Universities in Yunnan
8 universities in Yunnan, China for international students — compare tuition, scholarships and CSCA admission requirements.
What it costs to study in Yunnan
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,188 per month, excluding tuition.
Yunnan — capital Kunming, the mild-climate 'Spring City' — is China's gateway to South and Southeast Asia, bordering Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, with ASEAN as its largest trading partner. Its flagship is Yunnan University, a Project 211 and Double First-Class university strong in ethnology and ecology; Kunming Medical University runs the province's English-taught MBBS. For international students — especially from neighbouring Southeast Asian countries — it offers a comfortable year-round climate, a distinctive multi-ethnic culture and moderate costs.
Why study in Yunnan?
- Yunnan University is the flagship — a Project 211 + Double First-Class university (in ethnology and ecology). Honesty note: it is the province's only nationally-tiered university; Yunnan has no Project 985.
- Kunming is the 'Spring City' — one of China's most comfortable places to live, with mild temperatures year-round (roughly 15–25°C).
- It's China's gateway to Southeast Asia — bordering Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, with ASEAN its largest trading partner — a natural choice for students from the region.
- Kunming Medical University teaches clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students.
- It runs its own Yunnan Provincial Government Scholarship, oriented toward students from neighbouring countries, with a monthly living stipend.
Flagship universities for international students
Yunnan has one nationally-tiered university — Yunnan University (211 + Double First-Class); the rest are provincial. Be precise about tiers: none of the others holds a national 985/211/Double First-Class label. Choose for the program.
The province's flagship — a Project 211 + Double First-Class university with its Double First-Class disciplines in Ethnology and Ecology (not a 985; not C9). A comprehensive university with real strength in the study of China's ethnic diversity and biodiversity.
Yunnan's leading medical university (no national 985/211/Double First-Class label) — and the province's English-taught MBBS school for international students. Read our Study MBBS in China guide first — a Chinese MBBS is a degree, not a licence to practise back home.
A provincial university (no national tier label) specialising in China's ethnic minorities — strong in minority languages and cultures, and in Southeast-Asian language programs, fitting Yunnan's border location.
The province's leading teacher-training university (no national tier label), with roots in the wartime National Southwestern Associated University — a solid choice for education and Chinese-language study.
A provincial finance-and-economics university (no national tier label) — a practical pick for business, finance and economics, with a focus on Southeast-Asian regional trade.
A provincial comprehensive university (no national tier label) in the scenic tourist city of Dali — it enrols international students, though note it is not on the MOE English-taught MBBS list.
Cost of living & tuition
Yunnan is moderately priced. As rough planning figures (varying by university and program): standard undergraduate tuition runs roughly ¥20,000–30,000/year, with medicine (including English-taught MBBS) higher. Living costs run about ¥2,500–4,000/month depending on lifestyle — Kunming's mild climate keeps heating and cooling costs low. These are estimates — always confirm exact tuition and dormitory fees with each university.
Scholarships in Yunnan
Beyond the national Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Yunnan runs its own Yunnan Provincial Government Scholarship for International Students (云南省政府奖学金), which is oriented toward students from neighbouring countries in line with the province's Southeast-Asia focus. Rather than a large tuition-covering award, its published benefit is mainly a monthly living stipend — commonly cited at around ¥600/month for undergraduates, ¥900/month for master's students and ¥1,200/month for doctoral students. Confirm current terms, coverage and eligibility on each university's admissions page.
Admission & the CSCA
Yunnan's Chinese-Government-Scholarship universities — led by Yunnan 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). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dali University | Dali | Check programme evidence | 10 | — | |
| Honghe University | Mengzi | Check programme evidence | 10 | — | |
| Kunming Medical University | Kunming | Check programme evidence | 7 | — | |
| Yunnan Minzu University | Kunming | Check programme evidence | 12 | — | Math-only |
| Yunnan Normal University | Kunming | Check programme evidence | 3 | — | |
| Yunnan University | Kunming | Check programme evidence | 12 | — | |
| Yunnan University of Finance and Economics | Kunming | Check programme evidence | 7 | — | Math-only |
| Yuxi Normal University | Yuxi | Check programme evidence | 1 | — |
Admission to these universities runs through the CSCA exam
International undergraduate admission to universities in Yunnan 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 Yunnan
Scholarships available at universities in Yunnan.
All Scholarships (4)
Yunnan Minzu University Chinese Government Scholarship
l Scholarship Content and Criteria The Chinese Government Scholarships are provided by the Ministry of Education and entrusted to the Chinese Scholarships Council (CSC), which is in charge of the international students who enjoy the Chinese Government Scholarships to study in China....
Yunnan Minzu University Yunnan Provincial Government Scholarship
l Scholarships are available for all undergraduate, master's and doctoral programs. It includes: 1. exemption of registration fee and tuition fee; 2. provision of free on-campus accommodation; 3. provision of scholarships for living expenses; 4. provision of comprehensive insurance for international students coming to China. l Open majors All undergraduate, master and doctoral programs of Yunnan Minzu University...
Yunnan University of Finance and Economics "Belt and Road" International MBA Scholarships
I. Application Requirements "One Belt and One Road" International MBA graduate students focus on cultivating non-Chinese citizens of countries along the "One Belt and One Road", mainly in South Asia and Southeast Asia, and the specific application requirements are as follows: (a) Physically healthy, aged 18 to 45 years old, willing to abide by the laws of the People's Republic of China, and willing to apply to the "One Belt and One Road" countries. (a) Physically fit, aged between 18 and 45 years old, willing to abide by the laws of the People's Republic of China and ...
Yunnan's provincial scholarship — oriented toward students from neighbouring countries; mainly a monthly living stipend (~¥600/¥900/¥1,200 for UG/MA/PhD).
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in Yunnan accept international students?
8 universities in Yunnan, China are listed for international undergraduate admission, across 4 cities. Most are admitted through the CSCA exam.
How much does it cost to study a bachelor in Yunnan?
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,188 per month, excluding tuition.
Do I need the CSCA exam to study in Yunnan?
Yes — admission to most universities in Yunnan 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 Yunnan for international students?
Yunnan University is the flagship — the province's only Project 211 and Double First-Class university (in ethnology and ecology). Kunming Medical University is the medical/MBBS choice; Yunnan Minzu University is notable for minority-culture and Southeast-Asian language programs. Note that Yunnan has no Project 985 university.
Can I study MBBS in English in Yunnan?
Yes — Kunming Medical University is on the Ministry of Education's list to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students. (Note that Dali University, though it enrols international students, is not on the MOE English-MBBS list.) The list is reissued annually — confirm current status, and note a Chinese MBBS is a degree, not a licence to practise back home; read our Study MBBS in China guide.
Why study in Yunnan if you're from Southeast Asia?
Yunnan borders Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam and is China's gateway to South and Southeast Asia, with ASEAN its largest trading partner. Kunming's mild 'Spring City' climate is comfortable year-round, the culture is distinctively multi-ethnic, and the provincial scholarship is oriented toward students from neighbouring countries.
Does Yunnan have a provincial scholarship?
Yes — the Yunnan Provincial Government Scholarship, oriented toward students from neighbouring countries. Its published benefit is mainly a monthly living stipend (commonly cited around ¥600/¥900/¥1,200 per month for undergraduate/master's/doctoral), rather than a full tuition award. Confirm current terms with each university.
Do I need to take the CSCA to study in Yunnan?
If you're applying for an undergraduate program at a Chinese-Government-Scholarship university like Yunnan 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.