Painted interpretation inspired by Swasey Hall’s clock tower and subtropical greenery on Sun Yat-sen University’s Guangzhou South Campus
Sun Yat-sen University official seal

SYSUGuangzhou, China

International undergraduate study

Sun Yat-sen University

中山大学

A century of discovery in the Greater Bay Area

  • Founded 1924
  • Project 985
  • Project 211
  • Double First-Class
Verified official sourcesUpdated 11 October 2026
QS ranking#=258
LocationGuangdong · 3 cities
Teaching languageChinese
Degree length4–5 years
Tuition guideRMB 26,000–48,000/year
Application status2026 closed

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

Founded in 1924 by Sun Yat-sen. A comprehensive research university rooted in Guangzhou, with campuses across three cities in the Greater Bay Area.

Explore SYSU’s story and strengths

History & identity

Founded by Sun Yat-sen in 1924, SYSU grew from National Guangdong University into a comprehensive research institution. The 2001 merger with Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences strengthened its medical tradition.

Academic strengths

A broad research community spans humanities, social sciences, business, sciences, engineering and medicine. The international undergraduate catalogue includes clinical medicine, pharmacy, computing, artificial intelligence and marine science.

Three cities, five campuses

Guangzhou has South, North and East campus sites; Zhuhai and Shenzhen each have a campus. Your programme and offer determine where you study. The catalogue identifies Guangzhou programmes at city level rather than assigning a specific site.

  • A broad research foundation

    Choose from a major research university’s international catalogue, including medicine, computing and marine science, within a long-established academic community.

  • A historic campus identity

    Guangzhou’s South Campus combines red-brick heritage buildings, mature trees and a century of university history beside the Pearl River.

  • A Greater Bay Area setting

    Programmes span Guangzhou, coastal Zhuhai and Shenzhen, giving your campus choice a distinct city setting in southern China.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK 5 · 180+ For direct undergraduate entry Scores, alternatives & exam details

Chinese Language: HSK 4 · 180+. Every other option in the main catalogue: HSK 5 · 180+.

Accepted alternatives

  • Chinese-medium high school or higher education, with a school certificate and SYSU approval

Submit a valid HSK certificate. CSC Type A can accept HSK 3 · 180+ at application with conditional Chinese preparation; meet the degree’s entry standard within one year. Language ability is also assessed at interview.

English language No English-taught degree listed All listed undergraduate options require Chinese Scores, alternatives & exam details

English and other foreign-language majors are also taught in Chinese.

Accepted alternatives

Not applicable

The 2026 main and undergraduate scholarship catalogues list Chinese as the teaching language. IELTS or TOEFL does not replace the Chinese requirement.

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by SYSU

Competitive estimateChinaStudyGuide target

Our competitive estimate is planning guidance, not an official admission requirement.

SYSU requires high-school graduation or equivalent and excellent academic results, but publishes no general A-Level, IB, SAT, ACT or UEC cut-off. The planning ranges below are provisional; medicine and technical subjects need strong relevant school results.

04/ 11CSCA

Do you need CSCA?

General admissionRequired
Chinese Government ScholarshipRequired
Which CSCA subjects do you need?
Chinese

Humanities Chinese or STEM Chinese for humanities and business; STEM Chinese for sciences, engineering and medicine. Chinese Language may waive this paper with valid HSK 4 · 180+.

By programme
Mathematics

Required for every undergraduate option, including Chinese Language and scholarship applicants.

Required
Physics

Required for science, engineering and agriculture, including Psychology and the Chemistry category. The English translation also adds Physics to medical options; see the note below.

By programme
Chemistry

Required for the medical group: Clinical Medicine, Basic Medical Sciences, Stomatology, Preventive Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.

Medicine

Take CSCA in Chinese. You may rank up to six majors; use the combination with the greatest number of papers among your choices. No minimum CSCA score is published. For 2026, Round 1 accepted tests before 1 March and Round 2 before 1 May.

