Universities in Fujian
6 universities in Fujian, China for international students — compare tuition, scholarships and CSCA admission requirements.
What it costs to study in Fujian
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,433 per month, excluding tuition.
Fujian — the coastal province facing Taiwan, with its capital at Fuzhou and its most famous city, seaside Xiamen — is China's historic gateway to Southeast Asia: more than 15 million overseas Chinese trace their roots here, most of them in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Its university apex is Xiamen University, the province's only Project 985, founded in 1921 by the overseas-Chinese industrialist Tan Kah Kee and famous for its seaside campus. For international students — especially from Southeast Asia — it pairs a livable coast, one of China's more generous provincial scholarships (¥30,000/year for undergraduates) and English-taught MBBS at two universities.
Why study in Fujian?
- Xiamen University is the flagship — Fujian's only Project 985 (+211 + Double First-Class in six disciplines including marine science and chemistry; not a C9 member), founded by Tan Kah Kee in 1921, with a famously scenic seaside campus and China's first overseas campus (Xiamen University Malaysia).
- Deep Southeast-Asia ties: Fujian is one of China's foremost ancestral homelands of the overseas Chinese — 15.8+ million trace roots here, about 80% of them in Southeast Asia — and the officially designated core area of the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road.
- One of the more generous provincial scholarships: the Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship pays ¥30,000/year for undergraduates (¥40,000 master's, ¥50,000 doctoral), applied through your university.
- Two universities teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English: Fujian Medical University (running it since 2009, the province's larger quota) and Xiamen University.
- It's affordable outside the flagship: provincial-university tuition runs about ¥14,000–21,000/year, with on-campus dorms published at just ¥1,300–4,000 per YEAR at several schools.
Flagship universities for international students
Fujian has exactly two universities on the national Double First-Class list — Xiamen University (985) and Fuzhou University (211). No other Fujian university holds a national tier label: several describe themselves with Fujian's PROVINCIAL "double first-class" label, which is not the national scheme. Choose for the program.
Fujian's only Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class university (six disciplines; not a C9 member) — a comprehensive elite known for chemistry, marine science and economics, on one of China's most beautiful seaside campuses. It also teaches clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students.
The province's Project 211 + Double First-Class university (its national-level discipline is Chemistry) — NOT a 985 — an engineering-and-technology school in the capital, with some of the lowest 211 tuition in China (about ¥14,000–16,000/year, all programs Chinese-taught).
A provincial key medical university (no national 985/211/Double First-Class label) — but Fujian's main MBBS school for international students: English-taught clinical medicine since 2009 with the province's larger MOE quota (60 seats on the most recent published list; ¥35,000/year). Read our Study MBBS in China guide first — a Chinese MBBS is a degree, not a licence to practise back home.
One of China's oldest normal universities (roots to 1907) — a provincial key school with no national tier label — the province's humanities and Chinese-language flagship. Note: its 2026 undergraduate admissions explicitly require the CSCA test plus HSK 5 for most majors.
A provincial key university strong in agriculture, forestry and plant science (its plant-genomics research is internationally visible) — but note its "double first-class (Class A)" label is Fujian's PROVINCIAL scheme, not the national Double First-Class list.
Cost of living & tuition
Fujian is affordable outside its flagship. Official tuition (per year): Fuzhou University ¥14,000–16,000 and Fujian Normal ¥15,000–19,000 (both Chinese-taught); Xiamen University ¥24,000–26,000 for Chinese-taught programs, ¥38,000 for English-taught MBBS (its English-taught arts/design programs are a ¥90,000 outlier); Fujian Medical's English-taught MBBS ¥35,000. On-campus dorms are published per YEAR at several schools — roughly ¥1,300–4,000/year — and a realistic living budget is about ¥1,500–3,000/month (estimate; Xiamen runs somewhat higher than Fuzhou off campus). Always confirm exact fees with each university.
Scholarships in Fujian
Beyond the national Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Fujian runs its own Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship for International Students (福建省政府外国留学生奖学金): published amounts are ¥30,000/year for undergraduates, ¥40,000 for master's and ¥50,000 for doctoral students — awarded for one academic year at a time (renewable via annual review), primarily offsetting tuition, and applied for through your university's nomination. It is not a full scholarship, and typical age caps apply (about ≤30 for undergraduates). Confirm current terms on each university's admissions page.
Admission & the CSCA
Fujian's Chinese-Government-Scholarship universities — including Xiamen University and Fuzhou University — 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). Fujian Normal University's 2026 undergraduate brochure already explicitly requires the CSCA (Academic Chinese + Mathematics, plus Physics/Chemistry for STEM majors) alongside HSK 5 for most majors. The maths and science papers can be taken in English. Prepare them with CSCA practice.
Practice for the CSCA| University | City | Tuition | Bachelor programs | Scholarship | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University | Fuzhou | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| Fujian Medical University | Fuzhou | Check programme evidence | 1 | Yes | |
| Fujian Normal University | Fuzhou | Check programme evidence | 7 | — | |
| Fuzhou University | Fuzhou | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| Wuyi University | Wuyishan | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| Xiamen University | Xiamen | Check programme evidence | 35 | Yes |
Admission to these universities runs through the CSCA exam
International undergraduate admission to universities in Fujian 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 Fujian
Scholarships available at universities in Fujian.
All Scholarships (14)
Xiamen University Scholarships for New International Students
Scholarship Introduction Xiamen University established the "New International Students Scholarship" in 2006. Each year, Xiamen University selects a number of outstanding undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students from among the applicants, and awards them with free tuition (4 years for doctoral students, 2 or 3 years for master's students, and 4 or 5 years for undergraduates), and also awards them with outstanding master's and doctoral...
