Application Guide for Doctoral Degree Program (2025 Intake)
Study Duration：4 years
Enrollment: September
Application Deadline：
l for CGS High-level Postgraduate Scholarship: February 15, 2025
l for other CGS & SGS Scholarships: April 15, 2025
l for self-funded study: June 15, 2025
ELIGIBILITY
1. Be a non-Chinese citizen with valid foreign passport; be physically and mentally healthy.
2. Having a certain financial capability; no criminal record.
3. Age requirement：
ü Scholarship applicants: no more than the age of 40
ü Self-funded applicants: no more than the age of 45
4. Educational Background: have obtained a master's degree or its international equivalent.
5. Language Proficiency:
ü For Chinese-taught programs: the applicant's Chinese proficiency should be equivalent to at least HSK Level 5 (180 score), the higher the better.
ü For English-taught programs: the applicant's English proficiency should be equivalent to at least IELTS Academic 6.0, or TOEFL IBT 80, the higher the better.
APPLICATION MATERIALS & SPECIFICATIONS
Apply online for studying at DHU https://admissions.dhu.edu.cn
Fill out the online application blanks step by step and upload the following application materials
I. All uploaded electronic documents must be scanned pieces of the original. Except for the ID photo, colored scan in PDF format of the documents is required.
II. Original documents not in the language of Chinese or English must be translated into Chinese or English, then be notarized, and uploaded together with the original ones.
III. Photos of the artwork must be uploaded.
IV. Please be sure to complete online application and application fee payment before the application deadline. Only after the application fee has been fully paid will the application proceed to the review process. In any case, the paid application fee will not be returned.
1．Passport (and visa) page
l A clear copy of your valid passport with your name, photo, date of birth, place of birth, date of issue and date of expiry.
l An ordinary passport with the expiry date later than February 1, 2026. Do not change your passport between the start of your application and enrollment (if admitted).
l All visa pages are required if you have been to or if you are currently in China.
2．Diploma and certificates of graduation as well as the transcripts of all grades/semesters of both your master's and bachelor's degree period
l All the copies must be of the original documents issued by the school or the government with the official seal and/or signature.
l A description of grading scales along with the transcript sheets is required to be submitted.
l Applicants who expect to graduate and obtain the official Master's diploma and certificate of graduation by the end of August 2025, submit a pending certificate at application, along with transcripts of all grades/semesters you completed. The pending certificate should indicate the expected graduation and diploma/certificate issue date. Once you receive the official Master's diploma, certificate of graduation and the final transcripts, please submit them timely.
* If admitted, the original documents should be provided and verified on enrollment day. Admitted students who do not receive their official Master's diploma and certificate of graduation by the end of August 2025, will be disqualified from admission and enrollment. Start your application after being sure you can graduate on time.
3．Language credentials
l Chinese-taught programs: HSK Level 4 Test Score Report (Total Score at least 180) obtained after September 1, 2023, preferably with HSK Speaking Intermediate Level at least 60 score.
- HSK Certificate can be exempted if the entire curriculum and teaching-related activities of previous academic stage are fully taught in Chinese. In this case, an official Proof of full Chinese-taught at the previous academic stage with the seal and/or signature issued by previous academic school has to be provided. It is suggested that those who completed the previous academic stage before September 1, 2023, submit an HSK Level 4 Test Score Report (Total Score at least 180) as well .
* Note: To be admitted to a master's program at Donghua University, it is nessary to have a real Chinese language proficiency equivalent to at least HSK Level 5 (180 score), the higher the better. HSK Level 4 Test Score Report is acceptable at application, but all applicants at the status of 'Under Review' are required to attend the online test or interview. The test score will become one of the important references for admissions.
l English-taught programs: IELTS ACADEMIC Test Report Form (Overall Band Score at least 6.0), or TOEFL IBT Test Score Report (Total Score at least 80) obtained after September 1, 2023.
- Report of IELTS Academic or TOEFL IBT can be exempted if the entire curriculum and teaching-related activities of previous academic stage are fully taught in English. In this case, an official Proof of full English-taught at the previous academic stage with the seal and/or signature issued by previous academic school has to be provided. It is suggested that those who completed the previous academic stage before September 1, 2023, submit an IELTS ACADEMIC Test Report Form (Overall Band Score at least 6.0), or a TOEFL IBT Test Score Report (Total Score at least 80) as well.
* If admitted, the original documents should be provided and verified on enrollment day.
4. Curriculum vitae
l Written in the teaching language of the program you apply for. In addition to basic personal information and contact information, list one's educational background (from senior high school), work or internship experience (if any) in chronological order (accurate to month), from the present to the past. No gaps in time, even if you did not study or work during a certain period of time, list the actual situation.
l If any work experience, attach a signed or stamped proof of employment issued by the company or organization, which include the applicant's job title, work content, employment duration (accurate to month) , performance, and contact details.
l Publication (abstract attached), professional qualification and skill certificate, award and scholarship received are also suggested to be listed.
5. Research proposal
l A research proposal in the essay format written in the teaching language of the program you apply for.
l A research proposal usually consists of the research title, research objectives, research background, literature review, current state of research, research methodology, expected results, and references. Details can be found from https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ebttaZcGDKhgXyi1PTL9mg
l Do use the template cover provided by the university with the signature of the supervisor.
6. Two recommendation letters
l Written in English or Chinese by two people who know your competencies, personal character and accomplishments, include their names, signatures and contact details (especially email address). At least one letter should be from a past or current professor or academic adviser. Another could be from someone in a slightly different role, including an employer, a research adviser, a senior colleague, or a professor from a different department.
l The names, workplaces and departments, titles, signatures and contact details (especially email address) of recommenders shall be included. Issue date included in the end of letter, and shall be after September 1, 2023.
7. Supervision Intention Letter (SIL)
Click to know more: https://english.dhu.edu.cn/2020/0130/c20557a307680/page.htm
8. Certificate of No Criminal Conviction
An applicant shall submit a valid Certificate of Non-Criminal Record (or Police Clearance Certificate) issued by the local public security or government authority (such as the police station). The issue date shall be after November 1, 2024.
9. Statement of Financial Support
Download from https://english.dhu.edu.cn/brochures/list.htm, fill the blanks and sign by the applicant and the sponsor. Even for the application of study with the entrance scholarships, the applicant must sign the Statement of financial support to ensure that the applicant can bear any other expenses beyond the scope of scholarship funding. The signed date shall be after November 1, 2024.
Other supplementary documents
Any materials that might enhance your competitiveness, such as the publication, professional qualification and skill certificate, award and scholarship listed in your curriculum vitae.
Mandatory for application with entrance scholarship
l Application form of CGS Category Type A/B: make the online application at CGS system https://www.campuschina.org/, then download the application form and sign (with your handwritten signature).
l Application form of SGS: no need to submit during the application stage. If submission is required, an offical statement will be released.
l Foreigner Physical Examination Form and relevant check result pages. A template could be downloaded from https://english.dhu.edu.cn/brochures/list.htm. Taking a physical examination covers all of the items listed in the form, from a local hospital after November 1, 2024. The form should be filled in by a physician completely, with signature, stamp and date. Incomplete form or form without the applicant's photograph, a sealed photograph of the applicant, an official stamp of the hospital, or signature of physician is considered as invalid. The detailed test reports are required to be attached.
Mandatory for application of art design related programs
If you are applying for the program of Design Studies, you are required to submit the original latest art design portfolio relating to the proposed program.
