Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 In order to further standardize the postgraduate student status management, maintain the normal school order and daily routine on campus, protect the legitimate rights and interests of postgraduate students(“students” for short), and train socialist builders and successors who have all-round attainments in moral, intellectual, physical and aesthetic education, the Implementing Rules of Wuhan University on Postgraduate Student Status Management (hereinafter referred to as "the Rules") are formulated based on the reality of Wuhan University (“WHU” or “the university” for short) in accordance with the Regulations on the Administration of Students in Regular Institutions of Higher Education (No. 41 Order of the Ministry of Education) and the Regulations of Wuhan University on Student Management (W.D.X.Z. [2017] No. 31).
Article 2 The Rules apply to the university's management of the student status of postgraduates who receive regular formal higher education.
Chapter II Admission and Registration
Article 3 New students should complete entrance procedures on the prescribed date with the letter of admission and relevant documents required by the university. Those who are unable to enroll at the school as scheduled should apply for a leave with relevant proof, and the leave should not exceed two weeks. Those who fail to complete the entrance procedures without applying for a leave or when the leave expires will be deemed to have voluntarily relinquished their admission, except for force majeure or other justifiable reasons.
Article 4 The university should conduct preliminary examination of new students' admission qualification at the time of registration. Those who pass the preliminary examination should go through the entrance procedures and will be granted student status; If the examination finds that a new student's personal information, admission letter, and other supporting documents are inconsistent with the student's actual situation, or that the student has violated national entrance examination regulations, the student's admission will be disqualified.
Article 5 After students are admitted, the university should conduct a re-examination within 3 months in accordance with the national admissions regulations. The re-examination mainly includes the following:
(1) whether the admission formalities and procedures are in line with the national admissions regulations;
(2) whether the admission qualification obtained is true and in line with relevant regulations;
(3) whether the student information and his/her identification are consistent with the admission letter and candidate archive;
(4) whether the student's physical and mental health status meets the physical examination requirements for the specialty to which the student is admitted or the category of the field which the specialty falls under (the re-examination of this item is to ensure the campus life of the student as a normal person).
If it is found in the re-examination that a student has any dishonest act or malpractice, the student will be deemed unqualified and his/her status as a student will be cancelled; any case of a serious breach of rules will be handed over to the competent departments for further investigation and handling.
If it is found in the re-examination that any student is not suitable for study at school due to this student's physical and/or mental condition and if this student needs to recuperate at home according to the diagnosis by the second-grade class-A hospital designated by the school, the student may retain his/her admission qualification for one year in accordance with Article 6 hereof.
Article 6 New students who fall under one of the following circumstances may apply for retention of their admission qualifications:
(1) The admission qualification of those who have been diagnosed by the second-grade class-A hospital designated by the university as being unsuitable for study will be retained for a year;
(2) The admission qualification of those participating in China's "Go West" Program "Teaching in Rural Areas" Program approved by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China will be retained for a year, and the admission qualification of national defence students who work in the army as required will be retained for one to two years;
(3) The admission qualification of those enlisted in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (including the Chinese People's Armed Police Force) will be retained until 2 years after their retirement from military service;
(4) For other legitimate reasons, admission qualifications of relevant students will be retained for one year.
New students should go through the procedures for retaining their admission qualifications with the Letter of Admission and the Application Form for Preserving Admission Qualification alongside relevant supporting documents.
New students should apply for admission to the postgraduate program provider before their admission qualification retention period ends. Those who apply for the retention of admission qualification due to illness should be re-examined by the second-grade class-A or above hospital designated by the university and approved by the graduate school before going through the entrance procedures. Those who apply for the retention of their admission qualifications for other reasons should pass the review by their postgraduate program provider and the graduate school before going through the entrance procedures; those who fail the review will be disqualified from admission. Those who fail to apply for the retention of admission qualification after the prescribed deadline without any justifiable reason such as force majeure are considered to have given up their admission qualifications.
New students whose application for retention of admission qualification is approved do not have student status and are not entitled to the same treatment as enrolled students.
Article 7 At the beginning of each semester, students should complete the registration procedures at the postgraduate program provider on the specified date. Those who cannot register as scheduled should go through relevant procedures for postponing registration within two weeks. Those who fail to pay tuition according to the university's regulations or otherwise do not meet the registration requirements will not be enrolled.
