High Education Options for Tibetan students in Kham

　

The most straightforward way to qualify for college or university is for graduates of grade 12 to take the national college entrance exam. In China, universities and colleges recruit students according to their exam scores, with the most prestigious universities having the highest standards.  By law, ethnic minorities such as Tibetans receive a preference in enrollment which means that their scores do not need to be as high as Han nationality students. Occasionally, a really exceptional student will be offered a scholarship, however most students must pay their own way.

 

Students who pass the exam have two choices.  First, they might study in a college or university for four years and upon graduation receive a bachelor's degree. Medical students have to study longer: five or even six years.  This kind of program or school is called benke in Chinese.  Examples are Beijing University (the nation's most prestigious), Sichuan University, Sichuan Normal University, Southwest University for Nationalities (a popular choice for Tibetans and other minority nationalities), and Leshan Normal College. 

The second option is to study for three years, receiving a diploma but not a bachelor's degree.  The kind of program is found at many of the same universities as those offering a bachelor's degree.  Three-year programs are also found at specialized local institutions such as Aba Normal College.  

Graduates of the normal colleges and universities normally take the teacher's license exam upon graduation and are expected to enter the teaching profession.

 

If students fail to pass the college entrance exam, they can still enroll in college programs held by colleges and universities; however, they must enroll in shorter programs - 2 or 3 years. The degree earned is less than a full bachelors and could be termed a "junior college diploma." The nearest American equivalent is the Associates degree.  Many colleges and universities have this kind of programs, including Sichuan University and Southwest University for Nationalities.

 

Graduates of junior middle school (grades 6-9) can also enroll in college programs that might be held by colleges or co-offered by colleges in partnership with vocational schools.  This type of program lasts for five years and the education provided is strongly vocational in nature. This kind of graduate also receives a junior college diploma.

Examples include Kangding Normal College and Ganzi Medical School.