Nanjing Normal University
南京师范大学
Jiangsu's leading teacher-training and comprehensive university, with the historic Ginling College campus at its heart.
- Students
- 39,521
- 22,479 undergraduates
- Tuition
- CN¥16,600
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1902
- QS World Ranking
- 901-950
- 2027 edition
About NNU
Nanjing Normal University traces its main origin to Sanjiang Normal School, founded in Nanjing in 1902 as one of the cradles of higher teacher education in China, and a second to the University of Nanking (1888) and Ginling Women's College. In 1952 departments of Nanjing University and Ginling University were merged into Nanjing Normal College on the former Ginling College site; it became Nanjing Normal University in 1984, joined Project 211 in 1996 and is now a Double First-Class university, with Geography as its Double First-Class discipline.
NNU has 22,479 undergraduates and 17,042 graduate students, 2,191 full-time teachers and 29 schools offering 82 undergraduate majors in 13 fields, from education, psychology and Chinese literature to geography, chemistry and electrical engineering. It has three campuses: the large modern Xianlin Campus in Nanjing's university town, where most undergraduates study; the Suiyuan Campus, the historic Ginling College site known as 'the most beautiful campus of the Orient'; and the Zijin Campus.
For international students NNU offers about 80 bachelor's majors, almost all taught in Chinese, plus English-taught International Economics and Trade. It suits students with solid Chinese who want education, Chinese language and culture, the humanities or geography at a historic university in one of China's old capitals.
正德厚生，笃学敏行
“Rectify virtue and enrich life; study earnestly and act promptly” — university motto
Why students choose NNU
Geography is a Double First-Class discipline, and NNU reports 15 subjects in the ESI global top 1%, including chemistry, environmental science and psychology.
The Suiyuan Campus, the former Ginling College, is a nationally protected historic site with classical Chinese buildings.
Tuition is modest: CNY 16,600-21,000 a year for Chinese-taught bachelor's degrees in 2026.
Undergraduates can apply for the Nanjing Municipal Government Scholarship, and those in English-taught programmes for NNU's own full scholarship covering tuition, housing and CNY 1,000 a month.
Admissions
September 2027 intake (previous cycle's dates shown; the 2027 guide was not yet published)
Selectivity
NNU does not publish an admission rate. International applicants are reviewed on documents, HSK and CSCA scores; the university may admit directly or ask for an interview, or an interview plus exams.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | High school graduation certificate and transcripts (current students submit a certificate of expected graduation) |
|---|---|
| Age and nationality | Foreign citizen, over 18 years old, in good health and of good character |
| Chinese (Chinese-taught programmes) | HSK 4 with 210 or above; applicants who don't meet it can take NNU's Chinese language programme first |
| CSCA | Required, in the subjects set for your major |
| Music and art majors | Samples of your own work |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 For the English-taught bachelor's in International Economics and Trade: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 in principle; applicants below this may be given an English interview. Applicants for NNU's University Scholarship on English-taught programmes are asked for TOEFL 85 or IELTS 6.5. |
Deadlines
- NNU University Scholarship (English-taught bachelor's) - PAST CYCLE, for reference Non-binding PassedMay 1, 2026 (closed)
Applications March 1 to May 1, 2026; interviews May 16-25; admission notification mid-June 2026.
- Self-funded applicants - PAST CYCLE, for reference Non-binding PassedJune 1, 2026 (closed)
Applications April 1 to June 1, 2026; interviews in late May (first batch) and mid-June (second batch); notification mid-to-late June 2026.
Dates are from NNU's 2026 Application Procedure page (published December 3, 2025) and are the previous cycle; NNU says they may be adjusted. The 2026 Application Guide appeared on November 28, 2025, so the 2027 guide is likely around late November 2026. Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A) applicants for bachelor's study apply through the Chinese embassy in their country.
How to apply
Apply online at njnu.17gz.org with your passport, high school certificate and transcripts, HSK certificate (or English test for the English-taught programme), CSCA score report, medical examination report, non-criminal record and proof of funding. Chinese Government Scholarship applicants also complete the CSC online application (NNU agency number 10319). NNU says it never authorises agents to recruit for it.
What admissions looks for
- A completed high school education with transcripts.
- Chinese at HSK 4 (210+) for Chinese-taught majors, or IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 80 for International Economics and Trade.
- CSCA scores in the subjects your major requires, taken in the right language version.
- Good character and health, and for art and music majors, a portfolio of your own work.
Tips for applying to NNU
- 1 Take the correct CSCA version: Chinese-taught majors must use the Chinese-language test; the English version is not accepted for them.
- 2 If your Chinese is below HSK 4, apply to NNU's Chinese language programme first and move into a degree once you reach the required score.
- 3 The only English-taught bachelor's is International Economics and Trade, and it only runs with at least 15 students.
