Zhejiang University
浙江大学
Hangzhou's sprawling comprehensive university, a breeding ground for tech founders from Pinduoduo to DeepSeek.
- Students
- 65,821
- Tuition
- CN¥19,800
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1897
- QS World Ranking
- #47
- 2027 edition
About ZJU
Zhejiang University traces its origins to Qiushi Academy, founded in Hangzhou in 1897, and became National Chekiang University in 1928. During the Second Sino-Japanese War it moved west to Zunyi and Meitan in Guizhou for seven years and returned to Hangzhou in the autumn of 1946; the present university was formed in 1998 by merging four institutions with shared roots. Today it is one of China's largest universities, with seven faculties and 39 schools and departments on seven campuses: Zijingang (the main campus), Yuquan, Xixi, Huajiachi, Zhijiang, Zhoushan and Haining (International Campus).
ZJU is known for engineering, computer science, agriculture and medicine, and for an unusually strong record in entrepreneurship: alumni include Pinduoduo founder Colin Huang, DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng and investor Duan Yongping. Its Chu Kochen Honors College is the university's elite undergraduate track.
International students can study Chinese-taught degrees (HSK 5 or 6 depending on the programme, tuition 19,800-29,800 RMB) or a small set of English-taught programmes, including an MBBS at the International School of Medicine in Yiwu, communication at the International Business School on the Haining campus, and dual degrees with the University of Edinburgh. Since the 2026 cycle every international undergraduate applicant must sit the CSCA. ZJU suits students who want a big, research-heavy university in one of China's most liveable tech cities.
求是创新
“Seeking Truth and Pursuing Innovation” — university motto
Why students choose ZJU
A track record in tech entrepreneurship: Pinduoduo's Colin Huang and DeepSeek's Liang Wenfeng are both ZJU alumni.
Chinese-taught tuition of 19,800-29,800 RMB a year, depending on the programme.
English-taught options on the Haining International Campus, including ZJU-University of Edinburgh dual degrees in integrative biomedical sciences and biomedical informatics.
Hangzhou, home to West Lake and a major tech industry, is a comfortable, green base for student life.
Admissions
Entry in September 2027 (2027 international guide not yet published; 2026 cycle shown)
Selectivity
ZJU does not publish admit rates. Chinese citizens are admitted through the gaokao and special schemes; Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan students have dedicated channels through ZJU's undergraduate admissions office; international students apply directly with CSCA scores and language certificates.
Typical entry requirements
| Gaokao (PRC citizens) | National College Entrance Examination plus ZJU special admission schemes |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong / Macao / Taiwan | Dedicated admission channels through ZJU's undergraduate admissions office |
| International, Chinese-taught programmes | High-school diploma, CSCA (Chinese papers), HSK Level 5 (180-220) or Level 6 (180-220) depending on programme; waived if secondary education was in Chinese |
| International, English-taught programmes | CSCA (English papers), English test (e.g. MBBS: IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 75 / Duolingo 100; ZIBS Communication: IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 80 / Duolingo 120), programme-specific science requirements |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 75 Minimums shown are for the English-taught MBBS and Biomedical Engineering (IELTS 6.0 with 5.0 in each band, TOEFL iBT 75 with 15 per section, CAE 170, Duolingo 100). The International Business School's Communication programme asks for IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 80 or Duolingo 120; ZJU-UoE dual degrees set their own requirements. |
Deadlines
- Main application window Non-binding Passed28 February 2026
2026 cycle: 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026 (Beijing time).
- Extended deadline (certain programmes) Non-binding Passed31 May 2026
2026 cycle: applies to selected programmes, including the English-taught MBBS, Biomedical Engineering, ZIBS Communication and ZJU-UoE dual degrees.
ZJU published its 2026 undergraduate application guide in late 2025; the 2027 guide was not yet online on 28 September 2026. Expect a similar December-February window, with some programmes open until May.
How to apply
Apply online at intlstudent.zju.edu.cn within the application window and pay the 800 RMB non-refundable fee. Submit passport, high-school diploma or pre-graduation certificate, transcripts, CSCA report and HSK or English scores. English-taught programmes accept first- and second-preference applications; most Chinese-taught programmes accept first preference only.
What admissions looks for
- Completed high-school education with a solid academic record.
- Valid CSCA results in the subjects required for the chosen programme.
- Chinese proficiency at the HSK level the programme sets, or English proficiency for English-taught programmes.
- For medicine and biomedical engineering, strong grades (70%+) in maths, physics, chemistry and biology.
Tips for applying to ZJU
- 1 Register early for the CSCA: the first sitting was in December 2025 and tests now run five times a year (January, March, April, June, December).
- 2 Check each programme's HSK minimum in the catalogue; some humanities programmes need HSK 6 at 210-220, others accept HSK 5 at 180.
