Painted interpretation inspired by Shandong University’s sandstone Central Campus entrance pylons and Zhixin tower in Jinan
Shandong University official seal

SDUShandong, China

International undergraduate study

Shandong University

山东大学

A historic university, from springs to sea

  • Founded 1901
  • Project 985 / 211
  • Double First-Class
Verified official sourcesUpdated 27 October 2026
QS ranking#=309
LocationJinan / Qingdao / Weihai
Teaching languageChinese and English
Degree length4–6 years
Tuition guideRMB 18,000–45,000/year
Application status2026 closed · 2027 pending

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

Founded in 1901. Study in Jinan, Qingdao or Weihai: this guide covers both international undergraduate admissions channels. Your programme determines the campus; Weihai uses a separate portal and entry rules.

Explore SDU’s story and strengths

History & identity

Founded in 1901, Shandong University is a public research university under the Ministry of Education, included in Project 985, Project 211 and the Double First-Class initiative.

Three cities, eight campuses

SDU has six campuses in Jinan, plus Qingdao and Weihai. This guide covers the international undergraduate programmes in both the central and Weihai admissions catalogues; your major determines your teaching campus.

Choose your campus with your course

Jinan offers medicine, business, Chinese teaching and engineering. Qingdao lists International Politics and Computer Science and Technology. Weihai offers humanities, arts, international politics and an English-language degree, through its own application portal.

  • Medicine and engineering expertise

    Study medicine or mechanical engineering within a comprehensive research university spanning health, sciences and the humanities.

  • A worldwide academic network

    Study at a university with overseas partnerships spanning teaching, research and academic exchange.

  • Three distinct places to study

    Combine a Jinan campus with springs and historic streets, or choose a programme in coastal Qingdao or Weihai.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK 4–6 · by campus / major Chinese-taught undergraduate entry Scores, alternatives & exam details
Jinan / Qingdao
HSK 5 · 180+; Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages accepts HSK 4 · 210+.
Weihai
HSK 4 · 180+ generally; Journalism requires HSK 6 · 180+. Chinese Government Scholarship applicants need HSK 5 · 180+ at minimum.

Accepted alternatives

  • Your highest qualification taught in Chinese, supported by an official school letter signed and stamped by the school.

Chinese teaching scholarships require HSK 4 · 210+ and HSKK intermediate · 60+. The SDU Scholarship follows its own published language rules.

English language IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 80 English-taught undergraduate entry Scores, alternatives & exam details
English-taught entry
IELTS 6.0+, TOEFL 80+, MyBest Scores 80+, TOEFL Essentials 8+ or equivalent English evidence.
Campus choices
Six English-taught options in Jinan; English (Language and Literature) at Weihai. The 2026 Qingdao catalogue lists Chinese-taught choices only.

Accepted alternatives

  • Native English speakers are exempt
  • Your highest qualification taught in English, supported by a signed and stamped school letter.

Language certificates normally remain valid for two years. TOEFL institution codes: C296 for the central application; D310 for Weihai.

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by SDU

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

Required for Chinese-taught choices: Humanities Chinese for business, humanities and arts; STEM Chinese for medicine, engineering and computing. English-taught choices do not list this paper.

Chinese-taught only
Mathematics

Required for every listed undergraduate option across Jinan, Qingdao and Weihai, including English-taught degrees and arts.

Required
Physics

Required for Jinan mechanical, manufacturing and transport engineering in Chinese, and the two English-taught mechanical degrees. Chinese-taught Clinical Pharmacy and Qingdao Computer Science also require it.

By programme
Chemistry

Required for all listed medical degrees in either teaching language, plus Chinese-taught Computer Science and Technology at Qingdao. Clinical Pharmacy and Computer Science require both Physics and Chemistry.

By programme

Both 2026 campus guides require a CSCA report from all undergraduate applicants, including scholarship applicants. No numerical minimum or Chinese-paper exemption for the Chinese-teaching degree is published in these catalogues.

Jinan / Qingdao papers ↗ · Weihai papers ↗ · CSCA registration ↗

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Choose the admissions channel for your programme’s campus.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose your major

Choose one programme, teaching language and campus from the relevant catalogue. In principle, your chosen major cannot be changed after application.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

Motivation letter

All undergraduate applicants

Use the university template in Chinese for Chinese-taught entry or English for English-taught entry. Explain your background, reasons for choosing SDU and your study plan.

