Xi'an Jiaotong University
西安交通大学
A C9 League engineering powerhouse that moved from Shanghai to Xi'an in the 1950s and now anchors western China's science.
- Students
- 65,559
- 25,595 undergraduates
- International
- 7%
- of students
- Tuition
- CN¥20,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1896
About XJTU
Xi'an Jiaotong University traces its history to Nanyang Public School, founded in Shanghai in 1896 and named Jiaotong University in 1921. In 1956 most of its staff and students moved to Xi'an under a central government decision, and the Xi'an branch became Xi'an Jiaotong University in 1959. In 2000 it merged with Xi'an Medical University and Shaanxi Institute of Finance and Economics. It is a member of the C9 League of leading Chinese research universities.
XJTU is best known for engineering. The university says it created China's first engineering thermophysics institute and its first programmes in steam turbines, refrigeration and energy storage, and its English-taught brochure highlights Mechanical, Electrical, Energy and Power, and Materials Engineering as globally leading disciplines. It has 65,559 students (25,595 undergraduates, 35,480 postgraduates and 4,484 international students from 128 countries), 3,971 full-time teachers and 36 schools across four campuses: Xingqing, Yanta, Qujiang and the China Western Science and Technology Innovation Harbour (iHarbour).
Undergraduates belong both to an academic school and to one of 11 residential colleges, a dual system XJTU introduced in 2006. For international students it offers Chinese-taught degrees (HSK 4 needed), an English-taught MBBS that began in 1995, and a small English-taught track in four engineering disciplines. It suits engineering-minded students who want a top-tier Chinese university in a historic inland city.
精勤求学、敦笃励志、果毅力行、忠恕任事
University motto
Why students choose XJTU
The university reports its Engineering field ranks 7th in the world by ESI data (January 2026), with 19 disciplines in the global top 1%.
XJTU started one of China's first English-medium MBBS programmes for international students in 1995 and has trained over 2,000 international medical students from 63 countries.
Chinese-taught tuition is modest at 20,000 to 22,000 yuan a year for most majors, and a freshman scholarship can waive 10% to 100% of first-year tuition.
Undergraduates live in one of 11 residential colleges, and the university runs 149 student clubs.
Admissions
Autumn 2027 entry (the 2027 international undergraduate guide had not been published at verification; details below are from the 2026 guide)
Selectivity
XJTU does not publish an admission rate for international undergraduates. Admission goes to the most qualified applicants based on academic records, language proficiency, CSCA results and a comprehensive interview. The English-taught engineering track in leading disciplines was limited to 40 students worldwide for 2026.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma and transcripts | Under 25 with a valid ordinary passport; final-year students may apply with an expected graduation certificate. Transcripts of national or international exams such as A-Level or IBDP are requested. |
|---|---|
| CSCA | Required; subjects depend on the programme (see test policy). |
| HSK (Chinese-taught programmes) | HSK level 4 or above; applicants below this are advised to take the pre-university foundation programme first. |
| Supporting documents | Recommendation letter from the head teacher or a teacher, and a study plan of at least 600 words (or characters). |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 English-taught programmes: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 80 or Duolingo 110 (or other certificates the university accepts). Native English speakers can be exempted with approval. |
Deadlines
- English-taught leading-discipline engineering, 2026 entry, Phase One - PAST CYCLE Non-binding Passed31 December 2025 (closed)
Phase Two ran 1 January to 30 April 2026 and Phase Three 1 May to 30 June 2026. Limited to 40 students.
- International undergraduate programmes, 2026 entry - PAST CYCLE, for reference only Non-binding Passed30 June 2026 (closed)
Rolling window 1 November 2025 to 30 June 2026. The 2027 window had not been announced as of 29 September 2026.
- Chinese Government Scholarship Non-bindingSet by your home country's dispatching authority
Apply through your country's dispatching authority and list Xi'an Jiaotong University as first choice.
Last cycle's guide was published on 28 October 2025, with applications from 1 November. If 2027 follows the same pattern, the new guide should appear around October 2026; check sie.xjtu.edu.cn. The MBBS brochure notes that places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and the deadline may close early.
How to apply
Take the CSCA, then apply online at isso.xjtu.edu.cn/recruit/login with passport, notarised diploma and transcripts, language certificate, CSCA report, recommendation letter, study plan, physical examination record and certificate of no criminal record. Applicants who pass initial review are asked to pay the application fee (500 yuan self-funded, 800 yuan for scholarship programmes). Shortlisted applicants have a comprehensive interview; Environmental Design applicants present a portfolio.
What admissions looks for
- Strong high school academic records, including national or international exam results.
- Language proficiency for the teaching language: HSK 4 for Chinese-taught, IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 for English-taught programmes.
- CSCA scores in the subjects your programme requires.
- Performance in a comprehensive interview, and for Environmental Design a portfolio of sketches or colour work.
Tips for applying to XJTU
- 1 Apply early: the MBBS brochure says places go first-come, first-served and the window can close before the official deadline.
- 2 Write a real study plan: XJTU asks for at least 600 words or characters, in English or Chinese.
- 3 Budget for the English-taught engineering track: it cost 180,000 yuan a year in 2026, against 40,000 yuan for the English-taught MBBS and 20,000 to 22,000 yuan for most Chinese-taught majors.
