West China Medical Legacy
Founded in 1910, the West China medical complex is among China’s most respected centres for clinical training and hospital research.
Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaQS #324
Sichuan University
Southwest China’s comprehensive research powerhouse, rooted in Chengdu since 1896
Sichuan University (SCU) traces its origins to 1896 and today operates three campuses in Chengdu — Wangjiang, Huaxi and Jiang’an — across more than 470 hectares. Formed through the merger of Sichuan University, Chengdu University of Science and Technology and the historic West China University of Medical Sciences, it is one of China’s largest and most complete Double First Class universities, with particular authority in clinical medicine, stomatology, polymer and materials science. Its West China medical complex includes one of the busiest teaching hospital systems in the world, giving international medical students unusually deep clinical exposure in a low-cost, food-loving city of over 20 million people.
Project 985Project 211Double First-Class
- QS World Ranking
- #324
- Location
- Chengdu, China
- Founded
- 1896
- International Students
- 4,000+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 24,000 - 45,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- April 30
Why Choose
Why Choose Sichuan University
Key reasons international students choose Sichuan University for their studies in China.
China’s Top Stomatology
West China School of Stomatology is consistently ranked the nation’s number one dental school and research institute.
Polymer Science Leadership
Hosts the State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, a global reference point in polymer and materials research.
Vast Teaching Hospital Network
Affiliated West China hospitals handle millions of annual visits, giving medical students exceptional real clinical caseload exposure.
Full Disciplinary Coverage
Thirty-five schools span medicine, engineering, humanities, law and business, enabling genuinely interdisciplinary study paths.
Low-Cost Megacity Living
Chengdu combines top-tier facilities with living costs far below Beijing, Shanghai or Shenzhen for international students.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
QS World University Ranking#324
China National Ranking#16
National Designations
Project 985Project 211Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Sichuan University.
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine)
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 6 years
Tuition: CNY 45,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC & Sichuan Provincial eligible
Stomatology (Dentistry)
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 5 years
Tuition: CNY 32,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Polymer Materials & Engineering
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 24,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Sichuan Provincial Scholarship
Business Administration
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 26,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: SCU Merit Scholarship eligible
Materials Science & Engineering
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Chinese Language Program
Non-DegreeLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 1 semester – 2 years
Tuition: CNY 20,000 / year
Intake: September & March
Scholarship: Confucius Institute Scholarship
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Sichuan University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsHigh school diploma with solid science grades for bachelor’s programs; MBBS applicants need strong biology, chemistry and physics results. Master’s applicants need a relevant bachelor’s degree.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught: IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80–90. Chinese-taught: HSK Level 4–5, with HSK 5 expected for medicine and stomatology.
- Required DocumentsPassport, high school or degree transcripts, graduation certificate, study plan, two recommendation letters, non-criminal record and language certificate.
- Application DeadlineScholarship applicants: March 31. Self-funded applicants: April 30 for the September intake.
- Application ProcessApply through the SCU Overseas Students Office online portal, pay the application fee, then track review progress in your account.
- InterviewMBBS, stomatology and graduate applicants are usually interviewed online by the relevant school before an offer is issued.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form with chest X-ray and blood tests is required for visa issuance and campus registration.
- Visa DocumentsSCU issues the Admission Notice and JW202 form, which you use to obtain an X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate.
Tuition & Scholarships
Costs & Funding
Transparent tuition, living costs and scholarship options for international students.
Cost Breakdown
- Annual Tuition
- CNY 24,000 - 45,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 700 – 1,400 / monthOn-campus international dormitory, Jiang’an & Wangjiang campuses
- Application Fee
- CNY 400 – 800 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearMandatory comprehensive insurance for all international students
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 1,800 – 3,000 / monthMeals, transport and personal expenses in Chengdu
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 50,000 – 95,000
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Coverage: Full tuition, campus accommodation, monthly stipend and comprehensive medical insurance.
Eligibility: Non-Chinese applicants for bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees with strong academic records.
Deadline: March 31
Sichuan Provincial Government Scholarship
Coverage: Full or partial tuition support for degree students studying in Sichuan Province.
Eligibility: Admitted or enrolled international degree students at SCU.
Deadline: April 30
Sichuan University Scholarship
Coverage: Tuition reduction or waiver awarded on academic merit after the first year.
Eligibility: Self-funded international students with excellent grades and conduct.
