Painted interpretation inspired by SCUT’s curved red-brick campus building and a university-name stone marker in subtropical Guangzhou
South China University of Technology official seal

SCUTGuangzhou, China

International undergraduate study

South China University of Technology

华南理工大学

Engineering in the heart of the Greater Bay Area

  • Founded 1952
  • Project 985 / 211
  • Double First-Class
Verified official sourcesUpdated 16 October 2026
QS ranking#=342
LocationGuangzhou
Teaching languageChinese and English
Degree length4–5 years
Tuition guideRMB 18,200–95,000/year
Application status2026 closed · 2027 pending

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

Founded in 1952. An engineering-led research university with three campuses in Guangzhou and a strong place in the Greater Bay Area.

Explore SCUT’s story and strengths

History & identity

Established as South China Institute of Technology in 1952 and renamed in 1988, SCUT is a public Ministry of Education university in the Project 985, Project 211 and Double First-Class initiatives. Its educational roots reach back to 1918.

Engineering with breadth

Engineering, materials, chemistry and computing underpin its research identity. International undergraduates can also study business, economics, law, communication, design and Chinese language education.

Three Guangzhou campuses

Wushan, University Town and Guangzhou International Campus offer different settings within Guangzhou. Your programme determines your teaching campus; the six English programmes at the International Campus have a separate tuition rate.

  • Engineering and computing strengths

    Study computing and engineering at a university with a strong record in applied science and technology.

  • A practical learning environment

    The internationally listed Computer Science and Technology programme includes practicum centres developed with technology companies.

  • A life in Guangzhou

    Combine leafy campuses with Cantonese food, riverside neighbourhoods and the commercial energy of the Greater Bay Area.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK 4 / 5 · 180+ For Chinese-taught undergraduate entry Scores, alternatives & exam details
Science & engineering
HSK 4 · 180+, plus an intermediate HSK Speaking Test (HSKK) report. Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages uses the same entry level.
Other Chinese-taught subjects
HSK 5 · 180+, plus intermediate HSKK, for humanities, business, foreign languages, arts, design and architecture.

Accepted alternatives

  • No general HSK waiver is published. English-taught degrees do not list an HSK admission requirement.

Certificates must remain valid at enrolment within their two-year validity. The Chinese language teachers scholarship requires HSK 4 · 210+ and HSKK intermediate · 60+.

English language IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL 68 For English-taught undergraduate entry Scores, alternatives & exam details
English-taught degrees
TOEFL iBT 68+, IELTS 5.5+, Duolingo 100 or an accepted equivalent; results must be valid at enrolment within two years.
Soft Matter Science & Engineering
Only IELTS 5.5+ or TOEFL iBT 70+ is accepted. The general Duolingo and equivalent-certificate options do not apply.

Accepted alternatives

  • The published waiver requires both citizenship of an English-speaking country and proof that your highest qualification was taught in English.

An English-medium school certificate alone does not establish the waiver. Where a bilingual route is offered, both its Chinese and English requirements apply.

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by SCUT

Competitive estimateChinaStudyGuide target

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

04/ 11CSCA

Do you need CSCA?

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

Chinese-taught science, engineering, architecture and Industrial / Environmental / Product Design require STEM Chinese; other Chinese degrees require Humanities Chinese. Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages and English degrees are exempt.

By programme
Mathematics

Required for every undergraduate option, including the Chinese-teaching degree and English International Economics and Trade.

Required
Physics

Required for Chinese science, engineering, architecture and Industrial / Environmental / Product Design; English Computer Science and all six International Campus degrees.

By programme
Chemistry

Required alongside Mathematics and Physics for English Biomedical Engineering and Soft Matter Science and Engineering. It is not listed for the other undergraduate options.

By programme

Take foundation papers in your degree’s teaching language. The listed combinations are compulsory; no general CSCA score minimum is published.

SCUT CSCA notice ↗ · Major-by-major papers ↗ · CSCA registration ↗

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Choose Chinese-taught division entry or an English-taught degree.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose your degree

Choose your teaching language and division, and check whether your option is at Guangzhou International Campus. Architecture takes five years; other listed degrees take four.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

Two recommendation letters

All undergraduate applicants

Ask two referees who know your academic work to prepare signed letters. The general undergraduate guide does not specify that the referees must be professors.

