specific requirements for course types and credits vary across departments and schools. Students are advised to consult their department’s academic advisors when selecting courses to create a well-balanced and efficient course plan.

· Graduation Requirements for Undergraduate Students: To graduate, undergraduate students must meet the prescribed credit and course requirements outlined in their academic program and complete a graduation thesis or project. The total credit requirement is typically around 140 credits, although this varies by department. Academic advisors or administrative staff in each department provide guidance on credits and course selection, while the International Students Division offers additional support.

Example  

For instance, if Mark is an undergraduate student in a particular department, he must fulfill the following credit requirements to graduate:

Total credits required for graduation: 136 credits, including:

Required Courses: 81 credits, University-wide general required courses: 26 credits, Major-related required courses: 55 credits  

Elective Courses: 49 credits, Major-specific elective courses: 33 credits, General elective courses: 16 credits  

Graduation Thesis: 6 credits  

Students are encouraged to consult their department’s academic advisors or instructors to ensure they meet the requirements and design a tailored academic plan.

· Graduation Requirements for Graduate Students:  Graduate students must complete the required credits and courses stipulated in their program curriculum, pass all exams, and successfully defend their thesis. Credit requirements vary across departments. After enrollment, graduate students should promptly consult with their academic advisors or supervisors to select courses and plan their thesis work under guidance. For information regarding credit requirements and course selection, students can contact the academic affairs staff in their respective departments.

Registration and Course Selection

Registration

Current students must register at the university on the designated dates each semester. Registration must be completed in person with a valid student ID; delegating this task to others is not permitted. Students must settle their tuition fees prior to registration. Those without a payment record will not be allowed to register. Registration typically takes place within the first week of the semester. Undergraduate and graduate students must register at their respective departments.

If a student cannot register on time, they must apply for leave in advance. Students who fail to register without an approved leave of absence will be marked as absent. If a student fails to register without justification for more than two weeks, they will be considered to have voluntarily withdrawn, and their student status will be canceled as per university regulations.

Course Selection

Undergraduate and graduate students must select courses based on their program requirements. Course selection is generally conducted from the end of the previous semester until the weekend before the first week of the new semester. Students can log in to the university portal [http://portal.pku.edu.cn/infoPortal/] to select courses.

Students are given a two-week trial period to attend classes. During this time, they can query, drop, or modify their course selection through the portal. Starting from the third week of the semester, the course selection database will be locked, and no further changes can be made. Students are then expected to fully commit to completing their chosen courses. If a student withdraws from or fails to attend the exam for a course, the grade for that course will be recorded as zero.

Undergraduate students who feel unable to continue with a course after some time may withdraw during the eighth week of the semester (exact dates are announced by the Academic Affairs Office). However, a resource utilization fee of 100 RMB per credit will be charged for course withdrawal.

For undergraduate international students, the maximum credit load per semester is 20 credits (including required courses). Students wishing to exceed this limit must obtain approval from the Dean of Academic Affairs or the Department Chair.

Attendance and Leave of Absence

The university requires attendance for all scheduled classroom sessions, exams, assessments, and other teaching activities as outlined in the academic program. If a student is unable to attend, they must request leave in advance. Failure to request leave or absence without an approved leave will be considered an unexcused absence. The university will take appropriate action according to its policies regarding unexcused absences. If a student's absences accumulate to more than one-third of the total class hours for a course, they will lose the right to take the course's final exam, and the course will be recorded as a failure (with a zero grade).

Off-Campus Research Activities for International Students

International students who need to travel outside the university for research or to collect materials for academic purposes must submit the "Application Form for Off-Campus Teaching and Research Activities" (available for download from the International Student Office website: [http://www.isd.pku.edu.cn](http://www.isd.pku.edu.cn)). This form must be approved by the student’s supervisor, department, and the International Students Division before the student can proceed with the activity.

Leave of Absence

To better serve our students and maintain clear communication, all students who request leave must file a leave of absence with the International Students Division. This ensures that the office is informed about the student's leave, the reason for the leave, and their plans during the leave period.

Leave of Absence Procedure

1. International students must first go to their respective department to apply for leave and carefully complete the "Leave of Absence Form" (which can also be downloaded from the International Students Division website: [http://www.isd.pku.edu.cn].