Creative portfolio

Weihai Art College only

Fine Arts needs at least 20 hand-drawn works; design needs at least 20 relevant works. Choreography requires a roughly two-minute dance extract and a one-minute technique video; ballroom and popular dance applicants are excluded.

Recommendation letters

Jinan Sister City Scholarship only

Arrange two recommendation letters for an undergraduate Sister City Scholarship application. Chinese teaching scholarship applicants instead need a reference from the head of an approved recommending institution.

All other required documents

  • Passport

    For the 2026 call, provide the ordinary passport identity page with validity beyond 1 March 2027.

  • School diploma and transcripts

    Upload your high-school diploma or stamped expected-graduation certificate and complete stamped course transcripts. Obtain the final diploma before registration.

  • CSCA and language evidence

    Supply the required paper reports and valid language certificate, or a signed and stamped letter confirming the teaching language of your highest qualification.

  • Medical examination and police certificate

    Complete every item on the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, including sealed photo, doctor’s signature and hospital stamp. The examination and police clearance must be within six months; applicants already in Weihai use its Customs International Travel Health Care Center.

  • Financial guarantee

    Provide your own or an immediate family member’s ID and bank evidence: at least RMB 50,000 for the central application or RMB 30,000 for Weihai. CSC applicants who do not accept adjustment are exempt.

  • Under-18 guardianship

    Provide the guardian statement, notarised parental delegation and guardian’s ID. The guardian must be an adult resident in Shandong.

  • Nationality-history evidence

    Where relevant, provide nationality acquisition and former Chinese-nationality or household-registration records, parental status evidence, and entry/exit history for 30 April 2022–30 April 2026, as specified by your campus guide.

  • Scholarship forms and additional records

    CSC Type B applicants upload the downloaded CSC application form; Sister City applicants submit the commitment letter. Supply any scheme-specific employment evidence, endorsement and additional material requested.

Upload scanner-made colour scans, not photographs or photocopies. Central applications accept Chinese or English; Weihai also accepts Korean. Other languages need the original plus a certified Chinese or English translation. Type documents except signatures and the medical form, and retain originals.

SDU central application portal Email admissions

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

29 options
Browse all 29 options

SDU undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorSchool / departmentCampusLanguage
Clinical MedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesBaotuquan, JinanChinese
NursingSchool of Nursing and RehabilitationBaotuquan, JinanChinese
Clinical PharmacySchool of Pharmaceutical SciencesBaotuquan, JinanChinese
Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other LanguagesCollege of International EducationCentral, JinanChinese
EconomicsSchool of EconomicsCentral, JinanChinese
FinanceSchool of EconomicsCentral, JinanChinese
International Economics and TradeSchool of EconomicsCentral, JinanChinese
JournalismSchool of Journalism and CommunicationCentral, JinanChinese
Machine Design, Manufacturing and AutomationSchool of Mechanical EngineeringXinglongshan, JinanChinese
Intelligent Manufacturing EngineeringSchool of Mechanical EngineeringXinglongshan, JinanChinese
Urban Underground Space EngineeringSchool of Qilu TransportationXinglongshan, JinanChinese
Intelligent Construction and Intelligent TransportationSchool of Qilu TransportationXinglongshan, JinanChinese
International PoliticsSchool of Political Science and Public AdministrationQingdaoChinese
Computer Science and TechnologySchool of Computer Science and TechnologyQingdaoChinese
Clinical MedicineSchool of Basic Medical SciencesBaotuquan, JinanEnglish
StomatologySchool of StomatologyBaotuquan, JinanEnglish
NursingSchool of Nursing and RehabilitationBaotuquan, JinanEnglish
Tourism ManagementSchool of ManagementCentral, JinanEnglish
Machine Design, Manufacturing and AutomationSchool of Mechanical EngineeringXinglongshan, JinanEnglish
Intelligent Manufacturing EngineeringSchool of Mechanical EngineeringXinglongshan, JinanEnglish
Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other LanguagesSchool of Culture and CommunicationWeihaiChinese
JournalismSchool of Culture and CommunicationWeihaiChinese
Fine Arts (Chinese Painting)Art CollegeWeihaiChinese
Fine Arts (Oil Painting)Art CollegeWeihaiChinese
ChoreographyArt CollegeWeihaiChinese
Visual Communication DesignArt CollegeWeihaiChinese
Environment DesignArt CollegeWeihaiChinese
International PoliticsSchool of Northeast Asia StudiesWeihaiChinese
English (Language and Literature)School of Translation StudiesWeihaiEnglish

