Universities in Sichuan
15 universities in Sichuan, China for international students — compare tuition, scholarships and CSCA admission requirements.
What it costs to study in Sichuan
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,300 per month, excluding tuition.
Sichuan — capital Chengdu, one of China's most livable and fast-rising tech cities — pairs two elite universities with a relaxed, affordable lifestyle. Sichuan University and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (both Project 985) anchor a strong cluster of Project 211 specialists, and Chengdu is a major hub for electronics, gaming and aerospace. For international students it offers top-tier academics — including West China's renowned medicine — at costs well below Beijing or Shanghai.
Why study in Sichuan?
- Two Project 985 universities anchor the province — Sichuan University (a huge comprehensive university, famous for its West China medical schools) and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC, a top electronics/IT university) — over a strong 211 + Double First-Class layer.
- Chengdu is one of China's most popular cities to live in — a laid-back lifestyle, pandas and hotpot — and a fast-growing hub for electronics, gaming and aerospace.
- It's markedly cheaper than the coast: study-abroad guides put undergraduate tuition around ¥17,500–26,000/year and student living around ¥2,000–4,000/month (estimates).
- It's strong for medicine — Sichuan University's West China School of Medicine teaches clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students.
- It runs its own Sichuan Provincial Government Scholarship alongside the national CSC.
Flagship universities for international students
Sichuan has two Project 985 universities — Sichuan University and UESTC — over a strong layer of 211 + Double First-Class specialists. Be precise about tiers: several strong schools are 211 + Double First-Class (or Double First-Class only), not 985. Choose for the program.
One of China's largest comprehensive universities — full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class. Broad strength across the sciences, engineering and the humanities, and its West China School of Medicine (华西) teaches clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students.
A full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class university specialising in electronics and information — one of China's top universities for electronic engineering, communications and computer science.
Project 211 + Double First-Class in Transportation Engineering (NOT 985) — China's historic railway and high-speed-rail engineering university.
A top finance and economics university — Project 211 + Double First-Class in Applied Economics, but NOT a 985 (its old 985 discipline platform is often mistaken for full 985).
Project 211 + Double First-Class (NOT 985) — a leading agricultural and life-sciences university, strong in crop science, animal science and veterinary medicine.
A leading TCM university — Double First-Class in Chinese pharmacy — but note it is Double First-Class only, NEITHER 985 NOR 211. Excellent if Chinese medicine is your field.
Cost of living & tuition
Sichuan 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 ¥17,500–26,000/year, with medicine higher. Living costs run roughly ¥2,000–4,000/month depending on lifestyle. Always confirm exact tuition and dormitory fees with each university.
Scholarships in Sichuan
Beyond the national Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Sichuan runs its own Sichuan Provincial Government Scholarship for Foreign Students (四川省外国留学生政府奖学金), awarded through the province's universities. Its published per-year amounts are around ¥30,000 for doctoral students, ¥25,000 for master's students and ¥20,000 for undergraduates (with a lower tier for college/associate programs). Apply through a participating Sichuan university and confirm current amounts and eligibility on each university's admissions page.
Admission & the CSCA
Sichuan's Chinese-Government-Scholarship universities — including Sichuan University, UESTC 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu University | Chengdu | Check programme evidence | 6 | — | |
| Chengdu University of Technology | Chengdu | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine | Chengdu | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| North Sichuan Medical College | Nanchong | Check programme evidence | 3 | — | |
| Sichuan Agricultural University | Ya'an | Check programme evidence | 4 | — | |
| Sichuan University | Chengdu | Check programme evidence | 3 | — | |
| Sichuan University of Science and Engineering | Yibin | Check programme evidence | 1 | — | |
| Southwest Jiaotong University | Chengdu | Check programme evidence | 6 | — | |
| Southwest Medical University | Luzhou | Check programme evidence | 1 | — | |
| Southwest Minzu University | Chengdu | Check programme evidence | 16 | — | |
| Southwest Petroleum University | Chengdu | Check programme evidence | 2 | — | |
| Southwest University of Science and Technology | Mianyang | Check programme evidence | 3 | — | |
| Southwestern University of Finance and Economics | Chengdu | Check programme evidence | 26 | — | |
| University of Electronic Science and Technology of China | Chengdu | Check programme evidence | 3 | — | |
| Yibin University | Yibin | Check programme evidence | 2 | — |
Admission to these universities runs through the CSCA exam
International undergraduate admission to universities in Sichuan 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 Sichuan
Scholarships available at universities in Sichuan.
All Scholarships (2)
University of Electronic Science and Technology Scholarship for New Foreign Students
Scholarship Description Open to graduate student applicants only. 1. First Class Scholarship (Full Scholarship): Includes tuition, school accommodation, medical insurance, and living expenses (1500RMB/month); (open to Master's and PhD applicants) 2. Second Class Scholarship (Partial Scholarship): Includes tuition, school...
Sichuan's provincial scholarship — published amounts ~¥30,000 (doctoral), ¥25,000 (master's), ¥20,000 (undergraduate) per year.
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in Sichuan accept international students?
15 universities in Sichuan, China are listed for international undergraduate admission, across 6 cities. Most are admitted through the CSCA exam.
How much does it cost to study a bachelor in Sichuan?
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,300 per month, excluding tuition.
Do I need the CSCA exam to study in Sichuan?
Yes — admission to most universities in Sichuan 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 Sichuan for international students?
Sichuan University and the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) are the two Project 985 flagships, both in Chengdu. Below them, Southwest Jiaotong (railway engineering), Southwestern University of Finance and Economics and Sichuan Agricultural are strong 211 + Double First-Class specialists. Choose for your field.
Can I study MBBS in English in Sichuan?
Yes — Sichuan University's West China School of Medicine is on the Ministry of Education's list to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students (Southwest Medical University in Luzhou is another option). 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 Sichuan cheaper than Beijing or Shanghai?
Yes — study-abroad guides put undergraduate tuition around ¥17,500–26,000/year and living costs around ¥2,000–4,000/month, well below tier-1 cities. Treat these as estimates and confirm with each university.
Does Sichuan have a provincial scholarship?
Yes — the Sichuan Provincial Government Scholarship for Foreign Students (四川省外国留学生政府奖学金), with published amounts around ¥30,000/year (doctoral), ¥25,000 (master's) and ¥20,000 (undergraduate), alongside the national CSC. Confirm current terms with each university.
Do I need to take the CSCA to study in Sichuan?
If you're applying for an undergraduate program at a Chinese-Government-Scholarship university like Sichuan University or UESTC, 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.