South China University of Technology
华南理工大学
Guangzhou's engineering flagship, strongest in chemistry, materials and food science, spread across three campuses.
- Students
- 52,184
- 28,426 undergraduates
- International
- 5%
- of students
- Tuition
- CN¥18,200
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1952
About SCUT
South China University of Technology (SCUT) traces its origins to a Guangdong industrial school founded in 1918 and to the engineering school of National Sun Yat-sen University, and was formally set up as the South China Institute of Technology in 1952, when it became one of new China's 'four great institutes of technology'. It took its current name in 1988, joined Projects 211 and 985, and is a Double First-Class university directly under the Ministry of Education.
SCUT calls itself a flagship institute of technology for southern China. Engineering, chemistry and materials science are in the top 0.01% of Clarivate's ESI rankings, and the university leads Chinese universities in patents: since 2009 it has won more China Patent Awards as first patentee than any other. Its three campuses are Wushan in central Tianhe, the University Town campus in Panyu, and the Guangzhou International Campus opened in 2019, together hosting more than 35 schools from architecture and light industry to microelectronics and medicine.
International undergraduates can study in Chinese (HSK 4 or 5 plus the HSK speaking test), in English or bilingually, and all need a CSCA certificate from 2026. Applications close on June 30 for September entry. SCUT suits students who want hands-on engineering in the Greater Bay Area, where many of its graduates have founded or run companies such as CATL and XPeng.
博学慎思 明辨笃行
“Study extensively, enquire accurately; discriminate clearly, practise earnestly” — university motto
Why students choose SCUT
Engineering, Chemistry and Materials Science sit in the ESI global top 0.01%, with Computer Science, Agricultural Science and Environment/Ecology in the top 0.1%.
Degrees are offered in Chinese, English or bilingual formats, with English-medium and bilingual undergraduate tuition at 26,000 CNY a year.
The SCUT International Student Scholarship for Excellence can waive full or half tuition for the whole degree, with no separate application.
Graduates include CATL founder Robin Zeng and XPeng founder He Xiaopeng, and the university calls itself a 'cradle of engineers and entrepreneurs'.
Admissions
International undergraduates, September 2027 entry
Selectivity
SCUT does not publish an admission rate for international undergraduates. Applicants are assessed on their high school record, CSCA certificate and language certificates; scholarship candidates are chosen on merit from the same applicant pool.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | High school graduate with a good record, or a pre-graduation certificate with the expected graduation date; applicants must be non-Chinese citizens under 25 |
|---|---|
| CSCA certificate | Required for all undergraduate applicants |
| HSK (Chinese-medium programs) | HSK 4 with 180+ for science and engineering and for Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages; HSK 5 with 180+ for liberal arts, economics and management, foreign languages, arts, design, architecture and sport training; HSK Speaking Test (Intermediate) score required |
| Bilingual programs | Both the HSK level for your field (with speaking test) and an English certificate (TOEFL iBT 68, IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 100) |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 68 For English-medium programs: TOEFL iBT 68, IELTS 5.5, Duolingo 100 or equivalent, valid within the last 2 years. Exempt only if you are a citizen of an English-speaking country and your highest qualification was taught in English. |
Deadlines
- SCUT International Student Scholarship for Excellence (consideration deadline) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~8 monthsJune 15, 2027
SCUT states June 15 each year; no separate scholarship application is needed.
- International undergraduate application Non-binding In ~9 monthsJune 30, 2027
SCUT states June 30 of each year; some schools may set different deadlines. Study starts in September.
Dates follow SCUT's standing rule ('June 30 of each year'; scholarship June 15), not a separate 2027 notice. Apply earlier if you want scholarship consideration.
How to apply
Create an account at www.scut.edu.cn/apply, fill in your personal information, upload scanned supporting documents (passport, CSCA certificate, graduation certificate or pre-graduation certificate, transcripts, language certificates) and pay the 450 CNY application fee online; unpaid applications are invalid.
What admissions looks for
- A good high school record, confirmed with final graduation certificates and transcripts before enrolment.
- A valid CSCA certificate.
- Language readiness: the right HSK level plus the HSK speaking test for Chinese-medium study, or TOEFL 68 / IELTS 5.5 / Duolingo 100 for English-medium study.
- An exemplary academic record if you hope for a full or half tuition waiver.
Tips for applying to SCUT
- 1 Aim to apply by June 15 rather than June 30, since the Scholarship for Excellence uses the earlier date.
- 2 If you apply in Chinese, book the HSK Speaking Test (Intermediate) as well as the written HSK; both are required.
- 3 Check which campus your program is on: programs at the Guangzhou International Campus cost 95,000 CNY a year instead of 18,200 to 26,000 CNY.
- 4 Pay the 450 CNY application fee on time; SCUT treats an application as invalid if it is unpaid.
