University of Science and Technology of China
中国科学技术大学
The Chinese Academy of Sciences' own university in Hefei, known for quantum physics and its gifted-young class.
- Students
- 38,705
- 8,006 undergraduates
- International
- 3%
- of students
- Tuition
- CN¥26,000
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1958
About USTC
USTC was founded in Beijing in 1958 by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) to train scientists for the country's most advanced programs, and it moved to Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province, in 1970. Its founding faculty included Hua Luogeng, Qian Xuesen and Yan Jici. In 1978 it created China's first class for gifted young students and China's first graduate school.
The university remains closely tied to CAS research institutes and is strongest in the physical sciences: it is the home of Pan Jianwei's quantum research group and of the Micius quantum satellite program launched in 2016. It also hosts the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory and the Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale. Undergraduate teaching is organised through schools such as Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemistry and Materials Science, Computer Science and Technology, and the School of the Gifted Young.
For international students, USTC offers 35 undergraduate programs across 13 fields, all four-year degrees taught in Chinese alongside Chinese students. Applicants need HSK 5 and a new standardized test, the CSCA, run by the China Scholarship Council, followed by a university assessment and interview. There is no application fee, tuition is CNY 26,000 a year, and USTC's own fellowship can waive tuition and pay a stipend. It suits strong maths and science students who already read Chinese well and want a demanding, research-first environment.
红专并进，理实交融
“Being both responsible and professional, integrating theory with practice” — university motto
Why students choose USTC
The USTC Fellowship for undergraduates can cover full tuition and, at Level A, medical insurance, housing support and a monthly stipend of CNY 2,500.
International undergraduates study in the same classes as Chinese students, in a university ranked 39th in the world by ARWU 2026.
Undergraduate options include Quantum Information Science, Artificial Intelligence, Astronomy, Nuclear Engineering and Cybersecurity.
There is no application fee, and tuition is CNY 26,000 a year.
Admissions
2027 entry (September intake). Figures from the 2026 cycle guide.
Selectivity
USTC does not publish admission rates or quotas for international undergraduates. Admission is decided on CSCA scores, application documents, any additional exam and an interview.
Typical entry requirements
| Nationality | Non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport; former Chinese citizens must meet Ministry of Education Document No. 12 (2020) and the residence-abroad rules |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | High school graduation certificate (or pre-graduation certificate for students finishing by July) |
| Chinese proficiency | New HSK Level 5 or above, with each part above 60 points; exemption for native Chinese speakers or graduates of Chinese-medium high schools |
| CSCA | Chinese (science), Mathematics, and Physics or Chemistry |
| English language | No English requirement, since undergraduate programs are taught in Chinese. Non-native English speakers are asked to provide evidence such as TOEFL/IELTS scores or English-medium schooling if they have it. |
Deadlines
- Undergraduate online application (2026 cycle, for reference) Non-binding PassedMarch 31, 2026
Applications ran November 14, 2025 to March 31, 2026; assessment in April or May; admission results in June or July.
- Undergraduate online application (2027 entry) Non-bindingNot yet announced
Expect a similar window opening in mid-November 2026; check the International College admissions page.
USTC had not published its 2027-entry undergraduate guide when checked on September 29, 2026 (the International College site still shows the 2026 guide). The dates above are from the 2026 cycle.
How to apply
Take the CSCA, then apply online through the USTC application system (no fee) with the international undergraduate application form, passport copy, notarized diploma and transcripts (or pre-graduation certificate), HSK 5 certificate, foreigner physical examination form, and an original recommendation letter from your high school. Applicants under 18 need a guardian in Hefei. Shortlisted applicants may sit an additional exam and take an interview, usually in April or May.
What admissions looks for
- Strong academic performance, shown through CSCA results or SAT/IB/A-level/ACT scores.
- Performance in the interview and any additional exam set by the university.
- Chinese proficiency sufficient to study alongside Chinese students (HSK 5+).
- Qualifications, certificates and other supporting materials.
Tips for applying to USTC
- 1 Book the CSCA early: USTC requires your scores when you submit the online application, not afterwards.
- 2 Aim above the HSK 5 minimum, because every course is in Chinese and there is no preparatory tutorial class.
- 3 Apply for the USTC Fellowship in the same online account; you can tick Level A and Level B together, and the university decides which to award.
- 4 If you are under 18 on September 1, arrange a guardian who lives in Hefei before you apply.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
The USTC Fellowship for undergraduate programs has two levels. Level A waives tuition and covers comprehensive medical insurance, a monthly stipend of CNY 2,500 and an accommodation subsidy; Level B waives tuition. Students apply through the online application system and can hold only one scholarship. The International College also links to the China Scholarship Council (Campus China) for Chinese Government Scholarship information.
