Huazhong University of Science and Technology
华中科技大学
Wuhan's engineering and medicine powerhouse, a tree-covered campus beside East Lake and the Optics Valley tech zone.
- Students
- 62,159
- 29,519 undergraduates
- International
- 2%
- of students
- Tuition
- CN¥18,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1952
About HUST
Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) traces its roots to the Huazhong Institute of Technology, set up in Wuhan in 1952. In May 2000 it merged with Tongji Medical University and Wuhan Urban Construction Institute to form today's university, which reports directly to China's Ministry of Education and was among the first universities named in the national Double First-Class initiative.
Engineering and medicine are HUST's two main strengths. Its Chinese-language profile lists 119 undergraduate majors across 11 disciplinary categories, with Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Public Health rated A+ in the Ministry of Education's fourth subject assessment. The university counts 29,519 undergraduates and 32,640 graduate students, and its research base includes the Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, next to the Optics Valley high-tech zone.
For international undergraduates, most majors are taught in Chinese and require HSK 4 or HSK 5, but a small group of English-taught degrees is open: Clinical Medicine (MBBS), Pharmacy, Telecommunication Engineering, Mechanical Design Manufacturing and Automation, and Biomedical Engineering. From the 2026 intake every applicant also needs a CSCA test report. HUST suits students who want serious engineering or medical training in a big, affordable central Chinese city, with international students making up only a small share of the campus.
明德厚学 求是创新
“Virtue, Erudition, Truth, Innovation” — university motto
Why students choose HUST
Five English-taught bachelor's degrees, including a six-year Clinical Medicine (MBBS) at 40,000 CNY a year, let you start without Chinese.
Chinese-taught engineering, science and management majors cost 25,000 CNY a year, and literature, education and law 18,000 CNY (2026 intake).
Four subjects rated A+ nationally: Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Public Health and Preventive Medicine.
The university reports four national-level research facilities, including the Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics and the National Pulsed High Magnetic Field Science Center.
Admissions
International undergraduates, 2026 intake (latest published guide; 2027 guide not yet released)
Selectivity
HUST does not publish an admission rate for international undergraduates. Applications are reviewed by the relevant school; some schools interview, and pre-admission results appear in the online system from March.
Typical entry requirements
| Senior high school diploma | Non-Chinese citizens who have graduated, or are about to graduate, from high school; submit diploma or proof of impending graduation and full transcripts |
|---|---|
| CSCA test report | Subjects depend on discipline and teaching language (see test policy) |
| HSK (Chinese-taught programs) | HSK 4 with 180+ for science, engineering and medicine; HSK 5 with 180+ for economics, management, literature, education, philosophy, arts, law and the School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation |
| Art portfolio | Five or more personal art works for architecture and design majors |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 80 For English-taught programs: TOEFL 80, IELTS 5.5 or (per the Chinese version of the guide) Duolingo 110. Waived if your previous education was in English or English is your mother tongue. |
Deadlines
- International undergraduate application (2026 intake, past cycle for reference) Non-binding PassedJune 15, 2026
Application window ran October 15, 2025 to June 15, 2026. Pre-admission results from March; admission notices and JW202 forms expected in June.
HUST had not yet published its guide for the 2027 intake when checked. The 2026 guide was released on October 14, 2025 with applications opening the next day, so expect a similar October opening for 2027. Parents who were Chinese citizens must meet the Ministry of Education nationality and residence rules.
How to apply
Apply online at admission.hust.edu.cn: choose a program, upload academic documents (CSCA report, diploma, transcripts, personal statement on why HUST and China, a self-introduction video of up to 60 seconds in English or Chinese, language certificate), then pay the 600 CNY / 100 USD application fee within 15 days. After any interview and pre-admission, upload non-academic documents (passport, physical examination form, non-criminal record, bank statement of at least 5,000 USD). Pre-admitted students confirm by paying first-year tuition within two weeks.
What admissions looks for
- Solid CSCA results in the subjects set for your discipline.
- Language readiness: HSK 4 or 5 at 180+ for Chinese-taught programs, or TOEFL 80 / IELTS 5.5 for English-taught ones.
- A personal statement that shows your understanding of China and why you want to study at HUST.
- Evidence of wider ability such as awards, science and technology achievements, publications or activities.
Tips for applying to HUST
- 1 Check the CSCA subject table before booking the test: engineering needs Physics, medicine needs Chemistry, and Chinese-taught programs also need a Professional Chinese paper.
- 2 If you apply to the School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation in Chinese, you need HSK 5, not HSK 4.
- 3 Prepare the 60-second self-introduction video early; it is part of the academic documents, not an extra.
