Chapter Ⅰ General Provisions

Article 1 To standardize the management of international students at our university, maintain normal educational and living order, and protect the rights and interests of international students, we have established these regulations based on the Ministry of Education’s the Student Management Stipulation of the General Institutes of Higher Education (Ministry of Education Order No. 41), Management Regulations on Higher Learning Institutions Enrolling (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Public Security Order No. 42), Standards for Higher Education Quality of International Students in China (Trial) (Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry of Education [2018] No. 50), the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Provisions on the Administration of Religious Activities of Aliens within the Territory of the People’s Republic of China, and the Notice on the Management Measures for Special Scholarships of the Education and Training Program for Students from Five Central Asian Countries (Xi’an Municipality Letter [2022] No.27). These regulations also refer to the Student Management Regulations of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology and Implementation Rules on Punishment of Discipline Violation for International students of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, and are formulated in consideration of the actual situation of international students at our university.

Article 2 These regulations apply to international students receiving degree and non-degree education at Shaanxi University of Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as “international students”). Degree students include doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students, while non-degree students include language students and professional students.

Article 3 The university carries out the Party’s education policy, firmly establishes the concept of talent cultivation to actively serve the country’s foreign affairs, adheres to the direction of socialism in the operation of the university, adheres to the fundamental principle of cultivating morality, places the education of ideals and beliefs at the core, carries forward the excellent traditional Chinese culture and advanced socialist culture, cultivates international students with the global competence, sense of social responsibility, spirit of innovation and practical ability to improve the quality of education for international students.

Article 4 International students must abide by Chinese laws and regulations, recognize the mainstream values of Chinese society, respect Chinese customs and traditions, comply with the university’s rules and regulations, and complete their academic tasks.

Article 5 The management of international students is implemented in accordance with the principle of “convergent management and seeking common ground while reserving differences” with Chinese students, respecting and protecting the lawful rights of international students, educating and guiding international students to undertake their obligations and responsibilities, and encouraging and supporting international students to carry out self-management, self-service, self-education and self-supervision.

Article 6 The College of International Education is responsible for the development of enrollment plan, advertisement and promotion of enrollment, admission procedures, student registration management, student day-to-day management, accommodation management, rules and regulations, coordination of teaching work, development of cultivation plan for pre-college teaching, teaching arrangement and ordering of teaching materials for public courses, graduation work and apartment management.

The Graduate School is responsible for the education management of international graduate students, including teaching and training, as well as degree thesis supervision.

The Academic Affairs Office is responsible for the review of training programs for undergraduate international students, management of academic information within the university, the ordering of textbooks for major courses, and the conferral of degrees.

Colleges that support international students are the main bodies responsible for formulating the cultivation program and submitting it to the Graduate School, Academic Affairs Office for examination and approval, and the College of International Education for record. They are also responsible for the management of major courses teaching, internship and practice. Supporting colleges must designate a leader responsible for the teaching and training of international students.

Chapter Ⅱ  Rights and Obligations of International Students

Article 7  During their time at the university, international students enjoy the rights stipulated in Article 6, Chapter 2 of the Student Management Regulations of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology as follows:

(a) Participate in various activities arranged by the university on the basis of educational and teaching plans, and use the educational and teaching resources provided by the university;

(b) Engage in social practice, volunteer service, work-study programs, cultural and sports activities, and technological and cultural innovation activities;

(c) Apply for scholarships and stipends;

(d) Receive scientific and fair evaluations regarding their moral character and academic performance, and obtain corresponding academic certificates and degree certificates upon completing the required studies;

(e) Organize and participate in student groups within the university, and enjoy the right to be informed, participate, express opinions, and supervise matters related to student rights;

(f) Appeal to the university or educational administrative departments if they disagree with any disciplinary actions or decisions, and file complaints or lawsuits against any infringement of their personal rights, property rights, or other legal rights by the university or its staff;

(g) Other rights stipulated by Chinese laws, regulations, and the university’s constitution.

Article 8 During their time at the university, international students are required to fulfill the obligations stipulated in Article 7, Chapter 2 of the Student Management Regulations of Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, as follows:

(a) Abide by the Constitution of People’s Republic of China, Chinese laws and regulations;

(b) Comply with the university's constitution and regulations;

(c) Uphold academic integrity and complete the required studies;

(d) Pay tuition and related fees as required, and fulfill the corresponding obligations for receiving scholarships and stipends;

(e) Adhere to student conduct standards, respect teachers, and develop good moral characters and behavior habits;

(f) Other obligations stipulated by Chinese laws, regulations, and the university’s constitution.

Chapter Ⅲ Student Status and Teaching Management

Section Ⅰ Admission and Registration

Article 9 New international students admitted through the National Information System for the Management of International Students in China are expected to come to College of International Education within designated period of time to get registered with Admission Notice and visa materials. Those who fail to get registered or need to retain their admission qualifications should ask for leave or submit an application to the university. During the period of retained admission, they will not have student status and will not be entitled to the benefits of enrolled students. Except for reasons of force majeure or other legitimate causes, those who fail to ask for a leave or submit an application will be regarded as voluntarily giving up enrollment. College of International Education must promptly notify relevant supporting colleges of the actual registration status and the list of students.

