Universities in Shaanxi
9 universities in Shaanxi, China for international students — compare tuition, scholarships and CSCA admission requirements.
What it costs to study in Shaanxi
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,444 per month, excluding tuition.
Shaanxi — capital Xi'an, one of China's great ancient capitals and a major education and technology hub — is unusually rich in elite universities for an inland province. It has three Project 985 universities, led by Xi'an Jiaotong University (a C9 League member), plus Northwestern Polytechnical University and Northwest A&F University, over a strong layer of Project 211 specialists. For international students it offers top-tier academics and deep aerospace/engineering ties at costs well below Beijing or Shanghai.
Why study in Shaanxi?
- It has three Project 985 universities — Xi'an Jiaotong University (a C9 League member), Northwestern Polytechnical University and Northwest A&F University — an unusually strong bench for an inland province, plus 211 + Double First-Class specialists.
- Xi'an is a historic education and technology hub — one of China's great ancient capitals (home of the Terracotta Army) and a major aerospace and defence-research centre.
- It's markedly cheaper than the coast: study-abroad guides put undergraduate tuition around ¥18,000–30,000/year and student living around ¥2,000–2,500/month (estimates).
- It runs its own well-known provincial scholarship — the Shaanxi Three Qin Scholarship (陕西省三秦外国留学生奖学金) — alongside the national CSC.
- Xi'an Jiaotong University teaches clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students.
Flagship universities for international students
Shaanxi has three Project 985 universities — led by Xi'an Jiaotong (C9) — over a strong layer of 211 + Double First-Class specialists. Be precise about tiers: a Double First-Class discipline is not the same as full 985 status. Choose for the program.
Shaanxi's flagship and a C9 League member — full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class. Elite in engineering, energy, management and medicine, and it teaches clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students.
A full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class university (not C9) — one of China's top aeronautics, astronautics and marine-engineering universities.
A genuine full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class university — one of few specialist universities to hold full 985 status — a national leader in agriculture, forestry and life sciences. Note it is in Yangling, not Xi'an.
Project 211 + Double First-Class in Information & Communication Engineering and Electronic Science (NOT 985) — one of China's strongest universities for telecoms, electronics and cybersecurity.
A comprehensive Project 211 + Double First-Class university (NOT 985) — Double First-Class in Archaeology and Geology, also strong in the sciences and economics.
A leading teacher-training university — Project 211 + Double First-Class in Chinese Language & Literature (NOT 985) — a top choice for education and Chinese-language study.
Cost of living & tuition
Shaanxi is markedly cheaper for students than Beijing or Shanghai. As rough planning figures (not official tariffs, varying by university and program): undergraduate tuition commonly runs about ¥18,000–30,000/year, with medicine higher. Living costs run roughly ¥2,000–2,500/month, with university dormitories often near the low end of that. Always confirm exact tuition and dormitory fees with each university.
Scholarships in Shaanxi
Beyond the national Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Shaanxi runs its own Shaanxi Three Qin Scholarship for International Students (陕西省三秦外国留学生奖学金), awarded through the province's universities. Its published per-year amounts are around ¥25,000 for doctoral students (Category A), ¥20,000 for master's students (Category B) and ¥13,000 for undergraduates (Category C). Apply through a participating Shaanxi university and confirm current amounts and eligibility on each university's admissions page.
Admission & the CSCA
Shaanxi's Chinese-Government-Scholarship universities — including Xi'an Jiaotong University and others — 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chang'an University | Xi'an | Check programme evidence | 59 | Yes | |
| Northwest A&F University | Yangling | Check programme evidence | 3 | — | HSK-exempt |
| Northwest University | Xi'an | Check programme evidence | 38 | — | |
| Northwestern Polytechnical University | Xi'an | Check programme evidence | 30 | Yes | |
| Shaanxi Normal University | Xi'an | Check programme evidence | 18 | — | |
| Xi'an International Studies University | Xi'an | Check programme evidence | 4 | — | |
| Xi'an Jiaotong University | Xi'an | Check programme evidence | 43 | Yes | |
| Xi'an Shiyou University | Xi'an | Check programme evidence | 8 | — | |
| Xidian University | Xi'an | Check programme evidence | 1 | — |
Admission to these universities runs through the CSCA exam
International undergraduate admission to universities in Shaanxi 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 Shaanxi
Scholarships available at universities in Shaanxi.
All Scholarships (10)
Northwestern Polytechnical University - Xi'an "One Belt, One Road" Scholarship for Foreign Students
Scholarship content and standard: 1. Undergraduate: 1st prize 100% tuition + 15,000RMB/year (living expenses) 2nd prize 50% tuition + 15,000RMB/year (living expenses) 3rd prize 15,000RMB/year (living expenses) 2. Master's: 100% tuition + 2...
