Sichuan University (SCU) is a public comprehensive university in Chengdu with more than 38,000 full-time undergraduates and over 33,000 master’s and doctoral students.[1] It is ranked joint 300th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 324th in 2026, according to a ranking aggregator that republishes QS tables.[2]
International tuition is set per year by level and subject: bachelor’s RMB 17,500 (humanities, economics, management) or RMB 22,000 (science and engineering), master’s RMB 22,000 or 25,000, doctorate RMB 26,000 or 37,000. Medicine, arts and sports are higher.[3][4][5] Chinese-taught programmes need HSK 5 (180 points) at bachelor’s level; English-taught programmes need TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0.[6]
Key facts
| Official name | Sichuan University (四川大学), abbreviated SCU |
| Location | Chengdu, Sichuan, China; four campuses: Wangjiang, Huaxi, Jiang’an and Meishan[1] |
| Type | Public comprehensive research university, directly administered by the Ministry of Education; Project 211, Project 985 and Double First-Class[7] |
| Founded | 1896 (Sichuan Chinese and Western School); present university formed in 2000 by merging Sichuan University and West China University of Medical Sciences[7] |
| Students | Over 38,000 full-time undergraduates and over 33,000 master’s and doctoral students[1] |
| International students | More than 3,000, counted together with students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan[1] |
| Disciplines | 13 disciplines, including literature, science, engineering, medicine, economics, management and law[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | =300 (324th in 2026)[2] |
| Tuition, bachelor’s | RMB 17,500 (humanities, economics, management) · RMB 22,000 (science, engineering) per year; medicine and arts RMB 29,250–45,000[3] |
| Tuition, master’s | RMB 22,000 (humanities, economics, management) · RMB 25,000 (science, engineering) per year; MBA RMB 39,200[4] |
| Tuition, doctorate | RMB 26,000 (humanities, economics, management) · RMB 37,000 (science, engineering) per year[5] |
| Length of study | Bachelor’s 4 to 6 years, master’s 2 to 3 years, doctorate 3 to 4 years[8] |
| Application fee | RMB 600, non-refundable (also for scholarship applicants)[9] |
| Official website | global.scu.edu.cn (Overseas Students Office) |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Sichuan University
Sichuan University’s earliest predecessor, the Sichuan Chinese and Western School, opened on 18 June 1896. In 1931 three institutions merged as National Sichuan University, and in September 2000 the university merged with West China University of Medical Sciences to form its present shape.[7]
SCU describes itself as a university with 13 disciplines and four campuses: Wangjiang, Huaxi and Jiang’an in Chengdu, plus Meishan.[1] It is a public university run by the Ministry of Education and belongs to Project 211, Project 985 and the Double First-Class programme, the Chinese government schemes that fund selected universities.[7] The Overseas Students Office, which handles international admissions, sits on the Wangjiang Campus.[3]
How is Sichuan University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Sichuan University is joint 300th in the world. In 2026 it was 324th, so it rose by 24 places.[2] We could not read the QS table itself (topuniversities.com blocks automated access), so the figure comes from a ranking aggregator that republishes it.[2]
The university states that it ranked 87th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) in 2025 and that eight of its disciplines are in the top 0.1% of the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) database.[1] Wikipedia gives a different ARWU position (77th) and labels the edition inconsistently, so we do not rely on it.[7] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Sichuan University?
International students can apply for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes, a Chinese language programme, non-degree and exchange programmes.[9] The university does not run a preparatory programme.[10]
- Bachelor’s: 4 to 6 years depending on the programme; fee categories cover humanities, economics and management, science and engineering, pharmacy and public health, stomatology, clinical medicine (MBBS), arts and sports, and archaeology.[8][3]
- Master’s: 2 to 3 years, in Chinese or English; the master’s menu lists each college’s majors with the language of instruction and length.[11]
- Doctorate: 3 to 4 years.[8]
Programme content, courses and teaching arrangements are handled by each college; the Overseas Students Office points applicants to the college websites.[11]
How much does Sichuan University cost for international students?
