Sun Yat-sen University logo

Sun Yat-sen University

Guangzhou, CN · Ranking #10

Sun Yat-sen University was founded in 1924 by Dr. Sun Yat-sen (National Guangdong University; renamed National Sun Yat-sen University in 1926). Comprehensive research university under the Ministry of Education; Double First-Class Class A. Five campuses in Guangzhou (South—Xingang West Road, North—Zhongshan Er Road, East—Higher Education Mega Center), Zhuhai, and Shenzhen. South Campus (1.24 km²) by the Pearl River, red-brick buildings. About 70 schools/departments, 69,940+ students, 4,722 full-time faculty; 129 undergraduate specialties, 47 postdoctoral stations. Strong in AI, cell biology, computer science, chemistry (US News subject top 30). Zhongshan School of Medicine; Lingnan College (economics, MBA). CSC (Agency 10558) and other scholarships.

Sun Yat-sen University logo

Sun Yat-sen University

About the university

Sun Yat-sen University was founded in 1924 by Dr. Sun Yat-sen (National Guangdong University; renamed National Sun Yat-sen University in 1926). Comprehensive research university under the Ministry of Education; Double First-Class Class A. Five campuses in Guangzhou (South—Xingang West Road, North—Zhongshan Er Road, East—Higher Education Mega Center), Zhuhai, and Shenzhen. South Campus (1.24 km²) by the Pearl River, red-brick buildings. About 70 schools/departments, 69,940+ students, 4,722 full-time faculty; 129 undergraduate specialties, 47 postdoctoral stations. Strong in AI, cell biology, computer science, chemistry (US News subject top 30). Zhongshan School of Medicine; Lingnan College (economics, MBA). CSC (Agency 10558) and other scholarships.

Key information

  • Location: Guangzhou, CN
  • Ranking #10
  • QS #331
  • THE #201
  • US News #85
  • National ranking #10
  • Institution type: public

Popular faculties

  • Sun Yat-sen University was founded in 1924 by Dr. Sun Yat-sen (National Guangdong University; renamed National Sun Yat-sen University in 1926). Comprehensive research university under the Ministry of Education; Double First-Class Class A. Five campuses in Guangzhou (South—Xingang West Road
  • North—Zhongshan Er Road
  • East—Higher Education Mega Center)
  • Zhuhai
  • and Shenzhen. South Campus (1.24 km²) by the Pearl River
  • red-brick buildings. About 70 schools/departments
  • 69
  • 940+ students
  • 4
  • 722 full-time faculty; 129 undergraduate specialties
  • 47 postdoctoral stations. Strong in AI
  • cell biology
  • computer science
  • chemistry (US News subject top 30). Zhongshan School of Medicine; Lingnan College (economics
  • MBA). CSC (Agency 10558) and other scholarships.

Programs (29)

  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Law
  • Political Science
  • International Relations
  • Philosophy
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Environmental Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Anthropology
  • Education
  • Fine Arts
  • Music

Campus life

Five campuses: Guangzhou South (135 Xingang West Road, Haizhu, by Pearl River), North (Zhongshan Er Road), East (Higher Education Mega Center, Panyu), Zhuhai, Shenzhen. South Campus 1.24 km², red brick and green tiles. Dormitories 950–1,650 RMB/month (double–single) or 3,000–9,000 RMB/year on some campuses; limited places, book in advance. 36+76 sports chapters; SYSU-SCC, ACM, math modeling; cultural events. Application fee 400–600 RMB. Career and employment reports published; exact rate check xxgk.sysu.edu.cn.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: $70 - $430 / per month

Housing options

  • international student dormitories (South
  • North
  • East campuses: single
  • double; monthly or semester/yearly rates)
  • training apartment
  • Chinese students apartments; Zhuhai campus dormitories

Student clubs and organizations

  • Student Sports Associations Federation (36 main
  • 76 sub-chapters; 18 categories
  • ~20
  • 000 participants/year)
  • fencing
  • kayak
  • dragon boat
  • underwater robot team
  • SYSU-SCC (cluster competition)
  • ACM programming
  • mathematical modeling
  • nursing skills competitions
  • welcome concerts
  • poetry contests
  • French festival
  • entrepreneurship competitions

Sports

  • fencing (national medals)
  • kayak (national medals)
  • dragon boat
  • football
  • basketball
  • volleyball
  • martial arts
  • swimming
  • marathon
  • orienteering; university sports meeting

Career & internships

Internships: University publishes employment quality reports; exact graduate employment rate for SYSU not found in open summaries. Career services and job fairs available. Strong reputation in Guangdong and nationally; many graduates in business, healthcare, tech, and public sector. Check xxgk.sysu.edu.cn and career office for latest data.

Admission requirements

Required tests

  • IELTS
  • TOEFL

Required documents

  • Application form with photo
  • notarized diploma and transcripts (Chinese or English)
  • HSK certificate (Level V 180+ for bachelor’s; Level IV 180+ for Chinese Language degree; or exemption)
  • passport copy; for graduate: two recommendation letters (professors)
  • study plan; physical examination form
  • no-criminal-record certificate if required. Apply via iso.sysu.edu.cn; documents not returned.

Minimum GPA: 3

Tuition costs

  • $2,500 - $12,400 / per year
  • Acceptance rate: 30.00%
  • Scholarships available: Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC): apply at studyinchina.csc.edu.cn and sysu.17gz.org; Agency 10558. Tiers: undergraduate 30,000 RMB/year, master’s 36,000/year (or 3,000 RMB/month), PhD 42,000/year (or 3,500/month). Covers tuition and living allowance; student pays accommodation, insurance, visa, travel. Age: undergrad under 25, master’s under 35, PhD under 40. No application fee. Deadline typically 30 March; results late July. Contact Office of International Students’ Affairs (iso.sysu.edu.cn).

Quick facts

  • Founded: 1924
  • Teaching languages: english, chinese
  • Study formats: offline

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