Wuhan University

Key facts

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

About Wuhan University

Wuhan University says its history can be traced back to the Ziqiang Institute, founded in 1893 by Zhang Zhidong, then governor of Hubei and Hunan. In 1928 it became Wuhan National University, one of China’s earliest comprehensive universities. In 2000 it merged with Wuhan University of Hydraulic and Electric Engineering, Wuhan Technical University of Surveying and Mapping and Hubei Medical University.^[1]

WHU is a public university administered and funded by the Ministry of Education and belongs to Project 985, Project 211 and the Double First-Class programme.^[2] Its campus lies beside East Lake and Luojia Mountain, and its English site describes 13 major academic disciplines.^[1]

Student numbers depend on the source. Wikipedia reports 29,488 full-time undergraduates, 24,126 master’s candidates, more than 10,000 doctoral candidates and 3,007 international students for 2024.^[2] A ranking aggregator citing the Times Higher Education 2027 data gives 46,897 full-time equivalent students.^[6] These counts measure different things, so we show both.

How is Wuhan University ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Wuhan University is 165th (tied), up from 186th in 2026 and 194th (tied) in 2025.^[3] A second article that republishes the QS table gives the same position, tied with the University of Barcelona.^[7]

Wikipedia describes the 165th place as a 2026 result because it uses the publication year; the QS edition is called 2027.^[2] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at Wuhan University?

International degree students apply through the School of International Education.^[5]

• Bachelor’s: four to six years. Most programmes are taught in Chinese and a few in English; the guide links to separate lists of Chinese-taught and English-taught undergraduate programmes.^[5]
• Master’s: two to three years. Most programmes are taught in Chinese and a few in English.^[8]
• Doctorate: four years, same language split.^[8]

The admissions site also lists an English Medium Program section for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, a non-degree Chinese language programme and a short-term programme.^[9]

How much does Wuhan University cost for international students?

These amounts are paid per year on the fee structure page of the School of International Education.^[4] The page names no academic year, so confirm the current figure with the admissions office. The same page lists an application fee of RMB 800 (or USD 111) and insurance of RMB 500 per semester or RMB 1,000 per year; accommodation fees are on a separate page we did not read.^[4]

Scholarships

The admissions site has sections for the Chinese Government Scholarship, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship and other scholarships, and posts yearly notices on the Chinese Government Scholarship for graduate programmes.^[9] Scholarship applicants apply both in the university’s system and through the scholarship route described in the guide’s scholarship attachment.^[8] For living costs, see our Study in China guide and the China overview.

How do you apply to Wuhan University?

Create an account in the online application system at admission.whu.edu.cn, fill in the form and upload scanned documents.^[5]

• Bachelor’s: applicants are generally 18 to 30 years old on 1 September of the intake year. Documents include a passport copy, high school diploma and transcripts, CSCA transcripts, an HSK report for Chinese-taught programmes or an English certificate for English-taught ones, a bank statement of US$5,000 or more and a physical examination report issued within six months. Applicants who pass the document review take an interview and entrance exam; outstanding applicants may be exempted from the interview.^[5]
• Master’s and doctorate: master’s applicants should generally be no older than 35 and doctoral applicants no older than 45. Documents include degree certificates, transcripts, two academic recommendation letters from professors or associate professors, and language proof.^[8]

We give no deadlines here because they change every year; the guides list the application windows for each semester. Admitted students apply for an X1 or X2 student visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate and must register in the registration period noted in the Admission Notice.^[5]

Which language level do you need?

Chinese-taught programmes: new HSK level 4 with a score of 180 or more, at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level. Applicants whose mother tongue is Chinese, or who were taught in Chinese in high school, may be exempted if the university approves.^[5][8]

English-taught programmes: TOEFL 80 or higher, TOEFL Essentials 8 or higher, or IELTS 6.0 or higher. Native English speakers and applicants with a previous degree taught in English can be exempted if the university approves.^[5][8]

Applicants to the Chinese Language major with HSK 4 (180 or more) and a year of Chinese study can be placed into the second year, and those with HSK 5 (180 or more) and the same study into the third year, after an assessment.^[5]

More about studying in China

• China: best universities
• Study in China: complete guide
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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