Zhejiang University (ZJU) is a public university in Hangzhou that dates its founding to 1897 and has seven campuses.[1] It is ranked 47th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from 49th in 2026.[2] Its facts page lists more than 28,000 full-time undergraduates, more than 41,000 full-time graduate students and more than 4,700 degree-seeking international students.[1]
Standard tuition for international students is RMB 19,800 to 42,800 a year at bachelor’s level, RMB 22,800 to 32,800 for a master’s and RMB 29,800 to 39,800 for a doctorate, depending on the field. English-taught master’s and doctoral programmes add RMB 8,000 a year.[3] Applicants to Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes need an HSK certificate and the CSCA test.[4]
Key facts
| Official name | Zhejiang University (浙江大学) |
| Location | Hangzhou, Zhejiang; mailing address of the admissions office: Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058[5] |
| Type | Public university, affiliated with the Ministry of Education; member of the C9 League[6] |
| Founded | 1897 (predecessor Qiushi Academy); present university formed by a merger in 1998[6] |
| Full-time students (facts page) | More than 28,000 undergraduates and more than 41,000 graduate students, plus more than 4,700 degree-seeking international students[1] |
| Students (other figures) | A second block on the same page gives 26,527 undergraduates, 34,212 graduates and 5,596 international students;[1] Wikipedia lists 78,497 students for 2024[6] |
| Colleges and schools | 41 (the same page also says 37)[1] |
| Campuses | Seven: Zijingang (main), Yuquan, Xixi, Huajiachi, Zhijiang, Zhoushan and Haining International Campus[7] |
| Affiliated hospitals | 7[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 47th (49th in 2026, =47th in 2025)[2] |
| Tuition, bachelor’s (undated fee page) | RMB 19,800–29,800 a year; MBBS RMB 42,800[3] |
| Tuition, master’s and doctorate (undated fee page) | Master’s RMB 22,800–32,800; doctorate RMB 29,800–39,800 a year; English-taught programmes +RMB 8,000[3] |
| Application fee | RMB 800, non-refundable[4] |
| Official website | zju.edu.cn |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Zhejiang University
ZJU’s facts page gives 1897 as its founding year.[1] According to Wikipedia its predecessor, Qiushi Academy, was founded that year in Hangzhou. The university itself was established in 1927 as National Third Chung Shan University, became Chekiang University in 1928 and took the name Zhejiang University in 1950. In 1998 Zhejiang Medical University, Hangzhou University and Zhejiang Agricultural University merged with it, with State Council approval, to form the present comprehensive university.[6]
The university has seven campuses.[7] Zijingang, in north-west Hangzhou, is the main campus and the home of first- and second-year undergraduates. Yuquan lies about 8 km away near the West Lake and houses most schools of the Faculty of Engineering.[8]
How is Zhejiang University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Zhejiang University is 47th in the world, after 49th in 2026 and =47th in 2025.[2] A second table reports the same 2027 and 2026 positions.[9] In the same edition Peking University is 13th, Tsinghua University 14th and Fudan University 26th.[2]
QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access, and we found no official ZJU announcement of the 2027 position, so these are secondary tables. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. For the national league table see Best universities in China.
What can you study at Zhejiang University?
The international admissions site has separate application guides for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes, and for non-degree Chinese language and culture programmes.[4] Bachelor’s programmes run 4 to 6 years and are mostly taught in Chinese, with some taught in English.[4]
The scholarships page groups awards by level and names, among others, a scholarship for new MBBS students and scholarships for English-taught dual degree programmes with the ZJU–University of Edinburgh Institute.[10] The full list of schools, departments and programmes is in the programme catalogue on the international admissions site.
How much does Zhejiang University cost for international students?
| Field | Bachelor’s per year | Master’s per year | Doctorate per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy, literature, history | RMB 19,800 | RMB 22,800 | RMB 29,800 |
| Economics, business, law, education, science, engineering, agriculture | RMB 24,800 | RMB 28,800 | RMB 34,800 |
| Medical science, art | RMB 29,800 | RMB 32,800 | RMB 39,800 |
| Clinical Medicine (MBBS) | RMB 42,800 | – | – |
These are the rates on ZJU’s international admissions fee page, which shows no academic year or date.[3] Doctoral, master’s and other advanced-study programmes taught in English carry an additional RMB 8,000 per academic year.[3] Final amounts are those in your official admission notice, and tuition is generally not refunded for self-funded students.[11] The application fee is RMB 800, non-refundable, and medical insurance costs RMB 800 per academic year.[11]
Some programmes are priced separately; the guides tell you to look in the programme catalogue.[4][12] Fees are payable in RMB; a payment made in US dollars is converted at the rate on the remittance date and any shortfall must be paid on arrival.[3] For living costs see our Study in China guide.