Creative portfolio or performance

Architecture / design / music only

Architecture and design applicants need at least two sketches and two colour paintings. Music applicants submit a recording of their performance; retain the original work for assessment.

Notarised school records

All undergraduate applicants

Arrange your high-school diploma and official transcripts, with notarised copies and Chinese or English translations where necessary. Current pupils may use expected-graduation proof initially; final records are due before enrolment.

All other required documents

  • Passport & current status

    Provide an ordinary passport valid throughout your study period. If currently in China, include your visa or residence-permit page.

  • CSCA results

    Upload the required subject reports in the teaching language of your degree. Use the exact combination in the undergraduate catalogue.

  • Language evidence

    Provide valid HSK and intermediate HSKK for Chinese entry, or accepted English evidence for English entry. Submit both the nationality and English-medium proof when claiming the published English waiver.

  • Medical examination

    Submit the Foreigner Physical Examination Form in Chinese or English. SCUT’s guide states one-year validity; subsequent visa or arrival instructions may require a newer examination.

  • Guardian documents, if under 18

    Arrange a guardian of Chinese nationality with registered residence in Guangzhou. Submit the notarised guardian letter and birth certificate; SCUT sends individual instructions by email.

  • Previous study in China

    Provide your visa page and a transfer letter with transcripts and an attendance record above 80% when transferring from a Chinese university.

  • Additional requested records

    SCUT may request a notarised police certificate, CV or financial evidence by email. These are conditional requests in the general application instructions.

  • Scholarship-specific documents

    For the Chinese language teachers award, add a recommendation from the head of an approved recommending institution. In-service teachers also need employment proof and an employer reference; CSC Type A follows the home-country authority’s checklist.

Use Chinese or English documents and notarised translations for other languages. A personal statement and professor pre-acceptance are not marked as general undergraduate requirements in the prospectus checklist.

SCUT application portal Email admissions

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

43 options
Browse all 43 options

SCUT undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorAdmission categorySchool / departmentLanguage
ArchitectureArchitectureSchool of ArchitectureChinese
Urban and Rural PlanningArchitectureSchool of ArchitectureChinese
Landscape ArchitectureArchitectureSchool of ArchitectureChinese
Electrical Engineering and AutomationElectric SpecialtySchool of Electric PowerChinese
Energy and Power EngineeringElectric SpecialtySchool of Electric PowerChinese
Electronic Information EngineeringElectronic Information EngineeringSchool of Electronic and Information EngineeringChinese
Automation EngineeringAutomation EngineeringSchool of Automation Science and EngineeringChinese
Applied PhysicsPhysicsSchool of Physics and Optoelectronics TechnologyChinese
Optoelectronic Information Science and EngineeringPhysicsSchool of Physics and Optoelectronics TechnologyChinese
Business AdministrationBusiness AdministrationSchool of Business AdministrationChinese
Financial ManagementBusiness AdministrationSchool of Business AdministrationChinese
AccountingAccountingSchool of Business AdministrationChinese
Public AdministrationPublic AdministrationSchool of Public AdministrationChinese
Business EnglishBusiness EnglishSchool of Foreign LanguagesChinese
Computer Science and TechnologyComputer ScienceSchool of Computer Science and EngineeringChinese
Information SecurityComputer ScienceSchool of Computer Science and EngineeringChinese
Computer Science and TechnologyComputer Science and TechnologySchool of Computer Science and EngineeringEnglish
Software EngineeringSoftware EngineeringSchool of Software EngineeringChinese
EconomicsEconomicsSchool of Economics and FinanceChinese
FinanceEconomicsSchool of Economics and FinanceChinese
Financial TechnologyFinancial TechnologySchool of Economics and FinanceChinese
International Economics and TradeInternational Economics and TradeSchool of Economics and FinanceEnglish
Tourism ManagementTourism ManagementDepartment of Tourism ManagementChinese
Big Data Management and ApplicationBig Data Management and ApplicationDepartment of Electronic BusinessChinese
JournalismJournalism and CommunicationSchool of Journalism and CommunicationChinese
CommunicationJournalism and CommunicationSchool of Journalism and CommunicationChinese
AdvertisingJournalism and CommunicationSchool of Journalism and CommunicationChinese
LawLawSchool of LawChinese
Intellectual PropertyLawSchool of LawChinese
MusicologyMusicologySchool of ArtsChinese
Dance PerformanceDance PerformanceSchool of ArtsChinese
Music PerformanceMusic PerformanceSchool of ArtsChinese
Industrial DesignIndustrial DesignSchool of DesignChinese
Environmental DesignEnvironmental DesignSchool of DesignChinese
Product DesignProduct DesignSchool of DesignChinese
Fashion and Clothing DesignFashion and Clothing DesignSchool of DesignChinese
Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other LanguagesTeaching Chinese to Speakers of Other LanguagesSchool of International EducationChinese
Biomedical EngineeringBiomedical EngineeringSchool of Biomedical Sciences and EngineeringEnglish
Artificial IntelligenceArtificial IntelligenceSchool of Future TechnologyEnglish
Data ScienceData ScienceSchool of Future TechnologyEnglish
Intelligent Manufacturing EngineeringIntelligent Manufacturing EngineeringShien-Ming Wu School of Intelligent EngineeringEnglish
Robot EngineeringRobot EngineeringShien-Ming Wu School of Intelligent EngineeringEnglish
Soft Matter Science and EngineeringSoft Matter Science and EngineeringSchool of Emergent Soft MatterEnglish

