University profile

Sun Yat-sen University

中山大学

A major comprehensive university in South China with strengths in medicine, business, sciences, and international exchange.

Curated profileGuangzhou, Guangdong软科中国排名 13

School information

Founded Year

1924

Website

https://www.sysu.edu.cn/sysuen

International Students

3,500+

City

Guangzhou

Data confidence

We do not present pending data as confirmed facts. Profiles are enriched through ranking, website, tuition, founding year, and review verification.

Ranking

Available

Founded

Available

Website

Available

Tuition

Available

Reviews

Available

Official application guide

Structured from the university's undergraduate application guide to help students compare ranking, cost, language, and application path quickly.

Source

2026 Sun Yat-sen University Bachelor's Degree Programs for International Students

Official 2026 bachelor's admission guide

Application system

Ranking and academic highlights

A major comprehensive university in South China with strengths in medicine, business, sciences, humanities, and international exchange.
Guangzhou location connects students to the Greater Bay Area, trade, hospitals, logistics, finance, and cross-border business.
Strong for students who want warm weather, Cantonese culture, and access to Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao.

Cost snapshot

application: CNY 400
tuition: Humanities: CNY 26,000/year; science, engineering, and agriculture: CNY 33,800/year; medicine: CNY 48,000/year.
insurance: CNY 800/year
accommodation: Housing arrangement and costs vary by campus and should be confirmed before arrival.

International graduate admissions file

Sun Yat-sen University is a comprehensive research university in the Greater Bay Area in Guangzhou. In the SilkStudy China top-50 graduate track, it is especially worth checking for master's and doctoral applicants interested in medicine, business, science, humanities, scholarship fit, supervisor match and realistic admission probability.

Admission levels

Master's degree programs for international studentsDoctoral degree programs for international studentsResearch, visiting or exchange study where offeredChinese language bridge route when the target program is Chinese-taught

Counselor note

For master's applicants, compare program language, scholarship quota and employability. For doctoral applicants, start with supervisor fit, research proposal quality and funding route, then verify the current official prospectus.

English-taught and international programs

medicine and related master's / doctoral programs
business and interdisciplinary graduate research where offered
science or China-focused programs subject to the annual catalog
English-taught options, joint institutes and professional degrees must be checked against the current program list

Common application materials

Valid passport information page and recent ID photo
Highest diploma or expected graduation certificate, plus full academic transcripts
Master's applicants usually prepare two recommendation letters; doctoral applicants should also prepare a research proposal and supervisor-fit materials
Language proof: HSK for Chinese-taught programs, or IELTS / TOEFL / prior English-medium proof for English-taught programs
Physical examination form, no-criminal-record certificate and financial or scholarship documents where required
Portfolio, writing sample, publication list, supervisor acceptance or interview materials when required by the school or department

Language and academic requirements

Chinese-taught master's and doctoral programs normally require HSK; many top universities ask for higher levels by discipline.
English-taught programs normally require IELTS, TOEFL or accepted proof of previous English-medium education.
Doctoral admission is strongly affected by research fit, supervisor capacity, publications or research potential, not only GPA.
Medical, law, finance, architecture, design and MBA-type programs may have extra professional requirements.

Application timeline

Autumn-intake graduate applications often open from the previous October to the following spring.
CSC and high-coverage scholarship tracks usually close earlier than self-funded applications.
Doctoral applicants should contact potential supervisors and prepare research materials before the deadline window.
After admission, plan JW form, visa, insurance, housing and registration backward from September enrollment.

Cost snapshot

application: Application fee varies by university and annual notice, commonly around CNY 400-800 for graduate applications.
tuition: Graduate tuition varies by degree, discipline and language route. Professional degrees, medicine, MBA and English-taught programs can be higher.
accommodation: Dormitory availability and room fees vary by campus and room type; confirm before accepting admission.
insurance: International students normally need approved medical insurance, often around CNY 800/year.
livingCost: Reference living cost: about CNY 2,800-4,800/month; university-town housing can be gentler than central business districts.

Scholarship routes

CSC Scholarship
Guangdong Government Scholarship

Student-life highlights

Guangzhou gives graduate students access to university labs, libraries, academic seminars and Chinese-language practice in daily life.

Sun Yat-sen University's China ranking reference is 13; use it together with discipline strength, supervisor fit and scholarship coverage instead of ranking alone.

SilkStudy can help students compare full-scholarship, partial-scholarship and low-cost routes before choosing a final application list.

