A+ Psychology Discipline
Psychology is rated A+ nationally, placing SCNU among the top two or three psychology faculties in China.
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
South China Normal University
Guangdong’s teacher-education university — shaping educators and scientists since 1933
Founded in 1933 as the Guangdong Provincial Institute of Education, South China Normal University (SCNU) is the flagship normal university of Guangdong Province, jointly built by the province and the Ministry of Education under the 211 Project and the national Double First-Class initiative, in which Physics is its designated Double First-Class discipline. SCNU operates four campuses — Shipai and University Town in Guangzhou, Nanhai in Foshan and Binhai in Shanwei — serving over 49,000 full-time students with more than 2,700 full-time teachers. Its academic profile is unusual among Chinese universities for international applicants: Psychology is rated A+ in the Ministry of Education discipline assessment, Education and Physical Education are also A-class, and fifteen disciplines rank in the ESI global top 1%. For students who want teacher education, educational technology, psychology, Chinese language teaching or applied physics and optoelectronics inside the Greater Bay Area, SCNU combines a specialised academic identity with the largest Chinese-language-teaching network in southern China.
Project 211Double First-Class
- Location
- Guangzhou, China
- Founded
- 1933
- International Students
- 1,000+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 21,000 - 40,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- June 30
Why Choose
Why Choose South China Normal University
Key reasons international students choose South China Normal University for their studies in China.
Double First-Class Physics
Physics is SCNU’s national Double First-Class discipline, with cold-atom, quantum storage and optoelectronics research groups.
Southern China Teacher Education
Guangdong’s flagship normal university, training the region’s teachers with 60 affiliated primary and secondary schools.
Confucius Institute Base
A national base for teaching Chinese as a foreign language, hosting International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship holders.
Educational Technology Leadership
A pioneer of China’s educational technology and AI-in-teaching research, now training teachers with generative AI tools.
Four Bay Area Campuses
Campuses in Guangzhou, Foshan and Shanwei connect students to Guangdong’s schools, laboratories and technology employers.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
China National Ranking#79
National Designations
Project 211Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at South China Normal University.
Chinese Language & Literature
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 21,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship eligible
International Economics & Trade
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 21,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Guangdong Outstanding International Student Scholarship eligible
Computer Science & Technology
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 22,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Guangdong Outstanding International Student Scholarship eligible
Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages
MasterLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 29,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship eligible
Psychology
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Physics
DoctorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to South China Normal University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsHigh school diploma with satisfactory transcripts for bachelor’s; a relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s and a master’s degree for doctoral programs.
- Language RequirementsChinese-taught: HSK Level 4 with a score of 180 or above for bachelor’s, HSK Level 5 for most graduate programs. English-taught: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 80 or prior education in English.
- Assessment & InterviewApplications are reviewed by the receiving school, which may hold an online interview; graduate applicants also submit a study or research plan.
- Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, graduation certificate, language certificate, study plan, two recommendation letters for graduate study and a non-criminal record certificate.
- Application DeadlineScholarship applicants: April 30. Self-funded applicants: June 30.
- Application FeeCNY 400, non-refundable, paid through the online application system.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required after admission and re-checked in Guangzhou after arrival.
- Visa DocumentsSCNU issues the JW202 form and Admission Notice so you can apply for an X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy.
Tuition & Scholarships
Costs & Funding
Transparent tuition, living costs and scholarship options for international students.
Cost Breakdown
- Annual Tuition
- CNY 21,000 - 40,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 800 – 1,600 / monthOn-campus international dormitory
- Application Fee
- CNY 400 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearCompulsory comprehensive insurance for international students
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 2,200 – 3,500 / monthMeals, transport & personal expenses
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 55,000 – 85,000
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Coverage: Full tuition, on-campus accommodation, monthly stipend and comprehensive insurance.
Eligibility: Outstanding non-Chinese applicants for master’s or doctoral degrees at SCNU.
Deadline: April 30
International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship
Coverage: Full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend and insurance for Chinese language and teaching programs.
Eligibility: Applicants to Chinese language, Chinese international education or TCSOL programs with a qualifying HSK result.
Deadline: May 10
Guangdong Province Outstanding International Student Scholarship
Coverage: One-time provincial grant awarded for academic excellence.