- 3 Use the second-preference option on English-taught programmes to improve your chances.
- 4 If you aim for medicine, note that the English-taught MBBS is taught at the International School of Medicine in Yiwu, not in Hangzhou.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
International students can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship and other scholarships listed by ZJU's International College, each on its own schedule. There is no need-based aid for self-funded international students.
- 800 CNY
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Computer Science (incl. Chu Kochen Honors College)
The path taken by alumni such as Pinduoduo founder Colin Huang.
Clinical Medicine (MBBS), English-taught
A six-year English-taught medical degree at the International School of Medicine, 42,800 RMB a year.
Integrative Biomedical Sciences / Biomedical Informatics (ZJU-UoE dual degree)
Dual degrees with the University of Edinburgh on the Haining International Campus.
Communication (Global Communication and Management), English-taught
Offered by the ZJU International Business School on the Haining campus.
Chinese Language and Literature
A Chinese-taught humanities programme requiring HSK 6 at 210 for international applicants.
Research
- Ranked 24th in the world in ARWU 2026, with a perfect score on the publications indicator.
- Alumnus Liang Wenfeng founded DeepSeek, the AI lab behind a series of widely used large language models.
- Physicist Tsung-Dao Lee, 1957 Nobel laureate, was admitted to National Chekiang University (now ZJU) in 1943.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Information
- Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environment Science
- Faculty of Medicine
- Chu Kochen Honors College
- International Business School (ZIBS)
- ZJU-UoE Institute
- International School of Medicine
Student life
Most undergraduates start on the huge Zijingang campus in north-west Hangzhou, a modern campus built around lakes and lawns and linked to the city by Metro Line 5 (Zhejiang University station). Older campuses such as Yuquan, near West Lake, and Zhijiang, on the site of the former Hangchow (Zhijiang) University, keep much of ZJU's history. International students in some English-taught programmes study on the Haining International Campus or at the International School of Medicine in Yiwu, so check where your programme is based before you apply.
- Zijingang main campus with its own metro station on Hangzhou Metro Line 5
- Historic Yuquan and Zhijiang campuses
- Haining International Campus hosting ZJU-UoE and ZIBS programmes
- Chu Kochen Honors College for top undergraduates
Location
Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, is known for West Lake and tea country, and is a major tech hub. It is about an hour from Shanghai by high-speed rail, has a modern metro, and offers a greener and generally more affordable lifestyle than Shanghai or Beijing. Note that ZJU's campuses are spread across the city and beyond, so your daily life depends heavily on where your programme is taught.
Nearest airport: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
Notable alumni
- LQ Li QiangPremier of China (on-the-job graduate studies in management engineering at ZJU, 1995-1997)
- CH Colin HuangFounder of Pinduoduo; studied computer science at Chu Kochen Honors College
- LW Liang WenfengFounder of the AI company DeepSeek
- DY Duan YongpingEntrepreneur and investor behind the BBK electronics group
- TL Tsung-Dao LeePhysicist; 1957 Nobel Prize in Physics (studied at National Chekiang University)
- CK Cheng KaijiaNuclear physicist in China's nuclear weapons programme
- GC Gu ChaohaoMathematician
- WZ Wu ZhaohuiComputer scientist and former ZJU president
Frequently asked questions
Does Zhejiang University teach undergraduate programmes in English?
A few: an MBBS and Biomedical Engineering at the International School of Medicine, Communication at the International Business School, and ZJU-University of Edinburgh dual degrees. Most programmes are taught in Chinese.
What HSK level do I need for Zhejiang University?
Chinese-taught programmes set minimums between HSK 5 (180) and HSK 6 (220) depending on the major; applicants educated in Chinese can be exempt.
How much is Zhejiang University tuition for international students?
Chinese-taught programmes cost 19,800-29,800 RMB a year; English-taught programmes range from 42,800 RMB (MBBS) to 200,000 RMB (ZJU-UoE dual degrees).
When is the Zhejiang University application deadline?
In the 2026 cycle applications ran from 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026, with some programmes open until 31 May 2026. The 2027 guide had not been published by late September 2026.
Is the CSCA required for Zhejiang University?
Yes. From the 2026/27 academic year all international undergraduate applicants must provide a valid CSCA report.
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.
- QS TopUniversities: Zhejiang University (QS World University Rankings 2027)
- Times Higher Education: Zhejiang University (World University Rankings 2026)
- ShanghaiRanking: Zhejiang University (ARWU 2026)
- ZJU: 学校概况 (official university profile, figures to end of 2022)
- ZJU International College: Application Guide for Undergraduate Programs 2026
- ZJU: Catalog of English-taught Undergraduate Programs 2026 (PDF)
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