Undergraduate Handbook
Content based on the 2022 Student Handbook
This article is compiled from the 2022 "Qingdao University Student Handbook" (containing various regulatory documents, mostly from 2017–2022). Policies on enrollment status, degrees, financial aid, etc. may be adjusted yearly. This article is for understanding the general framework; please refer to the university's currently valid documents for specifics. 📥 Click to download: Qingdao University Student Handbook PDF
Everyone gets one at enrollment; you flip through it for a couple of days at the start of the semester, then it gathers dust. You only realize its usefulness when something happens This little booklet actually contains the most important rules you should know during your four years at Qingdao University. Here we highlight the key points.
In a Nutshell
The Student Handbook = Qingdao University's "General Regulations," covering enrollment management, student ID and leave, degree conferral, scholarships and financial aid, disciplinary actions, exam violations, etc. It is both your list of rights (how to get scholarships, how to secure postgraduate recommendation) and your behavioral red lines (what happens if you fail exams, cheat, or skip classes).
Enrollment Management
Related sections
For credit system, graduation credit requirements, tuition and course selection, see Academic System.
Flexible Study Period (QDU-Jiao-〔2017〕No. 12)
The university implements a flexible study period. The basic program length is only the minimum; you can delay graduation (as long as you don’t exceed the upper limit):
| Program Type | Study Period Range |
|---|---|
| Four-year non-medical programs | 3–8 years |
| Four-year medical programs | 4–8 years |
| Five-year medical programs | 5–10 years |
| Two-year equivalent connection segmented training | 2–4 years |
Enrollment and Registration
- New students must report to the university within the specified period; if you cannot enroll on time due to special circumstances, you must apply for leave in advance. Failure to do so or arriving after the deadline will be considered as giving up enrollment eligibility.
- Within 3 months after enrollment, the university will conduct an enrollment eligibility review (identity, physical examination, professional level for arts/sports, etc.)
- Every semester you must complete registration procedures; if you cannot register on time, you must apply for delayed registration; those who haven’t paid fees or don’t meet requirements will not be registered.
- An unregistered student ID is invalid.
Leave of Absence and Re-enrollment
- You may apply for leave of absence due to illness or other reasons; the university also retains the right to handle cases where leave should be taken.
- During leave, your enrollment status is retained but you do not enjoy the benefits of an active student; medical expenses are handled according to national regulations.
- For students who join the military, the university retains their enrollment eligibility or enrollment status for up to 2 years after discharge.
- Before the end of the leave period, you must apply for re-enrollment within the specified period; re-enrollment is only allowed after passing the review.
Red Lines for Withdrawal
The university may process withdrawal in any of the following situations:
- Academic performance does not meet requirements, or the student has not completed their studies within the prescribed study period
- Leave of absence or retained enrollment status has expired, and the student has not applied for re-enrollment on time or has failed the review
- Diagnosed by a designated hospital as unable to continue studying due to illness or disability
- Without approval, failing to participate in school-required teaching activities for two consecutive weeks
- Failing to register beyond the prescribed period without completing delayed registration procedures
Related sections
If you fail too many courses or don’t earn enough credits, you will first receive an Academic Warning. Don’t wait until withdrawal to panic.
Transfer (Very Difficult – Don’t Count on It)
If you are unable to study at this university due to illness or special difficulties, you may apply for transfer, but transfer is not allowed in the following situations:
- Less than one semester after enrollment or in the final year before graduation
- Your college entrance examination score is lower than the admission score of the relevant major at the intended receiving university for the same source region and corresponding year
- Transferring from a lower educational level to a higher one
- Enrolled through targeted employment admission
- No valid reason for transfer
Related sections
Want to change your major? Transfer of major and transfer of university are not the same thing. For rules and procedures on changing majors, see Change of Major.
Student ID
Based on the "Qingdao University Student ID and School Badge Management Measures" (QDU-Jiao-〔2014〕No. 17):
- After new student enrollment and registration, the Academic Affairs Office will issue student IDs and school badges and register them.
- Every semester, present your student ID to your college to complete registration; an unregistered student ID is invalid.
- Student IDs and school badges are for personal use only; they must not be altered, lent, gifted to others, or used as collateral.
- If your home address changes and the travel zone on your student ID needs to be updated, you must provide household registration proof or a certificate from your parents’ employer; changes will be made after review and approval.
- Week 5 and Week 15 of each semester are for handling replacements; you need to fill out an application form, provide a one-inch bareheaded photo, and the college will process it collectively.
- Upon graduation, the college will stamp "Graduation Souvenir" on the student ID and cancel it.
- Lost school badges are generally not replaced.