- 4 Once pre-admitted you have only two weeks to pay first-year tuition, so line up funds before March.
- 5 Make sure your passport is valid beyond mid-October of the year after entry, as the guide requires.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
Undergraduates can seek a Chinese Government Scholarship through the Bilateral Program, applying via their home country's dispatching authority (such as the Chinese embassy) rather than to HUST. The Silk Road Program covers five undergraduate and graduate programs, with details released around April. The Chinese University Program is for postgraduates only.
- 700 to 1,200 CNY per month
- Campus accommodation
- 800 CNY per year
- Medical insurance
- 600 CNY / 100 USD, non-refundable
- Application fee
Academics
Clinical Medicine (MBBS, English-taught)
A six-year English-taught medical degree at 40,000 CNY a year, backed by Tongji Medical College and the Union and Tongji hospitals.
Mechanical Design Manufacturing and Automation (English-taught)
Mechanical Engineering is rated A+ nationally, and the English track costs 30,000 CNY a year.
Optoelectronic information programs
Optical Engineering is rated A+ and is linked to the Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics.
Biomedical Engineering (English-taught)
Another A+ discipline, taught in English with a CSCA in Maths and Chemistry.
Telecommunication Engineering (English-taught)
An English-taught engineering degree at 30,000 CNY a year, with a CSCA in Maths and Physics.
Research
- HUST describes four national research facilities as its 'four pearls': the Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, the National Pulsed High Magnetic Field Science Center, the National Precise Gravity Measurement Science Center and the National Innovation Center of Digital Design and Manufacturing.
- The university reports 7 national key laboratories and 2 national technology innovation centers.
Schools & faculties
- School of Mechanical Science and Engineering
- School of Optical and Electronic Information
- School of Computer Science and Technology
- School of Electronic Information and Communication
- School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation
- College of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning
- School of Physics
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- School of Public Health
- School of Economics
- School of Management
Student life
HUST's main campus sits beside East Lake in the Hongshan district, with the medical campus across the Yangtze in Hankou. The university calls itself a 'university in the forest': trees and lawns cover 72% of the grounds, with lakes, pavilions and wide avenues between teaching buildings. The international community is small, about 1,500 students among more than 60,000, so most daily life happens in Chinese. Campus rooms for international students cost 700 to 1,200 CNY a month.
- About 72% green cover on campus, the source of the 'university in the forest' nickname.
- A separate Tongji Medical College campus in Hankou's central business district.
- Tennis champions Li Na and Li Ting both studied at HUST.
- An International Student Office runs Chinese-language teaching and student activities for international students.
Housing. International students can live on campus, at 700 to 1,200 CNY per month (2026 guide).
Location
Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, is a city of more than eleven million on the Yangtze River and the leading cultural, educational, transport and economic centre of central China. HUST's main campus is in the east of the city near East Lake and next to the Optics Valley high-tech zone, while the medical campus lies across the river in Hankou's business district.
Nearest airport: Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH)
Notable alumni
- ZX Zhang XiaolongCreator of WeChat and the Foxmail email client at Tencent
- LN Li NaTennis player, French Open (2011) and Australian Open (2014) champion; bachelor's in journalism
- LV Lihong V. WangCaltech professor and pioneer of photoacoustic imaging; BS and MS in optics engineering
- GC Gang ChenMIT mechanical engineering professor and NAE member; BEng and MEng in power engineering
- FH Frank HuHarvard nutrition and epidemiology professor; MD from Tongji Medical University, now part of HUST
- ZJ Zhou JiFormer Minister of Education of China and President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering
Frequently asked questions
Can international students study at HUST in English?
Yes, for five bachelor's degrees: Clinical Medicine (MBBS), Pharmacy, Telecommunication Engineering, Mechanical Design Manufacturing and Automation, and Biomedical Engineering. All other majors are taught in Chinese and need HSK 4 or 5.
Does HUST require the CSCA?
Yes. From the 2026 intake, every international undergraduate applicant must submit a CSCA report in the subjects set for their discipline, for example Maths and Physics for the English-taught engineering degrees.
How much is HUST tuition for international students?
For the 2026 intake, 18,000 to 33,000 CNY a year for Chinese-taught programs and 30,000 to 40,000 CNY for English-taught ones, with MBBS at 40,000 CNY. Rooms cost 700 to 1,200 CNY a month.
When is the HUST application deadline?
For the 2026 intake applications ran from October 15, 2025 to June 15, 2026. The 2027 guide had not been published when checked; expect it around October 2026.
What HSK level does HUST require?
HSK 4 with at least 180 for science, engineering and medicine, and HSK 5 with at least 180 for economics, management, humanities, law and the School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation.
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.
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