1. Does the cooperative education between Beijing Normal University and University of Saskatchewan grant double degrees?

A: Students can only obtain the master's degree in water security from University of Saskatchewan.

2. Does the tutorial system also apply to cooperative education?

A: Yes. The joint tutorial system will be adopted for cooperative education to guide students.

3. What is the difference between direct application and conditional application?

A: The conditional application is suitable for those with an IELTS score below 6.5 or a TOFEL score below 86. These students can apply for this program, but they cannot get the admission notice unless they have received language training and met the program's language requirements. Students in need can receive language training course from the Language Training Center of University of Saskatchewan at Beijing Normal University. After the course is completed and the Canadian training is approved, students can obtain the admission notice issued by University of Saskatchewan. Language training fees are not included in the tuition fees and must be paid separately. Please download the Language Training Manual for details of language training.

The students who cannot meet the language requirements can also participate in social training.

4. Will Beijing Normal University provide dormitory for the students studying for a master's degree in water security?

A: Beijing Normal University will provide dormitory for such students according to the actual situation and the allocation of university resources, but the accommodation fees shall be paid separately. Students will also enjoy the teaching resources and facilities of various kinds, such as the Beijing Normal University Library, gymnasium and teaching facilities.

5.The differences between cooperative education and postgraduate entrance examination?

1) Different degrees. A master of water security will be granted the master's degree by University of Saskatchewan. The student passing the postgraduate entrance examination will be granted the master's degree by Beijing Normal University after graduation.

2) Different channels. The Master of Water Security Program jointly conducted by Beijing Normal University and University of Saskatchewan adopts the mode of "students submit applications-joint committee conducts interviews-University of Saskatchewan issues admission notices", while the ordinary graduates gain admission by passing the postgraduate entrance examination of China. If the students who participate in the summer camp, the students who are qualified for recommendation & exam-exemption, and the students who participate in postgraduate entrance examination of College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University wish to participate in the Master of Water Security Program, those with outstanding academic results will have an opportunity to directly have an interview by the joint committee at Beijing Normal University, and those who pass the interview will directly obtain the admission notice of this program.

6. Does an applicant have to go to Beijing for an interview himself or herself after application?

A: In principle, all applicants need to go to Beijing for an interview. They will have the interview by the joint committee set up by Beijing Normal University and University of Saskatchewan that evaluates applicants in such aspects as knowledge reserve and psychological quality. If there are very special circumstances, the applicant can apply for communication in advance, and the joint committee will then conduct an online remote interview.

7. How to apply for the Master of Water Security Program ?

You can login to the website on the brochure and apply directly on the website of University of Saskatchewan.

8. What is the work internship? Does it require compulsory participation?

The work internship is not a mandatory participation program, and students can apply for it only after they meet the graduation requirements. The work internship refers to the project participation in a real working environment. It is conducted in China, Canada, Africa or other regions. The fees for participating in the work internship shall be paid separately, and students involved shall submit a final report after the work internship. Participating in work internship is of great significance to students who are willing to further participate in academic research.

9. Whether the master's degree in Water Security has any requirement to undergraduate major?

Students majoring in environment, geography and water conservancy can directly apply for this program. Students of other majors need to study data management, calculus or algebra, and statistics-related courses at undergraduate level.

10. Is there a scholarship for the Master of Water Security Program?

The program does not offer scholarships currently.

11. What if the applicant's undergraduate score is less than 80?

The average undergraduate score is only for reference. University of Saskatchewan will recalculate the undergraduate score of applicants instead of being subject to the score provided by their undergraduate universities. Although those with an average score of 80 will be basically qualified for the interview, applicants will not be eliminated during the material review stage due to their substandard undergraduate score.