Students who suspend study and retain student status may not register without approval from the graduate school for resuming their study.
Students from economically disadvantaged families can apply for student loans or other forms of financial assistance and register after going through the relevant procedures.
Chapter III Schooling Length and Period of Study
Article 8 The length of a Master's degree program is 2 or 3 years, subject to the schooling length specified in the postgraduate program. In principle, the maximum period of study for full-time Master's students shall not exceed 4 years, and the maximum period of study for part-time Master's students shall not exceed 5 years.
Article 9 The length of a doctoral degree program is 3 or 4 years, subject to the schooling length specified in the postgraduate program. In principle, the maximum period of study for doctoral students shall not exceed 6 years
For students in the successive Master's and doctoral programs and students in the direct-entry PhD program, calculation of the period of study shall start when they are granted doctoral student status, and the maximum period of study in principle shall not exceed 6 years.
Students' study ends as the maximum period of study is reached, and they shall go through the formalities for leaving school.
Chapter IV Course Assessment and Attendance
Article 10 Postgraduate programs adopt a credit system. Students must take required courses and some elective courses in accordance with the requirements of postgraduate programs, and gain enough credits as required; they must take the exams specific to the courses they have taken and shall not miss the exams without any justifiable reason.
Article 11 Students shall participate on time in the activities specified in the postgraduate programs and other education plans. Except for special circumstances, those who cannot participate on time due to illness or other reasons should submit an application for leave to the postgraduate program provider 3 days in advance and obtain approval thereof.
Article 12 To apply for leave, students are required to fill in the Postgraduate Leave Application Form and provide relevant supporting documents. The application for the leave that is within one week shall be approved by the deputy head of the postgraduate program provider; the application for the leave that is within two weeks shall be approved by the head of the postgraduate program provider; the application for the leave that is more than 2 weeks and less than 1 month (including 1 month) shall be submitted to the graduate school for approval after being approved by the head of the postgraduate program provider and then put on record by the Postgraduate Affairs Office; and in case of the application for the leave that is more than 1 month (or leave accumulated that is more than 1 month), the applicant shall apply for suspension of courses. After the student completes the postgraduate leave application procedures, the relevant documents must be submitted to the teaching secretary and counselor of the corresponding postgraduate program provider for the record.
When the leave expires, students should return to school without delay and follow procedures to terminate the leave. If any student needs to postpone returning to school due to special circumstances, the student should apply for extension of the leave. Those who are absent without approval, or are absent without extending the leave when the leave expires, or do not return to school on time even though their application for extension of the leave is not approved will be disciplined in accordance with the Regulations of Wuhan University on Student Management, the Measures of Wuhan University on Disciplinary Measures Against Students, and the Measures of Wuhan University on Postgraduate Curriculum Instruction, and other relevant documents.
Chapter V Suspension & Resumption of Study and Retention of Student Status
Article 13 Students may complete their study in stages and, unless otherwise specified, shall complete their study within the maximum period of study (including the period of the suspension of courses and retention of student status) stipulated by the university.
If a student applies for suspension of courses or the school considers it necessary to have the student's courses suspended, the student can take a break from school upon approval by the school. Students shall complete procedures to extend the period of school suspension, if any.
Students who are off school with their student status retained will not be entitled to the same treatment as enrolled students
Article 14 Students who need to start their own business may suspend their courses, provided that they apply for the suspension and the application is approved by the postgraduate program provider and the graduate school. The period of study for these students can be extended by two years based on the specified maximum period.
Article 15 The student status of those enlisted in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (including the Chinese People's Armed Police Force) will be retained until 2 years after their retirement from military service.
Students who discontinue their study at school for reasons such as going abroad (overseas) at the university's or their own expenses or participating in co-education programs or inter-college joint training programs organized by the university may have their student status retained after they apply for retention and their application is approved by their teacher, postgraduate program provider, and graduate school.
During the retention of their student status, students will be managed by their military units, WHU, and other relevant organizations.
Article 16 Students who intend to suspend their courses and retain their student status shall complete the relevant procedures upon approval of the graduate school. The medical expenses of students who take a break from school due to illness shall be handled in accordance with relevant national, local and school regulations.