For medicine, the Chinese catalogue lists STEM Chinese, Mathematics and Chemistry; its English translation additionally lists Physics. Confirm this discrepancy with SYSU before booking. Named CSC-only choices have no separate per-major paper table. Official paper combinations ↗ · CSCA registration ↗

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Direct degree entry or a conditional Chinese Government Scholarship preparation route.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose your programme

Choose your programme, campus group and funding channel. You may rank up to six main-catalogue choices and must say whether you accept reassignment; broad categories lead to major selection within the school.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

Study plan

CSC / university scholarship

Describe your education, interests, reasons for SYSU, study goals and career plans. Use the relevant award’s template; the general self-funded checklist does not require a study plan.

Two recommendation letters

CSC / university scholarship

Ask your high-school principal and a subject teacher, as normally required by these awards. Give them time to explain your academic strengths; use the award’s official template.

Scholarship nomination

University scholarship only

Obtain a scholarship recommendation from a SYSU-approved institution in your home country or an international admissions ambassador. This nomination is additional to the two school recommendation letters.

All other required documents

  • Passport & photograph

    Submit an ordinary passport and personal photograph. The 2026 passport validity requirement was beyond 1 December 2026; applicants already in mainland China also submit the valid visa / residence page and entry stamp.

  • Diploma & complete transcripts

    Submit your high-school diploma or equivalent and complete transcripts. Current students may use school-issued expected-graduation proof; submit the final qualification before enrolment or admission is invalid. CSC routes also request graduation / university-entry / international standardised results.

  • HSK / approved school certificate

    Submit valid HSK evidence or a Chinese-medium education certificate accepted by SYSU. Scholarship preparation has its own conditions.

  • CSCA report

    Submit the required test results. CSC invitation and Silk Road preliminary applications accept test-registration evidence at the stated stage; the degree application still requires results.

  • Medical examination

    Submit the Foreign Physical Examination Form, chest X-ray, ECG and required original laboratory reports, hospital-stamped and valid for six months. The general guide permits an adult in mainland China with a valid foreigner residence permit or permanent-residence ID to use that document instead.

  • Birth & nationality evidence

    A birth certificate is required. Former Chinese nationals and applicants born abroad to a Chinese parent need the specified nationality, renunciation / household-registration, parents’ overseas-residence and entry/exit evidence, including records from 1 May 2022 for the 2026 cycle.

  • Police certificate

    Provide a no-criminal-record certificate, normally issued within six months before application.

  • Guardian guarantee

    If under 18 on 1 September 2026, submit the guarantee and notarisation for an adult guardian resident in Guangdong.

  • Signed application & financial guarantee

    Print and hand-sign the portal-generated information form, undertaking and personal / sponsor financial guarantee, then upload them. CSC applicants also submit the signed CSC form; optional awards and experience evidence may support the file.

Use Chinese or English originals and notarised Chinese or English translations for other languages. Silk Road additionally specifies apostille or Chinese consular authentication for translations. Follow the checklist for your chosen award.