SilkStudy top-50 China graduate admissions prospectus layer, organized from 2026 China ranking scope and official annual graduate-admission verification workflow. Always verify the current university notice before submission.

Majors and degree programs

Bachelor, Master, PhD, and language-program data will continue to be expanded through the CMS.

MedicineBusinessChinese Language

Campus photos and video

CMS-uploaded logo, cover, campus photos, and videos appear first; platform visuals are used as fallback.

Tuition and living cost

Tuition

$3,500-$6,500/year

Dormitory

$900-$1,800/year

City living cost

$600-900/month

Living, travel, and careers around campus

Understand the real environment through daily living, food, transport, weekend travel, and career access.

Nearby housing and daily life

Guangzhou offers convenient urban living, diverse food, and access to the Greater Bay Area.

Food and daily rhythm

Cantonese food, international restaurants, halal options, and delivery services are widely available.

Tourism and weekends

Students often visit Shamian Island, Canton Tower, museums, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Internships and careers

The city is strong for trade, medicine, finance, logistics, e-commerce, and multinational internships.

Transport and safety

Metro coverage is strong and the city is experienced with international visitors.

Why students choose this destination

A real study-abroad decision combines the school, city, cost, travel experience, and career access.

Living cost

$600-900/month

Guangzhou's living cost affects budget, housing choice, and scholarship pressure.

Travel appeal

Cantonese food / Shenzhen tech

Cantonese food, old neighborhoods, Pearl River nights, and fast access to Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macau.

Career access

Medicine / Business

Strong for trade, medicine, manufacturing, supply chain, e-commerce, and Greater Bay Area business.

Youth lifestyle

Cantonese food / Shenzhen tech / Greater Bay Area

A strong study destination is not only classrooms; it should help students explore the city, meet people, and build real memories of China.

City and destination context

School choice is also about whether the city fits a student's lifestyle, travel interests, and career goals.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou is practical, international, food-rich, and connected to the Greater Bay Area career ecosystem.

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Guangdong

Guangdong is ideal for students who want business, medicine, engineering, internships, and fast-moving city life.

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Scholarship programs

CSC

CSC Scholarship

Competition: Very high

Coverage

Usually the strongest route: may include tuition waiver, accommodation subsidy, monthly stipend, and medical insurance depending on degree level and annual rules.

Eligibility

Strong academics, complete documents, suitable major, age and degree eligibility, language readiness, and official nomination or university review.

Renewal

Normally reviewed yearly by academic performance, attendance, conduct, and scholarship regulations.

Best for

Applicants with strong grades, clear study plan, complete documents, and enough time before the deadline.

CSC availability differs by school, degree, major, country channel, and year. Always verify the exact Type A / Type B route.

Provincial / Municipal

Guangdong Government Scholarship

Competition: High

Coverage

Often provides tuition reduction, one-time award, or partial living support. Coverage varies widely by province, city, and intake year.

Eligibility

Good academic record, clean conduct record, language readiness, and selection by the university or local education authority.

Renewal

May be one-year, annual, or performance-based depending on local rules.

Best for

Students open to strong regional universities and cities with lower living costs.

Provincial and city awards are useful, but exact amount and deadline must be checked in the current university notice.

Application requirements

Eligibility

Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens holding valid ordinary passports, in good physical and mental health, and hold a high school diploma or above. All undergraduate applicants must take the CSCA and submit valid results for their selected program. Applicants must comply with the university's nationality-document rules and any program-specific academic requirements.

Language

Chinese-taught programs generally require HSK Level 5 with a score of 180 or above. The Chinese Language undergraduate program requires HSK Level 4 with a score of 180 or above. Applicants should check the official program list for any additional language requirements.

Application path

Review the official 2026 undergraduate program list and required CSCA subjects. Prepare passport, diploma, transcripts, CSCA report, language proof, health and conduct documents, and other required materials. Apply through Sun Yat-sen University's official international student application system during an application round. Track assessment, admission, visa, housing, and registration instructions.

Program notes

2026 application rounds: January 1-February 28 and March 1-April 30. Strong fit for medicine, business, Chinese language, science, public health, and Greater Bay Area career exposure. Students should compare campus locations because SYSU has multiple campuses.

Student reviews

Reviews help capture real study experience. External-platform review imports will use compliant import, moderation, and source attribution.

Great location for business and trade

Verified

Linh P. - Vietnam - Business

Guangzhou is active and international. It is a good place to understand business in South China.

Pros

Business environment, food, city access

Cons

Humid weather takes adjustment

International graduate admissions file