Universities in Anhui
6 universities in Anhui, China for international students — compare tuition, scholarships and CSCA admission requirements.
What it costs to study in Anhui
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,283 per month, excluding tuition.
Anhui — capital Hefei — punches far above its weight in science. Its apex is the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), a C9 League member run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a world name in quantum information; Hefei itself is China's second Comprehensive National Science Center (after Shanghai) and home to the EAST "artificial sun" fusion device. Around USTC sit two solid Project 211 universities and the province's medical school with English-taught MBBS — at some of the lowest tuition and living costs among serious study destinations in China.
Why study in Anhui?
- It has a C9 university: the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) — full Project 985 + 211, run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with 11 Double First-Class disciplines and a global reputation in quantum science. (C9 is China's top-nine group; USTC is Anhui's only 985.)
- Hefei is a genuine science city: China's second Comprehensive National Science Center (approved 2017, after Shanghai), home to the EAST tokamak — which set a world fusion record of 1,066 seconds in January 2025 — and a national hub for new-energy vehicles (BYD, NIO, VW-Anhui) and display panels.
- It's among the most affordable serious study destinations: official tuition runs ¥15,000/year at Anhui University (211) and ¥26,000 at USTC, with realistic living costs around ¥1,500–2,500/month (estimates).
- Anhui Medical University teaches clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students (¥31,200/year — low for an MOE-listed MBBS school).
- It runs its own provincial scholarship (undergraduate ¥20,000/year) plus Hefei's generous municipal "Study in Hefei" scholarship (up to ¥40,000/year, for Belt-and-Road and sister-city students).
Flagship universities for international students
Anhui's apex is USTC — a C9 university — over two Project 211 schools and strong provincial specialists. Be precise about tiers: Hefei University of Technology's "985 platform" label is NOT full 985 status, and the medical/normal/agricultural universities are provincial. Choose for the program.
A C9 League member and full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class (11 disciplines) — run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, world-renowned in quantum information, physics and chemistry. Small, elite and highly selective: low tuition (¥26,000/year) does not mean easy admission.
The province's comprehensive Project 211 + Double First-Class university (materials science) — NOT a 985 — an MOE "model base" for international students, with some of the lowest 211 tuition in China (about ¥15,000/year).
An MOE-administered Project 211 + Double First-Class university (management science & engineering) — NOT a 985: its "985 innovation platform" (2009) is a lesser designation. Strong in engineering, automotive and management, with deep ties to Anhui's car industry.
A provincial key medical university (no national 985/211/Double First-Class label) — but the ONLY Anhui school authorised to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students (60 seats on the most recent published MOE list; ¥31,200/year). Read our Study MBBS in China guide first — a Chinese MBBS is a degree, not a licence to practise back home.
Anhui's oldest university and its leading teacher-training school (no national tier label) — a long-standing host of international Chinese-language students. Note it is in Wuhu, not Hefei.
A provincial university (no national tier label) that is a national leader in tea science — it hosted the first state key laboratory at any Anhui provincial university (tea-plant biology).
Cost of living & tuition
Anhui is among the cheapest serious study destinations in China. Official tuition (per year): Anhui University ¥15,000 (undergraduate), USTC ¥26,000, Anhui Medical's English-taught MBBS ¥31,200; Hefei University of Technology publishes a bundled ~¥24,000/year including accommodation. University dorms run about ¥4,000/year (twin) to ¥500–1,400/month depending on the school, and a realistic all-in living budget in Hefei is about ¥1,500–2,500/month (estimate). Always confirm exact tuition and dormitory fees with each university.
Scholarships in Anhui
Beyond the national Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Anhui runs its own Anhui Provincial Scholarship for International Students (安徽省外国留学生奖学金) — published amounts are ¥20,000/year for undergraduates, ¥30,000 for master's and ¥50,000 for doctoral students, paid in cash over ten months, applied for through your university and not stackable with the CSC scholarship. Hefei city additionally runs the "Study in Hefei" municipal scholarship — up to ¥40,000/person/year covering tuition, accommodation, living and insurance — but it is restricted to students from Belt-and-Road countries or Hefei's sister cities. Confirm current quotas and eligibility on each university's admissions page.