SYSU application portal Email admissions

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

110 options
Browse all 110 options

SYSU undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorSchool / departmentLanguage
Chinese Language & LiteratureDepartment of Chinese Language and Literature · Guangzhou / Department of Chinese (Zhuhai) · ZhuhaiChinese
Chinese LanguageDepartment of Chinese Language and Literature · GuangzhouChinese
HistoryDepartment of History · Guangzhou / Department of History (Zhuhai) · ZhuhaiChinese
Philosophy (broad entry)Department of Philosophy · GuangzhouChinese
Sociology (broad entry)School of Sociology and Anthropology · GuangzhouChinese
Economics (broad entry)Lingnan College · Guangzhou / International School of Business and Finance · ZhuhaiChinese
Foreign Language and Literature (broad entry)School of Foreign Languages · Guangzhou / School of International Studies · ZhuhaiChinese
LawSchool of Law · GuangzhouChinese
Public Administration (broad entry)School of Government · GuangzhouChinese
Business Management (broad entry)School of Business · Guangzhou / School of Business · ShenzhenChinese
PsychologyDepartment of Psychology · GuangzhouChinese
Journalism & Communication (broad entry)School of Journalism and Communication · GuangzhouChinese
Library, Information and Archive Management (broad entry)School of Information Management · GuangzhouChinese
Mathematical Sciences (broad entry)School of Mathematics · Guangzhou / School of Mathematics (Zhuhai) · ZhuhaiChinese
Physical Sciences (broad entry)School of Physics · Guangzhou / School of Physics and Astronomy · ZhuhaiChinese
Chemical Sciences (broad entry)School of Chemistry · GuangzhouChinese
Geographical Sciences (broad entry)School of Geography and Planning · GuangzhouChinese
Biological Sciences (broad entry)School of Life Sciences · GuangzhouChinese
Materials (broad entry)School of Materials Science and Engineering · GuangzhouChinese
Electronic Information (broad entry)School of Electronics and Information Technology · GuangzhouChinese
Computing (broad entry)School of Computer Science and Engineering · GuangzhouChinese
Environmental Science and Engineering (broad entry)School of Environmental Science and Engineering · GuangzhouChinese
Clinical MedicineZhongshan School of Medicine · Guangzhou / School of Medicine · ShenzhenChinese
Basic Medical SciencesZhongshan School of Medicine · GuangzhouChinese
StomatologyGuanghua School of Stomatology · GuangzhouChinese
Preventive MedicineSchool of Public Health · Guangzhou / School of Public Health (Shenzhen) · ShenzhenChinese
NursingSchool of Nursing · GuangzhouChinese
PharmacySchool of Pharmaceutical Sciences · Guangzhou / School of Pharmaceutical Sciences(Shenzhen) · ShenzhenChinese
PhilosophyDepartment of Philosophy (Zhuhai) · ZhuhaiChinese
International PoliticsSchool of International Relations · ZhuhaiChinese
Tourism Management (broad entry)School of Tourism Management · ZhuhaiChinese
Atmospheric Sciences (broad entry)School of Atmospheric Sciences · ZhuhaiChinese
Marine ScienceSchool of Marine Sciences · ZhuhaiChinese
Geological Sciences (broad entry)School of Earth Sciences and Engineering · ZhuhaiChinese
Chemical Engineering and TechnologySchool of Chemical Engineering and Technology · ZhuhaiChinese
Ocean Engineering and TechnologySchool of Ocean Engineering and Technology · ZhuhaiChinese
Civil,Water and Ocean EngineeringSchool of Civil Engineering · ZhuhaiChinese
Microelectronic Science and EngineeringSchool of Microelectronics Science and Technology · Zhuhai / School of Integrated Circuits · ShenzhenChinese
Remote Sensing Science and TechnologySchool of Remote Sensing Science and Technology · ZhuhaiChinese
Artificial IntelligenceSchool of Artificial Intelligence · ZhuhaiChinese
Software EngineeringSchool of Software Engineering · ZhuhaiChinese
Materials Science and EngineeringSchool of Materials · ShenzhenChinese
Biomedical EngineeringSchool of Biomedical Engineering · ShenzhenChinese
Electronic Information EngineeringSchool of Electronics and Communication Engineering · ShenzhenChinese
Intelligence Science and TechnologySchool of Intelligent Systems Engineering · ShenzhenChinese
Smart TransportationSchool of Intelligent Systems Engineering · ShenzhenChinese
Aeronautics and Astronautics (broad entry)School of Aeronautics and Astronautics · ShenzhenChinese
Smart AgricultureSchool of Agriculture and Biotechnology · ShenzhenChinese
BiotechnologySchool of Agriculture and Biotechnology · ShenzhenChinese
EcologySchool of Ecology · ShenzhenChinese
PhysicsSchool of Science · ShenzhenChinese
Mathematics and Applied MathematicsSchool of Science · ShenzhenChinese
Mechanical EngineeringSchool of Advanced Manufacturing · ShenzhenChinese
New Energy Science and EngineeringAdvanced Energy Institute · ShenzhenChinese
CybersecuritySchool of Cyber Science and Technology · ShenzhenChinese
Flexible ElectronicsSchool of Flexible Electronics · ShenzhenChinese
Environmental Science (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Communication Engineering (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Polymer Materials and Engineering (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Computer Science and Technology (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Political Science and Public Administration (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Sociology (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Journalism (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
German (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Japanese (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Korean (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Geological Engineering (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Business Administration (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Economics (CSC Type A)Lingnan CollegeChinese
Administrative Management (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Optoelectronic Information Science and Engineering (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Electronic Information Science and Technology (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
English (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Hotel Management (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Library Science (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Information and Computing Science (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Chemistry (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Human Geography and Urban–Rural Planning (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Communication (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
French (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Applied Meteorology (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Physical Geography and Resource Environment (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Statistics (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Environmental Engineering (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Urban and Rural Planning (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Anthropology (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Archival Studies (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Accounting (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Russian (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Materials Physics (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Finance (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Atmospheric Science (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Astronomy (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Applied Chemistry (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Geology (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Geophysics (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Geographic Information Science (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Biological Science (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Arabic (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Spanish (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Logic (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Materials Chemistry (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Archaeology (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Tourism Management (CSC Type A)School of Tourism ManagementChinese
Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (Engineering) (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Exhibition Economy and Management (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Optoelectronic Information Science and Engineering (Science) (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Artificial Intelligence (Engineering) (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese
Flexible Electronics (Electronic Information category) (CSC Type A)Not specified in the CSC catalogueChinese

