The time required to complete the certificate program depends on each student’s academic background and familiarity with relevant subjects. Below are three typical student profiles to help you estimate your own study timeline:

(A) Students Meeting the Minimum Requirements

• Possess a solid understanding of high school-level mathematics and English, and
• Are able to use a dictionary or AI translation tools to assist with English materials, and
• Have little or no prior exposure to Economics or Finance, but are motivated to learn.

Estimated Study Time: Approximately 3 hours per Unit, totaling 90 hours to complete the whole program and obtain the CEFS certificate.

(B) Students with Intermediate Preparation

• Have completed one or two college-level math courses (e.g., Calculus or Algebra), and
• Have taken at least two college-level English courses or have equivalent experience, and
• Have completed 2–3 introductory college-level courses in Economics or Finance.

Estimated Study Time: Approximately 2 hours per Unit, totaling 60 hours to complete the whole program and obtain the CEFS certificate.

(C) Students with Advanced Preparation

• Have completed at least three college-level math courses (e.g., Calculus, Algebra, and Statistics), and
• Meet the standard English proficiency requirement for college-level study in their country (e.g., CET-4 in China or equivalent), and
• Have completed two years of core coursework in an Economics or Finance-related major, or hold a minor in one of these fields.

Estimated Study Time: Approximately 1 hour per Unit, totaling 30 hours to complete the whole program and obtain the CEFS certificate.

While the total hours required to complete the CEFS program depend on your academic preparation, the actual number of days or months needed to earn your certificate depends on your personal study schedule—particularly how many hours you dedicate to studying each day. Below are two real-life examples from our alumni:

• Ms. Élodie Moreau
  Biology, Freshman Undergraduate, Université de Strasbourg
  Élodie began the CEFS program with the minimum level of preparation, requiring approximately 90 hours to complete the coursework. During her summer vacation, she studied 2 hours per day, 5 days a week. As a result, she completed the program in about 9 weeks, or approximately 2 to 3 months, and successfully earned her certificate.
• Mr. Xiaoming Chen
  Economics, Senior Undergraduate, Wuhan University
  As a senior undergraduate student in a business-related major, Xiaoming entered the CEFS program with an advanced academic background and estimated that he would need only 30 hours to complete the entire program. Facing a tight deadline for his graduate school applications abroad, he adopted an intensive study schedule, dedicating 8 hours per day to reviewing materials and completing quizzes. As a result, he managed to finish all coursework and assessments within one week, and we expedited the administrative review to ensure that he received his certificate in the second week. Xiaoming successfully included the CEFS certificate in his graduate school application materials as a notable academic achievement. In addition, his Academic Advisor in the CEFS program, Dr. Jonathan Anderson, agreed to write him a letter of recommendation. (Of course, Xiaoming’s schedule in this case was quite extreme. We encourage students to plan ahead whenever possible, allowing adequate time for both study and rest.).

Global Completion Statistics

Based on recent global data from CEFS students:

• Over 75% complete the program and receive their certificate within 3 months.
• Over 90% complete it within 6 months.

You are encouraged to create a study plan that best fits your personal schedule and goals.