Eligibility: Enrolled degree-seeking international students nominated by their school.
Deadline: Announced annually during the academic year
SCNU International Student Scholarship
Coverage: Partial tuition award renewed annually on academic performance.
Eligibility: Self-funded degree students maintaining excellent grades and conduct.
Deadline: June 30
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at South China Normal University.
Garden Campus In Tianhe
The Shipai campus is a century-old garden campus of banyan avenues and lawns in central Guangzhou’s Tianhe district.
International Dormitories
Dedicated residences on the Shipai and University Town campuses with single and double rooms for international students.
Education And Psychology Library
Library collections specialising in education, psychology and Chinese studies alongside major international databases.
Strong Sports Tradition
Physical Education is an A-class discipline, giving students national-standard stadiums, pools and training facilities.
Teaching Practice Clubs
Student teaching competitions, tutoring societies and volunteer education projects across Guangdong schools.
University Town Campus
The Panyu campus sits in Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, sharing facilities with nine neighbouring universities.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of South China Normal University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at South China Normal University.
Cold Atoms And Quantum Storage
Physics teams publish high-performance atomic quantum memory results in Physical Review Letters and National Science Review.
Optoelectronics And Robot Sensing
Optoelectronic science teams develop active tactile sensing for embodied robotics and advanced photonic devices.
Psychology And Brain Science
An A+ psychology discipline with laboratories in cognitive neuroscience, developmental and educational psychology.
Educational Technology And AI
National-level research on AI-assisted teaching, digital learning platforms and teacher professional development.
Chemistry And Energy Materials
Chemistry groups publish in Angewandte Chemie on catalysis and materials for energy conversion and storage.
National Research Platforms
More than 135 provincial and national research platforms, including three national-level centres and 15 ESI top-1% disciplines.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from South China Normal University can take you after graduation.
Teaching And Education Careers
Graduates enter schools, international schools, Chinese language institutes and education companies across Asia.
Chinese Language Teaching Abroad
TCSOL and Chinese language graduates teach Mandarin in their home countries and at Confucius Institutes worldwide.
Bay Area Technology Employers
Computer science and optoelectronics graduates join technology firms across Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Foshan.
Research And Doctoral Pathways
Twenty doctoral first-level disciplines allow students to continue directly into postgraduate research at SCNU.
Psychology And Counselling Roles
Psychology graduates work in counselling, human resources, educational assessment and user research.
Guangdong Alumni Network
Alumni lead schools, education bureaus and companies throughout Guangdong and the wider Greater Bay Area.
Student Support
International Student Support
How South China Normal University helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
Help reserving an on-campus international dormitory room or nearby housing before you arrive in Guangzhou.
Residence Permit
Guided assistance converting your X1 visa into a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Orientation
Orientation week covers registration, campus systems, safety, banking and life in Guangzhou.
Academic Advising
School-level advisors support course selection, credit planning and teaching-practice placement.
Chinese Language Support
Long and short-term Chinese language programs plus HSK preparation for degree entry.
Health Services
Campus clinic access, compulsory insurance enrolment and help with referrals to Guangzhou hospitals.
Emergency Assistance
Round-the-clock campus security and international office contacts for urgent situations.
Visa Guidance
Support with JW202 forms, visa renewals, exit-entry procedures and travel documentation.
Student Community
International student associations, cultural festivals and language partner programs with Chinese students.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to South China Normal University.
- December – January
Applications Open
The SCNU international student online application system opens for the September intake.
- January – April
Prepare Documents And HSK
Sit the HSK or an English test, request transcripts and draft your study or research plan.
- By April 30
Scholarship Deadline
Submit your application to be considered for CSC and Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship awards.
- By June 30
Self-Funded Deadline
Final date for self-funded applicants to complete their application and upload documents.
- May – July
Admission Results
Schools review applications and successful candidates receive Admission Notices and scholarship decisions.
- July
JW202 & Visa Documents Issued
SCNU sends your Admission Notice and JW202 form so you can begin your visa application.
- July – August
Apply For X1 Visa
Apply for your X1 student visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.
- Early September
Arrival & Registration
Arrive in Guangzhou, move into your dormitory, register, complete the medical check—then classes begin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about South China Normal University.
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