Nankai University (NKU)

Nankai University (南开大学, NKU) is a public research university in Tianjin under China's Ministry of Education and a member of Projects 211 and 985 and the Double First-Class initiative. It is joint 173rd in the THE World University Rankings 2027 and in the 101–125 band for physical sciences in the THE 2026 subject tables. International bachelor's study follows a "1+3" model: a foundation year at the School of International Education, then three years in the major, taught in Chinese only. In the 2026 intake applicants needed HSK 4 with 180+ and a CSCA result, tuition was $2,980–5,220 (CNY 20,000–35,000) a year, and applications closed on 30 June.

Nankai, Tianjin University and the Taiwanese "Nan Kai"

The historic campuses of Nankai and Tianjin University sit side by side, and the names are often mixed up. There is also a third "Nan Kai" in Taiwan.

For comparison with the capital's universities, see our guide to universities in Beijing: Tianjin is linked to Beijing by high-speed rail, and many applicants weigh the two cities. Our study in China page links to every Chinese university profile on StudyU.

Who Nankai suits

NKU is for applicants ready to study in Chinese who want a Project 985 university with a balanced approach to the humanities and the sciences. It was founded in 1919 by the educators Zhang Boling and Yan Xiu, Zhou Enlai studied here, and during the 1937–1945 war Nankai joined Peking and Tsinghua universities to form the Southwest Associated University in Kunming. Its strongest THE subject position is physical sciences (101–125 in 2026), with engineering in the 151–175 band.

It is a good fit if you:

• already have HSK 4 or can reach it within a year, and are prepared to work up to HSK 6 by graduation;
• want economics, management, the sciences or a humanities subject in Chinese;
• value a predictable structure: the first year at the School of International Education helps you catch up on language and subject basics.

If you have no Chinese and do not plan to learn it, an NKU bachelor's will not work: there were no English-taught bachelor's programmes in the 2026 intake. In that case look at universities with English-taught degrees, compared in our guide to English-taught degrees in China; NKU's English-taught programmes start at master's level.

The "1+3" bachelor's model

Students spend the first academic year at the School of International Education, focusing on language and the groundwork for their major, followed by three years in the chosen programme; medical programmes last five years. To graduate, every student in a Chinese-taught programme must pass HSK 6 with at least 180.

The 2026 intake offered 41 Chinese-taught programmes. Applicants may list two programmes in order of preference; Business Economics and Business Administration accept only first-choice applicants. Tuition of $2,980 to $5,220 (CNY 20,000–35,000) a year is set per programme in the catalogue.

Who can apply

• non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport; for the 2026 intake, born before 1 September 2008, i.e. adults by the start of study;
• a completed secondary education with strong grades;
• HSK 4 with at least 180;
• compliance with the Ministry of Education's 2020 nationality rules (relevant to children of former Chinese citizens and emigrants from China).

Documents

1. Passport valid until at least 1 September 2027.
2. School-leaving certificate: notarised copy with a Chinese or English translation.
3. Full high-school transcripts.
4. CSCA score report.
5. Personal statement in Chinese or English.
6. HSK 4 certificate with 180+.
7. One recommendation letter.
8. Supplementary evidence of achievements.
9. Foreigner Physical Examination Form completed no earlier than November 2025.
10. Proof of financial capacity.
11. Police clearance certificate.

Incomplete applications are not processed. See applying to Chinese universities for translation and certification, and our HSK exam guide for test preparation.

Applying, interview and payment

1. CSCA. The test covers the subjects relevant to your intended major, and NKU advises registering early. The 2026/27 sittings are 14–15 November and 19–20 December 2026, then 23–24 January, 13–14 March, 24–25 April and 26–27 June 2027, with November registration on 15–21 October. If you are applying for the Tianjin scholarship by 30 May, use a sitting no later than April. See our CSCA exam guide.
2. Online application in Nankai's admission system (nankai.at0086.cn).
3. Review and interview. Applicants who pass document review are invited to an interview assessing language and overall ability; dates are announced separately.
4. Admission and payment. Admitted students pay the $60 (CNY 400) application fee and full tuition in the system within the set period. NKU sends the electronic admission notice and JW201 or JW202 form in July. The fee is not refunded if you decline the place for personal reasons.

Nankai University makes the admission decision. NKU posts the 2027 rules on the School of International Education website; last cycle, applications opened on 20 October.

Scholarships

Final scholarship decisions rest with Nankai University and the scholarship authorities. Our scholarships abroad 2026 overview explains how Chinese government awards work.

Master's degrees

In the 2026 intake NKU offered 171 master's programmes of two to three years, nine of them taught in English. The programme list with fees came out as a separate catalogue on 27 October 2025, and the entry rules were set out in the 2026 postgraduate overview.

