About the University

Nanjing University (NJU) is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China and a key comprehensive university under the Ministry of Education. Its history dates back to 1902. NJU was among the first universities selected for Projects 211, 985 and Double First-Class, and it is a member of the C9 League.

Key Figures

Study for International Students

• International admissions are handled by the Institute for International Students (Overseas Education College) on the Gulou campus.

• Bachelor's programmes are taught only in Chinese and last 4 years; from the 2026/2027 academic year the CSCA exam is compulsory.

• Master's programmes are taught in Chinese (2–3 years) and, for several programmes, in English (2 years); doctoral programmes are taught in Chinese (4 years).

• Chinese language courses last from half a year to 2 years, with spring and fall intakes.

2027 Intake: Application Periods

Application Fee and Insurance

Medical insurance is CNY 400 per semester.

Language Requirements

Age Limits

Campuses

Nanjing University operates four campuses:

• Xianlin (Qixia District) — the main modern campus where most undergraduates study.
• Gulou (downtown Nanjing) — the historic campus on the former site of Jinling University; home to the Institute for International Students and the language courses.
• Pukou (Pukou District).
• Suzhou — a new campus in the city of Suzhou.

Research

In the 2026 ShanghaiRanking subject rankings NJU is 3rd in the world in Environmental Science and Engineering, 9th in Earth Sciences and 11th in Atmospheric Science.

International Student Dormitories

Dormitories are available on the Gulou campus (Xiyuan Apartment and Pingcang Lane) and the Xianlin campus (Building 21). Places are limited and booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

Important

• Deposit: CNY 550 for furnishings and CNY 50 for the key (refunded on check-out), paid by everyone including scholarship holders.
• CSC and International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship holders live free of charge: at Xianlin doctoral students get single rooms and others double rooms; at Gulou master's and doctoral students get single rooms.
• Self-funded students book online in advance (from early August for the fall and mid-January for the spring); if no rooms are left, they rent housing themselves.
• Bedding is not provided, and Xianlin rooms have no mattresses. Cooking in rooms is not allowed and electricity is paid separately.

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

• CSC Type B (high-level) for 2027: 1 November 2026 — 20 January 2027 in the NJU system, then after pre-admission register on the CSC portal by 17 March 2027 (agency number 10284).
• Silk Road: 1 January — 15 March 2027, CSCA mathematics (in Chinese) required, written test and interview in April–May.
• Language: HSK 4 (sciences) or HSK 5 (humanities) with 180+ for Chinese-taught programmes; IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 85 / Duolingo 100 for English-taught.
• Annual review from March to May; other Chinese scholarships cannot be held at the same time.

Nanjing Municipal Government Scholarship

• Applications at the end of August 2027 (24–28 August in 2026); new students attach the admission letter and HSK.
• Current bachelor's students need a GPA of 4.3+ (humanities) or 3.8+ (sciences) with no failed courses.

Other Scholarships

• International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship and the Confucius China Studies Program — details on the Institute for International Students website.
• Some English-taught master's programmes offer full and partial scholarships.

History of the University

Nanjing University traces its history to Sanjiang Normal School, founded in 1902. Over more than 120 years it has changed its name several times and became Nanjing University in 1950.

Key Milestones

Ranking Positions

International Cooperation

NJU is one of the most active Chinese universities in international cooperation, working closely with leading universities and research institutions worldwide. The university is implementing its Global Open Development Strategy 2020–2030.

• The Hopkins–Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies (with Johns Hopkins University) has run for more than 30 years — the first long-term international higher education partnership in China after the reform and opening-up.
• About 10% of students are international (THE data); 1,432 international degree students study at NJU.
• English-taught master's programmes in international relations, contemporary China, AI, computer technology, architecture, urban planning and environment.
• Chinese language and short-term programmes at the Institute for International Students, plus summer schools and international conferences, including on the Suzhou campus.

Нанкин — историческая столица Китая с богатым наследием (городская стена, мавзолей Сунь Ятсена, Мемориал жертвам Нанкинской резни, гора Пурпурная). Город сочетает древнюю историю с современным развитием: здесь множество музеев, парков и оживлённых улиц. Для иностранных студентов — комфортные кампусы, высокая безопасность, отличный общественный транспорт (метро, высокоскоростные поезда) и приятная атмосфера. Нанкин находится в провинции Цзянсу — одном из самых богатых и развитых регионов Китая. Климат умеренный континентальный: лето душное и влажное, зима прохладная с возможным снегом — подходит для тех, кто хочет баланса между культурным наследием, экономическим развитием и удобной городской жизнью.