Deadline: Annual review, applications in April
Confucius Institute Scholarship
Coverage: Tuition, accommodation and living stipend for Chinese language and teaching programs.
Eligibility: International students of Chinese language, literature or Chinese language teaching.
Deadline: May 10
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Sichuan University.
Three Distinct Campuses
Historic Wangjiang, medical Huaxi and the spacious modern Jiang’an campus each offer a different study and living atmosphere.
Extensive Library System
Campus libraries hold more than 8 million volumes, including one of China’s richest medical and stomatology collections.
Chengdu Food Culture
Dozens of campus canteens plus halal counters serve Sichuan cuisine and international dishes at very low prices.
Active Student Societies
Hundreds of clubs cover debate, robotics, martial arts, music, volunteering and international cultural festivals.
Relaxed International Community
Students from over 100 countries live alongside Chinese peers in a famously friendly, slow-paced western Chinese city.
Easy City & Region Access
Metro and high-speed rail links reach central Chengdu, panda reserves, Emeishan and Jiuzhaigou within hours.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Sichuan University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Sichuan University.
Polymer & Materials Research
The State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering leads national work on advanced polymers and composites.
West China Clinical Research
West China Hospital runs one of China’s largest clinical trial and translational medicine platforms.
Oral Medicine Innovation
National key laboratory research in oral diseases, implantology and craniofacial regeneration sets domestic standards.
Tibetan & Regional Studies
Distinctive humanities strength in Tibetology, Sichuan history, archaeology and southwest ethnic cultural research.
Hydraulic & Energy Engineering
Recognized expertise in hydropower, disaster prevention and mountain engineering serving western China’s energy needs.
International Joint Institutes
Joint laboratories and dual-degree links with universities in Europe, North America and Asia support collaborative research.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Sichuan University can take you after graduation.
Hospital & Clinical Careers
Medical graduates enter hospitals and clinics across Asia, Africa and the Middle East after licensing exams.
Materials & Chemical Industry
Strong recruitment by polymer, chemical, energy and manufacturing companies operating in China and abroad.
Western China Growth Hub
Chengdu’s expanding tech, aerospace and biotech sectors actively hire multilingual international graduates.
Graduate Study Pathways
Many graduates progress to master’s and doctoral programs in China, Europe, North America and Australia.
Large Alumni Network
Over 400,000 alumni work in medicine, engineering, education and public service worldwide.
Career & Internship Services
Campus career centre runs job fairs, internship placement and CV coaching accessible to international students.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Sichuan University helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
Help reserving an on-campus international dormitory room or finding nearby off-campus housing before arrival.
Residence Permit
Guided processing of your residence permit with the Chengdu exit-entry authorities after enrollment.
Orientation
Orientation week covers campus systems, safety, banking, transport and life in Chengdu.
Academic Advising
School-based advisors and class tutors support course selection, credits and clinical rotation planning.
Chinese Language Support
Compulsory and elective Mandarin and medical Chinese courses prepare students for clinical and daily communication.
Health Services
Campus clinics plus direct access to the affiliated West China hospital system for specialist care.
Emergency Assistance
A 24-hour emergency contact line staffed by the Overseas Students Office for urgent situations.
Visa Guidance
Support with JW202 documents, visa renewals, exit-entry paperwork and travel letters.
Student Community
International student associations, buddy schemes and cultural festivals connect you with peers from 100+ countries.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Sichuan University.
- December – January
Applications Open
The Overseas Students Office portal opens for the following September intake.
- By March 31
Scholarship Deadline
Submit early to be considered for CSC and Sichuan Provincial Government scholarships.
- April – May
Self-Funded Review
Schools assess documents and hold online interviews for medicine, stomatology and graduate applicants.
- June – July
Admission Results
Admission Notices and scholarship decisions are released to successful applicants.
- July
JW202 & Visa Documents Issued
SCU couriers your Admission Notice and JW202 form for the student visa application.
- July – August
Apply for X1 Visa
Apply for the X1 student visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.
- Early September
Arrival in Chengdu
Arrive at Chengdu Tianfu or Shuangliu airport, move into your dormitory and join orientation.
- Mid September
Registration
Complete registration, medical check and residence permit before classes begin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Sichuan University.
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Project 985Project 211Double First-Class
Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Communication
English / Chinese
Competitive
CNY 26,000 - 34,000 / year
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