How you choose your majorChinese-taught applicants enter by division, take a shared first-year curriculum and select a major in Year 2 or 3 under school rules. Architecture takes five years; other choices take four. The six International Campus English degrees have a separate fee and compulsory assessment. Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages has three later modules and a conditional Year 2 transfer route; these are not additional degrees.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Annual budget

What will one year cost?

Estimated annual total · RMB55,600

Tuition

RMB / year18,200Published tuition reference

Accommodation

RMB / year12,000Living-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

Select your subject group and teaching campus.

Accommodation

Shared housing with an allowance beyond the teaching term.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 1,000 × 12

Food

Campus meals, groceries and occasional meals out.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 1,500 × 12

Transport

Local public transport and occasional taxis.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 200 × 12

Other costs

Insurance, books, phone, utilities and routine expenses.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate; includes RMB 800 annual insurance

A 12-month planning budget using official 2026 tuition and insurance. Published dormitory rates cover ten months; the housing estimate includes a vacation allowance. Living costs are estimates. Excludes the RMB 450 application fee, flights, visa costs and refundable deposits.

09/ 11Scholarships

Big ambitions. Extra support.

National award

Chinese Government Scholarship

FundingFull / partial by scheme
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Funding follows the bilateral award
  • SCUT’s prospectus lists bachelor-level bilateral support

Undergraduate applicants use the bilateral Type A route where SCUT and the chosen degree are eligible. The university-administered Type B and Silk Road calls in this prospectus are postgraduate schemes.

Application
Apply through your home-country dispatching authority / Chinese embassy and CSC. Follow its country deadline and SCUT placement instructions; no universal undergraduate deadline is published here.
CSCA
Required for SCUT undergraduate admission, including scholarship applicants; use your degree’s papers.
Selection
Country nomination, CSC eligibility and university admission assessment. Confirm the approved institution, degree, teaching language and funding terms with the dispatching authority.
Official scholarship details
University award

SCUT International Student Scholarship for Excellence

FundingFull / partial tuition waiver
Competition*High

Coverage

  • First class: full tuition waiver
  • Second class: half tuition for the normal study period
  • Third class: half tuition for two years

Undergraduate tiers do not include a published living allowance or free accommodation. Continuation requires the annual May review; extended study is excluded.

Application
No separate application: SCUT selects from self-funded applicants by merit. The published deadline is 15 June; the 2026 round is closed and 2027 dates are pending.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate admission. No separate award-specific numerical CSCA minimum is published.
Selection
Academic merit and the degree’s admission requirements. Maintaining good academic standing is necessary for renewal.
Official scholarship details
Provincial award

Guangdong Government Outstanding International Student Scholarship

FundingRMB 10,000
Competition*High

Coverage

  • RMB 10,000 undergraduate award

Partial financial support; the published call does not promise automatic annual renewal or full tuition and living costs.

