Universities in Zhejiang
20 universities in Zhejiang, China for international students — compare tuition, scholarships and CSCA admission requirements.
What it costs to study in Zhejiang
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,770 per month, excluding tuition.
Zhejiang — a wealthy Yangtze-delta coastal province with its capital at Hangzhou — pairs a famously entrepreneurial private economy with one of China's very top universities. It's a "one-985 province": Zhejiang University (a C9 League member) is its sole Project 985 and one of the country's best, while Hangzhou is a global tech hub home to Alibaba, Ant Group and NetEase. Below the flagship sits a layer of strong Double First-Class and specialist universities in Hangzhou, Ningbo and Wenzhou. For international students it offers a prosperous, internationally connected setting with real tech-industry exposure.
Why study in Zhejiang?
- It's home to one of China's very best universities: Zhejiang University, a C9 League member and the province's sole Project 985 — Zhejiang is famously a "one-985 province".
- Its capital Hangzhou is a global tech and private-enterprise hub — headquarters of Alibaba, Ant Group, NetEase and Geely — strong for tech, business and entrepreneurship.
- It's a wealthy, safe, internationally connected coastal province with a vibrant private economy (Yiwu's wholesale market, Wenzhou's business culture) and the major port of Ningbo.
- Student costs are reasonable for a rich coastal province — study-abroad guides put living costs around ¥1,500–3,500/month — and it runs its own Zhejiang Provincial Government Scholarship for international students.
- It has internationally minded options: Wenzhou Medical University is well known abroad for English-taught MBBS, and the University of Nottingham Ningbo China offers a fully English-medium UK degree.
Flagship universities for international students
Zhejiang University — a C9 League member and the province's only Project 985 — heads the list by a wide margin, above a layer of Double First-Class, Sino-foreign and strong provincial-key schools. Be precise about tiers: the schools below the flagship are not 211 or 985. Choose for the program.
Zhejiang's sole Project 985 and a C9 League member — one of China's very top universities, comprehensive and elite across engineering, science, medicine, agriculture and the humanities. It also teaches clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students.
A comprehensive university in the port city of Ningbo — Double First-Class (in Mechanics), but NOT a 211 or 985 (a common inflation point). A solid all-round option in a livable coastal city.
A strong provincial medical university well known internationally for English-taught MBBS — but be precise: it holds no national 985/211/Double First-Class label. It is among the universities authorised by the Ministry of Education to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students; 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 most prestigious art academies, in Hangzhou — Double First-Class in Fine Arts (NOT 985 or 211, which measure comprehensive/engineering universities). The standout if art and design is your field.
Not a 985/211 or Double First-Class school, but a respected provincial-key university strong in electronics, information technology and computing — well placed for Hangzhou's tech industry.
China's first Sino-foreign university (UK Nottingham) — the 985/211/Double First-Class labels don't apply to joint ventures. It's fully English-medium with UK degrees — a strong option if you want an English-language education in China.
Not a 985/211 or Double First-Class school, but a provincial-key university and a solid choice for Traditional Chinese Medicine and integrated medicine.
Cost of living & tuition
Zhejiang is reasonably priced for a wealthy coastal province. As rough planning figures (not official tariffs, varying by university and program): undergraduate tuition commonly runs about ¥20,000–45,000/year, with medicine higher (often around ¥40,000–60,000+/year); the Sino-foreign University of Nottingham Ningbo China is markedly higher (around ¥80,000/year). Living costs run roughly ¥1,500–3,500/month, more for a comfortable lifestyle in Hangzhou. Always confirm exact tuition and dormitory fees with each university.
Scholarships in Zhejiang
Beyond the national Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Zhejiang runs its own Zhejiang Provincial Government Scholarship for International Students (浙江省政府来华留学生奖学金), administered via the province's Study in Zhejiang platform and its universities. Reported per-year tiers are around ¥30,000 (master's and above), ¥20,000 (undergraduate) and ¥6,000 (a lower tier), with a separate Belt-and-Road award; amounts vary by source and year, so confirm current terms on each university's admissions page. Many Zhejiang universities also run their own awards.
