Hohai University
河海大学
China's water-engineering specialist in Nanjing, where international bachelor's students study in Chinese for CNY 20,000 a year.
- Students
- 55,000
- 22,024 undergraduates
- International
- 3%
- of students
- Tuition
- CN¥20,000
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1915
About HHU
Hohai University began in 1915 as the Hohai Civil Engineering School and today is a public university under China's Ministry of Education. Its own description is a comprehensive university with water resources as its main focus and engineering as its first priority. It has three campuses: Xikang Road and Jiangning in Nanjing, and Jintan in Changzhou.
The university reports 72 undergraduate programmes, 82 master programmes and 44 PhD programmes, more than 3,500 faculty, and over 55,000 students, including 22,024 undergraduates, 19,171 master's and doctoral students and 1,359 international students. It says Engineering and Environment/Ecology sit in the top 1 per mille of Clarivate's ESI, with several other fields in the top 1%, and that Hydraulic Engineering and Environmental Science and Engineering joined China's Double First-Class programme in 2017.
For international applicants, the language of study matters. The 2026/27 prospectus lists undergraduate programmes taught in Chinese, requiring HSK Level 4 or above, while its English-taught degrees are at master's and PhD level. Hohai suits students who want to study hydrology, civil, marine or environmental engineering, or who are ready to study a degree in Chinese, in a large Yangtze River Delta city.
Why students choose HHU
Hydraulic Engineering and Environmental Science and Engineering were both selected for China's Double First-Class programme in 2017, according to the university.
Undergraduate tuition for international students is CNY 20,000 a year, and the university offers first-, second- and third-class scholarships that cover tuition and, at the top two levels, on-campus accommodation.
The bachelor's list covers more than 70 programmes, from Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering and Harbor, Waterway and Coastal Engineering to Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering and Accounting.
Hohai says it has educated thousands of talents from more than 100 countries and regions, and one of the first Chinese universities authorised to grant degrees to foreign students.
Admissions
International students entering in 2026/27 (latest published; 2027/28 not yet posted)
Selectivity
Hohai publishes no acceptance rate. International applicants are reviewed in order of application; experts assess high-school grades, language proficiency and CSCA score, and hold interviews.
Typical entry requirements
| High school certificate | Non-Chinese citizen aged 18 to 30 (a guarantor's statement if under 18), in good health, with a notarized high-school diploma and transcripts |
|---|---|
| Chinese language | HSK Level 4 or above or an equivalent certificate for Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes; to graduate, students must reach level 5 of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales (English-taught: level 4) |
| CSCA | Score report from the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (csca.cn) |
| English language | Undergraduate programmes listed for 2026/27 are taught in Chinese. English-taught degrees are master's and PhD programmes, where non-native English speakers must provide an English certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL; no minimum score is stated. |
Deadlines
- International undergraduate and graduate applications (2026/27 cycle) Non-binding15 December 2025 to 10 April 2026 (Beijing Time)
Dates from the 2026/27 prospectus. Admission notices were released from the end of June 2026.
The 2027/28 application window had not been published when checked on 2026-09-30, so the dates above are from the previous cycle (2026/27). Expect a similar winter-to-April window and check ie.hhu.edu.cn.
How to apply
Apply online at admission.hhu.edu.cn, upload the required documents and pay the CNY 400 non-refundable application fee. Documents include passport, notarized diploma and transcripts, HSK certificate, CSCA score report, a study plan of about 800 words, two recommendation letters, physical examination form, non-criminal record report, CV, financial proof and a signed commitment.
What admissions looks for
- Strong high-school grades and transcripts, reviewed in order of application.
- Chinese proficiency of at least HSK Level 4 for Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes.
- A CSCA score report and performance in an interview or assessment.
- A realistic study plan of about 800 words.
Tips for applying to HHU
- 1 Check the language of instruction first: the 2026/27 undergraduate list is taught in Chinese, and English-taught degrees are at master's and PhD level.
- 2 Book the CSCA and HSK early, because both are on the required documents list.
- 3 Have your diploma and transcripts notarized, with notarized English or Chinese translations if they are in another language.
- 4 Chinese Government Scholarship and Jiangsu Government Scholarship applicants apply through their own channels, and Hohai does not accept direct applications for the bilateral programme.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
Hohai University Scholarships are reviewed annually: first class covers tuition, on-campus accommodation, medical insurance and a monthly stipend; second class covers tuition and accommodation; third class covers tuition. The Chinese Government Scholarship (bilateral Type A, or Chinese University Program Type B via CSC agency number 10294) and the Jiangsu Government Scholarship are also available.