Article 10 College of International Education is responsible for verifying the admission qualifications of new international students. Upon successful verification, students will complete the admission procedures, be registered, and complete accommodation registration with the Xi’an Exit and Entry Administration within 24 hours of arrival. Anyone whose admission notice, passport, or other materials are checked and found to have practiced deception or fraud will be deprived of his/her admission qualifications.

Article 11 In accordance with the Ministry of Education’s Interim Provisions on the Requirement for Foreign Students in Higher Education Institutions to Purchase Insurance, the university implements a compulsory insurance system for all international students. Students must purchase insurance as required by national regulations and university policies. Those who fail to purchase insurance or do not purchase it on time will not be admitted. For current students who fail to comply, they will be dismissed and their study visa and residence permit will be canceled.

Article 12 Upon arrival in China, new international students must undergo a medical examination at the Shaanxi Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (Shaanxi International Travel Health Care Center) as per the requirements of the Chinese health authorities. Those diagnosed with severe mental disorders, infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, or other infectious diseases that could pose a major threat to public health, as stipulated by the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, must leave the country within a specified period at their own expense.

Article 13 After registration, new students must fill out personal information forms organized by College of International Education and complete the registration of their student status on the Center for Student Services and Development (CSSD) within the specified time for degree students and internal registration for non-degree students.

Article 14 During their studies, international students must pay tuition, accommodation fees, and other related fees on time and register accordingly. Those who fail to pay fees or register as required must apply for leave or submit an application. For those with severe circumstances, the university will revoke their student status and scholarship eligibility.

Section Ⅱ Curriculum and Credit Requirements

Article 15 The training programs for international students should include the following components: educational objectives, curriculum system, teaching plan, and practical teaching. These programs must meet the educational standards and regulations of the respective disciplines, align with the talent cultivation goals for international students, and be adapted to their learning characteristics.

Article 16 The curriculum should be designed with the goals of “broad scope, solid foundation, strong capability, and high quality,” emphasizing the combination of professional standards with the individual development of international students. This approach ensures that international students acquire a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge and a broad knowledge base. Graduate courses should also include the cultivation of experimental skills, basic research abilities, and advanced specialized knowledge.

Additionally, considering the educational characteristics of international students, courses in English, political education, and military training credits should be exempted, while mandatory courses such as Chinese Language, an Overview of China, and Practical Education on Chinese Conditions should be added.

According to the objectives of each discipline, courses are divided into degree courses (compulsory) and non-degree courses (elective). Degree courses should clearly identify core courses to ensure international students acquire a solid professional foundation in their field. Non-degree courses should offer a diverse range of options to promote personalized development, foster innovative thinking, and enhance practical or research abilities.

The proportion of total credits from practical teaching should be ensured, with practice credits accounting for more than 20% of total credits for science and engineering programs and more than 10% for arts, management, economics, and law programs. Practical teaching elements should be structured according to cognitive rules and include course experiments, experimental courses, cognitive internships, production internships, professional training, graduation internships, course design, undergraduate research training programs, and graduation projects (theses). Courses with comprehensive and design-oriented experiments should account for more than 50% of all experimental courses.

Article 17 The course study for international students (both degree and non-degree education) follows a credit system. Credits for a course are earned upon passing the course assessment.

Table 1 Credit Requirements by Student Level

Section Ⅲ Assessment and Record of Grades

Article 18 International students must participate in the assessments for courses and various educational activities (hereinafter collectively referred to as “courses”) as stipulated in the university’s educational plan. The result of the assessment of a course will be recorded in the student’s transcript and placed on file.

Assessments are divided into exams and evaluations. The methods for assessment and grade evaluation follow the university’s academic regulations. Courses that are not passed must be retaken, re-examined, or substituted with other courses.

For exam-based courses, grades are determined using a percentage system, primarily based on the final exam score, with consideration given to performance during the semester. Performance during the semester typically accounts for no more than 40% of the total grade; for courses with strong practical components, it can account for 50-60%.

For evaluation-based courses, grades can be determined using a percentage system, a five-level grading system, or a pass/fail system, based on the course’s teaching requirements. Evaluation considers attendance, homework completion, experiments, internships, exercise classes, class notes, class discussions, and quizzes.

The average GPA is calculated using the following formula, with the grade point coefficients provided in Table 2.

Semester (Academic Year, Graduation) Average GPA = Σ(Course Credits × GPA Coefficient) / Σ Course Credits.

For courses assessed on a percentage basis:

• If the score is less than 60, the GPA      coefficient is 0.

• If the score is 60 or      above, the GPA coefficient is calculated as: (Score - 50) / 10.

Table 2: GPA Coefficient Table

Note: For courses that are retaken due to failure, the GPA coefficient is set to 1.0 upon passing the reassessment.

The methods for evaluating course performance are determined by the course instructor or the course team. If a course spans multiple semesters, each semester is considered a separate course.