Application
No separate application: SCUT selects from self-funded applicants. Published deadline: 15 June, with assessments from May to July; the 2026 round is closed.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate admission; no additional award-specific score threshold is published.
Selection
Outstanding academic performance, eligible non-Chinese high-school graduates under 25 and final approval by Guangdong’s government.
Official scholarship details
Subject-specific award

International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

FundingFull funding
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Tuition and accommodation
  • RMB 2,500/month living allowance
  • Comprehensive medical insurance

For the four-year Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages degree. Funding lasts up to four academic years under the award rules.

Application
Obtain an approved recommending institution’s endorsement and apply through CLEC and SCUT’s portal. The SCUT application fee is waived; use the intake-specific CLEC timetable.
CSCA
SCUT requires a CSCA certificate. The undergraduate catalogue lists Mathematics for this degree and exempts its Chinese paper.
Selection
High-school diploma, normally under 25, HSK 4 · 210+ and HSKK intermediate · 60+. SCUT interviews; the Center for Language Education and Cooperation (CLEC) makes the final award decision.
Official scholarship details

Competition labels are ChinaStudyGuide planning estimates; no acceptance rates are published. The latest degree prospectus is for 2026. A standing annual deadline does not confirm a 2027 call.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Guangzhou base.

On campus

International student dormitories

Furnished campus rooms, reserved on a first-come basis.

Reservation requiredLocations & practical details
Locations
Wushan: twin RMB 9,800; University Town: twin RMB 8,000 or four-person RMB 3,500; International Campus: single RMB 20,000, twin RMB 10,000 or four-person RMB 5,000.
Best for
Students wanting a campus routine near teaching facilities. Published rooms include air conditioning, a private bathroom and basic furniture; shared facilities include kitchens and laundry rooms.
Plan for
Rates cover ten months, from autumn to spring. Pay online in RMB at check-in; arrange vacation housing separately. The planning budget uses a broader 12-month allowance.
Off campus

Private rental in Guangzhou

More choice over location, space and housemates.

Independent arrangementLocations & practical details
Locations
Choose around your assigned campus: Wushan in Tianhe, University Town in Panyu or Guangzhou International Campus on Xingye Avenue East. These are distinct commuting areas.
Best for
Students who prefer independent living, want a particular room type or cannot secure a campus room. Check the real journey to your teaching buildings before signing a lease.
Plan for
Allow for the deposit, rent, utilities and furnishing costs. Register at the local police station within 24 hours of moving into off-campus housing; a private studio can exceed the calculator allowance.

Have a housing backup. Campus rooms are first come, first served. Keep a private-housing backup and confirm your campus, room and vacation arrangements before travelling.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted interpretation of a lake, tropical trees and academic buildings inspired by SCUT’s Wushan campus
A leafy Wushan-inspired 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 pairs Cantonese food and historic trading streets with the Pearl River skyline. Metro journeys open up the wider city; campus location shapes how often you will travel into the centre.

Campus routine

SCUT combines established leafy campuses with the newer International Campus. Build your week around your assigned campus, with canteens, libraries, sports and student activities close to study.

Around your neighbourhood

Wushan sits in Tianhe’s university district; University Town and the International Campus are in Panyu. Local food shops, inexpensive meals and everyday errands feel different at each site.

Weekends in Guangzhou

Explore the Pearl River promenade, historic Lingnan arcades and Cantonese food. Guangzhou’s hot, humid summers and rainy spells make shaded walks and indoor museums useful alternatives.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Checked 16 October 2026. The current downloadable prospectus covers 2026; its June application deadlines have passed. Intake-specific 2027 dates are not confirmed. QS uses the 2027 overall ranking.

The full prospectus adds HSKK, school-specific assessment, Soft Matter’s higher TOEFL requirement and subject grades, and the required creative work. The general webpage is shorter. Academic targets, competition labels and living allowances are ChinaStudyGuide estimates.