China announces university disciplines reform plan to strengthen foundation
subjects
(Information as at 22 June 2020)
On 15 January 2020, the Chinese Ministry of
Education (MoE) announced an intention to pilot a foundational Disciplines
Reform Plan in selected universities from 2020, known as the “Strong Foundation
Program (SFP)” (unofficial translation of “强基计划”,
Pin Yin: Qiáng jī jì huà).[1]
The program will offer top high school
graduates tailor-made education programs in top universities, using not just
Gaokao (Chinese College Entrance Exam) scores, but a combination of Gaokao
scores and a University’s independent assessment of a student’s overall ability
and special talents. For some
outstanding students who do not attain top Gaokao scores, it is a pathway to
top universities should they have other talents that make them stand out from
others.
What is the Program?
The SFP allows certain higher education
institutions (HEIs) to admit outstanding high school graduates into foundation
disciplines such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history,
philosophy and palaeography (study of ancient and medieval handwriting)
in order to produce top talents in fields that are of strategic need to China,
such as high-end chip and software development, intelligent technology, new
materials and advanced manufacturing. The pilot kicked off in March of this
year, and was open to China’s 36 top universities, the same 36 universities
that are in the national Double
First Class Initiative Type A university development scheme.
[See list of universities in the pilot plan,
including disciplines and enrolment quota for 2020 intake, at appendix A]
The relevant HEIs were requested to produce an
admissions plan based on the institution’s
specialisation and the Gaokao reform status of the province in which the
institution is located.[2] To date, all 36 pilot HEIs have published admission
plans for the 2020 intake. Students were to apply online directly to their desired
HEI and program ahead of sitting this year’s Gaokao. The HEIs will shortlist a group of students
after Gaokao scores are released. The HEI will then make a final decision on
applicants taking into account both their Gaokao score and the results of an
independent assessment conducted by the HEI. The Gaokao score will make up no
less than 85% of the decision weighting.
The SFP requires a physical test to be a key
component of the independent assessment undertaken by HEIs. Based on some of
the recently released SFP admission schemes, the physical test can consider
attributes such as an individual’s height, body mass index (BMI), lung
capacity, and abilities to do sit-ups, run and long jump. [3]
Special consideration for outstanding students
HEIs are, however, able to make special
exceptions for a limited number of students who do not achieve top Gaokao
scores but demonstrate “outstanding
ability in relevant fields”. These
students are able to be shortlisted for the independent assessment without the need
to score as high as regular students. The plan indicates that these students
should score a minimum of “no less than the tier-one cut off score” [4]. In
addition, HEIs are required to justify and make public of the reason for making
the special consideration. Tsinghua University, for example, sets the standard
at - “the student demonstrates outstanding ability in the relevant field and
has received second place or above in National Olympiad in Maths, Physics,
Chemistry, Biology or informatics.” [5]
How will the plan roll out?
As part of the pilot, HEIs will tailor an
education program and incentive mechanism for students in the SFP. This may
include creating separate classes for these students, matching them with top
professors and educational resources. SFP students will be given priority in
areas such as admission into postgraduate studies, scholarships and
government-funded study abroad programs. National level research laboratories
and research centres are also encouraged to open their doors to these students
for research and joint education programs. [6]
Similar to the regular admissions process
(i.e. process based on Gaokao scores alone), HEIs will set a specific quota for
students from each province for their SFP. This decision will be made in
consultation with the relevant local education authority.
The Gaokao reform status of the province also
appears to have an impact on the admissions process for the SFP. Some HEIs have
set different admissions requirements for students from provinces that have
initiated Gaokao reform to those that have not. For example, South China
University of Technology[7] has indicated it will not admit students that sit
the reformed Gaokao in chemistry under the SFP, but students that sit the pre-reformed
Gaokao and are studying science-based subjects can apply. Provinces that will
see students sit the reformed Gaokao in 2020 are: Zhejiang, Shanghai, Beijing,
Tianjin, Shandong and Hainan.
The original timeline for the SFP was as
follows:
Late March 2020 - HEIs to receive approval
from the MoE to make public its admissions scheme for the year
April - Students
submit applications online
Early June -
Students sit Gaokao
Before 25 June
- Provincial Gaokao authority provides students’ Gaokao scores to the relevant
HEI
Before 26 June
- HEIs confirm and make public shortlisted candidates based on Gaokao score
Before 27 June
- Provincial education authority or the relevant high school provides file of
the shortlisted candidates to the HEI
Before 4 July -
HEIs conduct independent written tests and interviews, as well as
sport/physical ability tests for the shortlisted candidates.
Before 5 July
- HEIs confirm admissions decisions and make public the admissions standard.
However, given the Gaokao has been postponed
in 2020 by one month due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline for the SFP in
2020 has been pushed back by approximately one month. [8]
How does the SFP differ from the Independent
Freshman Admission Program (IFAP)?
