Universities in Chongqing
10 universities in Chongqing, China for international students — compare tuition, scholarships and CSCA admission requirements.
What it costs to study in Chongqing
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,410 per month, excluding tuition.
Chongqing — China's largest inland municipality and the "Mountain City" (山城), where the Yangtze meets the Jialing — is one of the country's most underrated study destinations. It's a top-four-GDP megacity with a real cost advantage over Beijing and Shanghai, anchored by Chongqing University (the city's only Project 985 university) and a cluster of strong specialist schools. For international students it offers tier-one academics and deep industry ties — automotive, new-energy vehicles, electronics — at a markedly lower price.
Why study in Chongqing?
- It's far cheaper than the coast: study-abroad guides commonly put Chongqing's living costs and tuition around 40–50% below Beijing and Shanghai, with a frugal dorm-based student budget cited near ¥4,000–4,500/month (these are estimates, not official figures).
- It's a genuine megacity, not a backwater: China's 4th-largest city by GDP (≈¥3.2 trillion in 2024), a global electronics hub (about one in four of the world's laptops are made here) and a major automotive / new-energy-vehicle base — strong ties for engineering and tech students.
- It's less saturated with international students than tier-1 cities, which can make it a more immersive place to actually learn Chinese.
- It's well connected: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) is an international hub (~48.7 million passengers in 2024), high-speed rail reaches Chengdu in about 75 minutes, and a Belt-and-Road land–sea corridor links the city to Southeast Asia and Europe.
- One honest caveat: summers are genuinely hot and humid — Chongqing is one of the Yangtze's "Three Furnaces" — and the city is famously hilly and often foggy.
Flagship universities for international students
Chongqing has one elite-tier comprehensive university and several strong specialists. Be precise about tiers — only one is a full Project 985 — and choose for the program, not just the badge.
Chongqing's only Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class university, and the flagship. Its Double First-Class strengths are mechanical, electrical and civil engineering; it hosts 1,600+ international students from 129 countries and offers English-taught master's and doctoral programs.
A Project 211 + Double First-Class university in Beibei — not a full 985 (beware sources that imply otherwise). Its Double First-Class disciplines are Education and Biology; it's also strong in psychology and agriculture, with world-leading silkworm-genome research.
Not a 985/211 school, but the ONLY Chongqing university on China's Ministry of Education list authorised to teach MBBS in English to international students (a six-year, ~100-seat programme). If clinical medicine is your goal, read our Study MBBS in China guide first — the degree is not a licence to practise back home.
Not a 985/211 school, but a respected specialist co-built by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology — strong in telecommunications, information & communication engineering, computer science and AI.
Not a 985/211 school, but one of China's most prestigious law schools (founded 1950; its Law discipline is top-rated nationally) — a standout if law is your field.
Despite the name it's in Chongqing, and it's one of China's first four dedicated foreign-language universities — a strong choice for languages and Chinese-language study.
Cost of living & tuition
Chongqing is one of the more affordable major Chinese cities for students. As rough planning figures from study-abroad guides (not official bursar data, and varying by lifestyle and district): university dormitories run about ¥1,000–1,200/month, food about ¥1,000–1,800/month, and a frugal dorm-based budget is often cited near ¥4,000–4,500/month all-in; a private-apartment lifestyle runs higher. Undergraduate tuition is commonly quoted in the ¥15,000–26,000/year range. Always confirm exact tuition and dormitory fees with each university.
Scholarships in Chongqing
Beyond the national Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC, offered at roughly 280+ universities, including the CSC "Silk Road" Belt-and-Road track), Chongqing runs its own Chongqing Municipal Government "Mayor" Scholarship (重庆市市长奖学金) for international students, offered through universities such as Chongqing University and Southwest University. At Southwest University, for example, its published amounts are a First Prize of ¥25,000/year and a Second Prize of ¥10,000/year for undergraduates, with higher tiers for master's and doctoral students. Universities also run their own awards (e.g. the Chongqing University President Scholarship). Confirm current amounts and eligibility on each university's admissions page.