Article 17 After the expiration of course suspension or retention of student status, students should complete the procedures for resumption of study within two weeks. Those who apply for resumption of study after the suspension of courses due to illness expires should be re-examined by the second-grade class-A or above hospital designated by the university and may resume their study after their application is approved by the graduate school. When the course suspension for reasons other than illness expires, students should complete the procedures to resume study in time, and may return to school only after their study resumption application is approved by the postgraduate program provider and the graduate school.
Chapter 6 Changing Major/School
Article 18 Students may apply for changing major, but in one of the following cases during their study at school, they are not allowed to change major:
(1) The postgraduate admissions document specifies that changing major is forbidden;
(2) The original major to which the student is admitted and the specialty to which the student changes the original major do not belong to the same degree category;
(3) Those who are admitted to the university after accepting the change of their originally intended major;
(4) Those who have been admitted to the university unconventionally;
(5) Those who take any first-level discipline of which the first four digits of the discipline code are different;
(6) Those who have already changed majors;
(7) Those who have studied for more than two semesters since enrollment.
Article 19 Students in any of the seven cases mentioned in Article 18 may apply for the change of major if:
(1) They have special talents, are very interested in the specialty to which they intend to change their original major, and have achieved outstanding research results (relevant supporting documents such as award, research paper, and letter of recommendation from experts are required); or
(2) The continuation of postgraduate program is affected by the adjustment of disciplines or specialties, changes in teachers, and other objective and reasonable factors; or
(3) They are found to have any disease or physiological defect after enrollment, which has been proved with physical examination at the second-grade class-A or above hospital designated by the graduate school, and as a result they cannot continue the study in the original major, but can start study in another major at the school.
Article 20 Procedures for the change of major: The student shall apply for the change of major in person; with the application approved by the teacher and the original postgraduate program provider, the student shall pass the examination by the intended postgraduate program provider, and then submit his/her application to the graduate school for approval. In case of any disagreement, the application shall be submitted to the degree evaluation sub-committee of the original postgraduate program provider for approval, and then submitted to the graduate school for approval. The result of the approval will be posted on the website of the graduate school.
Article 21 Change of major for a postgraduate student is handled once per semester and within the first three weeks of each semester.
Article 22 Students should generally complete their study at their school. If the education conditions are changed due to the transfer of teacher or other reasons, which affects the students' continued study and completion of research projects at the school, they may apply for transferring out. Under any of the following circumstances, the transfer is forbidden:
(1) Students are admitted to the university for targeted employment;
(2) Transferring out is forbidden by the higher authorities;
(3) There is no proper reason for transfer.
Article 23 Where continued study at original school is affected by the teacher transferring in and other reasons, relevant students may apply for transfer in. Under any of the following circumstances, transferring in is forbidden:
(1) Students are admitted to the university for targeted employment;
(2) The admission standard of the corresponding program of the relevant student's school is lower than the admission standard of our school;
(3) Transferring in is forbidden by the higher authorities;
(4) There is no proper reason for transfer.
Article 24 If a student intends to transfer to another school, the student should apply for the transfer with a proper reason. The application should be approved by the student's teacher and postgraduate program provider, and then submitted to the graduate school for approval. At the president's office meeting or the special meeting authorized by the president, the application will be reviewed and a decision thereon will be made. After the application is approved at the meeting, it will be made public on the website of the graduate school. Transfer procedures shall be handled in accordance with relevant regulations.
Chapter VII Withdrawal
Article 25 A student shall be withdrawn from the university if the student:
(1) Fails to complete study within the maximum period of study (including suspension of courses) specified by the school;
(2) Fails to apply for resumption of study when suspension of courses or retention of student status expires, or applies for resumption of study yet the application is not approved;
(3) Is diagnosed with illness by the second-grade class-A or above hospital designated by the school or suffers from disability caused by an accident, as a result of which the student is unable to continue study at school;
(4) Leaves the school without approval or has been absent from the education activities required by the school for two consecutive weeks;
(5) Fails to register after the time limit specified by the school and fails to apply for postponing enrollment;
(6) Is absent from school for more than two weeks since the deadline for returning to school (except for force majeure factors) after going abroad during his/her study at the University (except in the holidays).
(7) Is deemed unsuitable for continued study according to relevant assessment;
(8) Applies in person for withdrawal from school.
Withdrawal from school in accordance with this article is not a disciplinary action against the student.
Article 26 Any student who intends to withdraw voluntarily from the university must fill in the Postgraduate Withdrawal Application Form, which should be approved by the student's teacher and postgraduate program provider, and then submitted to the graduate school for approval.
