Nanjing University (NJU)

Nanjing University (南京大学, NJU) is a public research university in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, tracing its history to 1902. It sits in the top 100 of both major world rankings: tied 62nd in the THE World University Rankings 2026 and 70th in ARWU 2026. Every bachelor's programme for international students is taught in Chinese, so you need HSK 5 with at least 180 points and 60 in each section (HSK 4 for the Chinese Language major) and the CSCA test. Bachelor's applications for 2027 run from 1 March to 15 May 2027. Tuition is $3,130–6,270 (CNY 21,000–42,000) a year for a bachelor's and $1,570 (CNY 10,500) a semester for Chinese courses.

Who Nanjing University suits, and who should look elsewhere

NJU is one of China's strongest comprehensive universities. On the second-round Double First-Class list it has 16 disciplines: philosophy, theoretical economics, Chinese language and literature, foreign languages and literature, physics, chemistry, astronomy, atmospheric sciences, geology, biology, materials science, computer science, chemical engineering, mining engineering, environmental science and engineering, and library, information and archives management.

NJU suits you if you:

• already have HSK 5 or can reach it within a year or two;
• want a university in the global top 100, not just a well-known name;
• are drawn to fundamental sciences such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology or atmospheric science, or to Chinese and foreign literature;
• plan an English-taught master's with an IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 100 threshold.

Choose another university if you want an English-taught bachelor's (NJU has none), a spring start for a degree, or a campus room you can count on: NJU states openly that new self-funded students may not get a room. For English-taught study from the bachelor's level, compare NJU with Wuhan University, which has English-taught bachelor's programmes. For a strong southern university admitting in Chinese, look at Sun Yat-sen University.

Programmes for international students

Bachelor's degrees

Bachelor's programmes last four years and are taught entirely in Chinese. International students can apply to almost the same majors as Chinese students: humanities, social sciences, economics, natural sciences, engineering, medicine and software engineering. The 2027 catalogue of majors and CSCA subjects is already on the Institute for International Students' website.

You can list two majors and agree to reassignment. By default, reassignment goes to the Institute for International Students (海外教育学院), which runs the Chinese Language major. If you decline reassignment and neither choice admits you, the application is rejected. The schools of mathematics, computer science, foreign languages and business, and the Institute for International Students hold a written test and interview.

The Chinese Language major also admits students directly into later years: into year two after a year of university-level Chinese with HSK 5 (180), and into year three after two years with HSK 6 (180).

Master's and doctoral degrees

Chinese-taught master's programmes require HSK 4 for sciences, engineering and medicine and HSK 5 for humanities, social sciences and business. The requirement rises at graduation, to HSK 5 and HSK 6 respectively. English-taught master's programmes require IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 85 (4.5 on the new scale), TOEFL Essentials 9 or the Duolingo English Test at 100, and HSK 3 by graduation. NJU lists English-taught programmes and their fees on individual programme pages rather than in the general fee table. The MBA costs $27,600 (CNY 185,000) for the full 2.5 years.

Chinese language courses

The long-term Chinese programme runs on the Gulou campus for six months to two years, with 20 hours a week. Levels run from beginner to intermediate, and advanced students can take "Chinese+" modules in Chinese history or contemporary economy and trade. Besides core classes there are business Chinese, Chinese literature and history, Chinese characters and cultural sessions such as tai chi, tea art and paper cutting. The "Chinese+" modules require an advanced result on NJU's own proficiency test.

Short programmes cost $300 (CNY 2,000) for the first two weeks and $150 (CNY 1,000) for each further week, with a minimum group of 10. See how Nanjing compares in our guide to Chinese language programmes in China.

How to apply to Nanjing University

Bachelor's requirements for 2027

• Age: 18–30. If you are not yet 18 on 1 September 2027 you need a guardian confirmation in China, and applicants who do not turn 18 during 2027 are not accepted.
• Education: a completed secondary school diploma. NJU requires three years of full-time senior high school; applicants with Malaysia's SPM or a two-year senior high school also need a one-year university foundation certificate. If upper secondary school in your country lasts two years, check with the admissions office how NJU will assess your diploma before applying.
• Chinese: HSK 5 with at least 180 points and 60 in each section; for the Chinese Language major, HSK 4 with 180 and the same section minimum.
• CSCA: compulsory from the 2026/27 academic year; scores must reach NJU by 15 May. Required subjects depend on the major and are listed in the 2027 catalogue.
• Nationality: non-Chinese citizen. Children of Chinese citizens and former PRC citizens must show at least two years' residence abroad between 30 April 2023 and 30 April 2027; former citizens must also have acquired foreign nationality before 30 April 2023.

