Some foreign students will be able to enroll at Shanghai's prestigious Fudan University next year by interviews, without sitting the school's annual academic exams.

Until now, applicants to Fudan and Jiao Tong universities had to take the schools' written examinations to gain admission, while those to other local universities don't have the examination or interview requirements.

Fudan University announced on Monday it would introduce the exam-free admission model into its foreign student enrollment program next year.

The new policy will mainly be implemented in about 30 high schools, such as Shanghai Middle School and a couple of schools in Japan and South Korea.

Principals of the listed schools can recommend their top students for exam-free admission, Fudan officials said.

But they will still need to take a comprehensive ability test as well as a face-to-face interview next March before receiving an admission letter.

About 40 foreigners will benefit from the new policy, accounting for about 10 percent of Fudan's overseas intake next year.

"Our biggest wish is to encourage high schools to send more top and elite foreign students to Fudan," said Wu Huizhen, director of Fudan's foreign students' office.

In 2005, Fudan launched its first foreign student admission exam to test applicants on their Chinese language ability, maths and professional skills.

Foreigners need to apply between March 31 and April 11 next year for the annual academic admission exam scheduled for May 10 and 11.

Fudan now has more than 2,800 foreign students studying for more than six months.