Art recruitment kicks off at China′s universities

Art recruitment has kicked off at China's universities.

Art recruitment has kicked off at China's universities. 53 schools are licensed to recruit students with specialities in the arts, but the chance for enrollment is only one percent. And as competition gets fiercer, universities are using new methods to guarantee that recruitment remains open and fair.

Beijing and Shanghai lead the action with the first exams, mostly joined by students specializing in music, vocal and dance performance. In Beijing, candidates must pass a general exam held by the local education administration before they apply at universities. However, in other parts of the country candidates can apply directly, depending on the needs of the school.

Demand for piano students has been shrinking in the past few years. This year only a couple of universities have opened their doors to piano candidates.

Meanwhile, acting, hosting and the traditional art of cross-talk, Peking opera and Kunqu opera are becoming more popular. Over one-third of the universities are recruiting students in these majors.

And to make sure the recruitment is fair, new methods are being carried out. At Renmin University of China, a curtain is drawn between the candidate and the jury.

At Zhejiang University, there isn't even a jury in the room.

Over half the 53 universities are key schools in China, and art candidates can enjoy favorable admission scores on the national college entrance examination.