Painted interpretation inspired by Ningbo University’s angular Nantianmen monument, campus greenery and a university-name stone
Ningbo University official seal

NBUNingbo, China

International undergraduate study

Ningbo University

宁波大学

A global outlook in a coastal city.

  • Founded 1986
  • Public university
  • Double First-Class
Verified official sourcesUpdated 29 October 2026
QS ranking#1001–1200
LocationNingbo
Teaching languageEnglish and Chinese
Degree length4–6 years
Tuition guideRMB 20,000–38,000/year
Application status2027 pending

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

Founded in 1986, NBU is a public Double First-Class university in Ningbo. This undergraduate guide covers the main campus and Meishan: International Shipping is taught at Meishan, with a separate housing rate.

Explore NBU’s story and strengths

Built by Ningbo’s global community

Founded in 1986 through a donation from shipping entrepreneur Sir Yue-Kong Pao, Ningbo University grew with support from the overseas Ningbo community. It merged with Ningbo Teachers College and Zhejiang Fisheries College’s Ningbo branch in 1996.

A comprehensive research university

NBU is a public Double First-Class university, with Mechanics as its nationally designated first-class discipline. Its international undergraduate catalogue spans business, languages, education, shipping, architecture, engineering and medicine.

Main campus and Meishan

The main campus is on Fenghua Road in Jiangbei. Logistics Management (International Shipping) belongs to the Faculty of Maritime and Transportation and is taught at Meishan in Beilun. Marine Sciences and Food Science also use Meishan, but have no bachelor entry in this international catalogue. The separate College of Science and Technology in Cixi is outside this guide.

  • Nationally recognised mechanics

    Build engineering foundations at a comprehensive university whose Mechanics discipline has national first-class status.

  • An international campus community

    Meet classmates from around the world, with support from Ningbo’s dedicated International College.

  • Life in a port city

    Combine a leafy university setting with Ningbo’s riverfront neighbourhoods, historic streets and coastal surroundings.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK · level unpublished For Chinese-taught degree entry Scores, alternatives & exam details
Chinese-taught entry
An HSK certificate is required; the 2026 undergraduate guide gives no level or score minimum.

Accepted alternatives

  • HSK is waived if compulsory courses in both junior and senior secondary school were taught in Chinese; provide evidence of that schooling.

English-taught applicants do not need Chinese for entry. The HSK waiver does not waive Law’s CSCA Humanities Chinese paper.

English language Score minimum unpublished For English-taught degree entry Scores, alternatives & exam details
English-taught entry
Non-native English speakers must submit an English test result, such as IELTS or TOEFL. The guide publishes no minimum score.

Accepted alternatives

  • Native English speakers do not need an English test report. Other English tests are mentioned, but no previous-English-medium-school waiver is published.

Academic records and language proficiency are considered together, with an interview for some programmes.

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by NBU

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

Humanities Chinese is required for Law. No Chinese paper is listed for the English-taught degrees or the Japanese major.

Law only
Mathematics

Required for all 12 undergraduate options, including languages, music, Law and MBBS.

Required
Physics

Required together with Mathematics for Architecture and Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation.

By programme
Chemistry

Required together with Mathematics for MBBS. Physics is not listed for this degree.

MBBS only

No general CSCA score cut-off is published. NBU directs applicants to the catalogue for paper subjects and languages; the Japanese major’s Mathematics paper language is not specified.

NBU programme and CSCA combinations ↗ · CSCA registration ↗

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Choose your degree and teaching language.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose & prepare

Choose the exact major and teaching language, and arrange the required language and CSCA evidence. Logistics Management (International Shipping) is based at Meishan.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

School certificates & transcripts

All applicants

Arrange your high-school diploma and academic record early. Documents outside Chinese or English need notarized translations; graduating students may initially use an expected-graduation certificate.

CSCA & language evidence

Required tests · allow preparation time

Arrange the CSCA papers for your chosen major and the required HSK or English test evidence. Book tests early enough to receive your results before applying; published language exemptions still apply.

Two recommendation letters

Provincial / city scholarship only

Prepare two recommendation letters if applying for the Zhejiang or Ningbo Government Scholarship. The current general degree checklist and university-scholarship notice do not require them.

All other required documents

  • Passport and ID photograph

    For 2026 entry, the passport must expire after 1 March 2027. Supply a colour two-inch bareheaded photo with a white background, no border and a file of at least 40 KB.

  • Foreigner medical examination

    Complete every examination item. The form needs the physician’s signature, hospital stamp and a sealed photograph; incomplete records are invalid. Examination results are valid for six months.

  • No-criminal-record certificate

    Obtain the certificate requested in the undergraduate checklist.

