Chongqing University
重庆大学
A 1929-founded engineering powerhouse in China's southwest, with architecture and energy strengths and a leafy Shapingba campus.
- Students
- 53,000
- 26,000 undergraduates
- Tuition
- CN¥18,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1929
- QS World Ranking
- #465
- 2027 edition
About CQU
Chongqing University was founded in 1929 with the aim of building a complete, broad and deep university. By the 1940s it taught arts, sciences, engineering, business, law and medicine. The national reorganisation of 1952 turned it into a mainly engineering university, and it became a national key university in 1960. It joined Project 211 in 1998, merged with Chongqing Jianzhu University in 2000, joined Project 985 in 2001, and is now a Double First-Class university.
Today CQU is directly under China's Ministry of Education. It has 7 faculties, 35 schools and 9 affiliated hospitals, with more than 53,000 students (over 26,000 undergraduates and 27,000 graduate students) and about 5,100 staff. It covers 12 disciplinary areas, and its strengths in architecture, engineering, science and economics rank among China's best. Its campuses are at Shapingba (Campuses A, B and C) and the Science City campus at Huxi.
For international students, most bachelor's programmes are taught in Chinese and require HSK level 4 (score 210+), with some needing HSK 5. A smaller number are taught in English and require IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80. All undergraduate applicants must also sit the CSCA, a national academic test for international students organised by the China Scholarship Council under the Ministry of Education. CQU suits engineering-minded students who want a large research university in a major inland city, at fees far below Western universities.
耐劳苦、尚俭朴、勤学业、爱国家
“Endure hardship, value thrift, study diligently, love the country” — university motto
Why students choose CQU
Tuition for international undergraduates is CNY 18,000–22,000 a year for Chinese-taught programmes and CNY 25,000–30,000 for English-taught ones.
Dormitory places cost CNY 2,500–9,000 per academic year.
The CQU President Scholarship for International Students ranges from a 50% tuition cut (third class) to a full waiver plus free housing and CNY 1,500 a month for undergraduates (first class).
CQU was among the first 10 universities chosen to build a National College of Elite Engineers, and 61 of its majors are national first-class undergraduate programmes.
Admissions
2026–2027 academic year intake (2027 guide not yet published)
Selectivity
CQU does not publish an acceptance rate for international undergraduates. Applicants go through an eligibility and document check, then a review by the school, including an interview for those who pass.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | Notarised high school diploma (or pre-graduation certificate) and full transcripts; must meet the academic requirements of the chosen major |
|---|---|
| CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) | Required for all bachelor's applicants; subjects depend on the major |
| HSK | HSK 4 (210+) for Chinese-taught programmes, HSK 5 for some majors |
| Age and nationality | Non-Chinese citizen with an ordinary passport; aged 18–30 (self-funded) or 18–25 (scholarship applicants) |
| Proof of funds | At least CNY 30,000, issued within the last six months |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 For English-taught bachelor's programmes: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80, unless your previous education was fully in English or you studied for at least a year in an English-speaking country. |
Deadlines
- CQU President Scholarship (2026 intake, past) Non-binding Passed17 May 2026
Deadline for the 2026 scholarship (Beijing time), published 15 April 2026; check the 2027 scholarship guide.
- Undergraduate admission, 2026–2027 intake (past) Non-binding Passed31 May 2026
Deadline for the 2026 intake (Beijing time). The 2027 deadline has not yet been published.
CQU has not yet published its 2027 international undergraduate guide. The 2026 intake closed on 31 May 2026, so expect a similar spring deadline for September 2027 entry. Chinese Government Scholarship deadlines are set by CSC and your home country's sending agency.
How to apply
Take the CSCA, then apply on the Chongqing University International Student Online Service System (cqu.17gz.org). Upload passport, notarised diploma, transcripts, CSCA results, language certificate, the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, a police clearance, proof of funds, a personal statement of at least 800 words and (for art majors) a portfolio. Pay the CNY 600 non-refundable application fee.
What admissions looks for
- A strong high school record that meets the academic requirements of the chosen major.
- Valid CSCA results in the subjects your major requires, taken in the language of instruction.
- Language ability: HSK 4 (210+) or HSK 5 for Chinese-taught majors, IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 for English-taught ones.
- A personal statement of at least 800 words covering your background, study history, motivation and study plan, plus an interview with the school.
Tips for applying to CQU
- 1 Register for the CSCA early at csca.cn: CQU will not review a bachelor's application without valid CSCA scores.
- 2 Plan your medical exam: the Foreigner Physical Examination Form, with lab, ECG and chest X-ray reports, is valid for only six months.
- 3 Your passport must be valid beyond March 2027, and all documents must be in Chinese or English, with notarised translations where needed.
- 4 If you want a Chinese Government Scholarship, apply through your country's sending agency and put Chongqing University as your first choice.