- CNY 400, non-refundable
- Application fee
- CNY 800 per year
- Compulsory medical insurance
- CNY 7,200 per bed (Changzhou, double room); CNY 12,000 (Jiangning, single); CNY 9,600 to 24,000 (Xikang Road, single, depending on conditions)
- On-campus accommodation (per year)
Academics
Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering
The core of Hohai's water focus; Hydraulic Engineering was selected for China's Double First-Class programme in 2017.
Harbor, Waterway and Coastal Engineering
One of its coastal and marine engineering programmes, alongside Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering and Marine Science.
Civil Engineering
The university states that Civil Engineering and Environmental Science and Engineering rank in the top 10 in China.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Science and Engineering was selected for China's Double First-Class programme in 2017.
Artificial Intelligence
One of the newer information programmes in the 2026 undergraduate list, next to Software Engineering and Computer Science and Technology.
Intelligent Water Conservancy
A programme that combines the university's water specialism with automation and data.
Research
- The National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention is one of two state-level research institutions.
- The National Engineering Research Center of Water Resources Efficient Utilization and Engineering Safety is the other.
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Global Change and Water Cycle is one of seven international research centres.
Schools & faculties
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources
- College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering
- College of Harbour, Coastal and Offshore Engineering
- College of Civil and Transportation Engineering
- College of Environment
- College of Oceanography
- College of Computer and Information Engineering
- College of Information Science and Engineering
- College of Energy and Electrical Engineering
- Business School
- School of Law
- College of Foreign Languages and Cultures
Student life
Hohai is a large, campus-based university, and international students are housed on campus in a bed-desk-wardrobe dormitory with internet, a water heater, a toilet and a shared laundry. The campus a student lives on is assigned by the university. One international master's student describes wide canteen choices, a track, football and basketball courts and a gym, and a library that is full of students most days. The International School provides support with registration, visas, residence permits, insurance and fee payment.
- On-campus dormitories are allocated by the university, with fees from CNY 7,200 to 24,000 a year depending on campus and room.
- The International School handles visa, residence and insurance services.
- Sports facilities include a track, football field, basketball courts and a gym.
- A summer programme for international students is advertised on the International School site.
Housing. International undergraduates are placed in on-campus dormitories arranged by the university, with fees of CNY 7,200 to 24,000 a year depending on campus and room type.
Location
The main Xikang Road campus is in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province in the Yangtze River Delta. The prospectus describes Nanjing as a sub-provincial city of 9.31 million permanent residents on the Yangtze River. Hohai's other campuses are in Jiangning District of Nanjing and in Changzhou.
Nearest airport: Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
Notable alumni
- ZW Zhang WentianGeneral Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party from 1935 to 1943; attended the Hohai Civil Engineering School in Nanjing
- ZS Zheng ShourenChief designer of the Three Gorges Dam; graduated from the East China University of Water Resources (now Hohai) in 1963
- MZ Mao ZhiIrrigation and drainage engineer and Chinese Academy of Engineering member; entered the East China Water Conservancy Institute (now Hohai) in 1950
- WZ Wu ZhongruHydraulic structure engineer and Chinese Academy of Engineering academician; graduated from the East China Water Conservancy Institute (now Hohai) in 1963
- SN Samuel Nii OdaiGhanaian professor of hydraulics and water resources and vice chancellor of Accra Technical University; BEng from Hohai
- ZR Zhuang RongwenChinese politician; director of the Cyberspace Administration of China since August 2018 according to Wikipedia; graduated from Hohai University
Frequently asked questions
How much is undergraduate tuition at Hohai University for international students?
The 2026/27 prospectus lists CNY 20,000 per year for Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes, plus accommodation of CNY 7,200 to 24,000 a year and medical insurance of CNY 800 a year.
Can I study a bachelor's degree at Hohai University in English?
The 2026/27 international undergraduate list is taught in Chinese and requires HSK Level 4 or above. English-taught programmes are listed at master's and PhD level.
When is the application deadline for Hohai University?
For 2026/27 the online window ran from 15 December 2025 to 10 April 2026. Dates for 2027/28 had not been published on 2026-09-30.
Does Hohai University require the CSCA?
Yes. The prospectus lists a China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) score report among the undergraduate application documents.
What scholarships are available at Hohai University?
The university offers first-, second- and third-class Hohai scholarships, and takes applicants for the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B, agency number 10294) and Jiangsu Government Scholarship through the official channels.
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.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to HHU in the QS World University Rankings 2027.