It was also announced in the Disciplines
Reform Plan that commencing in 2020, universities in China will no longer admit
students through the Independent Freshman Admission Program (IFAP, “自主招生”
Pin Yin: Zìzhǔ zhāoshēng).
The IFAP, initiated in the early 2000s,
allowed China’s top universities to admit outstanding students by lowering the
required Gaokao score or giving priority to students in selected majors. Under
the IFAP, institutions were able to make independent decisions on what
disciplines to develop, and on the standards for accepting students, which has
sparked controversy over the years for its enrolment inequality. The MoE
requested increased management of the program and ordered universities to
reduce quotas for IFAP. [9] In 2019, the IFAP was used by around 90 top HEIs
across China, allocating 5% of enrolment slots to the program and admitting
20,000 students in total. [10]
The most significant distinction between the
SFP and IFAP is that the purpose of SFP is to select “students that demonstrate
a high level of mixed-ability or outstanding ability in a particular
foundational area, who are willing to serve the nation in areas of strategic
need”, whereas the IFAP was designed to simply select “students with
outstanding ability and potential to innovate”. The SFP specifies that the
disciplines to be developed must be linked to areas of strategic need to China,
and these could change in the future depending on those needs. The IFAP does
not have a disciplinary focus, and usually allows students to choose
disciplines of their desire.
The SFP emphasises Gaokao in the enrolment
process by setting a strict threshold of an 85% weighting of the Gaokao score
in making the admissions decision. This is aimed at making it a more
transparent and “fair” process compared to the IFAP, which permitted decisions
based on merits such as awards or competition outcomes.
What makes the SFP particularly attractive to
many students is that it allows HEIs to develop tailored and targeted education
programs for students and offers significant incentives. The IFAP by contrast was simply a means of
admission.
Going forward
It is expected that the SFP will eventually
extend to Type B universities and then to universities in the discipline
development scheme under the Double First-Class initiative.
On 15 May, Tsinghua University’s School of
Journalism and Communication announced that the school will expand capacity for
postgraduate students and focus on postgraduate education in the future.[11]
Media reports suggest the university’s School of Journalism and Communication
will cease admissions of undergraduate students starting from the 2020 intake,
and that this is due to the need to free up spots for the SFP.[12] If accurate, this suggests a strong commitment
to the SFP.
Appendix A
List of universities in the Strong Foundation
Program pilot plan, including disciplines and admissions quota for 2020 intake
(sort by province)
|
Province
|
University
|
Admissions quota 2020
|
Disciplines for 2020
|
|
Anhui
|
University of Science and Technology of China
|
210
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, information and computer science,
physics, applied physics, chemistry, bioscience, biotechnology, theoretical
and applied mechanics, nuclear engineering and nuclear technology
|
|
Beijing
|
Peking
University
|
N/A
|
mathematics,
physics, chemistry, mechanics, bioscience, history, archaeology, philosophy,
Chinese language and literature (paleography), preclinical medicine (eight
years)
|
|
Beijing
|
Tsinghua University
|
N/A
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, physics, chemistry,
bioscience, information and computer science, science of mathematical theory,
chemical biology, theory and applied mechanics, Chinese language and literate
(paleography), history, philosophy
|
|
Beijing
|
Renmin
University of China
|
90
|
Chinese
language and literature (paleography), history, philosophy
|
|
Beijing
|
Beijing Normal University
|
120
|
history, philosophy, mathematics and applied mathematics,
physics, chemistry, bioscience
|
|
Beijing
|
Beihang
University
|
150
|
mathematics
and applied mathematics, information and computer science, applied physics,
chemistry, engineering mechanics
|
|
Beijing
|
Beijing Institute of Technology
|
150
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, applied physics, chemistry,
engineering mechanics
|
|
Beijing
|
China
Agricultural University
|
30
|
bioscience
|
|
Beijing
|
Minzu University of China
|
30
|
Chinese minority language and literature (paleography), history,
philosophy
|
|
Chongqing
|
Chongqing
University
|
90
|
mathematics
and applied mathematics, physics
|
|
Fujian
|
Xiamen University
|
120
|
mathematics, physics, chemistry, bioscience, history, philosophy
|
|
Gansu
|
Lanzhou
University
|
120
|
mathematics
and applied mathematics, physics, chemistry, bioscience, Chinese language and
literature (paleography), history
|
|
Guangdong
|
Sun Yat-sen University
|
150
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, physics, chemistry,
bioscience, ecology, Chinese language and literature (paleography), history,
philosophy, preclinical medicine
|
|
Guangdong
|
South
China University of Technology
|
90
|
mathematics,
chemistry, biotechnology
|
|
Heilongjiang
|
Harbin Institute of Technology
|
180
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, information and computer
science, applied physics, nuclear engineering and nuclear technology
|
|
Hubei
|
Wuhan
University
|
150
|
philosophy,
