Sichuan University was founded in 1896 in Chengdu and has four campuses. It ranks =300 in QS 2027 and 87th in the ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2025, and has around 3,000 international students. For Sichuan University admission, bachelor’s tuition is CNY 17,500 for humanities, economics and management, CNY 22,000 for science and engineering, and CNY 45,000 for the English-taught medicine programme (MBBS), plus a CNY 600 application fee. Bachelor’s applications for 2026 ran from 1 January to 30 May 2026, and graduate applications from 1 November 2025 to 30 May 2026. Official details and sources are below.
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Quick facts about Sichuan University
| Item | Details | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Sichuan University – 四川大学 | Source |
| Founded and campuses | 1896 – Wangjiang, Huaxi, Jiang’an and Meishan campuses | Source |
| Ranking | QS 2027: =300 (QS 2026: =324) – THE 2027: =224 – ARWU 2025: 87 | Source |
| International Students’ Office | global.scu.edu.cn/oso – phone +86-28-85407199 | Source |
| Application portal | scu.17gz.org | Source |
Sichuan University fees for international students
| Programme | Fee (CNY per year) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s: humanities, economics and management | 17,500 |
| Bachelor’s: science and engineering | 22,000 |
| Bachelor’s: archaeology | 22,200 |
| Bachelor’s: pharmacy and public health | 29,250 |
| Bachelor’s: dentistry | 36,000 |
| Bachelor’s: medicine MBBS (in English, 6 years) | 45,000 |
| Bachelor’s: arts and sports | 45,000 |
| Master’s: humanities / science and engineering | 22,000 / 25,000 |
| Master’s: medicine, arts and sports | 50,000 |
Source: official fee announcement and graduate announcement. These are the official fees for the 2026 intake and may be updated each year; the final figure is in your admission letter. To convert them into your own currency, use the study cost calculator.
Other costs and living in Chengdu
- Application fee: CNY 600, non-refundable, and also required for scholarship applications.
- Housing (Hongwa apartments, Wangjiang campus): CNY 36–52 per person per day depending on room type, with a private bathroom and air conditioning; places are limited.
- Health insurance: compulsory, CNY 500 per semester according to the International Students’ Office page.
- Living in Chengdu: about CNY 1,200–2,200 per month excluding rent (food, transport and personal expenses), based on StudyFlowX calculator estimates for cities in this category.
- For comparison (calculator estimates for cities in this category): a double room in university housing costs CNY 6,000–10,000 per year, a single room CNY 12,000–16,000, and an off-campus apartment CNY 24,000–36,000 per year.
Sichuan University admission requirements: bachelor’s
- Age 18 or over, in principle under 25, and a high school certificate.
- Chinese-taught programmes: HSK 5 with a score of 180 or above (not required for Chinese language majors).
- English-taught programmes: TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0 (with an exemption for native English speakers).
- The CSCA test is compulsory for all bachelor’s applicants in 2026: mathematics, physics and chemistry for English-taught medicine, and mathematics and physics for English-taught science and engineering. The CSCA fee is CNY 450 for one subject and CNY 700 for two or more.
Source: official admission announcement.
Master’s and PhD requirements
- Master’s: age 18–40 and a bachelor’s degree.
- Chinese-taught programmes: HSK 5 (180) for humanities, and HSK 4 (180) for science, engineering, medicine and agriculture. English-taught programmes: TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0.
Application deadlines
| Route | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s (September 2026 intake) | 1 January – 30 May 2026 |
| Master’s and PhD | 1 November 2025 – 30 May 2026 |
| Bachelor’s in Chinese language | Spring intake 15 September – 30 November, and autumn intake 1 November – 30 May |
| Chengdu Sister Cities Scholarship | Until 30 May 2026 |
| Chinese Government Scholarship | According to the awarding body’s dates |
Source: official admission announcement. These are the dates for the September 2026 intake; the 2027 dates are usually published in the autumn on the same site, so check it before applying.
Sichuan University scholarships
- “Study at SCU” Scholarship for outstanding students: partial for bachelor’s, up to CNY 20,000 per year; for graduate study it covers tuition, housing support and insurance with an allowance of up to CNY 2,000 per month for master’s and CNY 3,000 for PhD students. It does not cover medicine or dentistry.
