Sichuan University
Chengdu is a growing metropolitan city located in the plains of the Sichuan Province, it is known for its year-round festivals, and access to multiple rivers. While you walk the streets of the old city of Chengdu, experience the array of places selling tea, that come from thousands of years of tea house culture. There, you can enjoy a variety of teas on bamboo chairs as you play Mahjong with locals. You may also enjoy the region's famous cuisine, notorious for its usage of peppercorn and spicy chili. While at your home away from home, don’t forget take a trip to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. After all, Chengdu is home to the giant panda!
While in Chengdu, you will be studying at Sichuan University, one of the best in Universities in China. Here, you will be given the opportunity to immerse yourself into the Chinese language and culture, as multiple courses are available for all levels of Chinese language abilities. Situated in an exciting neighborhood in the middle of center city, you will feel right at home among your peers in Chengdu!
Application Deadline
Program Start
Program End
Program Details
Academic Program
Sichuan University offers a wide range of courses for undergraduate students.
Prior knowledge of Chinese is not required.
If you have little to no background knowledge in Chinese, you have the option of taking Chinese language and related courses that are designed for international students at different levels. A placement test is administered to all international students who plan to take Chinese language classes before registering for classes, except for those with no language background in Chinese. Sichuan University also offers a limited number of courses that are taught in English.
If you are fluent in Chinese, you can enroll in the regular university courses that are taught in Chinese. Sichuan University offers 109 undergraduate programs.
Course Descriptions and Syllabi
Review Sichuan University’s website for more information regarding course offerings.
General Education Information for UAlbany Students
Credits earned on this program will automatically satisfy the International Perspectives requirement. Three credits of foreign language study will satisfy the Foreign Language requirement. No additional approval is required for you to earn these general elective credits.
Major/Minor Information for UAlbany Students
Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, upon approval by the department.
Transcript
All courses taken abroad count towards UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript. You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary.
Housing
As an exchange student, you can live on or off campus. If you decide to live on campus, you will be housed in one of the international student dormitories. If you decide to make your own living arrangements off campus, you must obtain an Accommodation Registration Form issued by the local police station near your accommodation.
East International Student Dormitory
Single and double occupancy dorms include an air conditioner, TV set (for rent), furniture, telephone, private/public bathroom, internet access, coin laundry and kitchen on each floor, recreation room, and a Ping-Pong table.
West International Student Dormitory
Double occupancy dorms include an air conditioner, TV set (for rent), furniture, telephone, private bathroom, internet access, and coin laundry.
Huaxi Campus Overseas Students Dormitory
Single, double, and triple occupancy dorms include an air-conditioner, TV set (for rent), furniture, telephone, private/public bathroom, internet access; shared kitchen on each floor, and coin laundry.
Jiang’an Campus Overseas Students Dormitory
Single, double, and triple occupancy dorms include an air-conditioner, TV set (for rent), furniture, telephone, private/public bathroom, internet access, and coin laundry.
Meals
There is no meal plan for this program. You may choose to purchase meals in the cafeteria, cook, or eat out at local restaurants.
Estimate of Costs
For reference, review the Academic Year 2019-20 Estimate of Costs
More Information
Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.
Academic Requirements
Juniors, seniors and exceptional sophomores in all majors with at least a 2.5 GPA are welcome to apply. Sichuan University is very strict about the GPA requirement, so you will not be considered if your GPA is lower than a 2.5.
You must be at least 18 years of age by the start of the program at Sichuan University.
Prior knowledge of Chinese is strongly recommended, but not required.
If you are a Chinese citizen, or a Taiwan or Hong Kong passport holder, you are not eligible to apply.
Experiential Learning
During some weekends, the School of Overseas Education at Sichuan University will organize field trips and sight-seeing excursions. You may also enjoy other tourist attractions and events off campus, on your own. One of the most popular tourist attractions is the Chengdu Panda Base. The giant panda is one of rarest animals in the world, and is one of China’s “National Treasures”.
Funding Opportunities
Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience. In addition, the Center for International Education and Global Strategy offers two scholarship programs for UAlbany students studying abroad on UAlbany or 4-year SUNY programs.
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.
In Their Own Words
“You will learn more about yourself and your goals, as well as the world and how connected we all truly are, no matter where we are from. Living abroad brings classroom lectures to life.”
About the City
Sichuan University is located in Chengdu, a famous historical and cultural capital city of Sichuan Province, known as “the land of abundance”.
Travel Documents
A valid passport is required to participate in this program. If you are a U.S. citizen, you are required to obtain a visa to enter China. Please visit the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America website for further information on X1 and X2 visas.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, please consult with your government to determine whether you will need to obtain a visa to enter China.
More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.
Application Availability
Applications become available online one semester before the program start date, based on the following timeline:
- Spring/Winter/Spring Break programs: July
- Fall/Year/Summer programs: December
Program Dates
Academic Year 2020/2021
Forthcoming
Fall 2020
Forthcoming
Spring 2021
Forthcoming
About the Program
Sichuan University (SCU) is one of China’s top universities, attached to the Ministry of Education. The University at Albany’s study abroad option at Sichuan University allows you to immerse yourself in the Chinese language and culture by living in this vibrant neighborhood located in the center of metropolitan Chengdu. You can take Chinese language and related courses that are designed for international students at different levels.
Program Orientations
Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to attend a mandatory pre-departure orientation. During this time, you will have the opportunity to meet other program participants, discuss in-depth the details of your program, and prepare of the overall education abroad experience. The fall semester pre-departure orientation will be conducted the Saturday before the end of Spring UAlbany classes and in late November/early December for the spring term abroad.
Upon arrival at Sichuan University, you will attend a mandatory program orientation. This is an important and informative set of sessions organized by International Office of your host university.
Support Services
UAlbany’s Office of Education Abroad staff assists you during the application process, in your preparation to travel abroad, and on-site if necessary.
Sichuan University’s International Office staff serve as an experienced resource for resolving issues that you may encounter in while abroad.