2. The leave form must be signed by the department, with the department's official seal. The department will keep the form stub and related documents for future reference.

3. Once the leave is approved, the student must file it with the International Students Division. Students who plan to leave Mainland China during their leave period must submit the leave form to the International Students Division to complete the return visa process.

Types of Leave

1. Sick Leave: If a student is unable to attend classes due to illness, they must provide a doctor's note to apply for leave. For sick leave of one week or less, approval can be granted by the staff member responsible for international students in the department. For sick leave longer than one week, approval must be obtained from the department's supervisor for international students. Absences without approval will be treated as unexcused.

2. Personal Leave: For graduate students, personal leave of one week or less requires approval from the staff member responsible for international students in the department, while leave of more than one week must be approved by the department’s leadership responsible for international students. For undergraduate students, personal leave must follow the guidelines specified in the Peking University Undergraduate Student Handbook (hereafter referred to as the Undergraduate Handbook).

Leave Duration and Relevant Arrangements

1. If an undergraduate student is unable to continue their studies due to illness (with sick leave exceeding one-third of the total class hours in the semester), they must apply for a leave of absence from their department, the Academic Affairs Office, and the International Students Division. During the leave of absence, the student should return to their home country for medical treatment. If they recover, they may apply to resume their studies with a doctor's certificate. If, after the leave period, the student has not recovered and is still unable to continue normal studies, they will be considered for dismissal. 

2.If a graduate or undergraduate student’s total leave exceeds one-third of the total class hours for the semester, and they have not applied for a leave of absence, the student will be treated as having withdrawn from their studies.

Examinations and Grades 

Examinations

International students are required to attend the examinations or assessments for the courses they are enrolled in. If a student is unable to attend an exam (or assessment), they must submit a written request for leave to the department’s academic affairs office and apply for a deferred exam. Only if the leave is approved can they take the exam during the next available session for that course. Students who fail to request leave or whose leave is not approved will receive a zero for the exam.

Grading

Exams are graded on a 100-point scale. Generally, a score of 60 is considered passing. For graduate students, required and elective courses require a minimum of 70 for a passing grade. Students who achieve a passing score will receive academic credit for the course. For courses assessed through non-exam formats (such as coursework or projects), the grades are typically recorded as "Pass" or "Fail." Achieving a "Pass" allows students to earn credit.

Attendance, class participation, assignments, quizzes, and midterm exams all contribute to the final grade, with the final exam being only part of the overall evaluation. For more details on how the Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated, please refer to Article 12 of the Undergraduate Handbook.

If a student fails a course, required and limited elective courses must be retaken. Elective courses may be retaken upon application. Undergraduate students may retake the same course a maximum of two times, and the retake grade will be counted as the final grade.

Impact of Exam Results and Grades on Students’ Academic Status and Degree

· If a student's average GPA for courses taken in two consecutive semesters is below 1.5, and the cumulative number of failed credits exceeds 12, the student will be required to withdraw.

· If an undergraduate international student accumulates 20 credits of failed courses, even after retaking them (courses retaken and passed will not count), they will be required to withdraw.

· If a student leaves without permission and fails to participate in required academic activities for two consecutive weeks, they will be required to withdraw.

· If a student does not register within the designated period and does not provide a valid reason, their student status will be canceled.

· For graduate students, if they fail a required or elective course after retaking it, or if they do not complete the required credits within the specified study period, they will be required to withdraw.

Exam Regulations

Any form of cheating or plagiarism during exams, assignments, or thesis work will result in severe penalties according to university regulations.

For undergraduate students, if caught cheating during an exam, the final grade for that course will be recorded as zero, and the student will receive a disciplinary warning or higher. Additionally, they will lose eligibility for the bachelor’s degree. If a student is caught cheating twice, they will be expelled. If a student arranges for someone else to take an exam or impersonates another student, the penalty may range from probation to expulsion, depending on the severity of the case.

For graduate students, any instance of cheating during an exam will result in immediate expulsion from the university.

For detailed exam regulations, please refer to the Graduate Handbook or the Undergraduate Handbook.

Change in Students’ Academic Status

For matters concerning the extension, suspension, leave of absence, transfer between departments, or other changes in student status for both graduate and undergraduate students, please refer to the Graduate Handbook and the Undergraduate Handbook.

