1 Education in the People’s Republic of China Duncan Hamshere – UK NARIC

2 Session Overview UK NARIC and China Development of Education The National Examination Higher Education –Normal System –Adult System Chinese Documentation

3 UK NARIC and China Study visits –2001 –2005 –2006 Agreements Publications

4 China Publications

5 The Provinces of China Population: 1.3 billion GDP ranked World’s 5th in 2005 Land mass of 9.6 million SKM Language: Mandarin, other dialects (eg Cantonese) and minority languages (eg Korean Mongolian, Uighur)

6 Development of the Present Education System The Influence of Soviet Ideology The Cultural Revolution and its aftermath The 1980 degree regulation and the establishment of the Academic Degree Committee of the State Council of China (ADCSC) The 1986 Compulsory Education Act The National College Entrance Examination System (NCEE) The government reshuffle and major structural changes to Higher Education Institutions

7 Pre- and Post Structural Reform of Higher Education Adjustment Co-operation between Public and Private Sector Joint Establishments Mergers

8 Form of changes Change of administrative structure – 375 under new management Merger of institutions under central administration (MoE) – 72 ‘national’ HEIs Merger of institutions under local administration – 650 merged into 257 new HEIs Similar changes to adult learning and private (minban) institutions

9 The National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) The National Examination post 2003 Known as the 3 + X system (as opposed to the old 3+2 system) Student now take English, Mathematics and Chinese as compulsory subjects and generally two or three further subjects according to the area of specialization. There has been a shift in focus in the style of examination away from taught learning towards more interpretive questions. Compulsory subjects are scored out of 150 and the remaining subjects total a maximum of 300 points. Full mark is 750. (Hainan and Guangdong Province have a different grading system which is scored out of 900)

10 Entry by groups of universities Degree Level The Pre-selection group for universities includes military and police universities and arts, music, acting, design, minor language and certain sports courses. The first group of universities for the highest achieving students includes prestigious universities and prestigious courses in other HEIs. The second group includes non-prestigious universities The third group includes fee paying/affiliating institutions. Diploma Level The fourth group is for those students taking sub-degree level awards and higher vocational diplomas.

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12 Chinese Higher Education Structure

13 State Recognised Degree Titles: Sub-degree Diploma Sub degree diplomas (Dazhuan) are available for students who scored lower marks in the NCEE. They generally last two or three years. These qualifications can be awarded by degree and non- degree awarding institutions. Students are only awarded a graduation certificate on completion.

14 State Recognised Degree Titles Bachelor’s degrees Bachelor degree courses are offered at universities, specialised institutes and academies. Courses normally last four years (five years for medicine and architecture). The Academic Degree Committee of the State Council of China (ADCSC) decides on the content of degree programmes. Core modules and subject specific competences are decided on by the MOE. Universities do have some autonomy in the representation of these and some optional courses are available. Master’s degrees Generally Master’s last between two and three years, depending on subject specialism. Master’s degrees are carried out as further specialisation of undergraduate degrees and always contain a research element. Advanced Programmes’ are often devised from standard Master’s degree programmes. Doctorates Doctoral studies last three years under recognised supervision. Degree awarding powers and subject areas are determined by the state

15 Bachelor degree certificate Bachelor Degree Standard Bachelor degree

16 Defining Prestigious Institutions Universities under direct Ministry of Education Control PLA (Peoples Liberation Army) Institutions Project 211 Universities Project 985 Universities University ranking Subject ranking Chinese Academy of Sciences Affiliated colleges

17 Adult education Adult Learning Institutions Forms of adult education:  Self Taught Examinations  Television and Radio  Adult Education  Other Adult Education (Communist Party Schools)

18 Television and Radio

19 Other Awards Joint Overseas programmes Private Higher Education