Royal Roads Degrees Now Available Inside China
Students can earn Royal Roads credentials entirely in China through programs expected to launch next year.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Higher Education
Royal Roads University, a Canadian institution, has established a joint institute with Zhejiang International Studies University in China, through which students can earn Royal Roads degrees while studying entirely in China. The programs are expected to launch next year.
Why it matters
For students, the partnership means a route to a Canadian-credentialed degree without leaving China. The move comes after Royal Roads faced financial strain when the federal government cut the number of permits issued to international students starting in 2024, and the university says partnerships help it stay responsive and innovative.
The China programs include a four-year dual undergraduate degree in network and new media with Zhejiang International Studies University and a bachelor of professional communications from Royal Roads, plus a two-year master's in educational leadership and management. The programs were approved by China's education ministry, and they are expected to launch next year.
The players
Royal Roads University
A Canadian public university in British Columbia with campuses in Colwood and the United Arab Emirates, offering degrees to domestic and international students.
Zhejiang International Studies University
A public university in Hangzhou, China, founded in 1955 to train teachers and later converted to a foreign languages institute, offering studies in 13 languages.
The details
Students in the joint institute will take Royal Roads degree programs while studying entirely in China, with the Chinese partner delivering instruction on its campus. Because the programs were approved by China's education ministry, they operate under that country's oversight as well as the partner university's governance. Zhang Huanzhou, the partner university's Communist party secretary, has said the immediate priority is ensuring the joint institute runs smoothly.
Timeline
Federal government cut international student permits, beginning in 2024.
Royal Roads' UAE branch campus opened in 2025.
The joint institute inauguration ceremony was held in China in October 2026.
The China programs are expected to launch next year.
Education Landscape
Canadian universities that relied on international student enrollment have been pressed by federal permit cuts that began in 2024. Royal Roads' China and UAE initiatives reflect a broader shift toward transnational education as a way to keep international students and revenue flowing.
If you are considering a Royal Roads degree and cannot relocate to Canada, the China and UAE programs may offer a path to the same credential closer to home. Ask the institution's admissions office which program, delivery location and tuition apply to you before you apply.
The takeaway
Partnerships like this one show how universities are reaching students who cannot study on home campuses. Before enrolling in any transnational program, confirm with the institution's admissions office which degree is conferred and where the instruction takes place.
Further reading
For more on how universities are expanding degree options across borders, browse our Higher Education coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Times Colonist.
