Background: Various guidelines recommend that all adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) should be offered an evidence based, structured education programme (SEP) to optimize selfmanagement care. China has a 13,000 annual increase in newly diagnosed T1D cases, of which 65% are adults. However, there is yet no validated SEP targeted to T1D patients in China. The purpose of this study is to establish a structured T1D self-management education programme-'Type 1 Diabetes Education in Lifestyle and Self Adjustment' (TELSA) that is adapted to medical and cultural practices in China.Methods: TELSA programme was developed based on the ADDIE model, following three steps: i) Semistructured interviews were administered to 10 healthcare professionals (HCPs) and 13 T1D patients.Different topic guides, focusing on 4 dimensions including goals, contents, format of delivery, and quality assurance, were designed for either HCPs or patients. The interviews were recorded and analysed with thematic analysis. ii) Extracted themes were modified according to Delphi consultation.iii) Preliminary courses were conducted as pilot study to evaluate the effects of TELSA and optimization of the curriculum was finalized accordingly.