China’s Overseas Chinese University
Founded in 1906 expressly to teach students from abroad, with more than a century of experience hosting international cohorts.
Guangzhou, Guangdong, ChinaQS #483
Jinan University
The overseas Chinese university — educating students from across the world since 1906
Founded in 1906 in Nanjing as Jinan Academy and relocated to Guangzhou, Jinan University (JNU) is the oldest university in China established specifically to educate overseas Chinese students, and remains directly supervised by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council. It is a 211 Project and Double First-Class university with campuses in Guangzhou (Shipai, Panyu and Huangpu), Shenzhen and Zhuhai. JNU has educated students from more than 100 countries and hosts one of the largest international and overseas Chinese student populations of any Chinese university — over 10,000 at any one time — which makes it unusually well set up for students who want a genuinely international peer group rather than a small isolated cohort. Its strongest fields for international applicants are clinical medicine and pharmacy, journalism and communication, international economics and trade, and Chinese language and culture, all delivered inside the Greater Bay Area’s most commercially connected city.
Project 211Double First-Class
- QS World Ranking
- #483
- Location
- Guangzhou, China
- Founded
- 1906
- International Students
- 10,000+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 22,000 - 40,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- June 30
Why Choose
Why Choose Jinan University
Key reasons international students choose Jinan University for their studies in China.
Largest International Community
Over 10,000 international and overseas Chinese students from 100+ countries — among the largest in China.
English-Taught MBBS Programme
A six-year English medium clinical medicine degree with affiliated teaching hospitals across Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Leading Journalism School
One of China’s top-ranked journalism and communication faculties, with strong Cantonese and international media links.
Greater Bay Area Business Access
Guangzhou trade networks and Shenzhen and Zhuhai campuses put students beside Guangdong’s export and finance employers.
Pharmacy And Life Sciences
Pharmacology and biomedicine feature among JNU’s most-cited research fields, with dedicated institutes on campus.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
QS World University Ranking#483
China National Ranking#59
National Designations
Project 211Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Jinan University.
Clinical Medicine (MBBS)
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 6 years
Tuition: CNY 34,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: JNU Overseas Student Scholarship eligible
International Economics & Trade
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 22,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Guangdong Government Scholarship eligible
International Business
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 22,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: JNU Overseas Student Scholarship eligible
Chinese Language & Literature
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 19,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Chinese Language Study Scholarship eligible
Business Administration (MBA)
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 2 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Pharmacology
DoctorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Jinan University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsHigh school diploma with strong results for bachelor’s programs; MBBS applicants need solid biology, chemistry and mathematics grades. Graduate applicants need a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80, or prior education in English. Chinese-taught: HSK Level 4 for language and humanities programs, HSK Level 5 for most degree majors.
- Entrance AssessmentShortlisted applicants sit a written test and/or online interview arranged by the receiving school; overseas Chinese applicants may use the Joint Entrance Examination route.
- Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, graduation certificate, study plan, language certificate, two recommendation letters, financial guarantee and a non-criminal record certificate.
- Application DeadlineScholarship applicants: April 30. Self-funded applicants: June 30.
- Application FeeCNY 500, non-refundable, paid through the online application system.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required after admission and re-checked in Guangzhou after arrival.
- Visa DocumentsJNU issues the JW202 form and Admission Notice so you can apply for an X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy.
Tuition & Scholarships
Costs & Funding
Transparent tuition, living costs and scholarship options for international students.
Cost Breakdown
- Annual Tuition
- CNY 22,000 - 40,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 800 – 1,600 / monthOn-campus international dormitory
- Application Fee
- CNY 500 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearCompulsory comprehensive insurance for international students
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 2,200 – 3,500 / monthMeals, transport & personal expenses
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 55,000 – 90,000
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Coverage: Full tuition, on-campus accommodation, monthly stipend and comprehensive insurance.
Eligibility: Outstanding non-Chinese applicants for master’s or doctoral degrees at JNU.
Deadline: April 30
JNU Overseas Student Scholarship
Coverage: Full or partial tuition award for high-achieving degree students.
Eligibility: International and overseas Chinese degree applicants with strong academic records and entrance assessment results.