Scholarships
The scholarships page lists the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A for bachelor’s, master’s and PhD; Type B for master’s and PhD), the Zhejiang Government Scholarship and other awards by level. The page names the awards but does not describe their coverage.[10]
How do you apply to Zhejiang University?
All levels use the Online Application System for International Students; hard copies and emailed materials are not reviewed.[4][12][11]
- Bachelor’s: create an account, pay the application fee, upload the documents (including a personal statement of about 800 words and two recommendation letters), pass the preliminary review and take a video interview arranged by the school. Successful applicants must prepay the first-year tuition within the stated period or the pre-admission is cancelled. Applicants must be under 25 and hold a foreign passport.[4]
- Master’s: upload degree certificates, transcripts, language certificates, a personal statement of at least 1,500 words and two recommendation letters; some programmes also require a supervisor’s provisional acceptance form. Applicants should be under 35, a limit that is flexible for experienced applicants.[12]
- Doctorate: the same documents plus a study proposal in the personal statement; a master’s degree is required, the age limit is 40, and the guide recommends contacting a potential supervisor before applying.[11]
The guides carry the “2026” label and a copyright year of 2022, so we cannot confirm their update dates. We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by programme; check the international admissions site.
Which language level do you need?
Bachelor’s, Chinese-taught: an HSK certificate is required. Applicants who studied core subjects in Chinese at secondary school can be exempt if they prove the language of instruction. The guide does not state the HSK level.[4]
Bachelor’s, English-taught: non-native speakers of English submit a test score such as TOEFL or IELTS. All undergraduate applicants also need a valid CSCA report, with required subjects and languages varying by major, and national or international exam results such as SAT, IB or A-Levels where applicable.[4]
Master’s and doctorate: the guides refer to a separate PDF, “Language Proficiency Requirements of Graduate Programs at Zhejiang University for International Applicants”. We could not read it, so we state no graduate score.[12][11]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at Zhejiang University for international students?
On ZJU’s undated fee page, bachelor’s tuition is RMB 19,800 to 29,800 a year (MBBS RMB 42,800), master’s RMB 22,800 to 32,800 and doctorate RMB 29,800 to 39,800, with RMB 8,000 extra for English-taught master’s and doctoral programmes.[3]
How is Zhejiang University ranked?
How many international students does Zhejiang University have?
The facts page gives more than 4,700 degree-seeking international students in its main profile and 5,596 in a second block, with no “as of” date.[1]
Do I need to speak Chinese to study at Zhejiang University?
What is the CSCA and do I need it?
All international applicants to undergraduate programmes must provide a valid CSCA report; the required subjects and languages depend on the major.[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
- 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
Sources
[1] Zhejiang University: Facts & Figures (page dated 24 Mar 2023; figures without “as of” date and inconsistent within the page)
[2] Xuanxiao: QS World University Rankings 2027, results and analysis (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article dated 19 Jun 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Zhejiang University International Admissions: Fees & Bank Account Info (page without a date, footer 2022)
[4] Zhejiang University International Admissions: Application Guide for Bachelor’s Degree Programs (guide for the 2026 intake, page URL dated 30 Oct 2024)
[5] Zhejiang University International Admissions: Contact us (page URL dated 17 Jun 2022)
[6] Wikipedia: Zhejiang University (history, mergers, C9 membership, 2024 student figure)
[7] Zhejiang University: About (page without a single date)
[8] Zhejiang University: ZJU Campuses (page without a date)
[9] Uhomes: QS World University Rankings 2027 (table with 2027 and 2026 ranks) (page updated 15 Jul 2026)
[10] Zhejiang University International Admissions: Scholarships (list of award names, page without a date)
[11] Zhejiang University International Admissions: Application Guide for Doctoral Degree Programs 2026 (page URL dated 30 Oct 2024)
[12] Zhejiang University International Admissions: Application Guide for Master’s Degree Programs 2026 (page URL dated 30 Oct 2024)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.