Admission & the CSCA
Chongqing University and other Chinese-Government-Scholarship universities 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chongqing Jiaotong University | Chongqing | Check programme evidence | 4 | — | |
| Chongqing Medical University | Chongqing | Check programme evidence | 11 | — | |
| Chongqing Normal University | Chongqing | Check programme evidence | 15 | — | |
| Chongqing Technology and Business University | Chongqing | Check programme evidence | 4 | — | |
| Chongqing University | Chongqing | Check programme evidence | 61 | — | |
| Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications | Chongqing | Check programme evidence | 4 | — | |
| Sichuan International Studies University | Chongqing | Check programme evidence | 3 | — | |
| Southwest University | Chongqing | Check programme evidence | 17 | Yes | |
| Southwest University of Political Science and Law | Chongqing | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| Yangtze Normal University | Chongqing | Check programme evidence | 2 | — |
Admission to these universities runs through the CSCA exam
International undergraduate admission to universities in Chongqing 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 Chongqing
Scholarships available at universities in Chongqing.
All Scholarships (3)
Sichuan International Studies University Presidential Scholarship for International Students
1. Scholarship Content and Criteria The Presidential Scholarship Program for International Students of Sichuan International Studies University provides international students with a total of RMB 80,000 scholarships each year to recognize and encourage self-funded students who have outstanding performance and excellent grades at school. 2. Open Majors International students of all majors at Sichuan International Studies University are...
Presidential Scholarship for International Students from Southwest University of Political Science and Law
1.Scholarship Categories The Presidential Scholarships for International Students of Southwest University of Political Science and Law are divided into matriculation scholarships, undergraduate scholarships, master's degree scholarships and doctoral degree scholarships according to student categories. Scholarships are mainly used to pay tuition fees, accommodation fees, living expenses, medical and insurance fees. 2.Scholarship Criteria (1) "...
Chongqing Mayor Scholarship
Chongqing's municipal government scholarship — at Southwest University, published undergraduate amounts are ¥25,000 (1st) / ¥10,000 (2nd) per year.
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in Chongqing accept international students?
10 universities in Chongqing, China are listed for international undergraduate admission, across 1 cities. Most are admitted through the CSCA exam.
How much does it cost to study a bachelor in Chongqing?
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,410 per month, excluding tuition.
Do I need the CSCA exam to study in Chongqing?
Yes — admission to most universities in Chongqing 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.
Is studying in Chongqing cheaper than Beijing or Shanghai?
Generally yes — study-abroad guides commonly cite Chongqing's living costs and tuition at roughly 40–50% below Beijing and Shanghai, with frugal student budgets near ¥4,000–4,500/month. Treat these as estimates and confirm tuition and dorm fees with each university.
Which is the best university in Chongqing for international students?
Chongqing University is the flagship — the city's only Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class university, strong in engineering, with English-taught graduate programs. Southwest University (211) leads in education and biology, and specialists like SWUPL (law), CQUPT (telecom/IT) and SISU (languages) are excellent in their fields.
Can I study MBBS in English in Chongqing?
Yes — Chongqing Medical University is the only Chongqing university on China's Ministry of Education list authorised to teach MBBS in English to international students (a six-year, ~100-seat programme). But a Chinese MBBS is a degree, not a licence to practise back home — read our Study MBBS in China guide before you commit.
Do I need to take the CSCA to study in Chongqing?
If you're applying for an undergraduate program at a Chinese-Government-Scholarship university like Chongqing 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.
Are there Chongqing-specific scholarships?
Yes — the Chongqing Municipal Government "Mayor" Scholarship (重庆市市长奖学金) is offered to international students through universities such as Chongqing University and Southwest University, alongside the national CSC and university-level awards like the Chongqing University President Scholarship.
Sources
- Chongqing University — International Students (official)
- China MOE — English-medium MBBS for international students
- China Scholarship Council (CSC) — campuschina.org
- Southwest University — international scholarships (Mayor Scholarship)
- Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
- Encyclopædia Britannica — Chongqing