Admission & the CSCA
Zhejiang's Chinese-Government-Scholarship universities — including Zhejiang 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Academy of Art | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | 1 | — | |
| China Jiliang University | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | 6 | Yes | |
| Hangzhou Dianzi University | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | 1 | — | |
| Hangzhou Normal University | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | 1 | — | |
| Jiaxing University | Jiaxing | Check programme evidence | 5 | — | |
| Ningbo University | Ningbo | Check programme evidence | 6 | Yes | |
| Ningbo University of Technology | Ningbo | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| University of Nottingham Ningbo China | Ningbo | Check programme evidence | 14 | Yes | |
| Wenzhou Medical University | Wenzhou | Check programme evidence | 4 | — | |
| Wenzhou University | Wenzhou | Check programme evidence | 5 | Yes | |
| Zhejiang A & F University | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | 3 | Yes | |
| Zhejiang Chinese Medical University | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | 2 | — | |
| Zhejiang Gongshang University | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | 25 | Yes | |
| Zhejiang Normal University | Jinhua | Check programme evidence | 12 | — | |
| Zhejiang Ocean University | Zhoushan | Check programme evidence | 6 | — | |
| Zhejiang Sci-Tech University | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| Zhejiang University | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | 28 | Yes | |
| Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | 9 | Yes | |
| Zhejiang University of Science and Technology | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | 5 | Yes | |
| Zhejiang University of Technology | Hangzhou | Check programme evidence | 40 | Yes |
Admission to these universities runs through the CSCA exam
International undergraduate admission to universities in Zhejiang 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 Zhejiang
Scholarships available at universities in Zhejiang.
All Scholarships (5)
Zhejiang University Scholarships for Foreign Students - "Two High" Doctoral Programs
Scholarship Content Full scholarships, including: 1) Free tuition and free on-campus accommodation; 2) Provide living expenses; 3,500 RMB/month; 3) Provide comprehensive medical insurance for international students; The duration of the scholarship is the same as the duration of each doctoral program of the University (generally 3-3.5 years...
Zhejiang University Scholarships for Foreign Students-Postgraduate Programs
I. Application Deadline May 20th. II. Qualifications of Applicants 1. Meet the qualifications for admission to the doctoral and master's degree programs for foreign students at Zhejiang University. Please refer to the Admission Regulations for International Students for Doctoral Degree or Master's Degree. 2、Positive attitude to study and research, good grades...
Zhejiang University Scholarship for Undergraduates Studying in China
I. Application Deadline: April 30, 2018. II. Applicant Eligibility 1. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for international undergraduate students at Zhejiang University. Please refer to the Zhejiang University 2018 International Student (Undergraduate) Admissions Brochure (available at http://iczu.zju.edu.cn...
Zhejiang Gongshang University Scholarship for International Students
（Scholarships Category Awarded to Scholarship Criteria Scholarships for Degree Students Scholarships for Degree Students International Degree Students who are already pursuing their degrees in the University First Class Scholarship: 70% of the annual tuition fee Second Class Scholarship: 50% of the annual tuition fee Third Class Scholarship: 30% of the annual tuition fee Freshman Degree Student Scholarships ...
Zhejiang's provincial scholarship — reported tiers ~¥30,000 (master+) / ¥20,000 (undergraduate) / ¥6,000, plus a Belt-and-Road award.
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in Zhejiang accept international students?
20 universities in Zhejiang, 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 Zhejiang?
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,770 per month, excluding tuition.
Do I need the CSCA exam to study in Zhejiang?
Yes — admission to most universities in Zhejiang 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 Zhejiang for international students?
Zhejiang University is the apex by a wide margin — a C9 League member and the province's only Project 985, and one of China's top universities overall. Below it, the universities you can shortlist are Double First-Class or specialist schools: Ningbo University, the China Academy of Art (art), Wenzhou Medical (medicine/MBBS) and Hangzhou Dianzi (electronics), plus the English-medium University of Nottingham Ningbo China.
Can I study MBBS in English in Zhejiang?
Yes — Wenzhou Medical University (well known internationally for this) and Zhejiang University are among the universities authorised by the Ministry of Education 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 Wenzhou Medical University a Double First-Class university?
No — despite its strong reputation and well-known international MBBS, Wenzhou Medical University holds no national 985/211/Double First-Class label (it is a provincial-key university). It's a real option, but be wary of sources that imply national-project status.
Does Zhejiang have a provincial scholarship?
Yes — the Zhejiang Provincial Government Scholarship for International Students (浙江省政府来华留学生奖学金), administered via the Study in Zhejiang platform, with reported tiers around ¥20,000/year for undergraduates and ¥30,000 for master's and above, alongside the national CSC and university awards. Confirm current terms with each university.
Do I need to take the CSCA to study in Zhejiang?
If you're applying for an undergraduate program at a Chinese-Government-Scholarship university like Zhejiang 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.
Sources
- Zhejiang University (official, English)
- University of Nottingham Ningbo China (official)
- Study in Zhejiang (Zhejiang Provincial Government Scholarship)
- China MOE — Double First-Class (双一流) university list (2022)
- China MOE — English-medium MBBS for international students
- China Scholarship Council (CSC) — campuschina.org