Nanjing University (NJU) is a public research university founded in 1902 with campuses in Nanjing and Suzhou. It reports more than 40,000 degree students, about 1,300 to 1,400 of them international, although two of its own pages give slightly different counts.[1][2] It is ranked 90th (tied) in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 103rd (tied) in 2026.[3]
International students pay RMB 21,000 to 42,000 per year for a bachelor’s, RMB 25,000 to 48,000 for a master’s and RMB 30,000 to 54,000 for a doctorate, depending on the field.[4] The MBA costs RMB 185,000 in total.[4] Bachelor’s programmes are taught in Chinese and need HSK level 5; some master’s programmes are taught in English.[5][6]
Key facts
| Official name | Nanjing University (南京大学), abbreviated NJU |
| Location | Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (Gulou campus: 22 Hankou Road, Gulou District, 210093)[7] |
| Type | Public research university; member of the C9 League[2] |
| Founded | 1902, as Sanjiang Normal School; named Nanjing University in 1950; merged with Jinling University in 1952[8] |
| Campuses | Gulou, Xianlin and Pukou in Nanjing, and Suzhou[1] |
| Students (home page) | 15,448 undergraduates, 19,066 master’s, 10,269 doctoral, 1,332 international[1] |
| Students (By the Numbers page) | 14,714 undergraduates, 18,103 master’s, 9,430 doctoral, 1,396 international[2] |
| Faculty | 2,214 professors; 33 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 3 of the Chinese Academy of Engineering[2] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 90th (tied); 103rd (tied) in 2026[3] |
| Tuition, bachelor’s | RMB 21,000 to 42,000 per academic year, by field[4] |
| Tuition, master’s | RMB 25,000 to 48,000 per academic year, by field[4] |
| Tuition, doctorate | RMB 30,000 to 54,000 per academic year, by field[4] |
| Application fee | RMB 500 (bachelor’s); RMB 600 (master’s and doctorate); non-refundable[5] |
| Official website | nju.edu.cn/en |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Nanjing University
Nanjing University describes itself as one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in China, founded in 1902.[1] It grew out of Sanjiang Normal School and passed through several names, including Nanjing Higher Normal School, National Southeastern University and National Central University, before becoming Nanjing University in 1950. In the 1952 nationwide restructuring it was combined with Jinling University and moved from Sipailou to the Gulou site.[8]
NJU belongs to the C9 League and counts 16 disciplines in the national “Double First-Class” project.[2] It has four campuses: Gulou, Xianlin and Pukou in Nanjing, and a newly established campus in Suzhou.[8]
Its home page reports 15,448 undergraduates, 19,066 master’s students, 10,269 doctoral students and 1,332 international students.[1] Its By the Numbers page reports 14,714, 18,103, 9,430 and 1,396 respectively.[2] Both pages are undated; we show both because the university does not explain the difference.
How is Nanjing University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Nanjing University is 90th (tied), up from 103rd (tied) in 2026 and 145th in 2025.[3] A second article republishing the QS table puts it level with the University of Copenhagen,[9] and a post on the People’s Daily platform also lists it at 90th.[10]
The university’s By the Numbers page cites 62nd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and 4th in the global Nature Index.[2] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Nanjing University?
International students apply as degree students at bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral level through the Institute for International Students.[5][6]
- Bachelor’s: all majors are taught in Chinese.[5]
- Master’s: two to three years. The university offers Chinese-taught and English-taught programmes and lists them in a separate programme catalogue.[6]
- Doctorate: four years.[11]
The university lists 40 faculties and academic units.[1] Its tuition page notes that the English-taught and featured Chinese-taught programmes set their own tuition on their programme pages.[4]
How much does Nanjing University cost for international students?
| Level | Humanities and social sciences | Science, engineering and business | Medicine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | RMB 21,000 | RMB 24,000 | RMB 42,000 |
| Master’s | RMB 25,000 | RMB 28,000 | RMB 48,000 |
| Doctorate | RMB 30,000 | RMB 35,000 | RMB 54,000 |
These are tuition fees per academic year for long-term students on the Institute for International Students’ tuition page.[4] The page gives no year for the table. It adds that the MBA programme costs RMB 185,000 for the whole study duration of 2.5 years, and that English-taught and featured Chinese-taught programmes have their own tuition on their programme pages.[4]
Other costs
The online application fee is RMB 500 for bachelor’s and RMB 600 for master’s and doctoral applicants; insurance for master’s and doctoral students is RMB 400 per semester.[5][6] The university lists a Chinese Government Scholarship page on its scholarship menu; we could not read its details, so ask the Institute for International Students. For living costs, see our Study in China guide and the China overview.