Except for voluntary application for withdrawal, the procedures for handling non-voluntary withdrawal are as follows:
After the postgraduate program provider makes a decision on expulsion of a student based on investigation, it shall inform the student of the fact, reason and basis of the decision as well as his/her right to make a statement and defense, and listen to the student's statement and defense. The postgraduate program provider shall submit the list of students to be expelled and supporting documents to the graduate school, and the graduate school shall submit them to the president's office meeting or a special meeting authorized by the president for approval.
The postgraduate program provider should directly notify the student of its expulsion decision, and if the student refuses to accept it, the notification may be delivered to the student's residence; if the student has left the University, the decision notification can be delivered to the student by mail; if it is difficult to contact the student, the notification can be delivered through an announcement made on the university's website, news media, etc.
Article 27 If the student has any objection to the expulsion decision, he or she may appeal to the university's Student Appellate Committee within the prescribed time limit. The time limit and procedure for appeal shall be in line with the Measures of Wuhan University for Handling Student Appeals.
Article 28 Within 10 working days from the date of approval, the student who is expelled from the university shall go through the withdrawal procedures and leave the university in line with the university's regulations.
Chapter VIII Graduation, Completion, and Incompletion
Article 29 Students who have completed the courses specified in the postgraduate education program within the period of study stipulated by the university, and passed the examinations and the defense of the dissertation, will be awarded a graduation certificate.
Students applying for early graduation should meet the requirements of the postgraduate program provider or the requirements of other relevant documents of the university.
Article 30 If a student has completed the courses specified in the postgraduate education program within the period of study stipulated by the university, but fails to meet the graduation requirements of the university, he or she may apply for the certificate for completion of courses and get the certificate issued by the university.
Students who have reached the maximum period of study, completed the courses stipulated in the education program and passed the examinations, but have not completed the defense of dissertation, will be treated as having completed courses automatically, thus get a certificate of completion issued by the university, and then go through the formalities for leaving the university.
Master's students within one year after the completion of courses and doctoral students within two years after the completion of courses may apply to the university for thesis and defense; those who are qualified for graduation and academic degree in accordance with the relevant regulations of the university will be awarded a graduation certificate and a degree certificate. The time of graduation and the time of obtaining the degree shall be indicated on the corresponding certificates in accordance with the date of issuance of the certificates.
Article 31 Students who have not completed the courses specified in the educational program yet have completed one year or more of study will be granted a certificate of incompletion.
Article 32 Those who have obtained admission qualification or student status in violation of the national admissions regulations will be disqualified from their admission or student status, and will not receive academic certificates or degree certificates; the academic and degree certificates issued will be revoked by the University in accordance with the law. The University shall revoke the academic and degree certificates that student have obtained through cheating, plagiarism, and other academic misconduct or improper means in accordance with the law.
If the revoked academic and degree certificates have been registered, the University will deregister them and report to the education administration to declare them invalid.
Article 33 If the certificates of graduation, completion or incompletion are lost or damaged, the university will issue corresponding certificates after verification upon application by the student.
Chapter IX Student Appeal
Article 34 Students who have objections to the university's decisions may appeal to the organization in charge in accordance with the Measures of Wuhan University for Handling Student Appeals.
Chapter X Supplementary Provisions
Article 35 Student status of overseas Chinese postgraduates and postgraduates from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan that study at the university shall be managed by reference to the Rules; The student status of international postgraduates studying at the university shall be managed in accordance with the Measures of Wuhan University on the Education and Management of International (Postgraduate) Students.
Article 36 The Rules came into force on July 1, 2018, and shall be interpreted by the graduate school. The previous "Implementing Rules of Wuhan University on Postgraduate Student Status Management" (W.D.Y.Z. [2007] No. 46), "Interim Measures of Wuhan University for Tuition Fees for Postgraduates Exceeding the Maximum Period of Study" (W.D.Y.Z. [2009] No. 13), "Supplementary Regulations of Wuhan University on the Period of Study for Doctoral Students” (W.D.Y.Z. [2009] No. 14), and “Relevant Regulations of Wuhan University on Further Improving the Reform of the Flexible Educational System for Postgraduates” (W.D.Y.Z. [2009] No. 15) shall be repealed at the same time. In case of any inconsistency between the Rules and other relevant documents of the university, the Rules shall prevail.
