Lanzhou University
兰州大学
Northwest China's oldest modern university, strongest in chemistry, ecology, atmospheric science and grassland science.
- Students
- 42,568
- 21,191 undergraduates
- Tuition
- CN¥20,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1909
- QS World Ranking
- 721-730
- 2027 edition
About LZU
Lanzhou University was founded in 1909 as the Gansu School of Law and Politics, the first modern higher education institution in northwest China. It became Lanzhou Zhongshan University in 1928 and National Lanzhou University in 1946, and after 1949 was named one of China's 14 comprehensive universities. It is a Ministry of Education university in Projects 211 and 985 and was selected as a Category A Double First-Class university in 2017. The Gansu Grassland Ecological Research Institute and Lanzhou Medical College merged into it in 2002 and 2004.
LZU has about 21,200 undergraduates, 15,500 master's students and 5,900 doctoral students, with 96 bachelor's programmes (its degree programmes span 13 disciplinary categories) and two campuses: the historic Chengguan campus in central Lanzhou and the larger Yuzhong campus outside the city. Chemistry, Atmospheric Science, Ecology and Grassland Science are national world-class discipline projects, and the university's research leans on its setting: the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, glaciers and permafrost, desertification control, Dunhuang studies and Central Asia.
For international undergraduates, all bachelor's programmes are taught in Chinese and need HSK 4 plus CSCA scores; students without HSK 4 take one to two years of Chinese first. Tuition is CNY 20,000 to 35,000 a year. LZU suits students who want a serious science or medicine degree in China at modest cost, and who are happy to live far from the eastern megacities.
自强不息，独树一帜
“Strive constantly for self-improvement; be distinctive” — university motto
Why students choose LZU
Four disciplines, Chemistry, Atmospheric Science, Ecology and Grassland Science, are on China's national world-class discipline list, and Chemistry, Environment/Ecology and Agricultural Sciences are in the ESI global top 1‰.
Bachelor's tuition for international students is CNY 20,000 a year for liberal arts, CNY 25,000 for sciences and CNY 35,000 for medicine and arts.
A wide Chinese-taught menu of around 90 majors is open to international students, from Clinical Medicine and Stomatology to Nuclear Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Grassland Science.
LZU can offer outstanding applicants full scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, living allowance and medical insurance, alongside the Chinese Government Scholarship.
Admissions
2027-28 intake (the latest published guide is for the past 2026-27 intake)
Selectivity
LZU does not publish an admission rate for international students. Applications pass an initial review, a review by the academic school and a final university review; admission depends on CSCA results, HSK level and academic record.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | Non-Chinese citizen in good health, holding a high school diploma, under 25; applicants of Chinese origin must meet the Ministry of Education nationality and overseas-residence rules |
|---|---|
| CSCA | Subject combination set by major: Professional Chinese plus Mathematics for arts and social science majors; plus Physics and/or Chemistry for science, engineering and medical majors |
| HSK | HSK 4 with 210 or above for all majors; Chinese Language and Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages also need HSKK Intermediate with 60 or above. Without HSK 4, students take 1-2 years of Chinese preparatory study first |
Deadlines
- September 2026 intake - PAST CYCLE, for reference only Non-binding PassedJune 30, 2026 (closed)
Applications ran from November 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026; scholarship applicants had to submit everything, and CSCA score reports were due, by May 15, 2026. New students registered on August 27-29, 2026.
- September 2027 intake (standing LZU window) Non-bindingNovember 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 (expected)
LZU's guide states the window as November 1 to June 30 of the following year, with scholarship applications complete by May 15. Confirm dates when the 2027-28 guide is published.
- Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A) Non-bindingSet in the annual CSC notice (2027-28 notice not yet published)
Apply through the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country via studyinchina.csc.edu.cn, and also through LZU's online system; Type A undergraduate applicants upload LZU's pre-admission notice to the CSC system.
