Why Nanjing University matters
Nanjing University (南京大学, Nánjīng Dàxué, or Nanda) is a C9 League university with a history stretching back to 258 CE, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the world. In its modern form, Nanda was established in 1902 and has been one of China's top universities ever since. It has particular strengths in physics, chemistry, astronomy, geosciences, Chinese language and literature, and philosophy.
Nanda is known for its academic seriousness and relatively low-key culture. If Tsinghua is the ambitious technologist and Beida the public intellectual, Nanda is the quiet scholar — a university that values depth over show, substance over style. This culture extends to its international programs, which are smaller and more intimate than those at Tsinghua or Fudan but offer genuine academic engagement.
Nanjing itself is one of China's most historically significant cities. It served as the capital of several Chinese dynasties and of the Republic of China. The city is filled with Ming dynasty walls, imperial tombs, and cultural heritage sites. It is more affordable and less hectic than Beijing or Shanghai, with a large student population and a growing international community.
Programs for international students
Nanda offers English-taught master's programs in physics, chemistry, geosciences, business, and Chinese studies. The Institute for International Students runs well-regarded Chinese language programs at all levels. The university is particularly strong for students who want to study Chinese literature, Chinese history, or Chinese philosophy — its Chinese studies programs are among the best in the country.
In the sciences, Nanda's physics and chemistry departments are nationally elite. The university's School of Astronomy and Space Science is the best in China. If you are a physics or astronomy student, Nanda offers research opportunities and faculty expertise that rival any university in the country. Several English-taught graduate programs in these fields accept international students.
The Chinese language program at Nanda is smaller than at BLCU but benefits from a more personalized approach and smaller class sizes. The city of Nanjing is an excellent environment for language immersion — large enough to be interesting, small enough that you cannot avoid using Chinese in daily life.
Campus and Nanjing life
Nanda's Xianlin campus, where most students are based, is in Nanjing's university district in the eastern suburbs. The campus is modern and well-equipped, with good dormitory facilities for international students at 600-1,200 RMB per month. The Gulou campus in the city center houses some graduate programs and administrative offices, and is surrounded by the historic heart of Nanjing.
Nanjing is a city of 9 million people with a rich cultural scene, excellent food (particularly Nanjing salted duck and duck blood soup), and a more relaxed pace than Beijing or Shanghai. The cost of living is significantly lower — a comfortable student budget is 1,500-2,500 RMB per month for food and personal expenses. The city has a metro system, high-speed rail connections to Shanghai (1 hour) and Beijing (3.5 hours), and an international airport.
The student community in Nanjing is large, with several major universities in the city. Nanjing's international student population is smaller than Beijing's or Shanghai's, which means more immersion in Chinese language and culture but fewer international amenities. For many students, this is an advantage rather than a drawback.
Admissions and costs
Admission requirements follow the standard C9 pattern: HSK 5 for Chinese-taught undergraduate programs, HSK 5 (score 210+) or HSK 6 for graduate programs. English-taught programs require IELTS 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL 80-90. Nanda's CSC scholarship allocation is generous for a university of its caliber, reflecting its commitment to international education.
Tuition for Chinese-taught undergraduate programs is approximately 20,000 RMB per year. Chinese-taught master's programs cost 25,000-28,000 RMB per year. English-taught master's programs cost 35,000-50,000 RMB per year. These rates are lower than at Tsinghua, Beida, or Fudan, reflecting Nanjing's lower cost of living.
The combination of lower tuition and lower living costs makes Nanda one of the best value C9 universities for international students. The CSC scholarship stipend goes significantly further in Nanjing than in Beijing or Shanghai, and self-funded study is more affordable. For students who prioritize academic quality over urban glamour, Nanda offers an excellent deal.