Exceptionally performing students who self-study the entire content of a course (excluding specialized and practical courses) can apply for self-study, which exempts them from attendance requirements. However, participation in the final exam is mandatory. Upon passing the exam, the score will be recorded in the student record, and the corresponding credits will be awarded.

Article 19 The evaluation of international students’ physical education performance emphasizes process management, based on attendance, in-class teaching, extra-curricular activities, and fitness assessments. Students who fail the public physical education course must retake the exam or redo the course.

Article 20 International students select courses according to their training program each semester. Upon completing the prescribed courses for the academic year and passing the review, they are allowed to advance to the next level.

Article 21 International students who participate in innovation and entrepreneurship, social practice activities, or have experiences and achievements related to their major studies and academic requirements, such as publishing papers or obtaining patent authorizations, can convert these into credits according to the university’s regulations on Second Classroom credits management and innovation and entrepreneurship credits management. These credits will be counted towards their academic performance.

Article 22 The university maintains a comprehensive system for managing international students’ academic performance and student-status records, ensuring that performance is recorded and issued accurately and completely. Scores obtained through retakes and course repetitions are marked accordingly.

After the completion of a course, the instructor should promptly review the grades and print two copies of the grade report, both stamped with the seal of the instructor’s college. One copy shall be sent to the College of International Education by the foreign affairs secretary for archival purposes. The examination papers shall be archived by the college responsible for the course.

Upon graduation, the College of International Education prints three copies of the transcript for each international student. After stamping, one copy will be submitted to the supporting college for student’s defense application, one copy will be placed in the student’s student record in the supporting college, and one copy will be stored in the university’s comprehensive archive room.

Article 23 International students who seriously violate examination discipline or cheat in the exam will have their course assessment scores invalidated. Depending on the severity of the violation or cheating, appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken, and these will be recorded in the students’ integrity files. Students who receive warnings, serious warnings, demerits, or probationary status and then show good behavior after being educated may be given the opportunity to retake the exam or retake the course.

If international students terminate their studies due to dropout or other reasons, the courses taken and credits earned will be documented by the university. If such students who meet the relevant conditions are re-admitted and re-enrolled in the university, their previously earned credits will be recognized in accordance with the university’s course exemption regulations.

The university conducts integrity education for international students, appropriately recording information related to their academic, scholarly, and ethical conduct. A mechanism is established to constrain and penalize dishonest behavior. For serious breaches of integrity, corresponding disciplinary actions will be taken as per university regulations. Violations of academic integrity will result in restrictions on obtaining degrees, academic titles, and honors.

Section Ⅳ Transfer of Major and University

Article 24 International students are generally expected to complete their studies in the major they were admitted to at our university. Under the following conditions, international students at our university may apply to transfer to another major, provided the target major meets the conditions for international student education and, for graduate students, the transfer is agreed upon by the prospective supervisor:

(a) Students who are diagnosed with an illness or physical disability by a designated hospital of grade II or above, rendering them unable to continue in their original major but capable of studying in the target major.

(b) The university, based on evolving societal needs for talent and with the consent of the student, may adjust the student’s major as necessary.

(c) Students who have a special talent or have achieved relevant accomplishments, and their talents will be better developed if the major is transferred, supported by relevant achievements and expert recommendations.

Article 25 International students in the following cases are not allowed to transfer majors:

(a) Graduate students in their second year, doctoral students in their second year, and undergraduate students in their third year or above.

(b) Students who are currently on leave or whose enrollment status is retained.

(c) Students who should be ordered to quit school.

(d) Students admitted through special admission forms or special programs.

Article 26 For international students hoping to transfer to another university, the process involves the student submitting an application, which must be approved by their current college, College of International Education, and the target university. College of International Education can provide documents detailing the student’s academic performance and conduct, and handle the relevant administrative procedures for student records, immigration, and entry and exit documentations, including the transfer of duplicate records.

Article 27 In principle, degree students applying for transfer into our university are required to start from the first year of study.

Section Ⅴ Suspension of Schooling and Resuming Schooling

Article 28 International students may complete their studies in stages. Unless otherwise stipulated, they must complete their studies within the maximum period allowed by the university, which includes periods of suspension or deferred enrollment.

International students who apply for suspension due to illness or are deemed by the university to require suspension may be granted approval. The suspension is limited to one year, with a maximum cumulative duration of two years (if due to illness and approved by the university, a continuous suspension of up to two years may be permitted).

Article 29 International students who are on suspension must complete the necessary procedures to leave the campus and exit the country. During the suspension period, the university will retain the student’s enrollment status, but they will not be entitled to the benefits provided to enrolled international students. Medical expenses for students on suspension due to illness are the responsibility of the students themselves.

Article 30 After the end of the suspension, international students can make application for resuming schooling within the stipulated period. Re-enrollment will be permitted upon successful re-evaluation by the university.

Section Ⅵ Discontinuing Schooling

Article 31 International students in the following cases should be ordered or permitted to quit school:

(a) Failure to register within the stipulated period without having applied for deferred registration.