LZU had not published its 2027-28 undergraduate guide as of September 29, 2026. For 2026-27 the window was November 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, with May 15, 2026 as the deadline for scholarship applications and CSCA score reports. Book a CSCA session early so your scores arrive before mid-May.
How to apply
Create an account on LZU's International Student Online Application System (lzu.at0086.cn), choose a major and upload: passport (valid beyond March 1 of the year after entry), notarised diploma and transcripts, CSCA score report, HSK certificate, proof of nationality, non-criminal record certificate or signed commitment letter, Foreigner Physical Examination Form, proof of funds and a study plan of at least 800 words. After an initial review and a school review you receive a pre-admission notice; results come around mid-July and students enrol in September.
What admissions looks for
- CSCA results in the subjects your major requires, submitted by the mid-May deadline.
- HSK 4 with at least 210 (plus HSKK Intermediate 60 for Chinese Language and TCSOL), or willingness to complete 1-2 years of Chinese preparatory study.
- A strong school record: an average of at least 3.0/4.0, 3.75/5.0 or 75%.
- A study plan of at least 800 words explaining your academic goals, reviewed by the academic school.
Tips for applying to LZU
- 1 Check LZU's majors spreadsheet before booking the CSCA: medicine, life sciences and computing majors need Chinese, Mathematics and Chemistry or Physics, while chemistry, physics, materials and environmental majors need both Physics and Chemistry.
- 2 If you want a scholarship, treat May 15 as your real deadline: LZU requires all scholarship documents and CSCA scores by then, six weeks before the general deadline.
- 3 Chinese-heritage applicants should prepare the nationality documents early, including entry and exit records showing at least two years of residence abroad in the four years before entry.
- 4 Budget by major: medicine and arts cost CNY 35,000 a year, CNY 10,000 more than the sciences.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
LZU offers full scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, living allowance and comprehensive medical insurance to outstanding applicants. International students can also apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A, through their home country's Chinese embassy or consulate) and the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship through the Center for Language Education and Cooperation.
- CNY 600 (paid at registration)
- Registration fee
- CNY 900 a month (private bathroom; shared kitchens and laundry)
- Chengguan campus housing
- Double room CNY 3,000 a semester; quad room CNY 1,800 a semester
- Yuzhong campus housing
- CNY 1,000 a year
- Insurance
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (September intake)
Chemistry
A national world-class discipline and in the ESI global top 1‰; the university credits chemistry with nine alumni academicians from one department.
Atmospheric Science
One of LZU's four world-class discipline projects; international applicants need CSCA Chinese, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
Ecology
A national key and world-class discipline, with Environment/Ecology in the ESI global top 1‰.
Grassland Science
Taught by the College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, built on the Gansu Grassland Ecological Research Institute that merged into LZU in 2002.
Clinical Medicine
A five-year programme open to international students (CNY 35,000 a year); LZU's First and Second Hospitals are large Grade 3A teaching hospitals in Gansu.
Nuclear Engineering and Nuclear Technology
One of several nuclear majors in the School of Nuclear Science and Technology, reflecting LZU's research strength in nuclear science.
Research
- LZU runs 11 national-level science and technology platforms, including 5 national key laboratories and 2 national field observation stations.
- Research strengths named by the university include the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, glaciers and permafrost, sand control, magnetism, nuclear science, peptide drugs and Dunhuang studies.
- LZU has 6 national talent-training bases for basic disciplines and was one of 19 Chinese universities in the first pilot programme for training top students in basic sciences.
Schools & faculties
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- School of Physics and Technology
- School of Mathematics and Statistics
- School of Atmospheric Sciences
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences
- College of Ecology
- College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology
- School of Life Sciences
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology
- School of Information Science and Engineering
- School of Basic Medical Sciences
- School of Economics
LZU reports more than 560,000 alumni and says its graduates rank near the top of Chinese universities for numbers elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Engineering and for National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars awards.