Xiamen University Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship for Foreign Students
Scholarship Introduction In order to further promote the international exchange and cooperation of education in Fujian, and to promote the healthy development of study abroad education in Fujian, the Fujian Provincial Government has set up the "Scholarship Program for International Students" since 2012. Among them, the "Program for Independent Recruitment of Foreign Students by Universities" is open to foreign undergraduates, masters, ...
Xiamen University Chen Jiageng Scholarship
Xiamen University was founded in 1921 by Mr. Chen Jiageng, a famous patriotic overseas Chinese leader, and is the first university founded by overseas Chinese in the history of modern education in China. Xiamen University has the location advantage of overseas Chinese, Taiwan and the sea and irreplaceable humanities advantages, has become the "Maritime Silk Road" along the countries of educational and cultural exchanges town. Xiamen ...
Chinese Government Scholarship—Country-Specific Bilateral Program (Xiamen University)
The Chinese Government Scholarship Bilateral Program is an educational exchange initiative established through agreements between the Chinese government and the governments of relevant countries. Eligibility: All foreign nationals. Types of Support: Undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and long-term training programs. Application Period: January–April. Accepting Authority: Education Section of the Chinese Embassy. Scope of Support...
Ministry of Commerce Scholarship (Xiamen University)
Funded by China's Ministry of Commerce and hosted at Xiamen University, this scholarship supports English-taught master's and doctoral study for applicants from developing countries. It provides full funding — tuition, accommodation, a living stipend and insurance — with applications submitted through the Economic and Commercial Section of the Chinese embassy.
China-ASEAN Elite Scholarship (Xiamen University)
The China–ASEAN Elite Scholarship at Xiamen University funds English-taught master's and doctoral programmes for nationals of ASEAN member states. The award is full — covering tuition, accommodation, a living stipend and insurance — with applications made through each member country's designated contact point.
Chinese Government Scholarship—University-Administered Admissions Program (Xiamen University)
Xiamen University's university-administered track of the Chinese Government Scholarship, open to international applicants across bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes. It is a full award — tuition waiver, on-campus accommodation, a monthly living stipend and comprehensive medical insurance — with candidates selected directly by the university.
Chinese Government Scholarship—Marine Scholarship (Xiamen University)
A Chinese Government Scholarship track at Xiamen University reserved for master's and doctoral study in ocean-related disciplines. It targets students from developing and island nations around the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, as well as Africa and the Americas, and fully covers tuition, accommodation, a living stipend and medical insurance.
New Sinology Initiative (Xiamen University)
Established by China's Center for Language Education and Cooperation, the New Sinology programme at Xiamen University funds doctoral study — both joint Sino-foreign and in-China PhDs — for international students. It is a full award covering tuition, accommodation, a living stipend and insurance.
International Chinese Language Teacher Scholarship (Xiamen University)
The International Chinese Language Teacher Scholarship at Xiamen University, set up by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation, supports students preparing for careers in teaching Chinese worldwide. It fully funds the MTCSOL master's degree and long- and short-term language training, covering tuition, accommodation, a living stipend and insurance.
Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship for International Students (Xiamen University)
Fujian's provincial government scholarship as offered through Xiamen University, open to international applicants across bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes. It is a partial award, contributing toward tuition and a living allowance, with applications handled by the university's admissions office.
Xiamen University International Student Scholarships
The Xiamen University International Student Scholarship is a scholarship program established by the university to support outstanding international students. Eligibility: All foreign nationals. Program Levels: Undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. Application Period: December 1–April 10 of the following year. Admitting Office: Xiamen University Admissions Office. Scholarship Details...
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in Fujian accept international students?
6 universities in Fujian, China are listed for international undergraduate admission, across 3 cities. Most are admitted through the CSCA exam.
How much does it cost to study a bachelor in Fujian?
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,433 per month, excluding tuition.
Do I need the CSCA exam to study in Fujian?
Yes — admission to most universities in Fujian 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 Fujian for international students?
Xiamen University is the apex — the province's only Project 985, a comprehensive elite with a famous seaside campus (not a C9 member). Fuzhou University is the 211 engineering option with very low tuition; Fujian Medical is the MBBS school; Fujian Normal is the humanities/Chinese-language flagship. Choose for your field.
Can I study MBBS in English in Fujian?
Yes — exactly two Fujian universities are on the Ministry of Education's list to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English: Fujian Medical University (60 seats on the most recent published list, ¥35,000/year, running since 2009) and Xiamen University (40 seats, ¥38,000/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.
Why is Fujian popular with Southeast Asian students?
It's the ancestral homeland of much of Southeast Asia's Chinese diaspora — 15.8+ million overseas Chinese trace their roots to Fujian, about 80% of them in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand — and southern Fujian is the home of the Hokkien (Minnan) speech group. Xiamen University even runs China's first overseas campus in Malaysia.
Does Fujian have a provincial scholarship?
Yes, and it's one of the more generous: the Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship pays ¥30,000/year for undergraduates (¥40,000 master's, ¥50,000 doctoral), one year at a time with annual review, applied through your university. It mainly offsets tuition — it is not a full scholarship.
Do I need to take the CSCA to study in Fujian?
Increasingly yes — Fujian Normal University's 2026 undergraduate admissions already explicitly require the CSCA test (plus HSK 5 for most majors), and Chinese-Government-Scholarship universities like Xiamen University fall within the CSCA's scope from the 2026/27 intake (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
- Xiamen University — international admissions (official)
- Fujian Medical University — international education (official)
- China MOE — Double First-Class (双一流) university list (2022)
- China MOE — English-taught MBBS list & quotas (2023–24 notice)
- Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship (via Xiamen University)
- China Scholarship Council (CSC) — campuschina.org