(b) Failure to apply for resuming schooling after the suspension or preservation of enrollment status has expired, or failure to meet the conditions for resuming schooling upon review.

(c) Inability to continue studies due to illness or accidental disability as diagnosed by a designated hospital.

(d) Failure to meet academic requirements for graduate students or having accumulated more than eight failed courses (excluding 8) during undergraduate studies.

(e) Exceeding the maximum study period by more than two years (excluding force majeure factors).

(f) Voluntarily applying for quitting school.

(g) Serious violations of laws, regulations, or university rules.

Article 32 International students who apply to quit school must complete the quitting procedures and visa change procedures within the specified period by the university and leave the campus and exit the country within 10 working days.

Section Ⅶ Study Duration, Degrees, Graduation, and Completion

Article 33 The study duration for full-time international students is as follows: three years for graduate students, four years for undergraduates, and one year for preparatory students. The maximum duration for doctoral and undergraduate students is six years, and for graduate students, it is five years. Undergraduate students who take a suspension for entrepreneurship may extend their maximum duration to eight years, subject to university evaluation. If special circumstances prevent timely completion of studies and an extension is needed, the international student must submit a written application at least six months before the end of the stipulated duration. The application must be reviewed by the head of the relevant college(with prior consent from the supervisor for graduate students) and submitted to the College of International Education for approval to extend the study period as necessary.

Article 34 Degree students who complete the prescribed educational and teaching plans within the stipulated study period, meet the credit requirements for graduation, and achieve the corresponding Chinese language proficiency, will be granted graduation by the university. The graduation certificate will be issued before the student leaves the campus. Those who meet the degree awarding requirements will be issued the corresponding degree certificate.

The credit requirements are as follows: at least 17 credits for doctoral students, at least 32 credits for graduate students, and completion of the curriculum and credit requirements specified by their respective programs for undergraduate students.

The Chinese proficiency requirements are as follows: (a) For disciplines and majors taught in foreign languages, graduate and doctoral students must achieve at least Level 3 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standard, while undergraduate students must achieve at least Level 4. (b) For disciplines and majors taught in Chinese, students must achieve Level 5 of the International Chinese Proficiency Standard upon graduation. International students who complete the required educational program and obtain the necessary credits for graduation ahead of schedule can apply for early graduation. Upon meeting the graduation requirements, the Graduate School, Academic Affairs Office, and College of International Education will determine the graduation list and register the academic qualifications on the Center for Student Services and Development Network.

International students are encouraged and supported to write their thesis or thesis abstract in Chinese. The training programs for international students in each major should specify the specific language requirements for the writing and defense of degree theses.

Article 35 Degree students who complete the the prescribed educational and teaching plans within the stipulated study period but do not meet the graduation requirements will be issued a certificate of completion.

For those opting for completion, a certificate of completion will be issued first. Within one year, undergraduates can apply to the university for retaking failed courses, choosing elective courses to make up the missing credits, or redoing their graduation project (thesis). Graduate students can apply for thesis review and defense. Those who meet the graduation requirements will be issued a graduation certificate. For reissued graduation certificates, the graduation date will be the date of issuance. Those who do not apply within the specified period or fail to meet the graduation requirements after applying will be treated as having completed their studies without graduation.

Graduates who obtain their graduation certificates through this process will not be awarded a degree.

Article 36 Non-degree students who complete the prescribed educational and teaching plans within the stipulated study period and achieve satisfactory results will be granted a certificate of completion before leaving the university. For international students who quit school, the university will issue a certificate of attendance or a factual study certificate.

Section Ⅷ Academic Certificate Management

Article 37 The university strictly follows the major and study forms determined at the time of admission, as well as the personal information submitted by the international students, to fill out and issue academic certificates, degree certificates, and other academic certificates. If international students apply to change personal information such as name or birth date during their studies, they must provide legally valid proof documents.

Article 38 The university implements the electronic registration management system for higher education student status and academic qualifications. The electronic registration of academic qualifications for degree students is completed and maintained promptly according to relevant regulations.

Article 39 International students who complete their major while also fulfilling the requirements of a minor in another field will be issued a certificate for the minor by the university.

Article 40 For those who obtain admission qualifications or student status in violation of admission regulations, the university will cancel their student status and will not issue academic certificates or degree certificates. If such certificates have already been issued, the university will revoke them according to the law. For those who obtain academic certificates or degree certificates through cheating, plagiarism, academic misconduct, or other improper means, the university will revoke such certificates according to the law.

If the revoked certificates have been registered, the university will cancel the registration and report to the education administration department to declare them invalid.

Article 41 If an academic certificate or degree certificate is lost or damaged, upon the student’s application and verification by the university, the university will issue corresponding testimonials, which have the same legal effect as the original certificate.

Chapter Ⅳ Campus Rules and Extracurricular Activities

Article 42 International students are expected to work with the university to maintain the normal order of the campus and to safeguard the safety and stability of the campus environment.

