Painted interpretation inspired by the University of Nottingham Ningbo China’s Trent Building clock tower, campus lawns and academic buildings
China ↔ United Kingdom
Sino-foreign university
Official University of Nottingham castle mark

UNNCNingbo, China

International undergraduate study

University of
Nottingham
Ningbo China

宁波诺丁汉大学

A Nottingham education in China

A university partnership · Founded 2004

University of Nottingham ×
Zhejiang Wanli Education Group

Verified official sourcesUpdated 12 October 2026
QS rankingNot Listed
LocationNingbo · Zhejiang
Teaching languageEnglish
Degree length3–4 years
Tuition guideRMB 120,000/year
Application statusOpen · September 2027

01/ 11Overview

A Nottingham education. A Ningbo home.

Founded in 2004. A China–UK university partnership with English-medium study, University of Nottingham degrees and a residential campus in Ningbo.

Explore UNNC’s story and strengths

A China–UK university partnership

Founded in 2004 with Ministry of Education approval, UNNC was China’s first Sino-foreign cooperative university with an independent legal identity and campus. It brings the University of Nottingham together with Zhejiang Wanli Education Group.

A Nottingham degree

Undergraduate study is taught in English and follows Nottingham’s academic model. Graduates receive a University of Nottingham degree certificate; business, humanities, social sciences, science and engineering shape the current course directory.

Ningbo and the wider Nottingham network

The campus is in Ningbo’s Yinzhou district. Selected degrees include a final two-year UK study pathway; exchange opportunities depend on your course and academic progress. UNNC has no separate overall QS World University Rankings position: Nottingham’s #97 in the 2027 edition is the parent-university ranking.

  • Business and technical breadth

    Study business in a Triple Crown accredited school, or choose computing, engineering, sciences and humanities through the undergraduate directory.

  • A wider international network

    Selected programmes offer a UK study pathway, alongside exchanges through UNNC’s international partnerships.

  • A residential Ningbo campus

    Campus housing, green spaces and over 100 student clubs and societies support a community beyond lectures.

02/ 11Degrees & study

A Nottingham degree. A world of study.

UK university partner

University of Nottingham

United Kingdom

Chinese education partner

Zhejiang Wanli Education Group

Zhejiang, China

Who awards your degree?

Graduates receive a University of Nottingham degree certificate, following Nottingham’s academic model and English-medium teaching. Most courses take three years with direct qualifying-year entry, or four with a preliminary year; selected courses include two final years at the UK campus, with separate UK tuition.

03/ 11Admissions

Your application starts with UNNC.

Application routeUNNC Application Hub
Starting pointPreliminary or qualifying year
Entry scholarshipsSeparate award application

Apply directly to UNNC for September 2027. Your qualification determines your entry year; the degree application closes on 30 June, with application-based scholarships closing on 31 May.

Your school qualification determines your entry year.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

04/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your entry year.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by UNNC

Competitive estimateChinaStudyGuide target

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

Your qualification and intended course determine the entry year. Applicants normally need to be 18 by 1 September; an individual under-18 exception requires parental consent and additional safeguards.

Chinese admissions tests & government scholarships

The China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) is not listed in UNNC’s current international undergraduate checklist. This is not an explicit exemption statement; your offer and current application requirements govern admission.

UNNC does not advertise an undergraduate Chinese Government Scholarship route in its current funding guide. Its university and Zhejiang / Ningbo entry awards have their own conditions, with no CSCA requirement listed.

Official application guidance ↗

05/ 11Language

Study in English. Explore China.

Chinese language No HSK entry requirement English-medium degree study Scores, alternatives & exam details

Accepted alternatives

Not applicable

Degree teaching is in English. Mandarin classes and Chinese-language options let you develop language skills while living in China.