| Subject area | Bachelor’s per year | Master’s per year | Doctorate per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities, economics, management | RMB 17,500 | RMB 22,000 | RMB 26,000 |
| Science and engineering | RMB 22,000 | RMB 25,000 | RMB 37,000 |
| Pharmacy / public health | RMB 29,250 | RMB 26,000 | RMB 31,200 |
| Stomatology | RMB 36,000 | RMB 40,000 | RMB 48,000 |
| Clinical medicine (MBBS at bachelor’s level) | RMB 45,000 | RMB 50,000 | RMB 60,000 |
| Arts and sports | RMB 45,000 | RMB 50,000 | RMB 60,000 |
| Archaeology | RMB 22,200 | RMB 26,000 | RMB 30,000 |
These are the annual tuition tables of the Overseas Students Office.[3][4][5] The pages do not name an academic year, so confirm the figure for your intake. Master’s MBA costs RMB 39,200 and the MEM (Master of Engineering Management) RMB 39,000 per year.[4]
Other costs and scholarships
Applicants pay a non-refundable application fee of RMB 600; scholarship applicants pay it too.[9] SCU recommends proof of funds of at least US$5,000 (a family bank deposit certificate or a parent’s or guardian’s income certificate), which full-scholarship applicants do not need to provide.[12] The Chinese Government Scholarship is administered through the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and the Overseas Students Office website.[9] For rent and living costs in Chengdu, see our Study in China guide.
How do you apply to Sichuan University?
Most applicants register on the Overseas Students Office website at global.scu.edu.cn/oso and apply online. Applicants for the Chinese Government Scholarship also follow the rules of the China Scholarship Council.[9]
- Bachelor’s: applicants must be non-Chinese citizens, at least 18 and in principle under 25, with at least a high-school degree and good academic records. Documents include the passport, high-school certificate and transcripts, a personal statement, language certificates and a physical examination form.[6]
- Master’s: applicants aged 18 to 40 with a bachelor’s degree, two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors, a study plan and language certificates.[12]
- Selection: SCU judges applications on documents, interviews and other assessments. Applicants can usually check results in the online system within four to eight weeks.[9][10]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme. Master’s and doctoral applicants are advised to contact a supervisor before applying.[10] Once admitted, you cannot change major, length of study or language of instruction. Enrolment is normally in early March or early September, and you enter on an X1 or X2 student visa.[9]
Which language level do you need?
HSK is the Chinese proficiency test; its levels run from 1 to 6. For Chinese-taught bachelor’s programmes SCU asks for HSK 5 with at least 180 points, or an equivalent certificate; applicants whose highest degree was taught in Chinese can submit a certificate to that effect instead, and the Chinese Language bachelor’s needs no HSK certificate.[6]
For Chinese-taught master’s programmes the requirement is HSK 5 with 180 points for liberal-arts subjects such as literature, law, economics, management, history, philosophy, education and arts, and HSK 4 with 180 points for science, engineering, medicine and agriculture.[12]
For English-taught programmes, applicants who are not native English speakers need TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0 (or an equivalent), or a certificate that their highest degree was taught in English. Native English speakers are exempt.[6][12]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at Sichuan University for international students?
Does Sichuan University offer programmes in English?
What HSK level does Sichuan University require?
How is Sichuan University ranked?
Joint 300th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 324th in 2026.[2]
Do I need a supervisor before applying for a master’s or doctorate?
It is recommended but not required: SCU advises contacting a supervisor by e-mail to improve your chances, and says it can assign one if you apply first.[10]
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
- Nankai University
- Peking University
- Shanghai Jiao Tong 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] Sichuan University Overseas Students Office: Overview of Sichuan University (listed as 23 Feb 2023, but the text cites 2025 data)
[2] Xuanxiao: Sichuan University (QS rank by edition; QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (data fetched 3 Nov 2026; QS 2027 edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Sichuan University Overseas Students Office: Undergraduate Program Tuition Fees (page without a date)
[4] Sichuan University Overseas Students Office: Master’s Degree Program Tuition Fees (page without a date)
[5] Sichuan University Overseas Students Office: Doctor’s Degree Program Tuition Fees (page without a date)
[6] Sichuan University Overseas Students Office: Application Requirements for Undergraduates (page without a date)
[7] Wikipedia: Sichuan University (history, mergers and affiliation)
[8] Sichuan University Overseas Students Office: Length of Schooling and Academic Term (page without a date)
[9] Sichuan University Overseas Students Office: Application Procedures (page without a date)
[10] Sichuan University Overseas Students Office: Q&A, Application and Admission (page without a date)
[11] Sichuan University Overseas Students Office: Menu of Master Program (page without a date)
[12] Sichuan University Overseas Students Office: Application Requirements for Master’s Degree (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.