Ten Affiliated Teaching Hospitals
One of China’s largest clinical networks, giving medical students unmatched hands-on rotation and specialist training capacity.
Guangzhou, Guangdong, ChinaQS #250
Sun Yat-sen University
Founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1924 — southern China’s comprehensive research powerhouse
Established in 1924 by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of modern China, Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) is the foremost comprehensive university in southern China and a member of the national Double First Class programme. It operates five campuses across Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Shenzhen, together with ten affiliated hospitals that make it one of the largest clinical training networks in the country. Its historic Guangzhou South Campus, the former Lingnan University grounds, is famous for red-brick colonial architecture beneath century-old banyan trees. For international students, SYSU offers exceptional strength in clinical medicine, business, marine and atmospheric sciences, plus direct access to the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, China’s most internationally connected economic region.
Project 985Project 211Double First-Class
- QS World Ranking
- #250
- Location
- Guangzhou, China
- Founded
- 1924
- International Students
- 4,000+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 30,000 - 45,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- April 1
Why Choose
Why Choose Sun Yat-sen University
Key reasons international students choose Sun Yat-sen University for their studies in China.
Greater Bay Area Gateway
Campuses in Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Shenzhen place students inside China’s wealthiest and most globally connected region.
Marine Science Leadership
Operates the Zhuhai marine campus and the research vessel Sun Yat-sen University, China’s largest ocean research ship.
Lingnan Heritage Campus
Historic red-brick South Campus preserves the former Lingnan University, a rare bilingual academic tradition in China.
Top-Ranked Business Schools
Both its management and business schools hold AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA triple accreditation, rare among Chinese universities.
Cantonese Business Network
Alumni dominate Guangdong industry, banking and healthcare, creating direct internship pathways for graduating international students.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
QS World University Ranking#250
China National Ranking#12
National Designations
Project 985Project 211Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Sun Yat-sen University.
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine)
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 6 years
Tuition: CNY 48,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC & Guangdong Government eligible
Business Administration
BachelorLanguage: English / Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 35,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Merit scholarships available
Marine Sciences
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
International Business (MIB)
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 2 years
Tuition: CNY 60,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Partial tuition awards
Public Health (MPH)
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 45,000 / 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 Sun Yat-sen University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsHigh school diploma with strong science results for bachelor’s; a relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s. MBBS applicants need solid biology, chemistry and physics grades.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught: IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80–90. Chinese-taught: HSK Level 4 for bachelor’s, HSK Level 5 for most master’s programs.
- Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, graduation certificate, study plan, two recommendation letters, language certificate and a non-criminal record certificate.
- Application DeadlineScholarship applicants: March 1. Self-funded applicants: April 1 (some faculties extend to May 31).
- Application ProcessApply through the SYSU international student online service system, upload documents and pay the application fee, then track your result online.
- InterviewMost degree programs require an online interview or written test; medical and business faculties interview all shortlisted applicants.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form issued within six months is required before enrollment and residence permit application.
- Visa DocumentsSYSU issues the JW202 form with your Admission Notice, 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 30,000 - 45,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 1,000 – 2,000 / monthOn-campus international dormitory in Guangzhou or Zhuhai
- Application Fee
- CNY 500 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearMandatory for all international students
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 2,500 – 4,000 / monthMeals, transport & personal expenses in Guangzhou
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 60,000 – 105,000
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Coverage: Full tuition, on-campus accommodation, monthly living stipend and comprehensive medical insurance.
Eligibility: Non-Chinese nationals applying for bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees with strong academic records.
Deadline: March 1
Guangdong Provincial Government Scholarship
Coverage: Full or partial tuition support for degree students enrolled at universities in Guangdong Province.
Eligibility: Admitted or enrolled international degree students studying in Guangdong.
Deadline: March 31
SYSU International Student Scholarship
Coverage: Tuition waiver of 50–100% for outstanding self-funded degree applicants.
Eligibility: High-achieving applicants; renewed annually based on academic performance.
Deadline: April 1
Confucius Institute Scholarship
Coverage: Tuition, accommodation and monthly stipend for Chinese language and teaching programs.
Eligibility: International students of Chinese language, literature, history or Chinese teaching.
Deadline: April 30
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Sun Yat-sen University.
Five Distinct Campuses
Choose between the historic Guangzhou South Campus, the modern Shenzhen medical campus and the seaside Zhuhai science campus.
