Nankai University
南开大学
Photo: Amazingloong, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tianjin, Tianjin. Founded 1919.
Renowned for chemistry, mathematics and economics.
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
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Applied Economics
- World History
- Materials Science and Engineering
Admission & selectivity
International applicants
~10–20% (est.)Nankai University does not publish an acceptance rate for international applicants. Overseas undergraduate applicants are admitted on a materials-based review (passport, high-school transcripts and diploma, personal statement, recommendations and language certificates), with some programs delivered via a '1+3' pathway (one preparatory year plus three degree years).
Chinese-taught programs require at least HSK Level 4 (210+); English-taught programs require IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 85.
Domestic (mainland) students
Top ~0.5–1.5% provincial (est.)Admission for mainland students is by gaokao score ranking within each province, not by a published acceptance rate; no such rate is released. Nankai is a C9-adjacent Double First-Class and former Project 985/211 university and is among the most selective in China, typically requiring scores in roughly the top ~1% of test-takers in each province.
Language of instruction
All undergraduate degrees are Chinese-taught (HSK 4 with 180+ required for admission, HSK 6 to graduate); listed bachelor programs are taught in Chinese, and English-medium study is graduate-only (about nine postgraduate majors).
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 Level 4 (score ≥180) required for ADMISSION to Chinese-taught undergraduate programs; HSK Level 6 (score ≥180) must be attained before graduation.
- Minimum GPA
- To be verified
- Tuition / year
- $3,662 / year (¥26,000)
- Application window
- October 20, 2025 – June 30, 2026 (autumn 2026 intake)
Some requirement details above are still being verified, check the official site.
Colleges & schools30
- College of Chemistry
- College of Life Sciences
- College of Pharmacy
- School of Medicine
- School of Physics
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- Chern Institute of Mathematics
- College of Computer Science
- College of Cyber Science
- College of Artificial Intelligence
- College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering
- College of Software
- School of Statistics and Data Science
- School of Economics
- School of Finance
- Zhou Enlai School of Government
- College of Economic and Social Development
- College of Tourism and Service Management
- School of Law
- School of Literature
- College of Foreign Languages
- School of Journalism and Communication
- College of Philosophy
- College of History
- School of Marxism
- College of Chinese Language and Culture
- School of International Education
- Business School
How admission works
International undergraduates follow a '1+3' pathway: one foundation year at the School of International Education, then three years in the chosen major (4 years total; 5 for medicine).
All applicants take the CSCA test and apply online at nankai.at0086.cn; after document review, shortlisted applicants are interviewed. HSK 4 is required for entry and HSK 6 before graduation; all undergraduate programs are Chinese-taught.
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.