Launched in April 2024, the Spring Camp to China is an incredible opportunity for University of Nottingham (UoN) and Nottingham Confucius Institute (NCI) students to explore China’s culture, history, and landscapes. Through immersive experiences, participants can practice Mandarin Chinese in real-life settings while deepening their understanding of the country. The programme runs annually during the Easter holidays and is organised by NCI in collaboration with our partner, Fudan University in Shanghai.
Building on our past success (check out our Instagram for a glimpse!), NCI is delighted to offer up to 15 scholarships for the 2026 Spring Camp to China. Applications are now OPEN!
Spring Camp 2026
Dates: Saturday 11 April to Thursday 23 April 2026 (inclusive of travel time)
Places: 10-15*
Successful candidates will attend Mandarin lessons and cultural experience activities at Fudan University and also visit sites of historical and cultural interest in Shanghai and Beijing. View draft itinerary (subject to minor changes).
*Please note that a minimum of 10 candidates are required to run this programme.
Eligibility:
In accordance with the stipulations set, eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Participants must have passed an HSK Test and obtained an HSK level 1 certificate or higher by November 2025;
- Participants must not have taken part in organised visits to China funded by “Chinese Bridge” Exchange Programme over the past three years;
- Participants must be studying full-time at the University of Nottingham or part-time at NCI, i.e. attended a minimum of 20 hours of lessons between January and December 2025. Priority will be given to UoN students who have taken Mandarin lessons with NCI or the School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies (CLAS).
- Participants should be aged between 18 and 30.
Costs:
NCI scholarships will cover all relevant expenses in China, including：
- Accommodation in China (shared twin rooms)
- Transport within China
- Mandarin language lessons
- Cultural experience activities (such as Chinese opera, tea ceremony, bookbinding, brush painting workshops etc.)
- Meals within China
- Cultural excursions and city tours
Participants are responsible for paying for:
- International round-trip travelling expenses (estimate*: £500-1000)
- Transport between Nottingham and London Heathrow (estimate*: £100 by coach)
- Chinese visa application fees (estimate*: £200 for UK citizens)
- Insurance (estimate*: £50)
- Deposit (£100 to secure your place. This will be refunded once the camp ends. The deposit is non-refundable in the case of absence for any reason)
- Extra individual expenses excluding those listed above (some spending money as you see fit!)
How to apply
- Expression of Interest: please fill out the Expression of Interest Form by 12:00 noon Friday 25 July 2025.
- Interviews with shortlisted applicants will take place from 3 to 5 September 2025. Applicants will be judged on the basis of their academic ability, Mandarin learning experience, answers to interview questions and ability to communicate. Successful candidates will be notified of their conditional offer by Wednesday 10 September 2025.
- To secure a place, successful candidates must submit their formal application and pay a deposit of £100 by Thursday 18 September 2025.
- Successful candidates must submit their visa application by the end of February 2026.
Please be aware that NCI takes the final decision on the selection of suitable candidates and that it reserves the right to amend the itinerary at its sole discretion due to unforeseen circumstances and/or circumstances beyond its control.
Contact us:
For enquiries and further details, please don’t hesitate to contact confucius.institute@nottingham.ac.uk