Beijing Foreign Studies University is a key university directly affiliated with the Ministry of Education (MOE) of the People’s Republic of China. Founded in Yan’an in 1941, BFSU is the first institution specializing in foreign language studies. It has the longest history among universities of its kind in China, offering a complete range of degrees, diplomas and programs at various levels, with the largest number of foreign language programs in the country. Excellence in the teaching and research of foreign language and literature has allowed BFSU to enjoy a good reputation for its quality programs, both at home and internationally. It is now an important base in the country for educating talents in various fields such as foreign languages, culture, diplomacy, journalism, and international business.

 

BFSU consists of 14 schools, colleges and institute, 7 academic departments, and a number of research centers. The 14 schools, colleges and institute include the School of English and International Studies, School of English for Special Purposes, School of Russian language, Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation, School of International Business, School of Chinese Language and Literature, School of International Relations and Diplomacy, Law School, School of Asian and African Language, School of European Languages and Cultures, School of Philosophy and Social Sciences, the Continuing Education College, the Training college and the Institute of Online Education. The 7 academic departments offer the opportunity for education and research on German, French, Japanese, Spanish, Arabic, Computer science, and Physical Education.

 

In addition, BFSU is also home to over a dozen research centers, including the Beijing Center for Japanese Studies, the European and American Literature Research Center, the Foreign Languages Research Center, the International Issues Research Center, and an American Studies Center.  In particular, BFSU is host to the only National Research Center for Foreign Language Teaching in China, along with two National Bases for Training Undergraduates of Less-commonly Used Language: one for European Languages and one for Asian and African Languages.

 

BFSU is one of the first institutions authorized by the MOE to offer programs for Master and Doctoral degrees. It offers a Post Doctoral program in foreign language research; 9 Ph.D. programs in English, Russian, German, Japanese, Spanish, Arabic, European Languages and Culture, Linguistics & Applied Linguistics, and Comparative Literature & Culture; 15 MA programs in 34 languages, Chinese as a Foreign Language, Law, and Diplomacy; and 53 BA degree programs in 42 languages.

 

BFSU has a highly-qualified, experienced and conscientious faculty of more than 600 members, among whom 330 are either professors or associate professors and 200 of whom are lecturers. In addition, each year the university invites approximately 120 international teachers and experts from more than 20 countries to teach in various academic programs. Among its over 7,000 registered students, there are around 5,000 full-time undergraduates; over 1,000 graduates and 1,000 international students. The university’s enrollment of international students started in the 1950s. It was among the first group of universities in China to teach Chinese as a foreign language and to accept international scholarship students sponsored by the Chinese government. In recent years, the university has enhanced the education of international students and the number of international students on campus has been continuously expanding, which has greatly contributed to BFSU’s multi cultural environment and vibrant campus life.

 

BFSU is also actively engaged in comprehensive and in-depth international exchange and cooperation. To date, BFSU has established extensive academic partnerships with 206 universities and educational institutions in 50 countries and regions of the world.

 

The School of Chinese Language and Literature (SCLL) is one of the major institutions in the university to offer education to international students. SCLL offers Chinese Language courses for the undergraduate program, Linguistic and Applied Linguistic courses for the graduate program, Non-degree Chinese Language Training courses, and Vocational Short-term Intensive Chinese programs. Chinese undergraduate programs include 4 specialties: Chinese Language, Literature and Culture, Economy and Trade, and Chinese-English languages. The goal of SCLL is to train multi-lingual personnel who are competent in more than one discipline and are capable of communicating in Chinese. In order to satisfy the special needs of international students, SCLL also offers Intermediate and Advanced Chinese courses (Economy & Trade), and Advanced Chinese-Japanese Interpretation and Translation courses in non-degree training programs. There are 70 teachers of Chinese at SCLL, among whom 8 are full professors and 25 are associate professors.

 

Situated in the Haidian District of Beijing, where the key institutions of higher education are concentrated, BFSU covers a total area of 310,000 square meters and enjoys access to convenient transportation, with the Third Ring Road running through the middle of the university campus.