How you choose your majorChoose one programme; changes are normally not allowed. Most degrees take four years; Chinese Clinical Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy take five, while English Clinical Medicine takes six and English Nursing / Stomatology take five. Weihai Journalism requires HSK 6 · 180+; Art College requires a portfolio. Weihai Chinese teaching has an international-student class; its other degrees share classes with Chinese students. These are the 2026–27 choices; 2027 entry is not yet confirmed.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Annual budget

What will one year cost?

Estimated annual total · RMB51,000

Tuition

RMB / year18,000Published tuition reference

Accommodation

RMB / year12,000Living-cost estimate

Food

RMB / year14,400Living-cost estimate

Transport

RMB / year1,800Living-cost estimate

Other costs

RMB / year4,800Living-cost estimate
What’s included in the estimate?

Tuition

Annual fee for your selected programme and campus.

Accommodation

Campus-room allowance; actual rate depends on location.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 1,000 × 12

Food

Canteen meals, groceries and occasional meals out.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 1,200 × 12

Transport

Local public transport and occasional taxis.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 150 × 12

Other costs

Insurance, books, phone and everyday essentials.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 400 × 12; includes RMB 800 insurance

12-month planning budget using the central and Weihai 2026 tuition schedules. Living costs are estimates; published dormitory rates are RMB 23–45/day centrally and RMB 33/day at Weihai. Excludes the RMB 400 application fee, flights, visa costs and deposits.

09/ 11Scholarships

Big ambitions. Extra support.

National award · Type A / Type B

Chinese Government Scholarship

FundingFull / partial funding
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Full funding can cover tuition, campus accommodation, insurance and a living allowance
  • Type A benefits depend on the country scheme; Type B follows the published SDU award

Type B undergraduate funding is Chinese-taught only and requires annual review. Use the campus and programme specified by the award; pre-admission does not guarantee selection.

Application
Type A: request central SDU pre-admission at studentaffairs@sdu.edu.cn by 1 February 2026, then seek your country authority’s nomination. Type B is Chinese-taught only for undergraduates: apply in both the CSC and campus systems by 6 February 2026; central SDU agency code 10422.
CSCA
Required for bachelor admission; use your programme’s exact papers. Weihai Chinese-taught CSC entry needs HSK 5 · 180+ minimum.
Selection
Excellent academic results, the scheme’s age and language rules, university assessment and CSC approval. Bachelor applicants are normally under 25. Do not combine with another Chinese government award.
Official scholarship details
University award

Shandong University Scholarship for Outstanding International Students

FundingFull / partial funding
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Full: tuition, accommodation, living allowance and comprehensive medical insurance
  • Partial: tuition and comprehensive medical insurance

Funding follows the normal study period and is not normally extended. Partial-award holders must pay remaining fees and complete the annual review.

Application
Apply through the relevant SDU campus portal by 1 April 2026. Pay RMB 400 when the pre-admission email requests it; the central award guide uses apply.sdu.edu.cn, while Weihai directs applicants to its own portal.
CSCA
Required through undergraduate admission; no separate numerical scholarship CSCA threshold is published.
Selection
Newly admitted, unregistered applicants with excellent high-school results, under 25. Central Chinese entry needs HSK 5 · 180+, except Chinese teaching HSK 4 · 210+; English evidence follows admission rules. No simultaneous scholarships or grants.
Official scholarship details
Subject-specific award · Jinan

International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

FundingFull funding
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Tuition, accommodation and comprehensive medical insurance
  • Living allowance for the four-year Chinese-teaching degree

For Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages at the central campus. Degree funding lasts four years; it is separate from the short-term language scholarships.