Article 43 The university supports and guarantees international students’ participation in the management of the university in accordance with the law and the statutes by establishing and perfecting the organizational forms for their involvement.

Article 44 International students shall consciously abide by Chinese laws and moral norms, as well as the university’s management system. They shall create and maintain a civilized, clean, beautiful and safe learning and living environment, establish awareness of security risks and self-protection, and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

Article 45 International students shall not engage in illegal behaviors such as abusing alcohol, fighting, gambling, taking drugs, spreading, copying and selling illegal books, publications and audio-visual products. They shall not participate in illegal pyramid schemes, cult activities, or feudal superstitions. They shall not be engaged in or participate in activities that are detrimental to the image of university students or contrary to social order and morality. If the university discovers that international students are involved in illegal behaviors on campus or have serious mental illnesses that may cause harm to others, the university may take or assist the relevant departments to take necessary measures in accordance with the law.

Article 46 The university shall provide the necessary conditions for international students’ associations to carry out their activities. International students may start and join student associations within the university, and shall submit written applications in accordance with the requirements of the Interim Provisions on the Administration of Student Associations of the university for approval by the university, and implement the registration and annual inspection system.

International students’ organizations shall conduct activities within the scope of the Chinese Constitution, laws and regulations and the university’s management system, and shall be subject to the leadership and management of the university. Any invitations extended by international student organizations to external organizations or individuals to hold lectures or other activities on campus must be approved by the university.

Article 47 International students shall abide by the relevant regulations of China and the university on the use of the Internet, and shall not log on illegal websites or disseminate illegal text, audio and video materials, nor fabricate or spread false or harmful information, nor attack or intrude into other people’s computers and mobile communication network systems.

Article 48 The university adheres to the principle of separating education from religion and respects the religious beliefs and ethnic customs of international students. International students shall not violate Chinese laws and regulations such as the Provisions on the Administration of Religious Activities of Aliens Within the Territory of the People’s Republic of China. They may participate in religious activities in lawfully registered monasteries, palaces, mosques and churches in accordance with their religious beliefs, but no organizations or individuals are allowed to carry out religious activities in the university.

Article 49 The university promotes and supports international students and international students’ groups to carry out academic, scientific and technological, artistic, recreational and sports activities which are beneficial to their physical and mental health, growth and development.

Extracurricular activities of international students shall not disrupt the normal order of education, teaching and life of the university.

International students participating in on-campus and off-campus work-study activities shall abide by the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China, conform to the Measures for the Administration of International Students’ Work-Study in Institutions of Higher Education, and shall not be illegally employed in China, or exceed the stipulated positions or time limits.

Article 50 International students shall abide by the provisions of the Management System of International Students’ Apartments of Shaanxi University of Science and Technology. International students are encouraged and supported to implement self-management by making conventions.

Chapter V Management of Education and Teaching of Undergraduate Students from the Five Central Asian Countries(Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan)

Article 51 This chapter applies to the international students admitted to the university under the “1+4” mode who have been awarded special scholarships under the Xi’an Education and Training Program for International Students from “Five Central Asian Countries” (hereinafter referred to as the FCAC International Students).

Article 52 The education and training program for FCAC International Students consists of two stages: preparatory education, which lasts for one year (1-2 years of study), and undergraduate education, which lasts for four years (4-6 years of study).

Article 53 Colleges that support the majors of FCAC international students shall be the main body of education and teaching, responsible for formulating undergraduates’ major teaching and training programs, submitting them to the Academic Affairs Office for examination and approval, and reporting them to the College of International Education for the record; and responsible for major courses, internships and practices, and other aspects of the training and management work. The supporting colleges are required to designate leaders to be in charge of the teaching and cultivation of FCAC international students.

Article 54 The university determines the enrollment plan for international students from the five Central Asian countries every year according to the notice of enrollment issued by the Working Committee of Xi’an Education and Training Program for International Students from Five Central Asian Countries, taking into account the actual professional development of the university. The enrolled students shall pass the examination and approval of the university and the Xi’an Municipal Government at the same time.

Article 55 Students admitted to the same major and grade with less than 10 students in the same year may be placed into the class of Chinese students of the corresponding major for cultivation and management. If there are 10 or more students, a separate class may be established.

Article 56 The College of International Education shall, in accordance with the learning characteristics of international students, formulate a cultivation program focusing on three elements, namely, immersion language training, internationalized cultural exchanges, and targeted undergraduate course articulation, so as to cultivate the basic knowledge, skills and quality of Chinese language for FCAC international students.

Article 57 FCAC international students shall be awarded the certificate of completion of the preparatory course and transferred to the undergraduate course after they have qualified in the preparatory course within the stipulated years, their Chinese proficiency has reached HSK level 4, and they have finished the courses stipulated in the preparatory course teaching plan and passed the examination of all the courses to meet the requirements for completion.

Article 58 Students who have completed the requirements set out in the teaching plan, and whose achievements in course work and graduation design (thesis) have shown that they have a good grasp of the basic theories, specialized knowledge and basic skills of the discipline, as well as the initial ability to engage in scientific research or specialized technical work, shall be allowed to graduate after examination and approval.