Graduation, Completion, and Degrees 

Both undergraduate and graduate students who have completed all the courses outlined in their academic curriculum and earned the required total credits (graduate students must also successfully defend their thesis) will be granted graduation and awarded the corresponding degree: Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree, along with a graduation certificate.

Undergraduate students, who fail to complete the required total credits within the prescribed study period, will only be issued a “Completion Certificate”.

Graduate students, who fail to pass their thesis defense, will be awarded a “Completion Certificate”.

Undergraduate and graduate students who withdraw from their studies after completing more than one year and following the proper withdrawal procedures will be issued an “Incomplete Certificate”.

Awards and Disciplinary Actions

International students who adhere to school rules and demonstrate excellent academic performance will be recognized and rewarded.

Students who violate school regulations, accumulate unexcused absences, damage public property, engage in fighting, or exhibit other inappropriate behaviors will face disciplinary actions depending on the severity of the offense. These actions include warning, severe warning, disciplinary record, probation, and expulsion.

International students who are placed on “probation” and show significant improvement within a year may have their probation removed. However, if they do not show improvement despite education and counseling, they may be expelled from the university.

Once a disciplinary action of “probation” or higher is decided, the university will notify the student, and, depending on the situation, may also inform the student’s embassy, representative office, sponsoring organization, or parents.

If an international student commits a violation of Chinese law, the local authorities will handle the matter in accordance with Chinese law. The university will also take appropriate disciplinary action based on the nature of the violation.

Documents, Certificates, and Application Procedures 

Various documents and certificates are issued by the relevant departments in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures. During their studies at Peking University, international students will need to use several important documents and certificates. These documents serve as proof of their legal rights and are essential for their daily life and academic activities.

It is important for students to understand the basic procedures and materials required for obtaining these documents, so they can prepare in advance and complete the application within the specified time frame. They should ensure that they follow the proper procedures and have all required materials ready when applying for the documents and certificates they need.

Documents and certificates must not be altered or damaged. Doing so may result in penalties under Chinese law and Peking University's regulations.

Student ID Card

After registering, international students will be issued a Peking University Student ID card.

Undergraduate students: The student ID card is issued by the Academic Affairs Office. If lost, the student should contact the department's undergraduate office to apply for a replacement.

Graduate students: The student ID card is issued by the Graduate School. If lost, the student should contact the department's graduate office to apply for a replacement.

The student ID card is an important form of identification for international students. The student should carry it with them at all times and never lend it to others. If it is lost, please apply for a replacement immediately.

Campus Card

International students must visit the Campus Card Center (Room 1158, Science Building 1, Peking University) to apply for a campus card, where a photo will be taken.

The first-time application for a campus card is free of charge.

The fee for a replacement card due to loss is 40 RMB.

Enrollment Verification

Peking University can provide an “Enrollment Verification” in either Chinese or English.

Undergraduate students: Please apply for this document at the Academic Affairs Office.

Graduate students: Please apply for this document at the Graduate School.

Transcript

Peking University will issue an official transcript upon graduation or completion.

For undergraduate and graduate students, if they need additional copies of the transcript, please apply in accordance with the procedures of the Graduate School or Academic Affairs Office.

Departure Procedures

Upon the completion of studies, international students must follow the departure procedures one week before leaving campus. To begin, please present the student ID at the International Students Division to obtain the “Departure Checklist”. The following steps must be completed:

1. Complete the cancellation procedures for both the student ID card and campus card.

2. Take the “Departure Checklist” to the university library to complete the checkout process.

3. Complete any remaining financial settlements.

4. If the student is living in the on-campus student dormitory, follow the procedure for checking out of the accommodation as required.

5. Obtain Transcript and Academic Certificates:

Undergraduate students: Please collect the transcript and any relevant academic certificates from the Academic Affairs Office or the respective department.

Graduate students: Please collect the transcript and any relevant academic certificates from the Graduate School or the respective department.

6. International students must leave the university within 15 days of their graduation or completion date.

7. International students who leave the university without completing the departure procedures will not be able to obtain proof of enrollment, transcripts, or any academic certificates from the university.

It is important to follow all steps to ensure proper completion of the departure process and to obtain any necessary documents before leaving.