Nanjing Agricultural University
南京农业大学
China's agriculture and life-science specialist in Nanjing, with CSCA-based undergraduate admission and a few Chinese/English degrees.
- Students
- 25,500
- 17,000 undergraduates
- Tuition
- CN¥20,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1902
- QS World Ranking
- 901-950
- 2027 edition
About NAU
Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) is a national key university directly affiliated to China's Ministry of Education. Its own history traces back to the Sanjiang Normal School of 1902 and to the agriculture faculty of the private University of Nanking, founded in 1914. It became Nanjing Agricultural College in 1952 and took its current name in 1984. NAU says it is covered by China's 211 Program and the Double First-Class initiative.
The university describes itself as known for agriculture and life sciences, but it also teaches sciences, economics, management, engineering, humanities and law across 18 colleges plus a physical education department. It reports more than 2,700 faculty and staff and over 25,500 full-time students, including more than 17,000 undergraduates and more than 8,500 postgraduates. Four of its first-level disciplines, including Crop Science and Plant Protection, were rated A+ in China's fourth national assessment of disciplines.
For international applicants the picture is more specific: its International Education college has taught more than 9,000 long- and short-term international students and 1,023 degree students, according to its own page. From the 2026/27 academic year, undergraduate applicants must sit the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) before applying. Most degrees are taught in Chinese and need HSK 5, and NAU does not run a Chinese-language foundation programme.
诚朴勤仁
University motto
Why students choose NAU
It is one of China's flagship agricultural universities, with four national first-level key disciplines including Crop Science, Plant Protection and Veterinary Medicine.
Undergraduate tuition for international students is CNY 20,000 to 39,000 a year, and a university dormitory bed costs CNY 1,000 to 1,200 a month.
A handful of undergraduate majors, such as Food Science and Engineering, Biotechnology, Environmental Engineering and Veterinary Medicine, were listed as Chinese/English programmes in the international undergraduate catalogue.
Graduate applicants can apply for Chinese Government Scholarship programmes that cover tuition, free dormitory accommodation and a monthly stipend of CNY 3,000 (master) or CNY 3,500 (doctoral).
Admissions
Undergraduate entry September 2027 (previous cycle's dates shown; the 2027 undergraduate guide was not yet published)
Selectivity
NAU does not publish an acceptance rate for international undergraduates. Admission is by document review of the application plus the CSCA result, with specific CSCA subjects set for each major.
Typical entry requirements
| Any senior secondary school diploma | High school diploma with good grades, good health and age 25 or younger; notarized diploma and transcript, and a CSCA result |
|---|---|
| Chinese-taught majors | HSK Level 5 or above |
| English-taught or Chinese/English majors | English as a native language, at least one year of study in an English-speaking country, or IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 80 |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 For English-taught programmes, unless you come from an English-speaking country or studied one year or more in one. The 2026 undergraduate guide lists almost all majors as Chinese-taught (Food Science and Engineering, Biotechnology, Environmental Engineering and Veterinary Medicine are marked Chinese/English) and asks bachelor's applicants to be under 25. TOEFL MyBest Scores and TOEFL Essentials are accepted (NAU institution code C702). Chinese-taught majors need HSK 5 instead. |
Deadlines
- Undergraduate application, September 2026 entry - PAST CYCLE, for reference Non-binding PassedMay 31, 2026 (closed; CSCA result due by June 2026 at the latest)
From NAU's 2026 international undergraduate admission guide (published November 21, 2025): submit the application by May 31, 2026; applicants without a CSCA result yet may upload the exam booking receipt and send the result when they receive it. The 2027 date has not been published.
NAU has not published a 2027 undergraduate deadline. The 2026 international undergraduate admission guide (published November 21, 2025) set the deadline at May 31, 2026, with the CSCA no later than June 2026. NAU's general international admission page separately gives end of June to middle July for all programme levels, so use the undergraduate guide's earlier date as the planning date and check the College of International Education notices before applying.
How to apply
Apply online in the NAU international student application system (njau.at0086.cn) with the NAU application form, visa application form, notarized diploma and transcript, CSCA result, a study plan of at least 800 words, valid language certificate, physical examination form, criminal record certificate and passport copy. The application fee is CNY 500 or USD 80.
What admissions looks for
- A high school diploma with good grades, good health, and age 25 or under for undergraduate study.
- A CSCA result, with the subjects required for your chosen major.
- Language ability: HSK 5 for Chinese-taught majors, IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 for English-taught ones.
- A study plan of at least 800 words, plus a valid passport, physical examination form and criminal record certificate.
Tips for applying to NAU
- 1 Register for the CSCA early: it is required before you apply and costs CNY 450 for one subject or CNY 700 for two or more.
- 2 Check the CSCA subject list per major in NAU's 2026 undergraduate admission guide: Mathematics is compulsory for everyone, and Physics and Chemistry are optional subjects for science, engineering, agriculture and medical majors.
- 3 Do not expect a full undergraduate scholarship from NAU. Its FAQ says it has none; apply for CSC funding through your local Chinese embassy or consulate.