English language IELTS 5.5 / 6.5+ Year 1 / direct Year 2 entry; course exceptions apply Scores, alternatives & exam details
Preliminary year · Year 1
IELTS 5.5, each component 5.0+; PTE 59, each 53+; TOEFL iBT 72 with Reading 14, Listening 15, Writing 16 and Speaking 19. New TOEFL scale: 4 overall, each 3.5+.
Direct entry · Year 2
IELTS 6.5, Writing 6.0+; PTE 71, each 65+; TOEFL iBT 90, Writing 19+. New TOEFL scale: 4.5 overall and in Writing.
Three English degrees · Year 2
English Language and Applied Linguistics, English Language and Literature, and English with International Business: IELTS 7.0, Writing 6.0+; PTE 76, each 65+; TOEFL 100, Writing 19+. New scale: 5.0 overall, Writing 4.5+.
Aerospace Engineering
Year 1: IELTS 6.0, each 5.5+; Year 2: IELTS 6.5, each 6.0+. The central entry rules are stricter than the course prospectus; plan for these scores until your offer confirms the conditions.

Accepted alternatives

  • PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT at the route-specific scores
  • Other qualifications considered by UNNC

If English is not your first language, submit accepted English evidence. Only in-person tests are accepted. Preliminary TOEFL is 72 centrally, but several prospectuses require 80 with higher component scores; plan for the course’s higher score until your offer confirms the conditions.

06/ 11Application

From your application to Ningbo.

Step 01

Choose your course

Choose your degree, Ningbo or UK study model and entry year. Your school qualification and the course’s published conditions determine whether you begin in Year 1 or Year 2.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

Personal statement

All applicants

Explain why you want to study your chosen degree, with evidence of your interests, relevant learning and future plans. UNNC requires a statement but publishes no universal word limit on the admissions checklist.

School recommendation

All applicants

Arrange one letter on headed paper, signed and/or stamped. Choose someone who can explain your academic readiness and give them time to prepare it.

Scholarship statement

Application-based awards only

For the Nottingham global awards, prepare up to 500 words on extracurricular work, volunteering and community contribution. The government-award form requests about 500 words; submit the appropriate separate form.

All other required documents

  • School results & qualification

    Upload completed or current transcripts and your high-school certificate. Conditional applicants provide final evidence on the offer schedule.

  • English test report

    Upload your accepted language results when available. Meet the entry-year and course-specific scores by the final-evidence deadline.

  • Passport & photograph

    Upload the main passport pages and a bareheaded colour photo on white: at least 320 × 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio, JPG, 100–500 KB, with the head taking two-thirds of the image.

  • Under-18 safeguards

    If you will be under 18 on 1 September, obtain the individual waiver and signed parental consent. Overseas students need an accessible guardian in China under UNNC’s published guidance.

  • Nationality evidence if requested

    Provide additional nationality documents requested during verification. Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan applicants use their separate checklist and identity documents.

Non-English records need complete translations by an accredited translator. Keep original or certified copies for registration and later requests.

UNNC Application Hub Official application guidance

07/ 11Majors

Find your field of study.

32 options
Browse all 32 options

UNNC undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorSchool / departmentLanguage
Aerospace EngineeringMechanical, Materials and Manufacturing EngineeringEnglish
Architectural Environment EngineeringArchitecture and Built EnvironmentEnglish
ArchitectureArchitecture and Built EnvironmentEnglish
Big Data Management and ApplicationsNottingham University Business School ChinaEnglish
Chemical EngineeringChemical and Environmental EngineeringEnglish
ChemistryChemical and Environmental EngineeringEnglish
Civil EngineeringCivil EngineeringEnglish
Computer ScienceComputer ScienceEnglish
Computer Science with Artificial IntelligenceComputer ScienceEnglish
EconomicsEconomicsEnglish
Electrical and Electronic EngineeringElectrical and Electronic EngineeringEnglish
English Language and Applied LinguisticsEducation and EnglishEnglish
English Language and LiteratureEducation and EnglishEnglish
English with International BusinessEducation and EnglishEnglish
Environmental EngineeringChemical and Environmental EngineeringEnglish
Environmental SciencesGeographical SciencesEnglish
Finance, Accounting and ManagementNottingham University Business School ChinaEnglish
Financial TechnologyNottingham University Business School ChinaEnglish
International Business EconomicsNottingham University Business School ChinaEnglish
International Business ManagementNottingham University Business School ChinaEnglish
International Business with Communications StudiesNottingham University Business School ChinaEnglish
International Business with French / German / Spanish / Japanese / ChineseNottingham University Business School ChinaEnglish
International Communications StudiesInternational CommunicationsEnglish
International Communications Studies with ChineseInternational CommunicationsEnglish
International Economics and TradeEconomicsEnglish
International StudiesInternational StudiesEnglish
International Studies with Spanish/German/French/Japanese/ChineseInternational StudiesEnglish
Management ScienceNottingham University Business School ChinaEnglish
Mathematics with Applied MathematicsMathematical SciencesEnglish
Mechanical EngineeringMechanical, Materials and Manufacturing EngineeringEnglish
Product Design and ManufactureMechanical, Materials and Manufacturing EngineeringEnglish
StatisticsMathematical SciencesEnglish

