NYU Shanghai offers two 6-week summer sessions and one 9-week Chinese language immersion program. Chinese language courses are available in both 6-week and 9-week (the total immersion program) formats, allowing applicants to choose based on their time commitment, goals, and preferred intensity level. The immersion program provides instruction at four levels: Elementary Chinese (First-Year), Intermediate Chinese (Second-Year), Advanced Chinese (Third-Year), and Post-Advanced Chinese (Fourth-Year). It is open to highly motivated students committed to advancing their Chinese skills to the next level over the summer.
If you are a visiting student and unsure which level of Chinese to take, please carefully review the level descriptions on the immersion program website. If further assessment is needed, follow the instructions on how to take a placement exam for Chinese or contact the summer office at shanghai.summer@nyu.edu for additional guidance.
Students currently enrolled in an accredited university and fully committed to advancing their Chinese language skills to the next level are encouraged to apply as visiting students. Graduate students are also welcome to apply. Unfortunately, high school students are not eligible at this time.
You can apply for the immersion program by following the designated application process. We require all students to apply by the listed deadline to ensure adequate time for visa processing, course enrollment, and preparation for your arrival to NYU Shanghai.
You are required to live in NYU Shanghai dormitory housing as a condition of the program. Housing is available only for the dates of the program and will cost an estimated RMB 16,920 (around US $2,450). More information about the exact housing costs and arrangements will be emailed to you in April.
A typical weekly structure includes:
Morning Classes (3 hours daily): Two sessions with up to ten students focusing on key concepts, grammar, and vocabulary, followed by a small group discussion and practice session with a maximum of five students from Monday to Friday.
Afternoon Individual Sessions: One-on-one sessions lasting 20–30 minutes per student from Monday to Thursday.
Lectures and Activities: Lectures on China studies, as well as language and cultural activities, are offered in the afternoons following individual sessions throughout the week.
Evening Support: Evening office hours and tutorial sessions in the common area of students’ dormitories from Sunday to Thursday.
Chinese Language Table: Once a week, students explore local cuisines and chat in Chinese with their instructor and classmates.
Assessments: To gauge students' progress, written and oral assessments are frequently conducted, with personalized feedback provided by teachers to guide their improvement.
Friday Themed Excursions: These excursions connect classroom learning to real-life practice in the local community.
Additionally, there will be a mid-term Intersession Overnight Trip outside of Shanghai, where students conduct social research projects and present their findings in Chinese, tailored to their language proficiency.