Uses of the Student ID
To buy discounted student train tickets, you need to attach a magnetic strip; the travel zone should be set to the station closest to your home. Magnetic reloading is done at designated times each year; see Campus Card and Certificates for details. The complete process for replacing a lost student ID and for reporting and replacing a lost campus card is also on that page.
Leave of Absence
Based on the "Qingdao University Student Leave Management Measures" (QDU-Ban-〔2017〕No. 12):
- Leave must be applied for in advance through written procedures to your counselor (class advisor); if an online leave system is available, you may apply online. In special cases, you may apply verbally/communicatively and complete the procedures afterward.
- For sick leave, you must provide medical records, diagnosis certificate, and sick leave proof; leave exceeding 5 days requires proof from a Grade II-A or higher hospital.
Approval Authority
| Leave Duration | Approved By |
|---|---|
| Up to 2 days (including 2 days) | Counselor (class advisor) |
| More than 2 days, up to 7 days (including 7 days) | College administrator |
| More than 7 days | College principal |
| Leave during exam period | Must be approved by the college principal and reported to the academic affairs department |
Pay attention to the limit
A single leave request cannot exceed 4 weeks; for serious illness or other special reasons, it cannot exceed 6 weeks; if cumulative leave in a semester exceeds 6 weeks, you must complete leave of absence procedures. Failure to return from leave on time is counted as truancy; falsifying information or forging documentation is treated as unauthorized leave and will result in disciplinary action.
Exams and Grades
- Exam courses typically have 90-minute midterms and 120-minute finals; assessment courses are generally 90 minutes.
- Assessment grades are recorded in the grade book and filed in the enrollment record; grades obtained through make-up exams or course retakes are marked accordingly.
- For serious violations of exam discipline or cheating, the course grade is recorded as invalid, and disciplinary action will be taken based on severity; for warnings, serious warnings, demerits, or probation, good behavior may allow a make-up exam or retake opportunity.
Related sections
For specific operations on CET-4/6, make-up exams and retakes, physical fitness tests, and grade inquiries, see Exams and Grades; for exam room rules and violation handling, see Exam Management Regulations.
Postgraduate Recommendation (Exemption from Entrance Exam)
Based on the "Qingdao University Implementation Measures for Recommending Outstanding Graduating Undergraduate Students for Postgraduate Exemption" (QDU-Jiao-〔2021〕No. 21):
Basic Conditions
- Current graduating undergraduate students (excluding college-to-university transfers and second bachelor’s degree students)
- Moral quality evaluation of good or above, with no record of any violation of laws or regulations
- No failing grades in required courses
- For the first three years (four-year programs) / first four years (five-year programs), exam course average grade ranking within the top 30% of the major (innovation experimental classes and excellence talent plans may relax to 40%; those with truly special academic expertise may relax to 50%)
- Foreign language requirement: Non-foreign-language major English students must have CET-6 score of 426 or above (or IELTS 6, TOEFL 80); arts and sports majors require CET-4 score of 426 or above.
How Rankings Are Calculated
Comprehensive Score = Academic Score × 90% + Comprehensive Development Quality Evaluation Score × 10%
- Academic score is calculated from exam course grades, with a maximum of 100 points.
- Comprehensive development quality includes social practice (military service, volunteer service, international organization internships) and special academic expertise (competition awards, research achievements).
- The same research outcome or competition project is counted at the highest level only; no duplicate scoring.
Other Key Points
- You may not apply for different categories of postgraduate recommendation simultaneously (regular recommendation, counselor recommendation, etc.)
- After obtaining recommendation eligibility, you must contact the receiving institution yourself and obtain admission qualification before the date specified by the Ministry of Education; otherwise it is considered automatic forfeiture.
- Those who have been confirmed as recommended students will have their recommendation eligibility revoked if they receive disciplinary action or cannot graduate normally before graduation; any falsification discovered during the application will result in disqualification and strict handling.
Related sections
For the complete strategy for postgraduate recommendation (quota allocation, comprehensive development quality bonus details, special expertise defense, process timeline), see Exams and Grades – Postgraduate Recommendation.
Degree Conferral
Based on the "Qingdao University Provisional Regulations on Bachelor's Degree Conferral" (QDU-Xuewei-〔2016〕No. 4):
- If you complete all content of the training plan within the prescribed study period, earn the required credits, and meet the graduation requirements in moral, intellectual, and physical aspects, you may apply for a bachelor's degree.
- If your minor major and primary major belong to different discipline categories and both meet the standards, two degrees may be conferred simultaneously; if you do not obtain the primary major degree, you cannot apply for a second degree.