How you choose your majorApply for a named course and its study model. The directory has 32 options, retaining the grouped language variants. Big Data Management and Applications, Financial Technology and Management Science currently specify four years. Chemistry, Environmental Sciences and English Language and Literature list the UK study model only; most other courses offer Ningbo study, with UK options where published. UK-year tuition is charged separately at the applicable Nottingham UK rate.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Budget

Build your budget before you commit.

RMB 161,400 is a Ningbo planning budget before scholarships. The current published tuition is RMB 120,000 a year; UK study years and extra summer housing need a separate budget.

Estimated annual total · RMB161,400

Tuition

RMB / year120,000Published tuition reference

Accommodation

RMB / year16,000Living-cost estimate

Food

RMB / year18,000Living-cost estimate

Transport

RMB / year2,400Living-cost estimate

Other costs

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

Tuition

Current international undergraduate rate for study in Ningbo.

Accommodation

On-campus room allowance within the published RMB 11,000–20,000 range.

ChinaStudyGuide allowance: RMB 16,000 per academic year

Food

Meals, groceries and occasional eating out.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 1,500 × 12

Transport

Local transport and occasional taxis.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 200 × 12

Other costs

Books, phone, laundry and personal essentials.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate; UNNC currently covers required student insurance

Ningbo tuition and housing use the current published rates; a separate 2027 tariff is not labelled. Living estimates cover 12 months, housing one academic year. Total before awards: RMB 161,400; UNNC’s own broad estimate is RMB 150,000–190,000. Excludes flights, visa fees, deposits, summer housing and UK study years. UNNC currently pays compulsory insurance.

09/ 11Scholarships

Understand your financial support.

University award

UNNC Provost International Excellence 100% Scholarship

Funding100% first-year tuition
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • First-year tuition waiver or refund

Living costs and later years remain payable. Recipients commit 30 hours to university promotional work.

Application
Separate form and statement in the Application Hub by 31 May 2027.
CSCA
No CSCA requirement listed.
Selection
International undergraduate offer holders; grades and wider contribution are assessed. English ability is excluded from award selection.
Official scholarship details
University award

UNNC Emerging Leaders 50% Scholarship

Funding50% first-year tuition
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Half of first-year tuition waived or refunded

Remaining tuition and living costs are payable. Recipients commit 30 hours to university promotional work.

Application
Separate form and statement in the Application Hub by 31 May 2027.
CSCA
No CSCA requirement listed.
Selection
International undergraduate offer holders; grades, experience and community contribution are assessed.
Official scholarship details
Local government award

Zhejiang / Ningbo Government Scholarship

FundingRMB 20,000 · first year
Competition*High

Coverage

  • RMB 20,000 towards first-year tuition

Partial funding for entry year.