Deadline: April 30
Guangdong Government Scholarship
Coverage: Partial tuition award for degree-seeking international students studying in Guangdong.
Eligibility: Admitted or enrolled international students with excellent academic performance.
Deadline: April 30
Chinese Language Study Scholarship
Coverage: Partial tuition support for Chinese language and preparatory programs.
Eligibility: International students enrolling in JNU Chinese language or preparatory tracks.
Deadline: April 30
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Jinan University.
Truly International Campus
Students from over 100 countries make the everyday campus environment multilingual rather than a small foreign cohort.
International Dormitories
Air-conditioned single and double rooms on the Shipai and Panyu campuses reserved for international students.
Cantonese Food Capital
Campus canteens plus Guangzhou’s dim sum and street food scene, one of the best value food cities in China.
Year-Round Outdoor Sport
Subtropical climate keeps tracks, courts and pools in use all year, with active dragon boat and basketball teams.
Cultural Societies
Country associations, Chinese calligraphy, martial arts and media clubs run festivals throughout the academic year.
Central Guangzhou Location
The Shipai campus sits in Tianhe district on the metro, minutes from the CBD and high-speed rail links.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Jinan University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Jinan University.
Pharmacy And Drug Discovery
The Institute of Pharmacy leads research in natural products, drug screening and traditional medicine modernisation.
Clinical And Biomedical Research
Affiliated hospitals support regenerative medicine, oncology and public health research alongside medical teaching.
Overseas Chinese Studies
A national research base on overseas Chinese history, migration and diaspora economies unique among Chinese universities.
Optics And Photonics
Research in optical engineering, sensing and photonic materials supported by dedicated provincial laboratories.
Bay Area Economics Research
Economics and management institutes study Guangdong trade, cross-border finance and Greater Bay Area integration.
International Media Research
Journalism faculty research cross-border communication, Chinese-language media abroad and public diplomacy.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Jinan University can take you after graduation.
Medical And Healthcare Careers
MBBS graduates return home for licensing exams or continue clinical training at JNU affiliated hospitals.
Trade And Export Employers
Guangzhou’s trading houses, logistics firms and Canton Fair ecosystem recruit business and language graduates.
Media And Communications
Journalism graduates work in broadcasting, publishing, PR and digital media across Greater China and Southeast Asia.
Finance In The Bay Area
Proximity to Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau opens banking, fintech and cross-border investment roles.
Global Alumni Network
A century of overseas Chinese graduates gives JNU unusually strong alumni ties across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Postgraduate Pathways
Bachelor graduates progress to JNU master’s programs or universities in Hong Kong, Singapore and Europe.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Jinan University helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
Help reserving an on-campus international dormitory room or nearby housing before you arrive in Guangzhou.
Residence Permit
Guided assistance converting your X1 visa into a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Orientation
Orientation week covers registration, campus systems, safety, banking and life in Guangzhou.
Academic Advising
College-level advisors support course selection, credit planning and clinical or internship placement.
Chinese Language Support
Mandarin courses for English-track students, plus preparatory Chinese programs for degree entry.
Health Services
Campus clinic access, compulsory insurance enrolment and referrals to JNU affiliated hospitals.
Emergency Assistance
Round-the-clock campus security and international office contacts for urgent situations.
Visa Guidance
Support with JW202 forms, visa renewals, exit-entry procedures and travel documentation.
Student Community
Country associations and overseas Chinese student networks spanning more than 100 countries.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Jinan University.
- December – January
Applications Open
The JNU international student online application system opens for the September intake.
- February – April
Prepare Documents
Collect transcripts, language certificates, recommendation letters and your financial guarantee.
- By April 30
Scholarship Deadline
Submit your application and supporting documents to be considered for scholarship awards.
- By June 30
Self-Funded Deadline
Final date for self-funded applicants to complete their application and upload documents.
- May – July
Assessment & Results
Schools review applications, run interviews or written tests, and issue Admission Notices.
- July
JW202 & Visa Documents Issued
JNU sends your Admission Notice and JW202 form so you can begin your visa application.
- July – August
Apply For X1 Visa
Apply for your X1 student visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.
- Early September
Arrival & Registration
Arrive in Guangzhou, move into your dormitory, register, complete the medical check—then classes begin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Jinan University.
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