  • Guardian guarantee, if under 18

    Applicants under 18 on 1 September 2026 need a guarantee from an adult guardian living in mainland China.

  • Performance certificate, if previously in China

    If you studied in mainland China within the previous three years, obtain a university-issued certificate covering attendance, conduct and disciplinary records.

  • Scholarship form, if applying

    Complete the form for your chosen award through the online system. The provincial and city awards also require the two recommendation letters highlighted above.

  • Nationality evidence, where applicable

    Applicants with Chinese nationality or parentage backgrounds must document the applicable citizenship and residence-abroad conditions. The 2026 guide uses 30 April 2022–30 April 2026 for its residence review.

Upload clear PDF or JPG files. The general guide does not request a personal statement, CV or video. Dates above belong to the 2026 checklist; the next intake’s checklist is pending.

NBU admissions & application Email admissions

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

12 options
Browse all 12 options

NBU undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorSchool / departmentLanguage
Business AdministrationBusiness SchoolEnglish
International Economy and TradeBusiness SchoolEnglish
LawLaw SchoolChinese
Primary EducationCollege of Teacher EducationEnglish
EnglishFaculty of Foreign LanguagesEnglish
JapaneseFaculty of Foreign LanguagesJapanese / Chinese
Financial EngineeringSchool of Mathematics and StatisticsEnglish
Logistics Management (International Shipping)Faculty of Maritime and TransportationEnglish
Musical EducationCollege of MusicEnglish
ArchitecturePan Tianshou College of Architecture, Art and DesignEnglish
Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and AutomationSchool of Mechanical Engineering and Intelligent ManufacturingEnglish
MBBS — Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of SurgeryHealth Science CenterEnglish

How you choose your majorChoose a named degree when applying. Logistics Management (International Shipping) is at Meishan. Most degrees last four years; Architecture lasts five and MBBS six. The catalogue lists no separate international bachelor entry for Marine Sciences or Food Science.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Annual budget

What will one year cost?

Estimated annual total · RMB50,000

Tuition

RMB / year20,000Published annual tuition

Accommodation

RMB / year4,000Published academic-year room fee

Food

RMB / year18,000University food guide

Transport

RMB / year1,800Living-cost estimate

Other costs

RMB / year6,200Mixed official / estimate
What’s included in the estimate?

Tuition

Published annual tuition for the selected degree.

Accommodation

A double room: Wong Chingmao / Yong-Jiang, or Meishan for shipping.

Official academic-year rate: RMB 4,000 main / RMB 3,500 Meishan

Food

Canteens, groceries and everyday meals.

University guide: approximately RMB 1,500 × 12 months

Transport

Local buses, metro and occasional taxis.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 150 × 12 months

Other costs

Insurance, annual residence permit, books, phone, utilities and essentials.

Official insurance 1,200 + residence permit 800 + CSG allowance 4,200

Uses 2026 fees: one academic-year double-room charge plus 12 months of food and living allowances. Selecting shipping applies Meishan’s room rate. Vacation housing is not included in the annual room charge. Excludes flights, application fee (500), initial medical examination (500), bedding and deposits. Higher-cost Yangguang rooms are detailed under Accommodation; 2027 fees are pending.

09/ 11Scholarships

Big ambitions. Extra support.

National award · Bilateral Type A

Chinese Government Scholarship

FundingFull or partial award
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Undergraduate sponsorship accepted by NBU
  • Full or partial funding under the applicable bilateral agreement

Coverage and duration follow the award from your dispatching authority. NBU’s separate CSC Type B Chinese University Program is postgraduate-only.

Application
Apply to your home country’s dispatching authority, normally between January and early April, and choose NBU. The authority sets the exact annual deadline.
CSCA
A valid CSCA transcript is required for undergraduate admission; take the papers for your NBU major. Additional award conditions follow the dispatching authority.
Selection
Competitive nomination and university review. Nationality, age and award conditions depend on the annual bilateral call; the 2027 award is not yet confirmed.
Official scholarship details
Provincial award · Type B

Zhejiang Government Scholarship

FundingRMB 20,000 · one year
Competition*High

Coverage

  • RMB 20,000 for undergraduate study
  • One-year funding for the 2026–2027 academic year

This is a fixed award, not a guarantee of all tuition and living costs. You cannot hold another scholarship at the same time.

Application
Submit the award form, passport, notarized diploma and transcripts, and health certificate in NBU’s online system before the announced deadline. Add two recommendation letters.
CSCA
Meet the programme’s undergraduate CSCA requirement. No separate scholarship CSCA score floor is published.
Selection
Strong results, good conduct and the degree-entry requirements. NBU nominates candidates; results are published in autumn/winter 2026–2027. A new award is not guaranteed for later years.
Official scholarship details
Municipal award · Type B

Ningbo Government Scholarship

FundingRMB 20,000 · one year
Competition*High

Coverage

  • RMB 20,000 for undergraduate study
  • One-year funding for the 2026–2027 academic year

This is a fixed award, not a guarantee of all tuition and living costs. You cannot hold another scholarship at the same time.

