A typical period of study for each program is as follows: 4-5 years for undergraduate degrees, 2-3 years for master's degrees, and 3-4 years for PhD degrees. The visiting students program lasts 1-2 years. Students may, in some cases, reduce or extend the duration of study upon application.

Chinese universities divide every academic year into spring and autumn semesters. The autumn semester begins in September and ends in January of the following year while the spring semester begins in February and ends in July. There is a winter and summer vacation every year. The winter vacation lasts 4 weeks. The summer vacation usually lasts 2 months and there are various summer vacation courses available for students.