Lingnan Cultural Traditions
Long-running Cantonese arts festivals, choirs, debating societies and more than 200 registered student associations.
Extensive Library System
A multi-campus library network holding over 7 million volumes, including rare Lingnan and South China archives.
International Community
Students from more than 100 countries, with dedicated international residences and bilingual campus services.
Cantonese Food Capital
Affordable campus canteens plus Guangzhou’s famous dim sum and street food culture just outside the gates.
Bay Area Connectivity
Metro access across Guangzhou and high-speed rail reaching Hong Kong, Macao and Shenzhen within the hour.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Sun Yat-sen University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Sun Yat-sen University.
Clinical & Translational Medicine
Ten affiliated hospitals and national key laboratories drive research in oncology, ophthalmology and infectious disease.
Ocean & Atmospheric Science
Operates the 6,880-tonne research vessel Sun Yat-sen University and the Southern Marine Science laboratory in Zhuhai.
Precision Medicine & Genomics
State key laboratories in oncology and ophthalmology rank among China’s most cited biomedical research centres.
South China Studies
Internationally recognised for anthropology, migration studies, Lingnan history and Southeast Asian regional research.
Greater Bay Area Policy Research
Think tanks advise provincial and national government on regional integration, trade and urban development.
International Joint Programmes
Research partnerships with universities across Hong Kong, Europe and North America support joint labs and exchanges.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Sun Yat-sen University can take you after graduation.
Hospital & Healthcare Careers
Medical graduates enter affiliated hospitals, public health authorities and international healthcare organisations.
Bay Area Corporate Recruitment
Tencent, Huawei, China Merchants Bank and multinational regional headquarters recruit directly on campus.
Trade & Logistics Sector
Guangzhou’s manufacturing, export and Canton Fair ecosystem creates strong demand for bilingual business graduates.
Graduate Study Pathways
Graduates progress to leading programmes in Hong Kong, Singapore, Europe and North America each year.
Influential Alumni Network
One of southern China’s largest alumni communities, especially strong in medicine, finance and entrepreneurship.
Startup & Innovation Support
Campus incubators and Shenzhen proximity give founders access to funding, mentors and hardware supply chains.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Sun Yat-sen University helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
Help reserving on-campus international dormitory rooms or approved off-campus housing before you arrive.
Residence Permit
Guidance through Guangdong exit-entry procedures to convert your X1 visa into a residence permit.
Orientation
Orientation week covering campus systems, safety, healthcare, banking and life in Guangzhou.
Academic Advising
Faculty advisors and international student counsellors assist with course selection and progression.
Chinese Language Support
Elective Mandarin courses plus optional Cantonese classes to help you settle into daily life locally.
Health Services
Campus clinics and priority referral to SYSU affiliated hospitals with English-speaking staff.
Emergency Assistance
A 24-hour campus support line and on-call international student office staff for urgent situations.
Visa Guidance
Support with JW202 forms, visa renewals, travel documents and re-entry procedures.
Student Community
International student associations, buddy programmes and cultural festivals across all campuses.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Sun Yat-sen University.
- December – January
Applications Open
The SYSU international student online application system opens for the September intake.
- By March 1
Scholarship Deadline
Submit by March 1 to be considered for CSC, Guangdong Provincial and SYSU scholarships.
- March – May
Review & Interviews
Faculties assess applications and hold online interviews or written tests for shortlisted candidates.
- June – July
Admission Results
Admission Notices and scholarship decisions are released through the online application system.
- July
JW202 & Visa Documents Issued
SYSU couriers your Admission Notice and JW202 form for your 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 Guangzhou
Arrive on your assigned campus, move into your dormitory and join international orientation.
- Mid September
Registration
Complete registration, medical check and residence permit application before classes begin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Sun Yat-sen University.
Explore More
Other Universities in Guangzhou
Compare Guangzhou's leading universities to find your best match.
QS #377
South China University of Technology
Project 985Project 211Double First-Class
Engineering, Materials Science, Food Science
English / Chinese
Competitive
CNY 24,000 - 34,000 / year
Take the First Step
Ready to Apply to Sun Yat-sen University?
Get a free academic assessment and our admissions team will confirm your eligibility, shortlist the best programs for your profile and guide you through every step of your application to Sun Yat-sen University.