Hunan University
湖南大学
A Changsha university that traces its roots to the 976 AD Yuelu Academy and runs China's third national supercomputing centre.
- Students
- 41,000
- 23,000 undergraduates
- Tuition
- CN¥15,000
- From · 2025-26
- Founded
- 1926
- QS World Ranking
- #477
- 2027 edition
About HNU
Hunan University (HNU) traces its origins to Yuelu Academy, a Confucian academy founded in 976 AD at the foot of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha. The academy merged with the Hunan Institute of Higher Learning in 1903, and the institution was officially named Hunan University in 1926; in 2000 it merged with the Hunan Institute of Finance and Economics. It is a Ministry of Education university in Projects 211 and 985 and the Double First-Class initiative, with chemistry, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering listed as world-class disciplines.
HNU has more than 41,000 full-time students (over 23,000 undergraduates) and about 2,400 full-time teachers across 37 schools and research institutes, offering 87 undergraduate programmes. It operates the National Supercomputing Center in Changsha, home to a Tianhe supercomputer, and has seven state key laboratories. Yuelu Academy survives on campus as HNU's School of History and Philosophy, and the first phase of a new Kechuanggang campus is planned to open in 2026, the centenary of the university's naming.
For international students, HNU offers its Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes on the same terms as Chinese students, with a high language bar (HSK 6 in the latest published guidelines); English-taught degrees are at master's and PhD level. It suits students with strong Chinese who want a historic, research-intensive university in central China.
实事求是，敢为人先
“Seeking truth from facts, and daring to be pioneers” — university motto
Why students choose HNU
Yuelu Academy, founded in 976 AD, is part of the campus and now houses the School of History and Philosophy.
HNU runs the National Supercomputing Center in Changsha, China's third national supercomputing centre.
Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering are Double First-Class disciplines, and HNU reports seven state key laboratories.
Tuition for Chinese-taught bachelor's degrees was 15,000 CNY (arts) or 17,000 CNY (science and engineering) a year in the 2025 guidelines.
Admissions
International undergraduates, September entry (latest published guidelines are for 2025; 2026 and 2027 guidelines not found on HNU's English site)
Selectivity
HNU does not publish an admission rate for international undergraduates. Applicants may be invited to an interview or written test by the school they apply to, and decisions are sent by the end of July.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | High school diploma or equivalent before enrolment, with notarised diploma and transcripts; non-Chinese citizens aged 18-30 at enrolment |
|---|---|
| HSK (Chinese-taught programmes) | HSK 6, valid for 2 years, or a stamped letter from your previous school showing you were taught in Chinese |
Deadlines
- Self-financed programmes (2025 intake, past) Non-binding PassedJuly 18, 2025
Decisions by the end of July; admitted students receive an admission or pre-admission letter.
Only the 2025 guidelines were published on HNU's English admissions page when checked in September 2026. Expect the 2027 deadline in mid-summer 2027, but confirm on the admissions page before planning.
How to apply
Apply online at hnu.17gz.org and upload a passport scan, Foreigner Physical Examination Form, non-criminal record certificate, notarised diploma and transcripts, and HSK certificate; undergraduates do not need a study plan or recommendation letters. Pay the 400 CNY application fee, then watch your email for any interview or written test.
What admissions looks for
- A completed high school education with notarised, stamped transcripts.
- Near-native Chinese: HSK 6, or proof that your previous schooling was in Chinese.
- Performance in any interview or written test set by the school you apply to.
- A complete, accurate application; HNU may cancel applications with false documents.
Tips for applying to HNU
- 1 Aim for HSK 6 early: it is the bar for Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes in HNU's latest guidelines.
- 2 If your Chinese is not yet at that level, consider HNU's one-semester (7,500 CNY) or one-year (15,000 CNY) Chinese language course first.
- 3 Get the physical examination form fully signed and stamped with a sealed photo; incomplete forms are invalid.
- 4 Check the admissions page for the 2027 guidelines and any CSCA subjects before booking tests.
Costs & financial aid
2025-26 · figures in CNY
HNU's English admissions pages list Chinese Government Scholarship programmes (mostly postgraduate, such as the Silk Road and high-level postgraduate programmes) and say scholarship opportunities are available for about 10% of applicants. Self-financed undergraduates should check each year's scholarship notices.