Student life
International students live on either the Chengguan campus in the city or the larger Yuzhong campus, where the international student service station is based, and register on their own campus each August. The School of International Cultural Exchange runs courses and activities in Chinese culture, including martial arts, calligraphy and painting, classical poetry, Peking opera and paper-cutting, plus Chinese Bridge contests, cultural festivals and field trips around Gansu. The LZU emblem is based on the front view of the university library, which the university describes as one of Lanzhou's original landmark buildings.
- Chinese culture courses for international students, from martial arts and calligraphy to Peking opera.
- Chinese Bridge contests and international student cultural festivals.
- Two campuses: historic Chengguan in central Lanzhou and the main Yuzhong campus outside the city.
- The university song dates from 1938 and the motto, 'Strive constantly for self-improvement; be distinctive', runs through campus life.
Housing. On-campus housing for international students costs CNY 900 a month on the Chengguan campus (private bathroom, shared kitchens and laundry) or CNY 3,000 (double) or CNY 1,800 (quad) a semester on the Yuzhong campus.
Location
Lanzhou is the capital and largest city of Gansu province in northwest China, on the banks of the Yellow River and historically a major link on the Northern Silk Road. It is a regional rail hub and a centre for science and education in the northwest. LZU's Chengguan campus sits in the city centre on Tianshui South Road, while the main Yuzhong campus is in Yuzhong County, outside the city. Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport is about 70 km north of the city.
Nearest airport: Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport (LHW)
Notable alumni
- WY Wu YundongTheoretical organic chemist; BS from Lanzhou University, 1982
- SH Shu HongbingBiologist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; LZU graduate, 1987
- CF Chen FahuGeographer and climatologist, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the CAS Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research; BS, MS and PhD at LZU
- QD Qin DaheGlaciologist, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, former head of the China Meteorological Administration and member of the 1989 International Trans-Antarctica Expedition; studied at LZU and earned a master's in geography there
- LZ Li ZhenguoFounder and president of solar company LONGi Green Energy, which he started with LZU classmates
- LY Li YangCreator of the Crazy English method; entered LZU in 1986 to study engineering mechanics
- RJ Ren JianxinFounder of Bluestar and founding president of ChemChina; master's in business administration from LZU's economics department, 1994
Frequently asked questions
Does Lanzhou University teach undergraduate degrees in English?
No. LZU's bachelor's programmes for international students are Chinese-taught and require HSK 4 with 210 or above; students without it take 1-2 years of Chinese preparatory study first.
Does Lanzhou University require the CSCA?
Yes. Bachelor's applicants must submit a CSCA score report; the subjects depend on the major, from Chinese and Mathematics for social sciences up to Chinese, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry for fields like Chemistry and Atmospheric Science.
How much is Lanzhou University tuition for international students?
For 2026-27, CNY 20,000 a year for liberal arts, CNY 25,000 for sciences and CNY 35,000 for medicine and arts, plus a CNY 600 registration fee, housing and CNY 1,000 a year of insurance.
When is the Lanzhou University application deadline for September 2027?
The 2027-28 guide is not out yet. LZU's standing window is November 1 to June 30 of the following year, with scholarship applications and CSCA scores due by May 15.
Can I get a scholarship at Lanzhou University?
Yes. LZU offers full scholarships covering tuition, housing, living allowance and insurance to outstanding applicants, and you can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A) through your country's Chinese embassy.
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.
- LZU School of International Cultural Exchange: Undergraduate programs (2026-27 admission guide, English)
- LZU School of International Cultural Exchange: 本科项目介绍 (undergraduate guide, Chinese)
- LZU: Undergraduate majors for international students and CSCA test subjects (xlsx)
- LZU School of International Cultural Exchange: Scholarship overview
- LZU School of International Cultural Exchange: Chinese Government Scholarship
- LZU School of International Cultural Exchange: About SICE
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