2026 Application Guide for Master's Programs of the China-Thailand Zheng He College, Huai'an University

I. Introduction to the Universities

(1) Huai'an University (HAU)

Huai'an University (HAU, formerly known as Huaiyin Institute of Technology), founded in 1958, is located in Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province — the hometown of Premier Zhou Enlai and a renowned historical and cultural city in China. As an application-oriented provincial undergraduate university under the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education, it is currently a master's degree-conferring institution, a construction unit of Jiangsu Province's first-class applied undergraduate universities, and a project construction unit for doctoral degree authorization. The University has modern libraries, complete sports facilities, student activity centers, as well as advanced teaching equipment and laboratories. It has more than 24,000 registered full-time students, including more than 1,500 postgraduates, and more than 1,400 full-time faculty members, including about 700 postgraduate supervisors. The University has 6 provincial key disciplines during the 14th Five-Year Plan period and 6 disciplines in the top 1% of ESI global rankings. HAU actively promotes academic internationalization and has established friendly and cooperative relations with 60 colleges and universities in 22 countries and the Taiwan region. It has initiated joint undergraduate and postgraduate programs with these partners. It has 2 brand majors of International Talent Training in the colleges and universities of Jiangsu Province, 2 Joint International Research Laboratory programs, 1 key platform construction program for the introduction of overseas high-level talents, and 3 foreign expert studios. The School of International Education (SIE) was founded in 2016, has been awarded as a Jiangsu Province Advanced Group for International Students' Education many times, and has cultivated more than 600 international undergraduates and postgraduates from 42 countries. In 2024, the University, jointly with Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi and other Thai institutions and Pengding and other enterprises, was approved as a construction unit of the "Zheng He College" Program of Jiangsu Universities. In 2026, the University, in cooperation with Assumption University of Thailand, established the China-Thailand Zheng He College to launch the 3+1 Joint Education Program, on the basis of which the Joint Master's Degree Program is also offered.

(2) Assumption University (AU)

Assumption University (AU), founded in 1969, is located in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. It is the first international university in Thailand and the earliest Thai institution of higher learning to adopt all-English instruction. It is now the largest and most prestigious comprehensive private university in Thailand. The University has two campuses — Hua Mak and Suvarnabhumi — and consists of the Faculty of Business Administration, the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Science and Technology, the Faculty of Communication Arts, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Architecture, the Faculty of Biotechnology, the Faculty of Nursing Science, and the Faculty of Music, among others. AU offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in 96 disciplines, among which Business Administration and Computer Science rank among the leading programs in Asia. The University has over 24,000 registered students, including more than 3,300 international students from 142 countries and regions. Its faculty comprises renowned scholars and experts from around the world. All programs are taught in English under a credit-based system, and the degrees conferred are widely recognized by the United States, China, Europe, and many other countries and regions.

II. Study Mode & Duration

HAU and Assumption University (AU) collaborate on a 2+1 joint master's program, with a standard duration of 3 years. Stage One comprises Academic Years 1 and 2, during which students study full-time at Assumption University, completing the courses prescribed in the teaching plan and meeting HAU's assessment requirements for promotion to the third academic year. Stage Two comprises Academic Year 3, during which students study full-time at Huai'an University, completing all courses required by the talent development scheme and defending the graduation thesis (or design).

III. Postgraduate Programs & Language of Instruction

Note: The corresponding master's programs at Assumption University for the above programs are "Information Technology " and "Master of Business Administration (MBA)", respectively, and the degrees conferred are Master of Science (M.S.) and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.).

IV. Program Types

(1) Dual-degree Program

Upon meeting the admission criteria of both universities and fulfilling, at graduation, the graduation requirements of HAU and the degree-conferral requirements of both universities, students will be awarded HAU's master's graduation certificate and master's degree certificate, as well as AU's master's degree certificate.

(2) Single-degree Program

Students who fail to pass HAU's assessment but meet AU's graduation requirements and master's degree-conferral requirements may receive AU's corresponding certificates.