Chinese language and literature (paleography), history, mathematics and
applied mathematics, physics, chemistry, bioscience, preclinical medicine
|
|
Hubei
|
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
|
120
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, physics, chemistry,
bioscience, preclinical medicine, Chinese language and literature
(paleography), philosophy
|
|
Hunan
|
Central
South University
|
120
|
mathematics
and applied mathematics, applied physics, applied chemistry, bioscience
|
|
Hunan
|
National University of Defense Technology
|
60
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, physics
|
|
Jiangsu
|
Nanjing
University
|
210
|
mathematics
and applied mathematics, information and computer science, physics,
chemistry, bioscience, Chinese language and literature (paleography),
philosophy, history
|
|
Jiangsu
|
Southeast University
|
90
|
mathematics, physics, chemistry, philosophy,
|
|
Jilin
|
Jilin
University
|
60
|
mathematics
and applied mathematics, physics, chemistry
|
|
Liaoning
|
Dalian University of Technology
|
90
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, applied physics,
engineering mechanics, applied chemistry
|
|
Shaanxi
|
Xi'an
Jiaotong University
|
210
|
mathematics,
physics, nuclear engineering and nuclear technology, biotechnology,
philosophy
|
|
Shaanxi
|
Northwestern Polytechnical University
|
90
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, information and computer
science, applied physics, chemistry
|
|
Shandong
|
Shandong
University
|
180
|
mathematics
and applied mathematics, physics, chemistry, bioscience, Chinese language and
literature (paleography), history, philosophy
|
|
Shandong
|
Ocean University of China
|
30
|
bioscience
|
|
Shanghai
|
Fudan
University
|
N/A
|
Chinese
language and literature (paleography), history, philosophy, mathematics and
applied mathematics, physics, chemistry, bioscience, preclinical medicine
|
|
Shanghai
|
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
|
210
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, physics, chemistry,
bioscience, biomedicine, engineering mechanics
|
|
Shanghai
|
Tongji
University
|
N/A
|
mathematics
and applied mathematics, applied physics, applied chemistry, biotechnology
|
|
Shanghai
|
East China Normal University
|
90
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, physics, bioscience,
philosophy, Chinese language and literature (paleography)
|
|
Sichuan
|
Sichuan
University
|
180
|
Chinese
language and literature (paleography), history, philosophy, mathematics and
applied mathematics, physics, chemistry, bioscience, engineering mechanics,
preclinical medicine
|
|
Sichuan
|
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
|
30
|
applied physics
|
|
Tianjin
|
Tianjin
University
|
150
|
mathematics
and applied mathematics, applied physics, applied chemistry, bioscience,
engineering mechanics
|
|
Tianjin
|
Nankai University
|
150
|
mathematics and applied mathematics, physics, chemistry,
bioscience, history, philosophy
|
|
Zhejiang
|
Zhejiang
University
|
N/A
|
mathematics
and applied mathematics, physics, engineering mechanics, chemistry,
bioscience, ecology, preclinical medicine, history, philosophy, Chinese
language and literature (paleography)
|
[2] Currently, reform of the Gaokao is being
gradually rolled out across all provinces, with 14 provinces having initiated
the reform and 17 yet to initiate.
[3] Example: Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s
physical test includes BMI, lung capacity, sit-ups, long jump and jumping rope for
1 minute.
[4]
“Tier-one cut off line” （unofficial
translation of 一本录取线）is
the score that students need to get in the Gaokao in order to be admitted to a
Tier One level university in China. There are three levels of universities –
Tier One, Two and Three. Tier One universities are the key universities, Tier
Two are regular universities and Tier Three are usually private universities or
secondary colleges. Some provinces have combined the cut-off score for Tiers
One and Two, or for Tiers Two and Three. The cut-off score is different in each
province and is determined together by the national authority, provincial
authorities and institutions, based on the outcome of Gaokao scores each year.
In order to get into a top university in China like Tsinghua University or
Peking University, students must achieve significantly higher than the Tier One
cut off. For example, in 2019, the cut off score for Beijing (literacy based)
was 480,
but in order to get into Tsinghua University, the student must achieve 680 or
above.
[8]
Sunshine Gaokao Information Platform (established by the MoE affiliated
China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center) “2020 年强基计划报考指南“
（Application guide
for Strong Foundation Program 2020 intake), https://gaokao.chsi.com.cn/gkzt/jcxkzs
[9]
People’s Republic of China,
Ministry of Education, “教育部办公厅关于做好2019年高校自主招生工作的通知
[11]
Official Wechat account of School of Journalism and Communication,
Tsinghua University, “清华大学副校长彭刚参加新闻学院全体教职工会议”(Peng
Gang, Vice President of Tsinghua University, attended all faculty meeting of
the School of Journalism and communication), 15 May 2020, https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/iUgf9DDIpE_zQ5qf2HUZZA
[12] Wang, Yiwen, and Huizhao Huang. “清华大学新闻学院停招本科生，强基计划是直接推力.”
(Tsinghua University’s School of Journalism and Communication cease offering
bachelor’s degree program, Strong Foundation Program is the main push factor)
Caixin, 15 May 2020, www.caixin.com/2020-05-15/101554664.html