Central South University
中南大学
Photo: Huangdan2060, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Changsha, Hunan. Founded 2000.
Strong in metallurgy, mining and medicine.
Intl acceptance
Intl tuition / year
HSK requirement
Most Chinese universities publish no acceptance rate, admission is by gaokao score cut-off (domestic) or materials review (international). See selectivity below for how it actually works for each pool.
Strengths
- Metallurgical Engineering (A+)
- Mining Engineering (A+)
- Nursing (A+, Xiangya School of Medicine)
- Materials Science & Engineering
- Transportation Engineering
- Mathematics
Admission & selectivity
International applicants
~15–25% (est.)Central South University publishes no acceptance rate for international applicants. Admission is materials-based through its School of International Education: applicants submit transcripts, prior diploma, a study plan and language proof.
Chinese-taught programs require HSK; English-taught programs (including the English-medium MBBS) require IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 85 for non-native English speakers. Medical program applications are handled via the Xiangya medical campus.
Domestic (mainland) students
Top ~2–4% provincial (est.)Admission for mainland students is by gaokao score ranking within each province; no acceptance rate is published. Central South University is a Double First Class / former Project 985 & 211 university and is among the most selective in China, typically requiring gaokao scores in roughly the top ~1-2% of test-takers in a given province.
Language of instruction
Most undergraduate degrees are Chinese-taught, but Central South University offers full English-taught bachelor programs including the English-medium MBBS plus engineering/science degrees (Civil, Mechanical, Software and Mining Engineering, Mathematics, Computing Science, several jointly with the University of Dundee); English-taught programs require IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 85.
RequirementsInternational undergraduate
These figures are for international undergraduateadmission. Master’s and PhD requirements, funding and deadlines differ, see the official site (graduate programs are often more English-taught and better funded).
- HSK level
- HSK 4 ≥260 (science/engineering, Chinese-taught); HSK 5 ≥200 (medical and arts programs, Chinese-taught)
- Minimum GPA
- To be verified
- Tuition / year
- $2,655 / year (¥18,000)
- Application window
- By May 31, 2026 (self-supporting undergraduate and graduate, autumn 2026 intake)
Some requirement details above are still being verified, check the official site.
Colleges & schools30
- School of Literature and Journalism
- School of Foreign Languages
- School of Architecture and Art
- Business School
- Law School
- School of Marxism
- School of Public Administration
- School of Mathematics and Statistics
- School of Physics and Electronics
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
- School of Energy Science and Engineering
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Powder Metallurgy Research Institute
- School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering
- School of Civil Engineering
- School of Metallurgy and Environment
- School of Geoscience and Environmental Engineering
- School of Info-physics and Geomatics Engineering
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering
- School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering
- School of Information Science and Engineering
- Xiangya School of Medicine
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Xiangya School of Public Health
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- Xiangya School of Stomatology
- School of Life Sciences
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Aier School of Ophthalmology
How admission works
Chinese-taught science/engineering programs require HSK 4 ≥260; medicine and arts require HSK 5 ≥200. University formed by merger of three institutions in 2000. Xiangya School of Medicine is one of China's most prestigious medical schools.
Graduate tuition confirmed from 2026 guide; undergraduate tuition from 2019 official standards PDF, 2026 undergraduate tuition may have been updated but no newer official document was obtainable.
Frequently asked
How do I apply?
Most Chinese universities take applications through their own international admissions portal. Open the official website below to see the current steps, required documents and deadlines, then start your file with us and we will guide you through it.
What does it cost?
Tuition, housing and living costs vary by program and city. Where we have a figure confirmed from the official site, it is shown above, otherwise it is marked to verify. Always confirm the current amount on the official site before you budget.
Is it a reach for me?
Admission depends on your grades, your Chinese or English level and the specific program. We can look at your profile together and suggest a realistic list, this university included, rather than guessing.