Bachelor's documents

1. Ordinary passport valid until at least 1 March 2028. Passport details cannot be changed after you apply, so renew early if needed.
2. Secondary school diploma; final-year students upload a school letter and bring the diploma to registration. Documents not in Chinese or English need an official translation.
3. Transcripts for all three years of senior high school, stamped by the school.
4. HSK certificate (a screenshot of the score is fine; the original is checked at registration).
5. CSCA score report.
6. One or two recommendation letters from secondary school teachers, in Chinese or English.
7. A study plan covering your background, studies and reasons for choosing the major.
8. For English majors, IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 70; for architecture, at least one piece of artwork. You may add A-Level, AP, IB, SAT or ACT results (valid for two years).

For translations and certification, see our guide to applying to Chinese universities.

Master's documents

• physical examination record for foreigners (valid for six months);
• bachelor's degree, or proof of graduation by July 2027, and full transcripts;
• two recommendation letters from associate professors or above;
• HSK or IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo results, a personal statement on NJU's template and your passport;
• a portfolio for the School of Architecture and Urban Planning; GRE scores are optional.

How selection works

1. Apply at istudy.nju.edu.cn (bachelor's) or nju.17gz.org (master's) and upload documents.
2. An initial review takes up to 5 working days, after which you pay the fee.
3. Schools assess applications in batches; some run online tests and interviews, in April–May for master's applicants.
4. Results arrive in the system and by email: May–June for master's, June–August for bachelor's.
5. The admission letter and JW202 form are issued electronically; use them to apply for an X1 study visa at a Chinese consulate. See our China student visa guide.
6. Register in September on the dates in your admission letter, bringing your original diploma and medical form.

Application deadlines for 2027

According to NJU, CSCA runs five times a year: in January, March, April, June and December. The report must arrive by 15 May, so April is the last usable session. In the 2025/26 cycle, however, Europe, Africa and the Americas had only the January and March sessions, so applicants from those regions should aim for January or March. The dates open in your region are shown when you register at csca.cn. For HSK preparation, see our HSK exam guide.

How much it costs to study and live in Nanjing

Tuition

Fees for English-taught and special Chinese-taught programmes are on their own pages. Tuition is paid after admission; check early which CNY transfer route your bank supports.

Housing

CSC and Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship holders are housed without booking. Self-funded students book online at istudy.nju.edu.cn or nju.17gz.org: booking opens in early August for autumn and mid-January for spring. If you cannot book, there are no rooms left and you must find housing yourself. NJU puts nearby rents at $375–745 (CNY 2,500–5,000) a month.

Bedding is not provided, and Xianlin rooms also have no mattresses. Under the dormitory rules, rent is paid via WeChat or Alipay and the deposit ($82 (CNY 550) for furnishings plus 50 for the key) in cash. Xianlin has controlled access: students are asked to return by midnight (later arrivals sign in with security), and visitors are allowed only in the daytime, 8 am to 10 pm.

Other costs

NJU does not publish an official living-cost estimate. For budgeting, allow $375–745 (CNY 2,500–5,000) a month for rent if you do not get a dormitory place. Our guide to the cost of studying in China shows how to build an annual budget.

Scholarships: CSC, Nanjing city and teacher programmes

The NJU Institute for International Students lists four schemes: CSC, the Nanjing Government Scholarship, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship and the Confucius China Studies Program. For self-funded students, the realistic options are the Nanjing scholarship after admission and CSC. CSC, the city committee or the university decides on awards.

Where you study: Xianlin, Gulou, Pukou and Suzhou

Gulou is the historic campus in central Nanjing. It houses the Institute for International Students and the language courses, and international students live in the Xiyuan and Pingcang buildings.

Xianlin is in Qixia District. International students live in Building 21, paid per semester.

Pukou is on the north bank of the Yangtze. Suzhou is a campus in the neighbouring city of Suzhou.

Your campus depends on your school and year of study: confirm it with your department before booking housing. Do not confuse NJU with other Nanjing universities such as Nanjing Normal University, Southeast University or Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics; each has its own admissions.