- Chengdu Sister Cities Scholarship: for citizens of Chengdu’s sister and friendship cities, CNY 20,000 per year for bachelor’s, CNY 25,000 for master’s and CNY 30,000 for PhD, and it requires a confirmation letter from the city.
- Chinese Government Scholarship: tuition, housing, insurance and a monthly stipend of CNY 2,500 / 3,000 / 3,500 depending on the level of study.
Source: official scholarship announcement. The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) has general conditions: tuition, housing, comprehensive medical insurance and a monthly stipend of CNY 2,500 for bachelor’s, CNY 3,000 for master’s and CNY 3,500 for PhD students. The age limits are under 25 for bachelor’s, under 35 for master’s and under 40 for PhD, and from the 2026 cycle bachelor’s applicants must take the CSCA test. Read the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC).
Programmes and language of instruction
The university offers a six-year English-taught medicine programme (MBBS) of 308 credits within West China School of Medicine, at CNY 45,000 per year, and English-taught dentistry as well. Before you register, check that the university is on China’s current Ministry of Education list of universities allowed to teach medicine in English, and that your own country recognises the degree. Most other programmes are taught in Chinese.
World ranking
Sichuan University ranks =300 in QS 2027 (=324 in QS 2026), =224 in Times Higher Education 2027 and 87 in the ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2025, according to the university’s guide.
Visa and residence after admission
- After admission you receive your admission documents and the JW202 form (or JW201 for scholarship students).
- Apply for an X1 visa (for study of more than 180 days) at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country, usually between June and August.
- After arrival, register your address with the police within 24 hours (usually through the international students’ office).
- Convert your X1 visa into a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
China joined the Apostille Convention, which took effect on 7 November 2023. Documents from member countries only need an apostille; documents from other countries need full legalisation. Details are in China student visa steps.
Working while studying
Regular employment under a contract is forbidden for international students. The only work allowed is university-organised work-study (勤工助学): up to 8 hours a week and 40 hours a month during term, and 16 hours a week and 80 hours a month during holidays. An internship off campus requires the employer to be added to your residence permit, and violations are punished with a fine of CNY 5,000–20,000. So do not count on work in your budget. Source: China’s Ministry of Education.
For Muslim students
We found no information on halal restaurants or prayer rooms on campus on Sichuan University’s official pages, so we do not state anything we have not verified. Ask the international students’ office before you arrive about halal food and the nearest mosque in Chengdu. Read Is China a good fit for Muslim students?
Frequently asked questions
How much are Sichuan University fees for international students?
See the fee table above. The figures come from the university’s official announcements for the 2026 intake and may be updated each year, so the final figure is in your admission letter.
Can I work while studying?
Regular employment is forbidden for international students in China. Only university-organised work-study is allowed: up to 8 hours a week and 40 hours a month during term, and 16 hours a week and 80 hours a month during holidays.
Which student visa do I need?
An X1 visa for study of more than 180 days, with your admission letter and the JW202 form (or JW201 for scholarship students), then convert it into a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Can I study medicine in English at Sichuan University?
Yes. The English-taught MBBS is a 6-year programme at CNY 45,000 per year according to the official fee page. Check the current Ministry of Education list and the recognition requirements in your own country.
How much is the Sichuan University application fee?
CNY 600, non-refundable, and also paid when applying for scholarships.
Last updated: October 2026. All figures come from the official announcements and pages listed below for the 2026 intake, and living-cost estimates come from StudyFlowX calculator data.
Official sources
- Sichuan University – Admission guide 2026
- Sichuan University – Bachelor’s fees
- Sichuan University – Graduate fees
- Sichuan University – Bachelor’s requirements
- Sichuan University – Master’s requirements
- Sichuan University – English-taught MBBS programme
- Sichuan University – Chengdu Sister Cities Scholarship
- Sichuan University – Housing
- Sichuan University on QS
- Sichuan University on Times Higher Education
- Study in China portal (CSC)
- China’s Ministry of Education: work-study rules for international students (2022)
- China’s Exit and Entry Administration Law
- China’s Ministry of Education: list of universities allowed to teach medicine in English
Read also: the best Chinese universities for international students and studying in China.