Nankai University

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.

About Nankai University

Zhang Boling and Yan Xiu founded Nankai University in 1919.^[1] During the Second World War the university moved south-west and, in Kunming, merged with Peking and Tsinghua Universities to form the Southwest Associated University. In 1946 it returned to Tianjin and was reformed as a national university.^[1] Wikipedia notes that it was a private institution at its founding.^[8]

After 1949 Nankai became a research-oriented university and was listed in the “985” and “211” key construction projects. In September 2015 a new campus opened, which created the three-campus layout of Balitai, Jinnan and TEDA. In 2017 Nankai was named one of 36 Class A universities in China’s Double First-Class initiative.^[1]

The university’s own overview speaks of 30,000-plus students, 26 colleges and 92 undergraduate programmes.^[1] The facts page counts 17,493 undergraduates and 18,831 graduate students, which adds up to 36,324.^[7] The university’s home page claims “over 3,000” international students, while the facts page says 2,000+, so treat the international figure as approximate.^[6][7]

How is Nankai University ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Nankai University is =329th. In the same table Huazhong University of Science and Technology is 307th and Xi’an Jiaotong University =296th.^[2] Wikipedia gives Nankai’s 2026 QS position as =355th, so it rose 26 places.^[8]

Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

QS publishes its ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access. The position above comes from an aggregator that reproduces the QS table, so check it against QS before you rely on it.

What can you study at Nankai University?

For 2027 entry international students can choose among 46 Chinese-taught bachelor’s programmes (4 years, or 5 years for medical programmes), 163 master’s programmes of 2–3 years (8 taught in English) and 129 doctoral programmes of 4 years (2 taught in English).^[3][4][5]

Bachelor’s study follows a “1+3” pathway: the first year is a foundation year at the School of International Education, followed by three years of study in the chosen major. Applicants pick two programmes in order of preference, except for Business Economics and Business Administration, which accept first-choice applications only.^[3] All Chinese-taught bachelor’s students must reach HSK 6 (score 180) before graduating; Chinese-taught master’s and doctoral students must reach HSK 5.^[3][4][5]

How much does Nankai University cost for international students?

Bachelor’s tuition for the 2027 intake is CNY 20,000–35,000 a year, depending on the programme; the university refers to its programme catalogue for the exact amount.^[3] The master’s and doctoral pages give no figure and also refer to a catalogue, an Excel file that we could not open, so we state no master’s or doctoral tuition.^[4][5]

Other costs

The bachelor’s application fee is CNY 400 and the postgraduate application fee is CNY 600; neither is paid by Chinese Government Scholarship winners. Accommodation costs CNY 23–60 per person per day, depending on room type and campus, and medical insurance costs CNY 800 a year.^[3][4] Admitted bachelor’s students pay the application fee and full tuition through the application system before the admission notice is issued.^[3] For living costs, see our Study in China guide.

Scholarships

For bachelor’s study the university lists the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A through an embassy, and Type B Silk Road Program), the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship for one major, and the Tianjin Government Scholarship and Study-at-NKU Scholarship, which cover tuition, living expenses and insurance subsidies.^[3] Postgraduate applicants can use the Chinese Government Scholarship (Types A and B), the Tianjin Government Scholarship and the Study-at-NKU Scholarship, whose value equals the Tianjin first and second prizes.^[4]

How do you apply to Nankai University?

• Bachelor’s: you must be a non-Chinese citizen, in principle aged 18–25, hold a senior high-school diploma and take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA), a national test run by the China Scholarship Council. You apply online on the Nankai International Students Application System and upload transcripts, a personal statement of about 800 words, one recommendation letter, proof of finances and an HSK certificate. Applicants who pass the document review are interviewed.^[3]
• Master’s: you need a bachelor’s degree and to be under 35. You apply online with transcripts, an 800-word personal statement, two recommendation letters from professors and a language certificate. Interviews follow, and results are announced in July.^[4]
• Doctorate: you need a master’s degree and to be under 40, plus an acceptance letter from a Nankai supervisor.^[5]

We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ for scholarship applicants. Check the current notice on the School of International Education site.

Which language level do you need?

HSK is China’s standardised Chinese test, with levels 1 to 6. Chinese-taught bachelor’s programmes need HSK 4 with at least 180 points.^[3] Chinese-taught master’s and doctoral programmes need HSK 5 with at least 210; native Chinese speakers and applicants whose previous degree was taught in Chinese are exempt.^[4][5]

English-taught master’s and doctoral programmes need IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 80 or Duolingo 105. Applicants whose previous degree was taught in English can submit a certificate from that university instead. Master’s applicants to the School of Foreign Languages or the School of Economics must also meet programme-specific language and academic requirements listed in the catalogue.^[4]

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
• Nanjing 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