The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) is a public university in Hefei, run under the Chinese Academy of Sciences,[1] with 7,426 undergraduates, 5,641 graduate students and 3,651 PhD students according to its facts page.[2] It is ranked 134th (tied) in the QS World University Rankings 2027, down from 132nd (tied) in 2026.[3]
For international students the published tuition is RMB 26,000 per year for bachelor’s programmes, RMB 30,000 for most master’s programmes and RMB 35,000 for doctorates.[1][4][5] Bachelor’s programmes are taught in Chinese and need HSK level 5; nearly all doctoral programmes offer English instruction.[1][5]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Science and Technology of China (中国科学技术大学), abbreviated USTC |
| Location | Hefei, Anhui Province, China (International College: 96 Jinzhai Road, East Campus)[1] |
| Type | Public university under the leadership of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); member of the C9 League[6] |
| Founded | 1958 in Beijing by the Chinese Academy of Sciences; moved to Hefei in 1970[7] |
| Students | 7,426 undergraduates, 5,641 graduate students and 3,651 PhD students (16,718 in total by adding the three figures)[2] |
| Academic staff | 2,621, of whom 817 are full professors; 55 CAS/CAE academicians[2] |
| Bachelor’s programmes for international students | 40 programmes in 15 disciplines, taught in Chinese, four years[1] |
| Master’s programmes for international students | 70 programmes, some in English; generally two to three years[4] |
| Doctoral programmes for international students | 82 programmes, nearly all with English instruction; generally four years[5] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 134th (tied); 132nd (tied) in 2026[3] |
| Tuition, bachelor’s | RMB 26,000 per academic year (2027 intake)[1] |
| Tuition, master’s | RMB 30,000 per academic year for most programmes; RMB 100,000 to 150,000 in total for a few[4] |
| Tuition, doctorate | RMB 35,000 per academic year[5] |
| Official website | en.ustc.edu.cn |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About the University of Science and Technology of China
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) established USTC in Beijing in 1958 to meet the country’s science and technology needs. In 1970 the university relocated to Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province.[7] Later milestones on its history page include the first graduate school in China (1978), Project 211 (1995), Project 985 (1999) and the national Double First-Class initiative (2017).[7]
USTC is under the leadership of CAS and describes itself as a science and engineering university with advanced science and high-technology programmes, medical programmes and some management and humanities disciplines.[1] It belongs to the C9 League, and is co-funded by CAS, the Ministry of Education and the Anhui provincial government.[6]
The facts page lists 7,426 undergraduates, 5,641 graduate students, 3,651 PhD students, 2,621 academic staff, 817 full professors and 55 academicians of the Chinese academies.[2] The page has no date, so treat the counts as approximate.
How is USTC ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, USTC is 134th (tied), two places lower than the 132nd (tied) position of 2026. A commentary on the ranking calls it the one faller among the leading ten mainland Chinese universities.[3] A second article that republishes the QS table gives the same position, tied with IIT Bombay.[8]
The university’s facts page highlights other measures: sixth among mainland Chinese universities in the THE ranking 2026 and first among them in the Nature Index 2025.[2] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at USTC?
International degree students apply through the International College. The programme counts below come from its admission pages.
- Bachelor’s: 40 programmes across 15 disciplines, among them mathematics, physics, chemistry, materials science, life sciences, engineering, electronic information, computer science, artificial intelligence and management. All are four-year, full-time programmes taught in Chinese.[1]
- Master’s: 70 programmes, generally two to three years. Some are taught in English; the university publishes separate Chinese-taught and English-taught lists for 2027.[4]
- Doctorate: 82 programmes, generally four years, nearly all offering English instruction.[5]
Applicants to master’s and doctoral programmes are not required to contact a supervisor before applying.[4][5]
How much does USTC cost for international students?
| Level | Tuition |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | RMB 26,000 per academic year |
| Master’s (most programmes) | RMB 30,000 per academic year |
| Master’s: Computer Science, Software Engineering | RMB 100,000 in total (each) |
| Master of Public Administration | RMB 120,000 in total |
| MBA | RMB 150,000 in total |
| Doctorate | RMB 35,000 per academic year |
The bachelor’s figure is on the page for the 2027 intake, together with insurance of RMB 800 per academic year and on-campus dormitory fees of RMB 500 to 1,000 per month depending on room type and size.[1] The master’s and doctoral pages for the 2027 intake list their tuition and require comprehensive medical insurance valid in China.[4][5]
Scholarships
The university offers a USTC Scholarship for bachelor’s applicants, and bachelor’s applicants can also apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship through the Chinese embassy in their home country.[1] Master’s and doctoral applicants can apply for the CAS-ANSO Scholarship, the Chinese Government Scholarship and the USTC Scholarship; coverage and dates are in separate announcements.[4][5] For living costs, see our Study in China guide and the China overview.
How do you apply to USTC?
Applicants register in the USTC Online Application System for International Students and upload their documents.[1]
- Bachelor’s: take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA, organised by the China Scholarship Council) in Chinese for STEM, mathematics and physics or chemistry, then apply online. The university reviews CSCA scores with the other materials and may require an assessment or extra exams. Documents include notarised high school certificate and transcripts, recommendation letter, personal statement, certificate of no criminal record and a statement of financial support. SAT, IB, A-Level, ACT or AST scores from the past two years are optional reference material.[1]
- Master’s and doctorate: a study or research proposal of at least 1,000 words, a CV, two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors, notarised degree certificates and transcripts, a physical examination form and a certificate of no criminal record. After a document review, departments run online interviews and sometimes written tests.[4][5]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year; the pages list separate windows for programmes and scholarships. Admission results come out in June or July for the following autumn.[1][4]
Which language level do you need?
Bachelor’s: new HSK level 5 or above. Applicants whose native language is Chinese, or who studied at a Chinese-taught high school, can apply for an exemption.[1]
Master’s and doctorate: Chinese-taught programmes need HSK level 4 or above, with the same exemptions. English-taught programmes need evidence of English proficiency such as an IELTS or TOEFL score report, unless English is your native language.[4][5] The pages do not state minimum IELTS or TOEFL scores, so ask the programme before you book a test.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at USTC for international students?
How is USTC ranked?
It is 134th (tied) in the QS World University Rankings 2027, after 132nd (tied) in 2026.[3]
Can I study in English at USTC?
Do I need a supervisor before I apply for a master’s or PhD?
Which scholarships can international students apply for at USTC?
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
- Sichuan University
- Southeast University
- Sun Yat-sen University
- Tianjin University
- Tongji University
- Tsinghua University
- Wuhan University
- Xiamen University
- Xi’an Jiaotong University
- Zhejiang University
Sources
[1] USTC International College: Undergraduate admissions for international students (page without a date; covers the 2027 intake)
[2] USTC: Facts & Figures (page without a date; mixes figures from 2019 to 2025)
[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] USTC International College: Master’s admissions for international students (page without a date; covers the 2027 intake)
[5] USTC International College: Doctoral admissions for international students (page without a date; covers the 2027 intake)
[6] Wikipedia: University of Science and Technology of China (page without a stated edition date; C9 League and funding)
[7] USTC: About (history) (page without a date)
[8] 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)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.