12. How much is the language training?

The students who have achieved English language results and meet the criteria for conditional admission shall participate in the English Training Course for the Master of Water Security Program (MWS Program) at Beijing Normal University. The students meeting the criteria for conditional admission shall successfully complete the English Training Course for the MWS Program before being admitted to the MWS Program. They will receive at least 200-hour intensive classroom language training program taught by special language teachers of the Language Training Center of University of Saskatchewan at Beijing Normal University. The course content will be based on the master of Water Security, with a maximum duration of 10 weeks. The number of students in each class will be not more than 15. The cost of the English Training Course is CAD 5,000 (about RMB 26,200), which includes the tuition fees for language training and the materials expenses for all courses.

13. Why can't the Master of Water Security Program grant double degrees?

This cooperative education program is a master's program. According to China's requirements for students obtaining double degrees, students shall meet the admission requirements of both universities, that is to say, students shall not only complete the online application for the Master of Water Security Program and pass the interview, but also pass the unified examination and interview for graduate students in China (or obtain the recommendation & exam-exemption qualification) and be successfully admitted by College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University. Therefore, those who have submitted materials and passed the interview for the Master of Water Security Program can only obtain the master's degree from University of Saskatchewan.

14. Domestic universities issue two certificates for graduation. Why only one certificate is issued for graduation from the Master of Water Security Program ?

It is because of the different educational systems of Chinese and foreign universities. Chinese universities implement the "management of double certificates", and issue graduation certificate plus certificate of degree to qualified graduates.

However, universities in most countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada implement the "management of single certificate", and issue certificate of degree to qualified graduates only.

If the work unit requires a student to give both graduation certificate and certificate of degree, the student can go to the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange to handle the Certificate of Academic Degrees Abroad.

The certification of academic degrees abroad is a foreign academic degree certification for overseas returnees, with the aim to implement the national policy of "supporting overseas study, encouraging return to China and freedom of movement", and to meet the needs of overseas returnees and other overseas and foreign degree recipients to further their studies, obtain employment and apply for scientific research funds in China.

Through the Certificate of Academic Degrees Abroad, the students' overseas academic degrees and study methods are approved by the Ministry of Education of PRC. The Certificate of Academic Degrees Abroad has recognized the study method, university, study time and other aspects of the students.

15. Can the certificate of degree of the Master of Water Security Program be certified by Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange? How to obtain the certification?

Yes. According to "Scope of Providing Certification" in Article 6 of the Measures of Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange for the Certification and Evaluation of Foreign (Overseas) Academic Degrees (implemented on January 1, 2018), it includes the foreign (overseas) academic degrees and higher education diplomas obtained from Sino-foreign cooperative educational institutions (programs) legally established (operated) in China. Since the Master of Water Security Program has been approved by the Ministry of Education of PRC with the approval number of MOE11CA1A20171870N, it conforms to Article 6 of the Measures of Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange for the Certification and Evaluation of Foreign (Overseas) Academic Degrees, and its master's degree is qualified for national recognition.

For specific certification regulations and certification methods, please see

the website and online service hall of Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange: http://zwfw.cscse.edu.cn/

Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools Supervision Information Platform of the Ministry of Education of PRC:

http://www.crs.jsj.edu.cn/index/sort/5

Measures of Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange for the Certification and Evaluation of Foreign (Overseas) Academic Degrees (implemented on January 1, 2018): http://zwfw.cscse.edu.cn/cscse/xlxwrz/392236/392199/392214/index.html

List of Institutions and Programs Approved and Reviewed by the Ministry of Education (updated on August 26, 2019) on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools Supervision Information Platform of the Ministry of Education of PRC: http://www.crs.jsj.edu.cn/aproval/getbyarea/1

16. Can students enroll in a doctoral program after graduating from the Master of Water Security Program?

Yes. If a university admits doctors through doctoral entrance examination and requires participants to have a master's degree, students obtaining the master's degree in water security from University of Saskatchewan are qualified for doctoral admission of this university.

If the proposed university has other requirements for doctoral admission in addition to the academic degree, students shall consider whether the individual meets the requirements.