How you choose your majorThe main catalogue’s 67 school destinations are consolidated into 56 options; named choices available only through CSC Type A are marked separately. You may rank six main-catalogue choices and accept reassignment. Broad-entry students choose their major within the school after first-year common training. All options are Chinese-taught; Guangzhou denotes a campus group, with your specific site confirmed on the offer. CSC-only choices do not establish self-funded access; use the award’s approved catalogue.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Annual budget

What will one year cost?

Estimated annual total · RMB69,400

Tuition

RMB / year26,000Published tuition reference

Accommodation

RMB / year21,600Living-cost estimate

Food

RMB / year14,400Living-cost estimate

Transport

RMB / year2,400Living-cost estimate

Other costs

RMB / year5,000Living-cost estimate
What’s included in the estimate?

Tuition

Choose humanities, science / engineering / agriculture, or medicine.

Accommodation

Shared private-rental allowance; self-funded students arrange housing.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 1,800 × 12

Food

Meals, groceries and occasional eating out.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 1,200 × 12

Transport

Local public transport and occasional taxis.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 200 × 12

Other costs

Insurance, utilities, books, phone and routine admin expenses.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate; includes official RMB 800 insurance

A 12-month self-funded planning budget using the 2026 official tuition and insurance rates. Living allowances are estimates; allow more for Shenzhen or a private studio. Excludes application fees, flights, visa fees and housing deposits; scholarship preparation is a separate period.

09/ 11Scholarships

Big ambitions. Extra support.

National award

Chinese Government Scholarship

FundingFull funding
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Tuition
  • Accommodation
  • Living allowance
  • Comprehensive medical insurance

Type A and Silk Road Type B have separate application channels and approved major lists. Award terms and annual review govern continuing support.

Application
Type A: apply through your home-country authority, CSC and SYSU; the 2026 invitation rounds closed on 12 January and 12 February, with a separate country deadline. Silk Road: CSC Type B, agency 10558, plus SYSU; deadline 17 May 2026, closed.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate admission. Test-registration evidence may be used at the invitation / preliminary stage; follow the final results requirement and Chinese-language paper combinations.
Selection
Excellent high-school results; normally no older than 25. Type A normally starts at HSK 3 · 180+ with conditional preparation where needed. Silk Road has ten total places across study levels, only Economics at Lingnan College and Tourism Management for undergraduates, and ten eligible countries; HSK 3 · 180+ to apply, HSK 5 · 180+ for entry. SYSU assesses; CSC decides.
Official scholarship details
University award

SYSU International Student Scholarship

FundingThree funding tiers
Competition*High

Coverage

  • First tier: tuition waiver + RMB 30,000/year undergraduate living allowance
  • Second tier: tuition waiver
  • Third tier: 50% tuition reduction

Normally covers the programme’s duration, subject to annual review. Students pay accommodation, utilities, insurance, visa, flights and examination costs; arranged housing is not free housing.

Application
Apply in SYSU’s portal with an approved home-country institution / admissions-ambassador nomination, two recommendation letters and a study plan. Undergraduate rounds: 1 January–28 February and 1 March–30 April 2026, both closed.
CSCA
Required, with the degree’s paper combination and any valid Chinese Language paper exemption.
Selection
High-school graduates no older than 25, with excellent results and SYSU admission eligibility. SYSU reviews and interviews. CSC or CLEC scholarship recipients cannot also receive this award.
Official scholarship details
Provincial award

Guangdong Government Outstanding International Student Scholarship

FundingRMB 10,000 · one time
Competition*High

Coverage

  • One-time RMB 10,000 undergraduate freshman award

Partial support after enrolment; it does not fund tuition and living expenses in full.