Application
Obtain an approved recommending institution’s endorsement and apply through the CLEC system from 1 March to 15 May 2026. Complete the SDU portal when invited by email.
CSCA
Required under SDU undergraduate admission: Humanities Chinese and Mathematics are listed for the degree; no catalogue exemption is published.
Selection
High-school diploma; undergraduate age limit 25, within the scheme’s general 16+ eligibility. HSK 4 · 210+ and HSKK intermediate · 60+; a post-study teaching agreement receives priority.
Official scholarship details
City award · eligible sister-city applicants

Jinan Sister City Scholarship

FundingUp to RMB 25,000/year
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Degree students: up to RMB 25,000 per academic year
  • Support cannot exceed the normal programme length

The notice calls the degree award a full scholarship, but the capped amount does not guarantee that all costs are covered. Pay tuition, accommodation and insurance before the university allocates the award.

Application
Apply in the central SDU portal by 1 March 2026 with the commitment letter and two undergraduate recommendation letters. Your city must be on the official Jinan sister-city or friendly-cooperation list.
CSCA
Required through bachelor admission; there is no separate published numerical award threshold.
Selection
Eligible sister-city origin, high-school qualification, good conduct and strong results. SDU reviews the award each semester; it can be withdrawn if continued eligibility is not met. No other Chinese government scholarship or grant.
Official scholarship details

Competition labels are ChinaStudyGuide estimates; acceptance rates are unpublished. These are the published 2026 undergraduate awards; 2027 degree calls are pending. The 31 October 2026 Chinese teaching scholarship deadline is for non-degree study starting March 2027.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Shandong base.

On campus

International student dormitories

Live close to your assigned teaching campus.

Campus allocation requiredLocations & practical details
Locations
The central guide quotes RMB 23–45/person/day by room type; Weihai quotes RMB 33/person/day. Jinan has several separate campuses, while Qingdao and Weihai are in different cities.
Best for
Students who prefer a campus routine and a straightforward trip to classes. Match the room to the campus on your offer.
Plan for
At 365 days, the published daily rates equal about RMB 8,395–16,425, or RMB 12,045 at Weihai. The calculator uses a rounded RMB 12,000 allowance; confirm room type, vacation access and included utilities.
Off campus

Private rental in Shandong

Choose housing around your programme’s campus.

Arrange independentlyLocations & practical details
Locations
Search near your assigned Jinan campus, Qingdao’s Jimo campus or Weihai’s Wenhua Xilu campus. A city-centre address may be far from the university.
Best for
Students who want more privacy, need space to share with friends or cannot secure a suitable campus room.
Plan for
Allow separately for rent, deposit, utilities and furnishing. Costs may exceed the campus-room allowance; follow university instructions for off-campus accommodation registration.

Have a housing backup. Confirm your teaching campus and room allocation before arranging travel. Keep a private-rental alternative until your accommodation is confirmed.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted campus-inspired scene of academic arcades, green lawns and a distant sea at Shandong University’s Qingdao campus
An afternoon by the Qingdao campus
Painted interpretation inspired by Jinan’s Daming Lake, with willow trees, a pavilion and an arched bridge
Beyond the campus gates

Shandong after class

Jinan is known for its springs, willow-lined lakes and old streets. Qingdao and Weihai offer seaside walks and a different coastal pace; the city you live in follows your chosen programme.

Campus routine

In Jinan, your degree may place you at Central, Baotuquan or Xinglongshan rather than one shared campus. Qingdao has a spacious coastal setting; Weihai combines a campus routine with nearby seaside neighbourhoods.

Around your neighbourhood

Central Jinan brings busy food streets and everyday city services; Qingdao’s campus is in Jimo, away from the old city centre. Weihai’s Wenhua Xilu setting offers a different, more coastal daily rhythm.

Weekends in Shandong

Explore Jinan’s Daming Lake and spring district, Qingdao’s waterfront and old streets, or Weihai’s beaches. Plan intercity visits as trips rather than daily travel; winters can be cold, with coastal winds in Qingdao and Weihai.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Checked 27 October 2026. The latest published bachelor entry guides cover 2026–27; their application deadlines have passed. 2027 bachelor application dates are not yet published. QS uses the 2027 overall ranking.

The central and Weihai guides have separate programme, language, financial-guarantee and fee rules. The Jinan Sister City graphic retains a 2025 cover heading but its current notice and deadlines specify 2026. Academic targets, living budgets and scholarship competition are ChinaStudyGuide planning estimates.