- 4 Apply directly on NNU's own system; the university says it does not use agents.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
Bachelor's students can apply for Chinese Government Scholarships in certain majors, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship for Chinese Language and Literature or TCSOL, and the Nanjing Municipal Government Scholarship (partial) for all majors; the Jiangsu Government Scholarship is open after one year of study. NNU's University Scholarship for English-taught undergraduates covers tuition and campus housing and pays CNY 1,000 a month.
- CNY 800 per year
- Medical insurance
- CNY 3,500-6,000 per semester
- Campus accommodation
- Tuition and campus housing covered plus CNY 1,000 a month
- NNU University Scholarship (undergraduates, English-taught)
- 80% of tuition if approved within two weeks of term starting; none after
- Refund on withdrawal
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters; international degree students start in early September
Geographical Science
Geography is NNU's Double First-Class discipline; applicants take CSCA Chinese (STEM), Mathematics and Physics.
Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages
Taught by the International College for Chinese Studies, with the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship available.
International Economics and Trade (English-taught)
NNU's English-taught bachelor's, offered since the department began enrolling undergraduates in the field in 1994.
Preschool Education and Pedagogy
Core teacher-education subjects at one of the cradles of Chinese higher normal education.
Applied Psychology
Psychology is among NNU's subjects in the ESI global top 1%.
Fine Arts and Chinese Painting
The School of Fine Arts teaches painting, Chinese painting, calligraphy and design; applicants submit their own works.
Research
- Six national key disciplines and one Double First-Class discipline (Geography).
- Hosts the UNESCO International Rural Education Research and Training Center (INRULED) Nanjing Base.
- NNU's library is a national key unit for the protection of ancient books, and the university set up a museum group in 2025 with more than 100,000 items on display.
Schools & faculties
- Ginling College
- Honors College
- International College for Chinese Studies
- School of Education Science
- School of Psychology
- School of Chinese Language and Literature
- School of Foreign Languages and Cultures
- School of Business
- School of Law
- School of Geography
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science
- School of Computer and Electronic Information / School of Artificial Intelligence
Student life
Most undergraduates live and study on the Xianlin Campus in Nanjing's eastern university town, a large modern campus whose Jingwen Library, according to Wikipedia, is the largest single-building library in Jiangsu. The Suiyuan Campus in Gulou District keeps the classical Chinese buildings of the former Ginling College, including Building 100, and is a national protected heritage site. International students are supported by the International Students Division, and NNU has Confucius Institutes at North Carolina State University, Pace University and in Alsace.
- Suiyuan Campus, the former Ginling College, is called 'the most beautiful campus of the Orient'.
- Exchange links with 232 universities in 42 countries and regions (2021 figure).
- Olympic volleyball champions Hui Ruoqi and Zhang Changning studied at NNU.
- A university museum group, founded in 2025, with more than 100,000 items on display.
Housing. Campus accommodation for international students costs CNY 3,500-6,000 per semester, depending on the room.
Location
Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu province and one of China's four great ancient capitals. NNU's main Xianlin Campus is at 1 Wenyuan Road in Qixia District, in the Xianlin university town east of the city, while the historic Suiyuan Campus is at 122 Ninghai Road in Gulou District, in the city centre.
Nearest airport: Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
Notable alumni
- WY Wu Yi-fangEducator and diplomat, one of four women to sign the UN Charter in 1945; graduate of Ginling Women's College, one of NNU's predecessors
- Y Le YuchengDiplomat and former executive vice minister of foreign affairs; graduated in Russian language and literature (1986)
- CM Cai MingzhaoFormer president of Xinhua News Agency; Nanjing Normal University alumnus (Wikipedia)
- ZJ Zhang JindongFounder of the retailer Suning; Nanjing Normal University alumnus (Wikipedia)
- HR Hui RuoqiFormer captain of China's women's volleyball team, 2016 Olympic champion; master's in physical education (2017)
- ZC Zhang ChangningChina women's volleyball player, 2016 Olympic champion; studied at NNU
Frequently asked questions
How much does Nanjing Normal University cost for international students?
Chinese-taught bachelor's degrees cost CNY 16,600-21,000 a year depending on the field, plus CNY 800 a year for insurance and CNY 3,500-6,000 per semester for campus housing. English-taught programmes cost 1.2 times the Chinese-taught fee.
Does Nanjing Normal University teach bachelor's degrees in English?
One: International Economics and Trade, which needs IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 in principle and runs with at least 15 students. All other bachelor's majors are taught in Chinese.
What HSK level do I need for Nanjing Normal University?
HSK 4 with at least 210 for Chinese-taught bachelor's degrees. If you don't have it yet, you can start in NNU's Chinese language programme.
Do I need the CSCA for Nanjing Normal University?
Yes. Bachelor's applicants submit CSCA scores; humanities majors take Chinese (Humanities) and Mathematics, science majors take Chinese (STEM), Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry, and International Economics and Trade takes English-paper Mathematics.
When is the application deadline at Nanjing Normal University?
In the 2026 cycle self-funded applications ran April 1 to June 1, and University Scholarship applications March 1 to May 1. The 2027 dates had not been published by September 30, 2026.
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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