V. Application Requirements

1. The applicant must be a non-Chinese citizen holding a valid foreign passport. Original citizens of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan must hold a valid foreign passport or nationality certificate for more than four years (inclusive), and have a record of actual residence abroad for more than two years within the most recent four years (before April 30 of the enrollment year); actual residence abroad for nine months within one year may be counted as one year, subject to entry and exit immigration stamps.

2. The applicant must be an outstanding current undergraduate student who has met the graduation requirements, or a previous graduate who has obtained a bachelor's degree, with excellent undergraduate academic performance. Applicants must take AU's entrance examination and meet AU's admission requirements, and must also take HAU's entrance examination and meet HAU's admission requirements. With AU's assistance, HAU will organize a mid-term assessment during the latter part of the second academic year and, based on the assessment results, determine the list of students who will come to China for the third academic year.

3. The applicant shall generally be no more than 35 years of age. The applicant must be physically and mentally healthy and of good conduct.

4. Language requirements: For English-instruction programs, applicants must have IELTS 5.5 or above, TOEFL 75 or above, Duolingo English Test 90 or above, or provide other equivalent English proficiency certificates. If the pre-courses are taught entirely in English, the above English proficiency certificates are not required, but relevant certificates evidencing that the language of instruction is English shall be provided. For applicants whose native language is English, the above English proficiency certificates are not required.

5. The applicant shall voluntarily comply with the laws and regulations of China and Thailand and the rules and regulations of both universities, shall be friendly toward China, and shall not have been subject to any legal sanction.

6. If the applicant fails to obtain the bachelor's degree certificate before registration, his or her admission shall be automatically cancelled.

VI. Application Documents

1. Passport photo;

2. Copy of the passport information page and the residence permit page;

3. Undergraduate academic transcript, which must bear an official seal. If the original transcript is in a language other than Chinese or English, a notarized Chinese or English translation must be attached;

4. Bachelor's degree certificate. If the applicant is currently a student, a pre-graduation certificate bearing the official seal of the school where the applicant is studying must be submitted;

5. Certificate of no criminal record;

6. English proficiency certificate;

7. A study plan of 600–800 words (either in Chinese or English);

8. Two recommendation letters from associate professors or professors (either in Chinese or English).

*Notes:

(1) Where any of the above documents is in a language other than Chinese or English, a notarized Chinese or English translation must be attached.

(2) Complete and clear colored scan copies of the originals must be uploaded at the time of application; the originals must be presented for verification at the time of registration at the beginning of the academic term.

VII. Application Procedure

1. Qualified applicants shall submit their materials to Assumption University, which will conduct the initial selection;

2. Take Huai'an University's assessment;

3. Issuance of the pre-admission notice.

VIII. Fees

1. Tuition and related fees for Academic Years 1 and 2 of study at Assumption University in Thailand shall be charged by Assumption University in accordance with its current tuition standards; the specific rates are subject to Assumption University's official publications.

2. During Academic Year 3 at HAU:

(1) Tuition: 20,000 yuan/year

(2) Teaching materials: 800 yuan/year (to be paid after registration)

(3) Accommodation fee: 2,600–3,000 yuan/person/year (double room or three-person suite with two bedrooms and one living room); 4,000–6,000 yuan/person/year (single room)

(4) Comprehensive medical insurance: 800 yuan/ person/ year

IX. Scholarships

Students who pass HAU's assessment and are admitted to the China-Thailand Zheng He College of HAU may apply for the Jiangsu Government Scholarship for Overseas Students or the HAU Academic Scholarship during their third academic year at HAU. For scholarships during Academic Years 1 and 2 at Assumption University, awards shall be made in accordance with the scholarship regulations of Assumption University.

X. Payment Mode

XI. Contact Details

Contact: Ms. Tang

Tel: 0086-517-83559337, 15805232907 (Ms. Tang)

E-mail: admission@hau.edu.cn

Mailing Address: School of International Education, Huai'an University, No. 1 Meicheng East Road, Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province, China, 223021

HAU Home Page: http://www.hau.edu.cn/

SIE Home Page: http://gjy.hau.edu.cn/

SIE English Website: https://sie.hau.edu.cn/

Online Application Platform: https://hau.at0086.cn/student