Chinese Universities Extend Postgraduate and Doctoral Program Lengths for Improved Quality

In a recent development, a number of universities across China have opted to lengthen their postgraduate and doctoral degree programs. Starting in 2025, Guangxi Normal University in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region will implement these changes, extending certain master's and PhD programs to enhance educational standards. Specifically, the doctoral program for PhD candidates in chemistry will now last four years, as opposed to the previous three years. Similarly, programs in fields such as educational management and preschool education will require three years of study, which marks an increase from two years.

Other institutions, like Shenyang Ligong University and Xi'an International Studies University, have also announced similar expansions of their program lengths. Shenyang Ligong University, for example, will extend various engineering master's programs from a duration of two and a half years to three years. They indicated that this adjustment was essential for nurturing well-rounded postgraduates. Meanwhile, Xi'an International Studies University confirmed that their finance programs would also transition from a two-year to a three-year length while maintaining current tuition rates.

Education experts emphasize the importance of a specialized and in-depth approach in postgraduate learning, highlighting that the high standards for postgraduate assessment often pressure students to merely focus on accumulating credits instead of engaging in meaningful research. Moreover, many mentors with large student groups and shorter program lengths struggle to provide adequate guidance. As a result, extending study durations is viewed as a beneficial strategy to foster better training and fulfil educational goals.

Some observers argue that a longer duration also allows students to participate more in extracurricular activities and apply their academic knowledge in practical situations. Additionally, given the shifting job market, a prolonged study period can give graduates extra time to secure employment opportunities. However, it is suggested that this extension should not be applied universally; students who are ready to graduate earlier than their designated program duration should have that option, provided their academic quality is assured.