- 4 Do not plan on a language year: NAU does not offer Chinese language programmes, so you need HSK 5 for Chinese-taught majors.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
NAU says it has no full scholarship for undergraduates; CSC applicants should approach Chinese embassies and consulates. For graduate students, Chinese Government Scholarship programmes (Silk Road, High-level Graduate Students) cover tuition, free standard dormitory accommodation (or a CNY 700 to 1,000 monthly subsidy off campus) and a stipend of CNY 3,000 a month for master's and CNY 3,500 for doctoral students. Enrolled international students in the second year or above can be nominated for the Jiangsu Provincial Government Distinguished Scholarship (one-time CNY 18,000 for undergraduates).
- CNY 500 or USD 80
- Application fee
- CNY 3,000 a month (CNY 3,500 for doctoral)
- CSC master's stipend
- One-time CNY 18,000 (undergraduate), CNY 30,000 (postgraduate)
- Jiangsu Provincial Government Distinguished Scholarship (2025)
- CNY 450 for 1 subject, CNY 700 for 2 or more
- CSCA test fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters; international students register in early September
Agronomy and Crop Science
Crop Science is one of four national first-level key disciplines and was rated A+ in China's fourth national discipline assessment.
Plant Protection
A national first-level key discipline, also rated A+ in the fourth national assessment.
Veterinary Medicine (Chinese/English)
Another national first-level key discipline, offered as a Chinese/English programme in the international undergraduate catalogue.
Food Science and Engineering (Chinese/English)
The discipline prioritized by the state for development, listed as a Chinese/English undergraduate programme.
Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology
Both listed as Chinese/English undergraduate programmes in the international undergraduate catalogue.
Research
- NAU hosts national key disciplines in Crop Science, Agricultural Resources and Environmental Science, Plant Protection and Veterinary Medicine.
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Innovation, listed by Wikipedia among its research facilities.
- NAU hosts a national training centre for life science and technology talent and a national experiment and teaching centre for virtual simulation of plant production, animal science and agricultural biology.
Schools & faculties
- College of Agriculture
- College of Plant Protection
- College of Horticulture
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- College of Animal Science and Technology
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences
- College of Life Sciences
- College of Food Science and Technology
- College of Engineering
- School of Economics and Management
- College of Public Administration
- College of Humanities and Social Development
NAU does not publish graduate employment figures on the international pages used here.
Student life
NAU has two campuses that international students meet in practice: Weigang and Binjiang, each with an international student apartment where two students share a room with a separate bathroom. Dormitory beds cost CNY 1,000 a month at Weigang and CNY 1,200 at Binjiang for stays of a month or more. The College of International Education runs summer schools and cultural programmes, and exchange links include the University of California, Davis, Chiba University and a university in Seoul. NAU also runs a Confucius Institute as part of its international work.
- Two-person rooms with separate bathrooms in the Weigang and Binjiang international student apartments.
- International summer schools run by the College of International Education.
- Exchange links with UC Davis, Chiba University and a university in Seoul.
- An annual review and scholarship cycle for full-scholarship students, with notices published on the college site.
Housing. Two-person rooms with separate bathroom in the Weigang and Binjiang international student apartments, at CNY 1,000 or CNY 1,200 a month for stays of a month or more.
Location
NAU is in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu Province. The Weigang campus is in the city, and the newer Binjiang campus is in the Jiangbei New Area, where the university lists its address as Binjiang Avenue 666. The international college has offices on both campuses.
Nearest airport: Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG)
Notable alumni
- LS Liu ShourenAcademician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, known as the father of Chinese fine wool sheep; studied at Nanjing Agricultural College from 1952
- HP Hu PeisongRice geneticist and president of the China National Rice Research Institute; doctorate from NAU in 2002
- ZJ Zhang JiabaoSoil scientist at the Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; bachelor's degree from NAU in 1982
- LP Li PeiwuAgronomist at the Oil Crops Research Institute; graduated from NAU in 1986
- SY Sun YaweiHurdler and two-time Asian Championships gold medallist in the 100 metres hurdles; studied veterinary science at NAU
Frequently asked questions
Do international undergraduates need the CSCA for Nanjing Agricultural University?
Yes. From the 2026/27 academic year, undergraduate applicants must take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment before applying; the required subjects depend on the major and are listed in NAU's 2026 undergraduate admission guide.
How much is tuition for international students at NAU?
For undergraduates, CNY 20,000 to 33,000 a year in Chinese-taught programmes and CNY 24,000 to 39,000 a year in English-taught programmes, depending on the field.
Is there a full scholarship for undergraduates at NAU?
NAU says it has no full scholarship for undergraduates. CSC applicants should apply through the local Chinese embassy or consulate; graduate students can apply to the Chinese Government Scholarship programmes NAU lists.
What Chinese level do I need to study at NAU?
HSK Level 5 for Chinese-taught undergraduate programmes. NAU does not offer Chinese-language courses to prepare you.
When is the deadline to apply to NAU as a self-funded student?
For September 2026 entry the international undergraduate admission guide set the application deadline at May 31, 2026 (CSCA by June 2026 at the latest). NAU had not published the 2027 date 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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