Renmin University

The People’s Republic of China (PRC), commonly known as China, is the largest country in East Asia and the most populous in the world with over 1.4 billion people. It is a socialist republic ruled by the Communist Party of China and has jurisdiction over twenty-two provinces. China’s capital is Beijing.

China is an ancient country with a profound history. Originating in the eastern area of the Yellow River Region, China’s civilization is over 5000 years old and is considered one of four ancient civilizations of the world, along with the civilizations of Babylon, Egypt and India. From ancient times to the present, Chinese people have created brilliant science, art, and culture, providing the world with such cultural wonders as the Great Wall, delicate porcelain, and calligraphy.

China’s importance in the world today is reflected through its role as the world’s second largest economy nominally. Since the introduction of market-based economic reforms, China has become one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China, situated in the north-east of the country. It is the centre of cultural, politics, business and financial activity of this rapid-growing country. Beijing is an independent municipal district with a population of 12 million. The area of the city is 16,808 square kilometers, stretching 160 km from east to west and over 180 km from north to south. There are 18 districts and counties in Beijing City. Beijing is mostly surrounded by mountains, while the center and southern part of Beijing is flat land.

Beijing has a continental climate, with a cold, dry winter, and wet, warm summer. In the summer, warm and moist air from the ocean causes precipitation. In January, the temperature is as low as -4°C, while July is the warmest, about 26°C.

Renmin University of China (RUC), previously known as People’s University of China is a national comprehensive university located in Beijing, China. The University is commonly considered as one of the top universities in China, with a distinct focus on humanities and social sciences. It consists of 23 schools and is particularly known for its strength in law, economics, and journalism. Its mission includes following the Chinese traditional culture while embracing talents and new concepts to grasp the opportunity of developing a creative and international atmosphere.

Courses in English

The Global Bachelor of Business Administration program is taught entirely in English. Students can choose from a variety of management courses as well as Chinese history and culture courses. There are around 15 courses in English each semester. To view a list of available courses click here.

Language Courses

Renmin does not offer any Chinese language courses for exchange students.

Other Programs

Renmin University holds their four-week International Summer School in July of each year. The program is taught entirely in English and includes topics such as Chinese development, economy, politics, society, and culture. There are also lectures in global governance and general disciplines such as economics, sociology, political science, humanities, and science engineering. The courses are taught by about 120 scholars from around the world, including from world-class universities such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Cornell, UC Berkeley, the University of Cambridge, and the University of London. The program also includes trips to places such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Summer Palace. Each course in the program is equivalent to two credits. To learn more about the program click here. To view a list of courses click here.

The only program offered in English is the Global Bachelor of Business Administration program.

Exchange students must take a minimum of 10 credits per semester. Most courses at Renmin are equivalent to 2 credits. Two courses (4 credits) within the same stream can be combined to transfer back as one 3 credit U of L course. Three courses (6 credits) within the same stream can be combined to transfer back as two 3 credit U of L courses. Tuition is calculated based on the number of U of L courses students earn equivalent credit to.

You are eligible for this exchange if you are:

• A full-time Dhillon School of Business student
• In at least the 2nd year of your program
• In good academic standing, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher

It is MANDATORY to apply for a student visa at the nearest consulate (Calgary) before arrival in China.

Stays under 180 days: Students must apply for an X2 visa. This is a single-entry visa, but the International Student Office at Renmin can assist in applying for re-entry or multiple entries if needed. Students holding an X2 visa do not need to apply for a residence permit.

Stays over 180 days: Students must apply for an X1 visa. Next, you must apply for a Residence Permit within 30 days of arrival at the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau in order to maintain legal status. It is not recommended to arrive early, since you can only apply for a residence permit once you are officially registered at the university.

The following documents are required when applying for an X1 or X2 visa:

1. Valid passport
2. Original copy of the university’s admission notification
3. Visa Application Form for Foreign Students Studying in China (also known as the JW201/JW202 form)

Please ensure your letter of admission and your JW202 form are returned back to you together with your passport after obtaining your Chinese visa. You will need these documents to apply for your Residence Permit after your arrival in Beijing.

For more information about this visa, contact the Consulate General of China in Calgary.

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when visiting China, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Campus Residences

• Cost (2023): ¥1,080/month (approx. C$200) to ¥3,000/month (approx. C$555)
• Double rooms include beds, desks, wardrobes, basic furniture, and air conditioning. There are shared bathrooms, laundry rooms, pantries, study rooms, and activity rooms.
• Single rooms include a bed, desk, wardrobe, basic furniture, and a private bathroom. There are shared laundry rooms and a shared pantry.
• Renmin provides a service to change bedding every half month and clean the private bathrooms once per week.
• There are a variety of food service locations throughout campus.
• Once the student is admitted, the admission package will be sent to the students. In the package, a Room Reservation Form will be included. Students should then apply for the rooms accordingly. Students are advised to come no earlier than two days in advance. If you cannot make it on time, please send an email to the International Student Office (iso@ruc.edu.cn) and the Accommodation Office (LGIA@ruc.edu.cn). If you do not arrive two weeks after registration, you will be regarded as turning down the admission offer.

Private Housing

• Due to the limited space on campus, students can also choose to live off-campus. Students can find information through rental agencies, or check online advertisements or notice boards.

Arrival Information

Once you are there, you can choose one of the following transportation from the airport:

1. Taxi: Taxi is the most convenient. It will cost around ¥130-150 (2023). The taxi will take you about one hour from the airport to the campus. The meter-rate is ¥2/km. Tell the driver to enter the campus through North Gate (in Chinese: 中国人民大学，从北门进入). Don’t forget to ask for the receipt.
2. Airport Shuttle: Airport shuttle is the most economic. The airport shuttle fare is ¥30/person (2023) and takes approximately 1 hour. You can take Line 4 (Airport to Gongzhufen 公主坟) and get off at the Friendship Hotel (友谊宾馆) station. The operation hour for Line 4 is 06:00a.m. to 24:00p.m.
3. Subway: Subway is the least time-consuming. The cost for Airport Express is ¥25/person and ¥2/person for other subway lines. You can take Airport Express at Terminal 2 or Terminal 3. Get off at Sanyuanqiao (三元桥) station and then transfer to Subway Line 10. Then get off at Haidian Huangzhuang (海淀黄庄) station and transfer to Line 4. Finally, you will get off at Rennin Daxue (人民大学) station. Take Exit A1. The operation hour of Airport Express for Terminal 2 is 06:00a.m.- 22:30p.m.

Students going on an exchange pay regular U of L tuition and fees. For up-to-date tuition information, visit the U of L's Financial Services website.

Students without a valid medical insurance are not allowed to register. It is MANDATORY to purchase the Comprehensive Insurance Plan of Foreign Students provided by Ping An Insurance Company on the day of registration even if you have already purchased insurance in your own country. This insurance is recognized and recommended by the Chinese Ministry of Education. There will be a “Ping An Insurance Booth” at the registration site where you can purchase the comprehensive insurance. The insurance costs ¥300/semester (2023).