Cheating destroys degree eligibility
- Those who receive disciplinary action for exam cheating will not have their degree application accepted in the graduation season (with good performance, it may be conferred at the next review upon special recommendation by the college degree evaluation subcommittee and approval by the university degree evaluation committee).
- For other violations resulting in "demerit or above" (including demerit) disciplinary action where less than one year has passed since the sanction, bachelor's degree applications will not be accepted.
- Thesis fraud is handled according to the "Provisional Measures for Handling Thesis Fraud."
Scholarships and Financial Aid (Directly Related to Money)
Based on the "Qingdao University Student Financial Aid Management Measures" (QDU-Xue-〔2022〕No. 17) and various evaluation methods:
Related sections
Scholarship evaluation is based on comprehensive assessment scores. For how comprehensive assessment is calculated and how to earn bonus points, see Comprehensive Assessment.
Government Financial Aid Programs
| Program | Amount | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| National Scholarship | 8,000 yuan/year | Exceptionally outstanding, second year or above, grades and comprehensive assessment both in top 10%, no failing grades |
| Provincial Government Scholarship | 6,000 yuan/year | Exceptionally outstanding, second year or above, grades and comprehensive assessment both in top 15% |
| National Encouragement Scholarship | 5,000 yuan/year | Excellent character and academic performance + family financial difficulty, second year or above, one in top 30%, the other in top 50% |
| Provincial Government Encouragement Scholarship | 5,000 yuan/year | Same as above |
| Xinjiang/Tibet/Qinghai Haibei Ethnic Minority Encouragement Scholarship | 5,000 yuan/year | Household registration in Xinjiang/Tibet/Qinghai Haibei, ethnic minority |
| National Financial Aid | Tier 1: 2,300 / Tier 2: 3,300 / Tier 3: 4,300 yuan/year | Family financial difficulty (average about 3,300) |
| Origin-Place Credit Student Loan | Undergraduate: up to 12,000 yuan/year | Government-led, government-subsidized interest |
| Military Service Education Financial Aid | Tuition compensation/loan repayment/exemption, undergraduate: up to 12,000 yuan/year | Enlisted or returning from military service |
University Financial Aid Programs
| Program | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| President's Scholarship | 5,000 yuan/academic year | 100 recipients university-wide annually |
| Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship | 1,000 / 600 / 400 yuan/semester | By tier |
| Undergraduate Progress Scholarship | 200 yuan/semester | Progress award |
| Competition Scholarship | Depends on competition level | Representing the university and winning awards |
| Sports Scholarship | Depends on competition level | Athletes winning awards at city level or above |
| Work-Study Program | Paid by position | Priority for students with family financial difficulty |
| Emergency Financial Aid | Tier 1: 2,000 / Tier 2: 1,500 / Tier 3: 1,000 | In case of special circumstances |
| Visiting Comfort Fund | Tier 1: 2,000 / Tier 2: 1,000 / Tier 3: 500 | Students with special difficulties |
Evaluation Process and Notes
- Process: Individual application → Class evaluation → College preliminary evaluation and public announcement → University evaluation and public announcement (winning lists are publicly announced university-wide for no less than 5 working days)
- National/provincial government scholarships are evaluated once per academic year, generally from September to November.
- In the same academic year, National Scholarship and Provincial Government Scholarship cannot be held simultaneously; students with family financial difficulty who receive national/provincial government scholarships may also apply for National Financial Aid, but cannot simultaneously receive the Encouragement Scholarship.
- Family financial difficulty identification is divided into three tiers: general difficulty, difficulty, special difficulty, conducted through a "three-level identification, two-level public announcement" procedure.
- Those who conceal family circumstances or provide false information will have their eligibility revoked; those who receive aid and then engage in extravagance will have funds reclaimed.
Green Channel
New students with family financial difficulty may use the "Green Channel" to complete enrollment procedures first, then apply for financial aid, tuition exemption, or student loans as required. If you have difficulties, don’t struggle alone; contact your counselor or the Student Financial Aid Management Center.
Disciplinary Actions (Behavioral Red Lines)
Based on the "Qingdao University Student Disciplinary Action Management Regulations" (QDU-Ban-〔2017〕No. 13):
Types and Durations of Disciplinary Actions
| Type | Duration |
|---|---|
| Warning | 6 months |
| Serious Warning | 6 months |
| Demerit | 12 months |
| Probation | 12 months |
| Expulsion | — |
During the disciplinary period, eligibility for awards and honors is revoked, scholarship and financial aid eligibility is revoked, and student cadre positions are removed. Degree conferral is handled according to relevant regulations. Disciplinary action and removal records are filed in the student’s personal record.