Article 59 The average GPA of the courses during the period of study at the university, excluding the grades of elective courses and graduation design (thesis), shall be equal to or greater than 1.50.

Article 60 The bachelor’s degree shall not be conferred under any of the following circumstances.

(a) Students who finish the program without obtaining the qualification for graduation;

(b) Students who have exchanged their graduation certificates after completion of their studies.

(c) Students who have a GPA of less than 1.50 during the period of study;

(d) Students who have committed plagiarism, fraud or other academic misconduct during their period of study;

(e) Other circumstances deemed by the Academic Degree Committee of the university as grounds for not conferring a bachelor’s degree.

Article 61 For disciplines and majors taught in Chinese, the Chinese proficiency of FCAC international students shall reach level 5 of International Chinese Language Proficiency Standard upon graduation. For disciplines and majors taught in a foreign language, the Chinese proficiency of FCAC international students shall reach at least level 4 of International Chinese Language Proficiency Standard upon graduation.

Article 62 The special scholarships may cover tuition fees, accommodation fees, living stipends, insurance, residence permit fees, medical examination fees, teaching materials and international travel expenses during the period of preparatory and academic education. They shall be managed in accordance with the relevant management measures.

Article 63 For instructors teaching courses under the special scholarship program for international students, the teaching workload will be calculated according to the undergraduate teaching workload calculation method, with an additional combined class coefficient of 0.3. Internship and practical training for undergraduate international students will be organized by the supporting college in accordance with existing university policies. Costs for cognition practice, professional practice, and graduation practice will be calculated at 1500 RMB per student and paid by the College of International Education. Supporting colleges shall carry out education and training in strict accordance with the requirements of the cultivation program and the standards for degree conferment, strengthen the management of the cultivation process, and strictly control the quality of cultivation. Teaching management fees will be allocated from the tuition fees of FCAC international students’ scholarships at a rate of 5000 RMB per student per year to the supporting college.

Chapter VI Incentives and financial support

Article 64 For international students who have all-round development in morality, intellect, fitness and virtue, or who excel in areas such as ideology and morality, academic performance, academic research, sports competitions, cultural and artistic activities, voluntary service and social practice, the university may give them various forms of commendations and rewards, including honorary titles and scholarships. The commendations and rewards for international students shall be truly and completely filed in the university’s paper files and the student’s personal files.

Article 65 The Shaanxi Province Sanqin Foreign Students Scholarship and other similar scholarships will be awarded based on the requirements specified in their respective documents. Eligible students will be selected based on their academic performance GPA ranking. The Xi’an Belt and Road Scholarship, Xi’an Scholarship for Five Central Asian Countries, and the President’s Scholarship, etc. shall be granted with reference to the granting standards determined at the time of admission. In the same academic year, the internal scholarship and other governmental and corporate scholarships cannot be awarded concurrently.

Article 66 To encourage students to study hard and actively participate in all kinds of cultural and sports activities, the university provides additional individual scholarships such as Outstanding Academic Scholarship, Outstanding Language Student Scholarship, Outstanding Student Cadre Scholarship, Scholarship for Cultural and Sports Merit, Scholarship for Excellence in Social Practice, Outstanding Volunteer, and Scholarship for Academic Excellence. In addition to honorary certificates, cash awards are also given for internal scholarships, and the specific award standards and ratios are detailed in Table 3.

Article 67 International students applying for various scholarships at all levels shall be subject to the “one-vote veto system for moral performance”, and they must fulfill the following conditions at the same time:

(a) Abide by the Constitution, laws and regulations of China, observe the rules and regulations of the university, and do not violate any laws or discipline;

(b) Diligent in study, respectful to teachers, united with classmates, passionate about the community, honest and trustworthy, and actively participating in various kinds of social practice activities and campus cultural activities.

Article 68 To ensure the study and life of international students in China, an emergency relief fund for international students is established. In case of unforeseen circumstances, emergency assistance ranging from 500 to 2000 RMB may be provided based on the situation.

Table 3 Scholarships for international students

Chapter VII Disciplinary sanctions

Section I Types of Disciplinary Action, Duration and Rules for Handling and Applying Actions

Article 69 For those international students who have violated Chinese laws, rules and regulations, the Administrative Provisions on Acceptance of Foreign Students in Institutions of Higher Education, the discipline and rules of the university as well as the social morality that the students should abide by, the university shall give them criticism and education. If the circumstances are minor and the harm done is not too serious, and disciplinary actions need not be taken, the university or the College of International Education shall give a notice of criticism and urge them to correct their mistakes. If the circumstances are serious and the situation has caused adverse impacts, the following disciplinary actions shall be taken, and the scholarships and stipends shall be suspended or reduced:

(a) demerit;

(b) probation;

(c) expulsion.

Article 70 The period of demerit is 10 months; the period of probation is 12 months.