Application
Submit the award form and approximately 500-word statement by 31 May 2027.
CSCA
No CSCA requirement listed.
Selection
Apply through UNNC; a numerical cut-off and acceptance rate are not published.
Official scholarship details
Regional award

Central and Eastern European Countries Scholarship

FundingRMB 20,000 · first year
Competition*Eligibility-based

Coverage

  • RMB 20,000 first-year award

Pay full tuition first; payment follows before the first semester ends.

Application
Automatic for eligible students; no separate application.
CSCA
No CSCA requirement listed.
Selection
Full-time undergraduates from the 14 listed countries; see country list below.
Official scholarship details
Family discount

Family Scholarship

Funding10% tuition reduction
Competition*Eligibility-based

Coverage

  • 10% tuition reduction for up to four years

Eligibility must be supported by official relationship documents.

Application
Apply in the Application Hub with relationship evidence.
CSCA
No CSCA requirement listed.
Selection
Children, brothers, sisters, husbands or wives of current or former UNNC award-bearing students.
Official scholarship details

Competition labels are ChinaStudyGuide estimates, with no published acceptance rates. Entry awards do not automatically fund the whole degree; combined awards need UNNC confirmation.

Eligible Central and Eastern European countries

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Your base in Ningbo.

On campus

International student residences

Furnished single rooms and shared suites on the Ningbo campus.

Guaranteed subject to conditionsLocations & practical details
Locations
UNNC’s Yinzhou campus; residence options include single rooms and four-room suites.
Best for
Students who want a campus community and short walk to classes. Accept your offer and apply for housing by your intake’s deadline.
Plan for
Published overseas-student charges are approximately RMB 11,000–20,000 per academic year. Room type, utilities and summer arrangements depend on your allocation.
Off campus

Private rental in Ningbo

Off-campus living requires eligibility and university approval.

Restricted optionLocations & practical details
Locations
Housing within a practical commute of 199 Taikang East Road, Yinzhou. Obtain approval before committing to a lease.
Best for
Undergraduates with a partner or children, or immediate family living in Ningbo, under UNNC’s stated off-campus policy.
Plan for
Apply through the accommodation system; new students submit within one week after in-person registration. Complete local police registration with the stamped form, passport and rental contract.

Plan your residence. UNNC guarantees a room when you firmly accept your offer and apply by the housing deadline. Off-campus living is restricted; a private rental is not a freely interchangeable option.

11/ 11Student life

A global campus. A city to discover.

Painted interpretation of a Nottingham Ningbo-inspired lakeside campus with the Trent Building clock tower
A leafy Ningbo campus afternoon
Painted interpretation inspired by Ningbo’s Old Bund riverfront, historic architecture and city skyline
Beyond the campus gates

Ningbo after class

Ningbo is a Zhejiang port city with a historic riverfront and modern Yinzhou neighbourhoods. Local seafood, tea shops and the Old Bund offer a change of pace from campus; summers are warm and humid.

Campus rhythm

English-medium classes sit alongside student clubs, sport and informal study. The residential campus helps keep friends, activities and academic life close together.

Around Yinzhou

The university’s Yinzhou setting gives you local food, shops and everyday Mandarin practice beyond campus. Plan your routine around the Ningbo campus rather than the city’s waterfront tourist district.

Weekends in Ningbo

Explore the Old Bund waterfront, Tianyi Pavilion’s historic library area or a quieter park afternoon. Ningbo’s mix of port-city history and modern neighbourhoods gives you several changes of pace.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Checked 12 October 2026 for September 2027 applications. Degree deadline: 30 June; application-based entry scholarships: 31 May. Published tuition is the current reference, without a separately labelled 2027 tariff. QS: UNNC is Not Listed separately; Nottingham’s #97 belongs to the parent university in the 2027 overall rankings.

The current 2027 application and scholarship pages take precedence over the FAQ’s older 2026 dates. The central English page has stricter Aerospace IELTS rules than its prospectus and a lower preliminary TOEFL total than several other prospectuses. Your course offer must resolve those language conditions. CSCA absence is not presented as an explicit exemption. Academic targets and living costs are ChinaStudyGuide estimates.