Northwestern Polytechnical University "Presidential Scholarship for Studying at NWPI"
Scholarship content and standard: 1. Presidential Scholarship for Studying in Northwestern Polytechnical University - Excellence Scholarship: Undergraduate: free tuition, free accommodation, and monthly subsidy (1500RMB/month) Postgraduate: free tuition, insurance, accommodation, and monthly subsidy (Master's: 2000RMB/month, Bo...
Northwestern Polytechnical University Scholarship for International Students ("Wu Yajun" Scholarship)
In order to motivate international students to study hard, encourage the overall development of students' academic level and comprehensive quality, give better play to the role of excellent students as role models, further promote the development of the activity of "Creating and Striving for Priority" in the construction of academic style, and create an atmosphere of excellent academic style, Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPIU) has set up the "Wu Ya... "Wu Ya...
Specialized Scholarship for International Students from Northwestern Polytechnical University ("Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao" Scholarship)
In order to motivate international students to study hard, encourage the overall development of students' academic level and comprehensive quality, give better play to the role model of outstanding students, promote the development of the activity of "Creating and Striving for Priority" in the construction of academic style, and create an atmosphere of excellent academic style, Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPIU) has set up the "Guangdong and Hong Kong" award for international students of the College of International Education (CIE). "Guangdong and Hong Kong...
Xi'an Jiaotong University - Xi'an Municipal Government "Belt and Road" Scholarship for Foreign Students
Xi'an One Belt One Road Scholarship for Foreign Students is established by Xi'an Municipal Government, and Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) is the host university for the scholarship students and provides tuition fee concessions for the scholarship students. The purpose of this scholarship program is to provide more outstanding students from "One Belt, One Road" countries with the opportunity to study in Xi'an. Categories: Undergraduates, ...
Xi'an Jiaotong University International Chinese Teacher Scholarship (Confucius Institute Scholarship)
In order to support the construction of Confucius Institutes, promote the international promotion of the Chinese language and the spread of Chinese culture, and cultivate qualified Chinese language teachers and Chinese language talents, Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) has been authorized by the Headquarters of Confucius Institutes/Hanban of China (hereinafter referred to as Hanban) to enroll Confucius Institute Scholarship students and finance foreign students, scholars and Chinese language teachers to Xi'an Jiaotong...
Xi'an Jiaotong University Siyuan International Student Scholarship
In order to further deepen the opening of higher education to the outside world, promote the internationalization of education, give full play to the advantages of first-class disciplines of Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU), and build a global science and education highland in western China, XJTU has established the Siyuan International College Scholarships to support the world's top talents to pursue their degrees at XJTU. Scholarship categories: undergraduate, master's...
Huashan Scholarship of Xidian University
Huashan Scholarship of Xi'an University of Electronic Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as Xidian) aims to subsidize outstanding overseas students to study at Xidian, and to motivate the majority of international students to work hard and complete their studies with excellent results. I. Scholarship Contents and Standards 1. First Class Scholarship (Unit: RMB) Exemption of tuition fee; Provision of free...
Chang'an University Scholarship for Outstanding International Students
In order to support the outstanding international students to complete their studies, Chang'an University has set up the "Chang'an University Scholarship for Outstanding International Students". The scholarships are in the form of cash payment and are divided into several levels. I. Qualifications of Applicants 1. Full-time self-funded undergraduate, master's and doctoral students enrolled in Chang'an University who are in their second year or above (including the second year)...
Shaanxi's provincial scholarship — published amounts ~¥25,000 (doctoral), ¥20,000 (master's), ¥13,000 (undergraduate) per year.
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in Shaanxi accept international students?
9 universities in Shaanxi, 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 Shaanxi?
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,444 per month, excluding tuition.
Do I need the CSCA exam to study in Shaanxi?
Yes — admission to most universities in Shaanxi 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 Shaanxi for international students?
Xi'an Jiaotong University is the apex — a C9 League member and full 985 + 211 + Double First-Class. Shaanxi also has two more Project 985 universities, Northwestern Polytechnical (aerospace) and Northwest A&F (agriculture, in Yangling), plus strong 211 specialists like Xidian (electronics), Northwest University and Shaanxi Normal. Choose for your field.
Can I study MBBS in English in Shaanxi?
Yes — Xi'an Jiaotong University is on the Ministry of Education's list to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students. The list is reissued annually, so confirm current status and seats 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 Shaanxi cheaper than Beijing or Shanghai?
Yes — study-abroad guides put undergraduate tuition around ¥18,000–30,000/year and living costs around ¥2,000–2,500/month, well below tier-1 cities. Treat these as estimates and confirm with each university.
What is the Shaanxi Three Qin Scholarship?
It's Shaanxi's provincial government scholarship for international students (陕西省三秦外国留学生奖学金), with published amounts around ¥25,000/year (doctoral), ¥20,000 (master's) and ¥13,000 (undergraduate), alongside the national CSC. Confirm current terms with each university.
Do I need to take the CSCA to study in Shaanxi?
If you're applying for an undergraduate program at a Chinese-Government-Scholarship university like Xi'an Jiaotong, 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.