- 5 Consider the one-year International Foundation Program (18,000 CNY English-medium, 23,000 CNY Chinese-medium) if you are not yet ready for degree study.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
The SCUT International Student Scholarship for Excellence gives bachelor's students a full tuition waiver (first class), a half waiver (second class) or a half waiver for two years (third class), renewed through an annual evaluation in May. Undergraduates can seek a full Chinese Government Scholarship through the Bilateral Program via their home country's dispatching authority, and SCUT also lists a Guangdong Provincial Government Outstanding International Student Scholarship.
- Full tuition, half tuition, or half tuition for two years
- Scholarship for Excellence (bachelor's)
- Four-person room 3,500 CNY (University Town) to twin room 9,800 CNY (Wushan); single room 20,000 CNY at the International Campus
- Accommodation, 10 months
- 800 CNY per year
- Insurance
- 450 CNY, non-refundable
- Application fee
Academics
Food Science and Engineering
SCUT lists itself 4th in the world for Food Science & Technology in ShanghaiRanking's 2025 subject rankings.
Chemical Engineering
Ranked 15th worldwide in ShanghaiRanking's 2025 subject table cited by SCUT, with Chemistry in the ESI top 0.01%.
Materials Science and Engineering
Materials Science is one of SCUT's three ESI top 0.01% fields, and the university reports 2nd in the world for Polymer Science in US News 2026 subject rankings.
Architecture
Architecture and Urban-Rural Planning are among the disciplines SCUT says rank near the top in China.
Light Industry Technology and Engineering
Listed first among SCUT's nationally leading disciplines; 9th in the world for Textile Science & Engineering (ShanghaiRanking 2025).
Research
- SCUT reports 30 national-level and 249 ministerial or provincial research platforms, the most of any university in Guangdong.
- Since 2009 SCUT has ranked first among Chinese universities for China Patent Awards won as first patentee.
- Engineering, Chemistry and Materials Science are in the ESI global top 0.01% (data to July 2026).
Schools & faculties
- School of Mechanical & Automotive Engineering
- School of Architecture
- School of Civil Engineering & Transportation
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- School of Light Industry and Engineering
- School of Food Science and Engineering
- School of Computer Science & Engineering
- School of Business Administration
- School of Medicine
- Shien-Ming Wu School of Intelligent Engineering
SCUT says its graduate employment rate has for many years been among the highest of Chinese and Guangdong universities, but it does not give a figure on the pages checked.
Student life
Most international students live in air-conditioned campus dormitories with private bathrooms, plus shared study rooms, kitchens and laundry. The historic Wushan campus in Tianhe has lakes, palm-lined avenues and historic buildings from the former National Sun Yat-sen University site at Shipai, where the engineering school moved in 1934; the University Town campus sits in Guangzhou's Higher Education Mega Centre alongside other universities; and the Guangzhou International Campus hosts newer engineering and biomedical schools. The School of International Education runs a counselling centre, an International Student Union and student activities.
- Three campuses: Wushan, University Town and the Guangzhou International Campus (opened 2019).
- Twin rooms from 8,000 to 10,000 CNY for 10 months, depending on campus.
- An International Student Union and International Student Counseling Center run by the School of International Education.
- SCUT was among the first recipients of China's National Civilized Campus title.
Housing. Campus rooms are allocated first come, first served and paid online at check-in; students who live off campus must register with the local police within 24 hours.
Location
Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, is a major southern Chinese city at the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The Wushan campus is in the Tianhe district, while the University Town and International campuses are in Panyu to the south. SCUT estimates living costs at about 20,000 to 30,000 CNY a year on top of tuition and housing.
Nearest airport: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Notable alumni
- RZ Robin ZengFounder of battery maker CATL; MSc in electronics and information engineering (2001)
- HX He XiaopengCo-founder of UCWeb and chairman of XPeng Motors
- TY Thomas Y. HouCaltech professor of applied and computational mathematics; BS in mathematics (1982)
- CS Cheng SiweiFormer Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress; studied chemical technology at the South China Institute of Technology
- LD Li DongshengChairman of electronics maker TCL; graduated from the South China Institute of Technology
- CD Chen DingRace walker, gold medallist in the 20 km walk at the 2012 London Olympics
Frequently asked questions
Does SCUT offer undergraduate programs in English?
Yes. SCUT offers undergraduate programs in Chinese, English and bilingual formats. English-medium and bilingual programs cost 26,000 CNY a year and need TOEFL iBT 68, IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 100.
When is the SCUT application deadline for international undergraduates?
June 30 each year for September entry, though some schools may set different dates. Apply by June 15 to be considered for the Scholarship for Excellence.
Does SCUT require the CSCA?
Yes. SCUT lists a China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) certificate as an admission requirement for international undergraduates.
How much is SCUT tuition for international students?
From 18,200 CNY a year for Chinese-medium liberal arts to 26,000 CNY for English-medium and bilingual programs; programs at the Guangzhou International Campus cost 95,000 CNY a year.
What scholarships can international undergraduates get at SCUT?
The SCUT International Student Scholarship for Excellence (full or half tuition waiver, no separate application), the Chinese Government Scholarship Bilateral Program through your home country, and a Guangdong provincial scholarship.
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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