NJU strengths and limitations for international applicants

Mistakes to avoid

• Assuming HSK 5 at 180 is enough. You also need 60 in each section and CSCA results by 15 May.
• Ignoring the age rule. For 2027, NJU does not accept applicants who turn 18 after 2027, and under-18s on 1 September need a guardian in China.
• Keeping an old passport. It must be valid until at least 1 March 2028, and its details cannot change after you apply.
• Not checking how your diploma will be assessed. The three-year senior high school rule can affect graduates of shorter school systems.
• Arriving without a dormitory booking. Rooms are scarce: if you cannot book online, rent before you arrive.
• Declining reassignment. If neither chosen major admits you and you refused reassignment, the application is rejected.

Checklist before you apply

• Your passport is valid until at least 1 March 2028; its details cannot be changed after you apply.
• You turn 18 in 2027; if you are under 18 on 1 September 2027, a guardianship document for China is ready.
• You know whether NJU will treat your school certificate as three years of senior high school or require a university foundation year.
• You hold, or have booked before spring 2027, HSK 5 with 180 and at least 60 per section (HSK 4 for the Chinese Language major).
• Your CSCA session leaves time for the report to arrive by 15 May 2027.
• Your three years of senior-high transcripts carry the school stamp and are translated into Chinese or English.
• You have one or two teacher letters and a study plan, have chosen a second major and decided on reassignment.
• For an English-taught master's, you have IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 85 or Duolingo 100, and your medical form will still be valid when you apply.
• You have a housing plan in case the dormitory booking fails: NJU puts nearby rents at $375–745 (CNY 2,500–5,000) a month.

Working during and after your studies

A study visa (X1) and study residence permit do not allow regular employment. China's Ministry of Education rules on international students (Order No. 42, Art. 30) permit only university-run work-study (勤工助学) and prohibit employment and business activity, and the Exit and Entry Administration Law (Art. 43) treats work beyond the permitted type or hours as illegal. Internships are organised by the university within the curriculum. After graduation you need a work permit arranged by an employer. See our guide to work and internships for students in China.

FAQ

Can I study at Nanjing University in English?

Not at bachelor's level: all bachelor's programmes are in Chinese. Some master's and doctoral programmes are taught in English and require IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 85 or Duolingo 100, plus HSK 3 by graduation.

How much does a year at NJU cost?

Bachelor's tuition is $3,130 (CNY 21,000) in the humanities, $3,580 (24,000) in sciences and business, $4,770 (32,000) in software engineering and $6,260 (42,000) in medicine. Master's programmes cost $3,730–7,160. Add housing ($450 (CNY 3,000) a semester at Xianlin) and insurance of $120 (CNY 800) a year.

When do I apply for a 2027 bachelor's?

From 1 March to 15 May 2027, with CSCA results also due by 15 May. The guide was published on 16 September 2026. Decisions arrive between June and August, and study starts in September.

What HSK level do I need?

For a bachelor's, HSK 5 with 180 and at least 60 in each section; for the Chinese Language major, HSK 4 with 180. For a master's, HSK 4 in sciences and HSK 5 in humanities.

Can I start with a language course?

Yes. The Chinese programme runs on the Gulou campus; the spring semester starts in February, with applications from 10 October to 25 December. After the course you apply separately for a degree with HSK and CSCA.

Are there scholarships for self-funded students?

After admission you can apply for the Nanjing Government Scholarship: $1,490 (CNY 10,000) for bachelor's and 20,000 for graduate students for the academic year, with 20 places each. It does not waive tuition. Full funding comes from CSC or, for language and teaching programmes, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship.

Does StudyU help with NJU applications?

Under a service agreement we shortlist majors, check how NJU is likely to assess your diploma, prepare documents and support the application, CSCA preparation and the visa stage. NJU decides on admission, CSC or the Nanjing committee on scholarships, and the Chinese consulate on the visa.

Sources

• 2027 bachelor's application requirements (申报须知, hwxy.nju.edu.cn)
• Bachelor's Programs (English)
• 2027 catalogue of majors
• Master's Programs
• Tuition
• Application fees
• Housing and other costs
• Dormitory booking rules
• Chinese language programme
• Nanjing Government Scholarship 2026
• NJU by the numbers and campuses
• THE World University Rankings 2026: Nanjing University
• ARWU 2026
• Ministry of Education rules on international students, Order No. 42
• Second-round "Double First-Class" list, Ministry of Education
• Exchange rate: ECB reference rates on 29 Sep 2026, €1 = $1.1355 = CNY 7.6117 (about CNY 6.70 per $1), rounded

For more universities, visas and costs, see studying in China. If you want to check early whether NJU will accept your diploma and plan HSK and CSCA for May 2027, send us a request.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.