- Single room 8,400 CNY a year; double room 6,000 CNY a year (2025 guidelines)
- Accommodation
- 800 CNY a year
- Insurance
- 400 CNY
- Application fee
- 7,500 CNY per semester or 15,000 CNY per year
- Chinese language programme
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (September entry)
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Chemistry is one of HNU's three Double First-Class 'world-class' disciplines.
Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering
Mechanical engineering is a Double First-Class discipline at HNU.
Electrical Engineering
The third of HNU's Double First-Class disciplines, in the College of Electrical and Information Engineering.
Computer Science
HNU is in the national '101' Plan for computer science and AI, and runs the National Supercomputing Center in Changsha.
History and Philosophy at Yuelu Academy
Taught inside the 1,000-year-old academy that President Xi called the origin of the Party's 'Seeking Truth from Facts' line.
Research
- The National Supercomputing Center in Changsha, China's third, is operated by HNU and runs a Tianhe supercomputer.
- HNU has seven state key laboratories and, since 2019, has led 12 projects that won national science and technology awards.
- Five disciplines are in the ESI global top 0.1% and engineering in the top 0.01%; HNU ranked 43rd globally in the 2025 Nature Index, by its own account.
Schools & faculties
- Yuelu Academy (School of History and Philosophy)
- College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering
- College of Materials Science and Engineering
- College of Electrical and Information Engineering
- College of Computer Science
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- College of Civil Engineering
- School of Architecture and Planning
- School of Economics and Trade
- School of Finance and Statistics
- Law School
- Business School
Student life
HNU's main South campus is in Changsha's Yuelu District, where the historic Yuelu Academy and early 20th-century halls sit among teaching buildings and student residences, alongside the Caiyuan campus and the new Kechuanggang campus. Canteens on the South campus serve Chinese and Western food, and there are Muslim canteens on both the South and North campuses. International students live in an International Students Apartment with private bathrooms, air conditioning, a shared kitchen and laundry. Student life runs through the Student Union, a federation of student associations and the university art troupe.
- Yuelu Academy, a Confucian academy dating from 976 AD, on campus.
- Muslim canteens on the South and North campuses.
- College Students' Art Troupe and a federation of student associations.
- A new Kechuanggang campus, with its first phase planned to open in 2026.
Housing. The 2025 guidelines list international student rooms at 8,400 CNY a year (single) or 6,000 CNY a year (double).
Location
Changsha is the capital of Hunan province in central China, on the Xiang River. HNU's main campus is in Yuelu District on the west side of the city, around the historic Yuelu Academy. HNU describes the cost of living in Changsha as comparatively low, and the campus has restaurants and canteens serving Chinese, Western and halal food.
Nearest airport: Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX)
Notable alumni
- CY Ci YunguiComputer scientist known as 'the father of China's supercomputers'; studied at Hunan University
- XH Xuedong HuangSpeech and AI pioneer, former Microsoft technical fellow and Zoom's chief technology officer; BS (1982)
- HS Hugo ShongFounding chairman of IDG Capital, early investor in Baidu, Tencent and Xiaomi; BA in English (1981)
- LH Leaf Hua LiFounder and CEO of Futu Holdings (Futubull and Moomoo); bachelor's degree (2000)
- WS Wang ShouwenEconomist and China's International Trade Representative (2022-2025); bachelor's in engineering
- AQ Amy Q. ShenFluid mechanics researcher and provost of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology; bachelor's in engineering mechanics
Frequently asked questions
Can international students study at Hunan University in English?
Not at bachelor's level. HNU's latest guidelines list English-taught master's and PhD programmes only (for example Business Administration, Computer Science and Applied Economics); undergraduate programmes are taught in Chinese.
What HSK level does Hunan University require?
The 2025 guidelines ask for HSK 6, valid for two years, or proof that your previous studies were taught in Chinese.
How much is Hunan University tuition for international students?
Under the 2025 guidelines, Chinese-taught bachelor's tuition was 15,000 CNY a year for arts and 17,000 CNY for science and engineering, plus 6,000 to 8,400 CNY a year for a dormitory room.
When is the Hunan University application deadline?
The latest published deadline was July 18, 2025, with decisions by the end of July. Check the admissions page for the 2027 date.
Is Yuelu Academy part of Hunan University?
Yes. The academy, founded in 976 AD, is on HNU's campus and today houses its School of History and Philosophy.
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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