Application
Submit the award form, passport, notarized diploma and transcripts, and health certificate in NBU’s online system before the announced deadline. Add two recommendation letters.
CSCA
Meet the programme’s undergraduate CSCA requirement. No separate scholarship CSCA score floor is published.
Selection
Strong results, good conduct and the degree-entry requirements. NBU nominates candidates; results are published in autumn/winter 2026–2027. A new award is not guaranteed for later years.
Official scholarship details
University award · Type B

Ningbo University Scholarship

FundingRMB 20,000 · one year
Competition*High

Coverage

  • RMB 20,000 for undergraduate study
  • One-year funding for the 2026–2027 academic year

This is a fixed award, not a guarantee of all tuition and living costs. You cannot hold another scholarship at the same time.

Application
Submit the award form, passport, notarized diploma and transcripts, and health certificate in NBU’s online system before the announced deadline.
CSCA
Meet the programme’s undergraduate CSCA requirement. No separate scholarship CSCA score floor is published.
Selection
Strong results, good conduct and the degree-entry requirements. NBU nominates candidates; results are published in autumn/winter 2026–2027. A new award is not guaranteed for later years.
Official scholarship details

*Competition is a ChinaStudyGuide planning estimate; acceptance rates are unpublished. The three RMB 20,000 schemes cover 2026–2027, not a confirmed 2027 intake offer. The Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship at NBU covers one-year language study and a master’s degree, not this bachelor catalogue.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Ningbo base.

On campus

International student dormitories

Published double-room options at the main campus and Meishan.

Apply in advanceLocations & practical details
Locations
Wong Chingmao / Yong-Jiang double: RMB 4,000 per academic year. Meishan double: RMB 3,500 per academic year. Yangguang: double RMB 900 or single RMB 1,200 per person per month.
Best for
Students wanting a university residence near their teaching campus. Meishan is the relevant allocation for International Shipping.
Plan for
Rooms are limited and need advance application. Bedding, water and electricity are excluded. Monthly Yangguang rates and academic-year dormitory rates cover different periods; confirm vacation arrangements with your allocation.
Off campus

Private rental in Ningbo

A possible backup whose location must match your teaching campus.

Arrange with NBULocations & practical details
Locations
Compare Jiangbei / Fenghua Road for the main campus, or Meishan in Beilun for International Shipping. The campuses are in different parts of Ningbo.
Best for
Students seeking a backup when a university room is unavailable. NBU’s bachelor guide does not publish private rental rates or a blanket off-campus entitlement.
Plan for
Agree the housing arrangement and registration procedure with NBU before signing a lease. Budget for rent, deposits, utilities and commuting; no private-rent figure is included in this calculator.

Have a housing backup. University rooms are limited, and an admission offer does not guarantee an allocation. Apply early and establish a backup for your actual teaching campus.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted interpretation inspired by Ningbo University’s main-campus lawns and Pao Yue-Kong Library
On the main-campus lawn
Painted interpretation inspired by Ningbo’s Old Bund riverfront, historic architecture and city skyline
Beyond the campus gates

Ningbo after class

Ningbo combines a working port city with riverside cafés, historic libraries and neighbourhood food. The Old Bund and Moon Lake offer a change of pace from campus; Meishan brings a different, more coastal setting.

Campus days

Build a routine around classes, library study, canteen meals and university activities. Main-campus life centres on leafy Jiangbei grounds; International Shipping students have their base at Meishan.

Around your campus

Fenghua Road offers a university neighbourhood north of the Yong River. Meishan sits in Beilun’s island port area, so choose housing and everyday plans around the campus in your offer.

Weekends in Ningbo

Explore the Old Bund riverfront, Tianyi Pavilion and Moon Lake, or plan a trip towards Dongqian Lake. Summers are warm and humid, with rainy periods; winters can feel cool and damp.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Official sources checked 29 October 2026.

Admissions and fees use the 2026 guide; the 2027 undergraduate call is unpublished. No general application dates, GPA, minimum HSK level or English-test score are stated there. Japanese is bilingual; its test threshold and Mathematics paper language are unspecified. The final-diploma checklist requires graduation before the visa-confirmation form, which is earlier than the registration deadline stated in general eligibility. QS edition: 2027, band 1001–1200. Grade targets, competition and personal living allowances are ChinaStudyGuide estimates.