Article 71 Students who have violated discipline under any of the following circumstances may be mitigated, alleviated or exempted from disciplinary action:

Those who correct themselves in time after criticism and education; those who take the initiative to recognize and correct their mistakes; those whose disciplinary acts are minor and have not caused other consequences; those who cooperate with the university to find out the relevant problems and have positive performance; those who take the initiative to report the disciplinary acts of others which are proved to be true; and those who have other circumstances that can be mitigated.

Article 72 Disciplinary actions shall be more severe or stringent in the following circumstances:

(a) A bad attitude in admitting mistakes after a disciplinary offense;

(b) Threatening or retaliating against whistle-blowers or witnesses;

(c) Repeatedly committing a disciplinary offense or committing a second disciplinary offense and receiving a punishment;

(d) Violation of the regulations of the university during a special period of time;

(e) Causing serious consequences of a disciplinary offense;

(f) Causing a bad influence both within and outside of the university; or

(g) Any other circumstance that warrants heavier disciplinary action.

Article 73 For international students who have committed two or more different types of misconduct at the same time, an appropriate type of punishment shall be determined by weighing them separately and dealing with them together in accordance with the relevant disciplinary provisions.

Article 74 International students who have been punished within the period of punishment:

Those who have been granted various kinds of financial assistance shall have their assistance terminated, and they can reapply for it after the disciplinary action is lifted. Those who have been granted various kinds of scholarships shall have their scholarships suspended. They shall be ineligible for consideration for any scholarships, stipends, or awards and honors.

Article 75 If an international student who is subject to a punishment other than expulsion from the university has a deep understanding of his/her mistakes and shows repentance and progress within the period of punishment, he/she can be relieved of the punishment by his/her own application after the expiration of the period of punishment. After the College of International Education has commented on it and put forward its opinions and the competent department and the university office meeting have examined and approved the case, he/she shall be notified of the punishment in writing. Upon the expiration of the disciplinary action, the international student can apply for the termination of the action in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the university. After the lifting of the disciplinary measures, the international students shall not be affected by the original disciplinary measures when they get the commendations, awards and other rights and interests. If the period of disciplinary action exceeds the actual graduation time of the student, except for the cases of seriousness and bad influence which shall not be considered, the student can apply for the approval of lifting the disciplinary action in accordance with the above procedures before graduation and departure from the university.

Section II Penalty for Disciplinary Violations

Article 76 International students may be expelled from the university under any of the following circumstances:

(a) Those who have violated Chinese laws, decrees and regulations and have been punished by the Judicial Department or Police Department; those who have been punished by the Public Security Administration and have been subjected to serious circumstances of an adverse nature; those who have incited China’s ethnic hatred and ethnic discrimination, and undermined the unity of Chinese nationalities; those who have disseminated remarks that jeopardize the unity of China, national unity and social stability; those who have organized or participated in the activities of cults or extremist religious organizations, and those who have organized religious or superstitious activities in the campus, distributing religious publications and propaganda materials; establishing various student groups without approval, holding large-scale assemblies, processions, demonstrations and other activities, or engaging in illegal, irregular or disciplinary activities in the name of international student groups.

(b) Disseminating obscene, pornographic, gambling, violent, murderous or terrorist information or abetting crimes; taking or selling drugs; getting drunk and causing disturbances inside or outside the university; insulting or slandering other people, spreading rumors, disrupting the social order, and undermining the stability of the society; and other people with illegal activities.

(c) Causing public opinion and causing adverse impact on the school; participating in or organizing fights and brawls; insulting and beating teachers; stealing (misappropriating) official seals, confidential documents, files, office equipment, etc., which causes significant impact and damage; logging into illegal websites and disseminating illegal text, audio and video materials, etc.; fabricating or disseminating false or harmful information; attacking or intruding into other people’s computer and mobile communication network systems; intentionally damaging public or private property and communication and network resources.

(d) Engaging in or organizing cheating, including substituting for another student in an exam, or other serious cheating or disruptive behavior during exams; failing to participate in the teaching activities of the university for two consecutive weeks without approval; accumulating 30 class hours of unexcused absences in one semester; serious academic misconduct such as plagiarism, falsification, or fabrication in theses or published research results.

Article 77 International students who have any of the following behaviors shall be given a warning and placed under observation:

(a) Disturbing the classes, dormitories, offices, auditoriums, libraries, laboratories, sports fields and other public order; provoking trouble to teachers or staff and failing to comply with instructions; repeatedly being late for classes, leaving early, or missing classes, and failing to correct the situation after criticism and education;

(b) Using letters, telephone calls, short messages or instant messaging software, or directly intimidating or threatening the safety of others and interfering with the normal life of others; intentionally divulging the personal information of others; using the personal information of others, such as passports, identity cards, telephone numbers, etc., to make profits without the permission of others; wearing religious costumes and logos, such as brown burqas or black veils on campus; accessing obscene websites, obscene books, paintings, videos and other obscene materials; secretly recording or photographing others’ privacy and spreading it, causing consequences.