Exam-Related Disciplinary Actions
- Exam violation: Serious Warning
- Exam cheating: Probation
- Serious exam cheating: Expulsion
Truancy Disciplinary Actions
Cumulative truancy in one semester (internships, military training, collective activities, etc., count as 6 class hours per day; unauthorized absence from school counts as 6 class hours per day):
| Class Hours of Truancy | Disciplinary Action |
|---|---|
| Under 10 class hours | Critical review |
| 10–19 class hours | Warning |
| 20–29 class hours | Serious Warning |
| 30–39 class hours | Demerit |
| 40–49 class hours | Probation |
| 50 class hours or more | Expulsion |
Other Key Points
- Committing a criminal offense, participating in drug use, prostitution, extortion, robbery, etc., results in expulsion
- Theft of property valued at 500 yuan or more results in probation or more severe action
- Academic misconduct: ghostwriting or buying/selling theses results in expulsion; plagiarism, tampering, or fabricating research results results in probation or more severe action
- Three or more violations of school rules resulting in disciplinary action result in expulsion
- After receiving disciplinary action, if the student shows remorse (comprehensive assessment in top 50%, active participation in social practice, etc.), they may apply for removal of disciplinary action 10 days before the end of the period (removal is not the same as revocation)
Exam Violation Determination (QDU-Ban-〔2018〕No. 25)
Three-Level Determination
| Category | Examples of Behavior | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| Exam violation | Mobile phone or other non-exam items not placed in designated location, answering before being called / answering late, peeking or whispering, leaving the exam room without permission, taking the exam paper out of the exam room | Grade of zero for that course, disqualification from make-up exams (may apply for retake); Serious Warning |
| Exam cheating | Carrying materials or electronic devices related to exam content (regardless of whether used), copying or assisting in copying, identical answers, tampering with grades | Probation |
| Serious exam cheating | Proxy exam taking, using communication devices to cheat, repeat cheating, organizing group cheating, selling exam questions and answers | Expulsion |
The most easily overlooked violation
Bringing a mobile phone into the exam room and having it nearby counts as carrying electronic devices with exam-related content; regardless of whether you looked at it, it is considered cheating. Before entering the exam room, hand your mobile phone to the designated location; don’t take the risk.
Related sections
For how to enter the exam room, what items are prohibited, and how to review grades, see Exam Management Regulations.
Reconsideration
If you disagree with the exam violation determination, you may submit a written reconsideration application to the Academic Affairs Office within 5 working days from the date of announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I replace a lost student ID? A: Replacements are processed collectively during Week 5 and Week 15 of each semester. Fill out the "Qingdao University Student ID Application Form" and submit a one-inch bareheaded photo; the college will process it collectively through the Academic Affairs Office. If the original is found, it must be returned and canceled; you cannot hold two student IDs simultaneously.
Q: I’m sick and want to take leave to see a doctor. Who approves it? A: Up to 2 days, contact your counselor; 2–7 days, the college administrator; more than 7 days, the college principal. Leave exceeding 5 days requires proof from a Grade II-A or higher hospital. After returning from leave, you must report back; otherwise it counts as truancy.
Q: What happens if I take too much leave in a semester? A: If cumulative leave in a semester exceeds 6 weeks, you must complete leave of absence procedures. A single leave request cannot exceed 4 weeks; for special reasons, it cannot exceed 6 weeks.
Q: What happens if I fail an exam? A: You may take a make-up exam or retake the course (grades obtained through make-up exams or retakes will be marked). But cheating is not an option — cheating results in an automatic zero, disqualification from make-up exams, and a disciplinary record. During the disciplinary period, you lose eligibility for scholarships and honors, and it may even affect your degree. The loss far outweighs the gain.
Q: How can I get a postgraduate recommendation? A: Grade ranking in the top 30% (some majors may be more flexible), no failing grades in required courses, no disciplinary record, and CET-6 score of 426 or above (or IELTS 6 / TOEFL 80). Comprehensive score = Academic × 90% + Comprehensive Development Quality × 10%. For the complete strategy, see Exams and Grades – Postgraduate Recommendation.
Q: My family is in financial difficulty and I can’t afford tuition. What should I do? A: Use the "Green Channel" to enroll first, then apply for family financial difficulty identification (divided into general/difficulty/special difficulty tiers), National Financial Aid, origin-place student loans, work-study programs, etc. If you need help, contact your counselor or the Student Financial Aid Management Center directly; you will not be forced to drop out due to poverty. For how scholarships are evaluated and how to earn comprehensive assessment bonus points, see Comprehensive Assessment.
This article is compiled from the 2022 "Qingdao University Student Handbook"; all regulatory documents have official document numbers. Policies are adjusted yearly; please refer to the university's currently valid documents for specifics.