OrganizationA large reform in the higher education system was applied to the reorganization of the universities, and took effect in 1996 by the central government and the Ministry of Education that oversees the entire system. In 1989 another change was carried out within the education system in which education would no longer be free for all students (students with lower financial resources could benefit from a government grant). Chinese universities can be classified in different categories: those that are directly under the authority of the education committee of the Chinese State, those that depend on other ministries or committees under state control, those that depend on provinces, autonomous regions and towns that are under the protection of big cities and finally private universities. The Chinese higher education system has an official purpose, which is to make specialists in all the necessary sectors required for the development of the country. Students are selected in a way that will guarantee an excellent level of education. Students accepted to a university must have successfully passed a national entrance exam, which is held every year in July throughout the country for students in their last year of secondary education. Universities and other academic establishments offer "undergraduate" type programs (first cycle) that take 4 to 5 years or special programs that take 2 to 3 years. Chinese academic diplomas are based on the Anglo-Saxon standards of Bachelor degrees, Master degrees and Doctorates. There are 12 taught subjects: philosophy, economics, law (including political sciences, sociology, ethnic studies), mathematics, teaching (including physical education), literature (including languages, social sciences, documentation), history, biology, engineering, management, medicine and military studies. Parallel to the universities are research institutions that offer additional classes. University calendar: two semesters (although some institutions have a trimester system). The first semester starts in the beginning of September and the second semester in mid February. Each semester has 20 weeks and each week is 5 days. Holidays are in the winter and the summer.