University of Science and Technology of China
中国科学技术大学
Photo: Ryanli, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hefei, Anhui. Founded 1958.
Elite school for the pure and applied sciences.
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
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Computer Science & AI
- Materials Science
- Quantum Information Science
Admission & selectivity
International applicants
~15–30% (est.)USTC publishes no international acceptance rate. International undergraduate admission is materials-based (no gaokao): applicants submit high-school transcripts, graduation certificate, a study plan, recommendation letters, and language proof, and are selected by document review (some cases involve an interview or entrance test).
Chinese-taught undergraduate programs require HSK Level 5; the 4-year undergraduate degrees are mainly delivered in Chinese. Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens, under 30, and have completed senior high school.
Applications open in October and close around March, with decisions by June/July.
Domestic (mainland) students
Top ~0.2–0.5% provincial (est.)No domestic acceptance rate is published. Domestic undergraduate admission is gaokao-based: USTC is one of China's most selective universities and typically admits students scoring in the top fraction of a percent in their province (frequently top ~0.1-0.3%), with province-specific score/ranking cut-offs set each year through the centralized national college-entrance allocation system rather than an application-acceptance ratio.
Language of instruction
Undergraduate degrees are 4-year full-time programs mainly delivered in Chinese (some courses taught in English or bilingually), so Chinese-taught undergraduate applicants need HSK Level 5.
USTC does not offer a full undergraduate degree taught entirely in English; English-medium instruction is concentrated at the graduate (master's/PhD) level, where TOEFL/IELTS proof of English proficiency is expected for non-native speakers.
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
- New HSK Level 5 or above required for Chinese-taught undergraduate programs (HSK exemption possible with certificate showing Chinese-medium high school instruction)
- Minimum GPA
- To be verified
- Tuition / year
- $3,835 / year (¥26,000)
- Application window
- November 14, 2025 – March 31, 2026 (online application)
Some requirement details above are still being verified, check the official site.
Colleges & schools13
- School for the Gifted Young
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- School of Physical Sciences
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology
- School of Life Sciences and Medicine
- School of Engineering Science
- School of Information Science and Technology
- School of Computer Science and Technology
- School of Earth and Space Science
- School of Software Engineering
- School of Management
- School of Humanities and Social Science
How admission works
International undergraduates must first take the CSCA test (China Scholastic Competency Assessment, www.csca.cn) covering Professional Chinese (STEM), Mathematics, and one elective (Physics or Chemistry).
Applications are then submitted online at http://isa.ustc.edu.cn and reviewed, followed by a university assessment (April or May). Admission is highly competitive; USTC accepts students primarily through the CSC/USTC Fellowship scholarship tracks.
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.