Article 78 International students are expected to consciously abide by the management regulations of the international student dormitories and maintain order in campus life. The following behaviors will result in disciplinary actions of a warning or higher; in severe cases, expulsion will be considered:

Those who intentionally disturb other people’s rest in the apartments or dormitories of international students during the prescribed study and rest time; those who use open-flame heating appliances or other electrical or heating appliances that may pose potential safety hazards in the apartments, causing fire; those who use electricity in violation of the law by changing the power supply, connecting the wiring or unauthorized use of the special power supply in the apartments; those who stay out overnight without permission, host unauthorized guests, or rent housing off-campus without authorization; and those who adjust, occupy, cheat or rent out the public rooms, student apartment and beds on campus without authorization; those who change the locks of the dormitory doors without authorization; those who feed or keep pets in the apartment despite warnings; other violations of the Management System of International Students’ Apartments of Shaanxi University of Science and Technology.

Section III Disciplinary proceedings

Article 79 The procedures for handling and sanctioning international students who violate discipline are as follows:

(a) When an international student commits a disciplinary action, the College of International Education shall be responsible for investigating and checking the facts and collecting evidence; for the handling of examination disciplinary cases, the competent authority of the examination shall take the lead in investigating and collecting evidence, with the College of International Education assisting in the collection and organization of relevant materials.

In case of disciplinary violations involving students from several colleges, the College of International Education or the relevant departments shall take the lead in investigating and collecting evidence together with the colleges where the students are from; for criminal and public security cases, the Security Office shall be responsible for cooperating with the relevant departments in investigating and collecting evidence, and the university shall carry out disciplinary treatments based on the investigation materials or the results of the treatments.

(b) The College of International Education puts forward a proposal for handling, or submits it to the President’s Office or a special meeting authorized by the President for study and decision according to the notification of handling from the superior management department. The disciplinary decision of expulsion shall be reported to the International Cooperation and Exchanges Division of the Provincial Department of Education for record.

Documents submitted for disciplinary action against international students shall contain the following written materials as appropriate: a written document from the aggrieved person; an account of the incident or facts by the disciplined international student; an account of the incident or facts by witnesses; an understanding of the fault by the disciplined international student; an opinion of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges (College of International Education) on the investigation and disciplinary action on the incident or facts; and other evidential materials.

Article 80 Before making a disciplinary or other unfavorable decision on an international student, the international student shall be informed of the facts, reasons and bases of the decision, informed of his/her right to make a statement and defense, and be listened to his/her statement and defense.

Disciplinary decisions for international students will be issued by the principal responsible for the College of International Education. The disciplinary decision document should include the following content: basic information of the international student; facts and evidences of the disciplinary action; type, basis and period of the disciplinary action; channels and deadlines for filing an appeal; and other necessary information.

Article 81 The decision on disciplinary action shall be delivered by the College of International Education to the disciplined international student himself/herself and the signing procedure shall be carried out. It can be served in the following ways:

(a) Direct service: the College of International Education will deliver the document to the international student directly. The date on which the international student himself/herself signs on the acknowledgement of service is the date of delivery;

(b) Service in lien: If an international student refuses to accept the document, the representatives of the international student shall be present as witnesses, explain the situation, note the reason for refusal and the date on the acknowledgement of service, and leave the document at the residence of the person to be served with the signatures or seals of the person who served the document and two or more witnesses, or leave the document at the residence of the person to be served with the process of service recorded by taking photographs or video recordings, etc., which shall be deemed to be the service of documents;

(c) Service by posting: If an international student has already left the university, left the country, etc. and cannot be served directly to the international student himself/herself due to special reasons, the documents can be sent to the international student himself/herself, his/her parents or other close relatives by express post or e-mail, and the date of receipt stated on the receipt shall be the date of service;

(d) Service by public announcement: For an international student who cannot be contacted easily, a public announcement can be made on the university’s website or in the news media, etc., and it shall be deemed to have been served after the expiration of 60 days from the date of issuance of the public announcement.

Article 82 If an international student disagrees with the university’s treatment or disciplinary decision, he/she can submit a written appeal to the Student Appeal Handling Committee of the university within 10 days from the date of receipt of the university’s treatment or disciplinary decision. If an international student fails to file an appeal within the appeal period, he/she is regarded as giving up the appeal, and the university will no longer accept his/her appeal. International students’ appeals shall be handled in accordance with the Regulations on Handling Student Appeals of Shaanxi University of Science and Technology.

Article 83 The university shall truly and completely file the materials of disciplinary actions against international students and their dismissal into the university’s paper files, personal files and the international student management system.

Article 84 International students who are expelled from the university shall be issued study certificates by the university. They shall go through the formalities of leaving the university and visa change within 5 working days after the disciplinary decision takes effect, and leave the university and the country within 10 working days. If a student fails to complete the formalities for leaving the university after the deadline, it shall be enforced in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Ministry of Education.

Article 85 For enforcing discipline and educating students, the decision of handling disciplinary incidents may be notified by the university within a specified scope.

Chapter VIII By-laws

Article 86 The present provisions shall be interpreted by the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange (College of International Education) of Shaanxi University of Science and Technology.

Article 87 The present provisions shall come into force on the date of issuance of the document.