- None
- Application fee
- CNY 800 per year
- Insurance
- CNY 500-1,000 per month depending on room type
- On-campus accommodation
- CNY 2,500 per month plus tuition waiver
- USTC Fellowship Level A stipend
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters; four-year full-time bachelor's degrees
Physics and Quantum Information Science
Taught in the School of Physical Sciences, home of the university's quantum research, including the Micius satellite program (2016).
Mathematics
Pure and applied mathematics in a school once led by Hua Luogeng; alumnus Weinan E studied here.
Computer Science and Technology
Alumni include Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing (master's 1988) and iFLYTEK founder Liu Qingfeng.
Chemistry and Materials Science
Produced nanoscientists Peidong Yang (BS 1993) and Yi Cui (BS 1998).
Space Science and Technology / Geophysics
Undergraduate majors including Planetary Science in the School of Earth and Space Sciences.
Artificial Intelligence
Offered within the School of Information Science and Technology.
Research
- Launched the National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) in 1983 and founded the Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale in 2003.
- Micius, the quantum science satellite, launched in 2016.
- 15 national-level research institutions and 24 CAS research institutions linked to the university, according to USTC.
- USTC reports ranking first among mainland Chinese universities in the Nature Index 2025.
Schools & faculties
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- School of Physical Sciences
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science
- Life Sciences and Medicine
- School of Engineering Science
- School of Information Science and Technology
- School of Computer Science and Technology
- School of Earth and Space Sciences
- School of Management
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology
- School of Cyber Science and Technology
- School of the Gifted Young
Student life
International undergraduates live alongside Chinese classmates on USTC's Hefei campuses. On-campus rooms cost CNY 500-1,000 a month depending on type. The International College, on the second floor of the International Building on East Campus, runs orientation, international student counsellors and study trips around China; recent ones went to Jiangxi and Xinjiang. The university has student societies, dining centres, a sports centre and a campus hospital. Life is centred on study and research, as you would expect at a CAS university.
- Home to the School of the Gifted Young, which began as China's first gifted-young class in 1978.
- International College activities include cultural study tours and a 'Telling China's Stories in English' contest.
- Six campuses in Hefei, plus institutes in Suzhou, Shanghai and Beijing.
- A compulsory course for international students, 'The Way of China: Historical Heritage and Modern Governance', introduced in September 2026.
Housing. On-campus dormitories for international students cost CNY 500-1,000 a month depending on room type and size.
Location
Hefei is the capital of Anhui Province in east-central China, economically linked to Yangtze River cities such as Shanghai, Wuhan and Nanjing. USTC's main address is 96 Jinzhai Road in Baohe District. The city has grown into a science and technology hub, and living costs are well below Shanghai or Beijing.
Nearest airport: Hefei Xinqiao International Airport (HFE)
Notable alumni
- PJ Pan JianweiQuantum physicist who leads USTC's quantum communication research
- XZ Xiaowei ZhuangHarvard biophysicist, inventor of STORM super-resolution microscopy; BS in physics 1991
- YY Yang YuanqingChairman and CEO of Lenovo; master's in computer science 1988
- LQ Liu QingfengFounder and chairman of iFLYTEK; built China's first Mandarin speech synthesis system as a USTC doctoral student
- XW Xiao-Gang WenMIT theoretical physicist known for topological order; BS in physics 1982
- LL Liqun LuoStanford neuroscientist; entered USTC's gifted-young class in 1981
- PY Peidong YangUC Berkeley professor of chemistry and materials science; BS in chemistry 1993
- YZ Ya-Qin ZhangTechnology executive (Microsoft, Baidu); admitted to USTC at age 12
Frequently asked questions
Are USTC undergraduate programs taught in English?
No. USTC's 35 undergraduate programs for international students are taught in Chinese, alongside Chinese students, and require HSK 5 or above.
What is the CSCA and does USTC require it?
Yes. The China Scholastic Competency Assessment, run by the China Scholarship Council, is required, and scores must be submitted with the online application. The compulsory subjects are Chinese (science) and Mathematics, plus Physics or Chemistry.
How much does USTC cost for international students?
Tuition is CNY 26,000 per academic year, insurance is CNY 800, and on-campus rooms cost CNY 500-1,000 a month. There is no application fee.
Does USTC offer scholarships to international undergraduates?
Yes. The USTC Fellowship Level A waives tuition and pays medical insurance, an accommodation subsidy and CNY 2,500 a month. Level B waives tuition only.
When is the USTC application deadline?
For 2026 entry, online applications ran from November 14, 2025 to March 31, 2026, with exams and interviews in April or May. The 2027 dates had not been published as of September 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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