How do you apply to Nanjing University?
Self-funded applicants apply online and upload their documents.[5][6]
- Bachelor’s: apply at istudy.nju.edu.cn with a passport copy, high school certificate and full score report, an HSK certificate, two recommendation letters, a personal statement and, from the 2026/2027 academic year, a China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) report. Standardised scores such as SAT, ACT, A-Level or IB are accepted as extra material, and English majors and architecture applicants have additional requirements.[5]
- Master’s: applicants must be healthy non-Chinese citizens under 40 with a bachelor’s degree. Documents include the degree certificate, full transcript, two recommendation letters from at least associate professors, a personal statement, a passport copy and a physical examination record. Initial review feedback follows within three working days, then schools or departments assess applicants and may set online tests or interviews.[6]
- Doctorate: the same procedure with a master’s degree and an abstract of the master’s dissertation; applicants must be under 40.[11]
We give no dates here because they change every year; the admission pages list the current windows and scholarship routes.
Which language level do you need?
Bachelor’s: HSK level 5 with a score of at least 180. Applicants with twelve years of Chinese-language education in Malaysia or Singapore do not need the certificate. English majors need IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 70 as well.[5]
Master’s, Chinese-taught: for admission HSK level 4 (natural sciences, engineering, medicine) or level 5 (liberal arts, social sciences, business). To graduate you must reach level 5 or 6 respectively.[6]
Master’s, English-taught: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 85 (0–120 scale) or 4.5 (1–6 scale), TOEFL Essentials 9 or Duolingo English Test 100. The graduation requirement is HSK level 3.[6]
Doctorate: the doctoral page lists the same HSK levels for admission and graduation as the Chinese-taught master’s page.[11]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at Nanjing University for international students?
On the university’s tuition page it is RMB 21,000 to 42,000 per year for a bachelor’s, RMB 25,000 to 48,000 for a master’s and RMB 30,000 to 54,000 for a doctorate, depending on the field. The MBA costs RMB 185,000 in total.[4]
How is Nanjing University ranked?
It is 90th (tied) in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 103rd (tied) in 2026.[3]
Can I study in English at Nanjing University?
What HSK level do I need?
Do bachelor’s applicants need the CSCA test?
Yes. From the 2026/2027 academic year all international students applying for undergraduate programmes must take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment and submit the report.[5]
More about studying in China
- China: best universities
- Study in China: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in China
- Beijing Institute of Technology
- Beijing Normal University
- Fudan University
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Nankai University
- Peking University
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Sichuan University
- Southeast University
- Sun Yat-sen University
- Tianjin University
- Tongji University
- Tsinghua University
- University of Science and Technology of China
- Wuhan University
- Xiamen University
- Xi’an Jiaotong University
- Zhejiang University
Sources
[1] Nanjing University: Home page (English) (page without a date; student counts differ from the By the Numbers page)
[2] Nanjing University: By the Numbers (page without a date)
[3] XuanXiao: QS World University Rankings 2027 commentary (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 19 Jun 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[4] Nanjing University, Institute for International Students: Tuition (page without a date)
[5] Nanjing University, Institute for International Students: Bachelor’s Programs (page without a date; mentions the 2026/2027 academic year)
[6] Nanjing University, Institute for International Students: Master’s Programs (page without a date; the same text on the university’s Chinese-language page is dated 14 Sep 2026)
[7] Nanjing University Admissions: Instructions on Master’s Application (page without a date; lists lower tuition than the Institute’s page, so probably older)
[8] Nanjing University: NJU at a Glance (page without a date)
[9] Maigoo: QS World University Rankings 2027 results for mainland China universities (article of 6 Jul 2026 republishing the QS table; second source for the rank)
[10] People’s Daily platform (peopleapp.com): QS World University Rankings 2027 report (post of 23 Jun 2026 by a third-party uploader; third source for the rank)
[11] Nanjing University, Institute for International Students: Doctorate Programs (page without a date; refers to degrees obtained in 2027)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.