- 4 Apply for the XJTU International Undergraduate Freshman Scholarship in the same online system; it covers 10% to 100% of first-year tuition for non-medical programmes.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
The XJTU International Undergraduate Freshman Scholarship for non-medical programmes gives a 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% or 10% tuition waiver for the first year, with later years reassessed on academic performance. Chinese Government Scholarships are applied for through home-country dispatching authorities, and there is a Xi'an City Government Belt and Road Scholarship for the first year, plus one-off Shaanxi Sanqin awards for enrolled self-funded students.
- 500 yuan (self-funded) or 800 yuan (scholarship programmes)
- Application fee
- 8,000 to 19,000 yuan per year
- Accommodation (Xingqing, Yanta or iHarbour campus)
- 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% or 10% of first-year tuition
- Freshman Scholarship tiers
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (academic year starts in September)
Energy and Power Engineering
China's first Energy and Power Engineering programme; offered in Chinese and in English.
Electrical Engineering and Automation
One of the four disciplines XJTU's brochure presents as globally leading; taught in Chinese and in English.
Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering (English-taught)
Taught by the School of Mechanical Engineering, with industry internships at partners such as Huawei, BYD and State Grid.
MBBS (English-taught)
A six-year programme running since 1995, with a final year of clinical training in hospital; 40,000 yuan a year.
Special Class for the Gifted Young
An early-entry class for gifted students XJTU has run since 1985; its honours classes are organised through Qian Xuesen College.
Research
- XJTU reports 11 national key laboratories, 10 national engineering research centres and one major national science and technology infrastructure facility.
- The China Western Science and Technology Innovation Harbour (iHarbour) groups 8 platforms and 30 research institutes across science, engineering, medicine and humanities.
- The university says it built China's first large general-purpose electronic computer and first digital signal processing chip with independent IP, and first proposed the twin-shear unified strength theory.
Schools & faculties
- School of Energy and Power Engineering
- School of Electrical Engineering
- School of Mechanical Engineering
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- Faculty of Electronic and Information Engineering
- School of Management
- School of Economics and Finance
- School of Humanities and Social Science
- School of Law
- School of Life Science and Technology
- Health Science Center
- Qian Xuesen College
Student life
XJTU runs a 'dual-college' system: since 2006 every undergraduate belongs to an academic school and to one of 11 residential colleges, which organise housing, mentoring and student community life. There are 149 student clubs, and XJTU students have competed in events from the SAE Aero Design competition and VEX Robotics World Championship to Robocon and ACM programming contests. Campus traditions include the Golden Wutong Festival and a run of lecture series by visiting scholars. The main library on Xingqing Campus is named after alumnus Qian Xuesen.
- 11 undergraduate residential colleges alongside the academic schools.
- 149 student clubs.
- The university library on Xingqing Campus is named the Qian Xuesen Library.
- 4,484 international students from 128 countries study at XJTU (university profile, 2026).
Housing. International students are housed on the Xingqing, Yanta or iHarbour campuses in rooms booked online, at 8,000 to 19,000 yuan a year (2026).
Location
Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province in north-west China, is one of the country's oldest cities and a former imperial capital. XJTU's main Xingqing Campus is in the city, alongside the Yanta and Qujiang campuses, while the China Western Science and Technology Innovation Harbour (iHarbour) is a newer research campus outside the centre where some international students also live.
Nearest airport: Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)
Notable alumni
- ZH Zhou HongyiFounder and chairman of internet security company Qihoo 360; master's degree from XJTU
- HG Huajian GaoEngineer known for nanomechanics, Timoshenko Medal winner; BS in Engineering Mechanics from XJTU (1982)
- ZS Zhigang SuoHarvard professor of mechanics and materials; BS in solid mechanics from XJTU (1985)
- YL Yilu LiuPower systems engineer, member of the US National Academy of Engineering; XJTU graduate (1982)
- HZ Haitao ZhengComputer scientist, ACM Fellow; graduate of XJTU's Special Class for the Gifted Young (1995)
- KW Kate WangFounder of RLX Technology; BSc from XJTU
- TJ Tony Jun HuangDuke University engineering professor; bachelor's and master's degrees from XJTU
Frequently asked questions
Does Xi'an Jiaotong University have English-taught bachelor's degrees?
Yes: a six-year English-taught MBBS and, for 2026, English-taught Electrical Engineering and Automation, Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering, Energy and Power Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering, which need IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80.
Do I need the CSCA to apply to XJTU?
Yes. International undergraduate applicants must take the CSCA. Engineering usually needs Mathematics and Physics (plus STEM Chinese for Chinese-taught programmes), while the MBBS needs Mathematics and Chemistry.
How much is tuition at Xi'an Jiaotong University?
For 2026, Chinese-taught programmes cost 20,000 to 22,000 yuan a year (40,000 for arts), the English-taught MBBS 40,000 yuan, and the English-taught leading-discipline engineering track 180,000 yuan a year.
When is the XJTU application deadline for 2027?
The 2027 guide was not yet out in late September 2026. For 2026 entry, applications ran from 1 November 2025 to 30 June 2026, and the MBBS filled places first-come, first-served, so applying early matters.
What HSK level do I need for Xi'an Jiaotong University?
HSK level 4 or above for Chinese-taught degrees. Applicants below that level are advised to take XJTU's pre-university foundation programme first.
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.
- XJTU School of International Education: International Undergraduate Programs 2026
- XJTU: Bachelor Program listings
- XJTU: 2026 Program List and CSCA Subjects (XLSX)
- XJTU: 2026 English-taught Undergraduate Programs in Leading Engineering Disciplines (PDF)
- XJTU: 2026 Medical Education for International Undergraduate Students (PDF)
- XJTU: 交大简介 (university profile and statistics)
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