The supervisor's letter takes longest, so contact professors in the autumn while drafting your research plan; our guide to a master's in China explains how. NKU also takes master's applicants through the university track of the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B): in the 2026 cycle applications ran from 20 October 2025 to 20 March 2026, NKU's CSC agency number is 10055, and a study plan of 1,000+ characters or words plus two recommendation letters are required. The China Scholarship Council approves the final award.

Chinese language courses

The School of International Education also runs non-degree language programmes. The 2026/27 options were:

Applications for all three closed on 15 June 2026; the application fee is a non-refundable $60 (CNY 400) and insurance is compulsory. You need a passport valid for more than a year, proof of funds and a police clearance; classes are in person and a group opens with at least 15 students. Language students are housed in double rooms in the Yiyuan residence. Without HSK 4, this is a way to prepare for a bachelor's in the same city, but the degree application is separate and goes through the same selection. Compare courses in other cities in our guide to Chinese language programmes in China.

Housing and budget

First-year example: with the lowest tuition and the cheapest room, the total is about $4,950 (CNY 33,200): tuition $2,980, fee $60, insurance $120 and housing $1,790 (CNY 12,000) for 12 months. With the highest tuition and an expensive room it rises to $10,770 (CNY 72,200). Food and transport are compared in our cost of studying in China guide; for legal payment routes from Russia, see how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.

Visa and degree recognition

With the admission notice and JW201 or JW202 form you apply for an X1 visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate. Within 30 days of arrival it must be converted into a student residence permit, and NKU checks original documents at registration. See our China student visa guide.

For Russian citizens: Nankai University is not on Russian Government Order No. 186-r (as amended in 2024, 2025 and 2026), which includes no Chinese universities at all. Chinese degrees are recognised in Russia under the 1995 intergovernmental agreement on mutual recognition of education documents, explained in our guide to studying in China for Russian citizens. The route for Kazakh citizens is covered in studying in China from Kazakhstan.

Common mistakes

• Applying to Tianjin University when you mean Nankai. They are neighbours but separate universities: check for 南开大学.
• Expecting an English-taught bachelor's. NKU bachelor's degrees are taught in Chinese; English-taught programmes exist only at master's level.
• Forgetting HSK 6 for graduation. Without it, a Chinese-taught degree is not awarded.
• Listing Business Administration as a second choice. It and Business Economics consider only first-choice applicants.
• Having the medical check too early. For the 2026 intake the form had to be completed after November 2025.

FAQ

Can I study at Nankai University in English?

Not at bachelor's level: all 41 programmes in the 2026 intake were taught in Chinese on the "1+3" model. Nine of the 171 master's programmes are taught in English. They require IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 80 or Duolingo 105, and the university makes the admission decision after an interview.

How much does NKU cost?

In the 2026 intake bachelor's tuition was $2,980–5,220 (CNY 20,000–35,000) a year depending on the programme. Add the $60 (CNY 400) application fee, insurance of $120 (CNY 800) a year and housing of $150–450 (CNY 1,000–3,000) a month. The Tianjin scholarship can cover part of the tuition.

What HSK level do I need for Nankai?

HSK 4 with at least 180 to apply for a bachelor's. Students in Chinese-taught programmes must pass HSK 6 with 180+ before graduation, or the degree is not awarded. Language is also assessed at the interview, after which the university decides.

What does "1+3" mean?

It is the bachelor's format for international students: one foundation year at the School of International Education followed by three years in the major. The foundation year is part of the standard four years rather than an extra year; medical programmes last five years.

Can I get a scholarship at NKU?

Yes. The Chinese Government Scholarship Type A is applied for through the Chinese embassy, the Tianjin Government and Study-at-NKU scholarships by ticking the option in the online form by 30 May, and the Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship via cis.chinese.cn. Only pre-admitted applicants are nominated, and the university and scholarship authorities decide.

Is a Nankai degree recognised in Russia?

NKU is not on the Order No. 186-r list, like every other Chinese university. Chinese degrees are covered by the 1995 Russia–China mutual recognition agreement; for regulated professions such as medicine, the right to practise is decided separately by Russian authorities.

Sources

• NKU: undergraduate programmes for international students, 2026: "1+3", requirements, dates, documents, CSCA, scholarships, fees, housing, insurance, visa
• NKU: master's programmes for international students: number of programmes for 2026
• NKU: postgraduate programmes overview 2026: age, language, documents, dates, fee
• NKU: Chinese Government Scholarship Type B, 2026 and Chinese language programmes 2026/27
• NKU School of International Education: contacts and campus addresses
• CSCA: test and registration dates
• Times Higher Education: Nankai University
• Russian Government Order No. 186-r, amended by No. 103-r, No. 126-r and No. 298-r

Dollar figures use the ECB reference rate of 1 October 2026: EUR 1 = USD 1.1298 = CNY 7.5748, so CNY 1 ≈ $0.149. Figures below $100 are rounded to whole dollars; higher figures to the nearest $10.

If you want to work through your route to Nankai, send a request: document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.

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