Application
SYSU selects and recommends academically strong admitted freshmen after they register. The general guide publishes no separate pre-entry application window for this award.
CSCA
Required for SYSU undergraduate admission; no additional award-specific CSCA score is published.
Selection
Merit selection among registered freshmen without a government scholarship. No award quota, acceptance rate or numerical academic cut-off is published in the undergraduate guide.
Official scholarship details

The 2026 pre-entry calls are closed; no 2027 call is confirmed. Competition labels are ChinaStudyGuide planning estimates, with no published acceptance rates.

Silk Road countries & eligible majors

Silk Road’s 2026 eligible countries: Vietnam, Pakistan, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Yemen, Malaysia and Kazakhstan. Its two undergraduate programmes are Chinese-taught four-year degrees.

Silk Road rules ↗ · Eligible majors ↗

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Guangdong base.

On campus

International student dormitories

Arranged for CSC and SYSU university scholarship recipients.

Scholarship allocationLocations & practical details
Locations
Housing is assigned under the award arrangements for your teaching campus. Confirm your specific building and room on the offer; Guangzhou has three campus sites.
Best for
Scholarship students seeking a campus routine. CSC covers accommodation under its terms; SYSU university scholarship recipients pay their accommodation charges.
Plan for
The 2026 undergraduate guide gives no current room tariff or guaranteed room type. Confirm housing charges and utilities before travel; do not assume a tuition waiver includes free housing.
Off campus

Private rental in your campus city

Self-funded students must arrange accommodation independently.

Required for self-funded studyLocations & practical details
Locations
Choose a practical commute to the campus on your offer in Guangzhou, Zhuhai or Shenzhen. Avoid signing a lease based only on the university’s Guangzhou mailing address.
Best for
Self-funded students and anyone needing independent housing. The admission guide does not offer self-funded students a guaranteed university dormitory.
Plan for
Budget rent, deposit, utilities and any furnishing costs. The annual calculator allows RMB 1,800/month for shared housing as an estimate; a studio or Shenzhen location can cost more.

Have a housing backup. Self-funded applicants need a private housing plan before travel. Scholarship applicants should confirm their allocated campus, room and charges; SYSU’s university award does not pay accommodation costs.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted interpretation inspired by Sun Yat-sen University’s banyan-lined South Campus paths, red-brick buildings and Sun Yat-sen statue
A leafy South Campus afternoon
Painted interpretation inspired by Guangzhou’s Pearl River promenade, Canton Tower and Zhujiang New Town skyline
Beyond the campus gates

Guangzhou after class

Guangzhou combines Cantonese food, older Lingnan neighbourhoods and a modern Pearl River skyline. Expect warm, humid weather and rainy summer days; shaded streets and the riverfront give a gentler pace beyond the classroom.

Campus rhythm

Guangzhou’s South Campus brings together shady paths, red-brick buildings and Pearl River surroundings. Your daily teaching location may instead be North, East, Zhuhai or Shenzhen; build your routine around the site on your offer.

Around your neighbourhood

In Guangzhou’s Haizhu district, everyday food, tea shops and local streets offer a change of pace after study. Zhuhai and Shenzhen have different campus surroundings, so choose housing for your actual teaching location.

Weekends in Guangdong

For Guangzhou students, the Pearl River promenade and Canton Tower area make an easy city outing. Zhuhai offers a coastal setting, while Shenzhen has its own parks and waterfront; leave inter-city trips for a free day.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Checked 11 October 2026. The latest undergraduate admission guide on SYSU’s official index is for 2026; both degree rounds are closed. No 2027 dates are confirmed here. The QS value uses the 2027 overall World University Rankings.

The Chinese catalogue controls the medical CSCA combination where its English translation adds Physics; obtain SYSU confirmation before test booking. The general, Type A and Silk Road catalogues have different scopes. Academic targets, scholarship competition and living-cost allowances are ChinaStudyGuide estimates.