Wang Yuming, a freshman majoring in business administration at Shandong University, found his tuition is 1,000 yuan ($160) more than that of last year's students, xinhuanet.com reported.

But the school says he can get back the overcharge, depending on his credit hours.

Shandong University is one of seven universities in Shandong province that is testing a new tuition system this year to charge tuition according to credit hours.

In the system, tuition consists of two parts: major registration and credit hours.

"If universities move forward with the credit system as expected, students will be able to move at their own pace to get their degrees, taking between three and eight years to graduate," said Li Xia, who works with the Shandong education department.

Li said students will be allowed to continue their education after leaving their schools for some time. The time should be no longer than two years, Li added.

"The new system is a major reform for universities and colleges. We have two years to try it and improve it," said Li.

"The system is in line with universities' development trend, but other regulations on school management such as teaching management, enrollment management and score management will be adjusted to the credit system," Xiong Bingqi, vice-president of the 21st Century Education Research Institute was quoted as saying by xinhuanet.com.