- 5 Keep your registered email active: CQU sends interview times and scholarship results by email.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
The CQU President Scholarship for International Students has three classes: first class waives 100% of tuition and adds free campus housing, a CNY 1,500 monthly stipend for undergraduates and insurance; second class waives 100% of tuition; third class waives 50%. The Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A) is applied for through your home country's sending agency, and the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship is also available. Scholarship applicants must be aged 18–25 at bachelor's level.
- 100% tuition waiver, free campus housing, CNY 1,500 a month (undergraduates) and insurance
- President Scholarship, first class
- 100% tuition waiver
- President Scholarship, second class
- 50% tuition waiver
- President Scholarship, third class
- CNY 2,500–9,000 per academic year
- Accommodation
- CNY 800 a year / CNY 600 (non-refundable)
- Insurance / application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (autumn intake in September)
Architecture
A five-year bachelor's degree, building on the former Chongqing Jianzhu University, which merged into CQU in 2000.
Energy Storage Science and Engineering
Part of China's Strong Foundation Plan at CQU; CQU is one of 10 universities running a national programme for urgently needed energy-storage talent.
Mathematics and Applied Mathematics; Physics
Both are in China's Strong Foundation Plan for top basic-science students at CQU.
Computer Science (Shuguang elite class)
The Shuguang Computer Science top-student base is part of the Ministry of Education's Top-notch Students Program 2.0.
Big Data and Software
The School of Big Data and Software Engineering was chosen as one of China's first model software schools.
Research
- CQU was among the first 10 universities selected to build a National College of Elite Engineers, and runs one jointly with Chongqing.
- It hosts a national industry-education platform for energy storage technology.
- The university has 38 first-level doctoral programmes and admits more than 1,900 doctoral students a year.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Information
- Faculty of Architecture
Student life
CQU's original campus at Shapingba mixes historic buildings, such as the old Science and Engineering Buildings, with modern teaching blocks around Democracy Lake. The university also has a large campus at Huxi in Chongqing's Science City. International students live in university accommodation (CNY 2,500–9,000 per year) and must buy insurance (CNY 800 a year). CQU's international office runs cultural activities, peer study support and field trips around Chongqing for international students.
- Democracy Lake and the historic Science and Engineering Buildings on the Shapingba campus.
- Cultural trips and peer tutoring for international students, such as the 2026 spring study trip and the "Yu Jian" peer-learning series.
- International students join campus events such as the university's spring sports meeting.
- CQU runs Confucius Institutes in Pisa (Italy), Betong (Thailand) and at La Trobe University (Australia).
Housing. University accommodation for international students costs CNY 2,500–9,000 per academic year depending on room type.
Location
Chongqing is a major city in southwest China. CQU's main campus is at 174 Shazhengjie in Shapingba District, next to Shazhengjie metro station, and is split into Campuses A, B and C. The Huxi campus is in Chongqing's Science City, where a new Zhigu campus is being built, and CQU also runs a National College of Elite Engineers.
Nearest airport: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
Notable alumni
- RZ Ren ZhengfeiFounder of Huawei; studied building services engineering at the Chongqing Institute of Architectural Engineering (later merged into CQU)
- LX Li XiaohongPresident of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and former president of CQU and Wuhan University; CQU mining engineering graduate and PhD
- CW Chou Wen-chungChinese-American composer; BS from Chongqing University
- YS Yan SuLyricist; business administration graduate
- LS Li ShangfuFormer Chinese Minister of National Defense; Doctor of Engineering in control theory from CQU
- ZM Zhou MingzhenVertebrate palaeontologist and Romer-Simpson Medal winner (1993); graduated from Chongqing University in 1943
- BX Bin XieSydney-based artist and 2006 Archibald Prize finalist; BSc from Chongqing University (1982)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need the CSCA to apply to Chongqing University?
Yes. From the 2026 intake, every international bachelor's applicant must take the CSCA, China's national academic test for international undergraduates, in the subjects required by their major and submit the results with the application.
How much is Chongqing University tuition for international students?
Bachelor's tuition is CNY 18,000–22,000 a year for Chinese-taught programmes and CNY 25,000–30,000 for English-taught ones. Housing is CNY 2,500–9,000 a year and insurance CNY 800.
What HSK level does Chongqing University require?
Chinese-taught bachelor's programmes require HSK 4 with a score of at least 210, and some majors require HSK 5. English-taught programmes require IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 instead.
When is the Chongqing University application deadline?
For the 2026 intake the deadline was 31 May 2026. The 2027 guide has not yet been published, but expect a similar spring deadline for September 2027 entry.
Does Chongqing University offer scholarships to international undergraduates?
Yes. The CQU President Scholarship ranges from 50% of tuition to a full waiver with free housing and a CNY 1,500 monthly stipend (2026 applications closed on 17 May), and the Chinese Government Scholarship is available through your home country's sending agency.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (topuniversities.com)
- THE World University Rankings 2026
- ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
- Chongqing University: Introduction (学校简介) and university charter
- Study at CQU: 2026 undergraduate admissions guide for international students (archived)
- Study at CQU: Tuition and Accommodation Fees (archived, January 2025)
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