Admission & the CSCA
Anhui's Chinese-Government-Scholarship universities — including USTC, Anhui University and Hefei University of Technology — fall within the CSCA's scope: from the 2026/27 intake, international undergraduate applicants to these universities sit the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (expanding to all universities by 2028). It tests Academic Chinese plus Mathematics (compulsory) and optional Physics and Chemistry — and the maths and science papers can be taken in English. Chinese-taught undergraduate programs also typically require HSK 4; English-taught programs differ. Prepare the maths and science papers with CSCA practice.
Practice for the CSCA| University | City | Tuition | Bachelor programs | Scholarship | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anhui Agricultural University | Hefei | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| Anhui Medical University | Hefei | Check programme evidence | 1 | — | |
| Anhui Normal University | Wuhu | Check programme evidence | 2 | — | |
| Anhui University | Hefei | Check programme evidence | 2 | — | |
| Hefei University of Technology | Hefei | Check programme evidence | 11 | Yes | |
| University of Science and Technology of China | Hefei | Check programme evidence | 10 | — |
Admission to these universities runs through the CSCA exam
International undergraduate admission to universities in Anhui generally requires taking the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) exam (Mathematics is compulsory; Physics and Chemistry may be required depending on your university and major). Start preparing for free.
Scholarships in Anhui
Scholarships available at universities in Anhui.
All Scholarships (2)
Anhui University Scholarships for Foreign Students
I. Scholarship Content and Criteria Anhui University has set up special funds for scholarships for foreign students. Scholarship recipients can continue to receive financial support after passing the annual evaluation until graduation on schedule. Scholarships include tuition fees and living expenses, and are paid in the following ways: tuition fees are directly exempted by the university, and living expenses are paid on a monthly basis. ...
Anhui's provincial scholarship — ¥20,000 (bachelor) / ¥30,000 (master) / ¥50,000 (doctoral) per year, paid over ten months.
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in Anhui accept international students?
6 universities in Anhui, China are listed for international undergraduate admission, across 2 cities. Most are admitted through the CSCA exam.
How much does it cost to study a bachelor in Anhui?
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,283 per month, excluding tuition.
Do I need the CSCA exam to study in Anhui?
Yes — admission to most universities in Anhui for international undergraduates runs through the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) exam. Mathematics is compulsory; Physics and Chemistry may be required depending on the university and major.
Which is the best university in Anhui for international students?
USTC is the apex by a wide margin — a C9 League member run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, world-class in quantum science, physics and chemistry (and very selective). Anhui University and Hefei University of Technology are the two non-985 211s, and Anhui Medical is the medical option with English-taught MBBS. Choose for your field.
Can I study MBBS in English in Anhui?
Yes — Anhui Medical University is the only Anhui school on the Ministry of Education's list to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students (60 seats on the most recent published list; about ¥31,200/year). The list is reissued annually — confirm current status with the university, and note a Chinese MBBS is a degree, not a licence to practise back home; read our Study MBBS in China guide.
Is studying in Anhui cheap?
Among the cheapest for the quality on offer: Anhui University (211) charges about ¥15,000/year and USTC ¥26,000/year, with realistic living costs around ¥1,500–2,500/month in Hefei. Treat living figures as estimates and confirm fees with each university.
Does Anhui have a provincial scholarship?
Yes — the Anhui Provincial Scholarship for International Students: ¥20,000/year (undergraduate), ¥30,000 (master's), ¥50,000 (doctoral), paid over ten months and applied for through your university (not stackable with CSC). Hefei also runs the municipal "Study in Hefei" scholarship of up to ¥40,000/year for Belt-and-Road and sister-city students.
Do I need to take the CSCA to study in Anhui?
If you're applying for an undergraduate program at a Chinese-Government-Scholarship university like USTC or Anhui University, then from the 2026/27 intake yes — the CSCA is required, expanding to all universities by 2028. It tests Academic Chinese plus Maths (compulsory) and optional Physics/Chemistry, with the science papers available in English.
Sources
- USTC (official, English)
- Anhui Medical University — international admissions (official)
- China MOE — Double First-Class (双一流) university list (2022)
- China MOE — English-taught MBBS list & quotas (2023–24 notice)
- Anhui provincial scholarship measures (via AHNU)
- China Scholarship Council (CSC) — campuschina.org