In short
Southeast University, founded in 1902 in Nanjing, is a top-ranked Chinese research university renowned for engineering and architecture, offering English-taught programs for international students.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1902
- Students
- 37,000
- International students
- 2,500
- Acceptance rate
- 20%
- Tuition (intl)
- €4–7k/yr
- Languages
- ZH, EN
- Location
- Nanjing, China
Southeast University (SEU), founded in 1902 in Nanjing, China, is one of China's premier comprehensive research universities, internationally recognised under the QS World University Rankings (392). A member of China's elite Project 985, Project 211, and the Double First-Class Construction, SEU is especially renowned for engineering, architecture, information science, and medicine. The university operates two main campuses and hosts over 37,000 students, with a growing international cohort drawn by English-taught programmes and bilateral exchange agreements with institutions across the world.
Why study here
- QS World University Ranking 392 — one of China's top 25 universities.
- Member of Project 985 and Double First-Class Construction, guaranteeing world-class research infrastructure.
- Strengths in engineering, architecture, information science, and biomedical research.
- English-taught programmes available at bachelor's and master's level for international students.
- Located in Nanjing, a historic and culturally rich city with a vibrant student ecosystem.
Student life
SEU students enjoy a dual campus environment — the classic Sipailou campus in the city centre and the modern Jiulonghu campus with advanced sports and cultural facilities. The university hosts numerous annual events, student clubs, international cultural festivals, and sporting competitions. Nanjing's affordable living costs, excellent cuisine, and historical attractions make it one of China's most enjoyable student cities.
Fees
InternationalInternational student tuition at SEU is approximately CNY 26,000–50,000 per year (approx. EUR 3,500–6,500) for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
HomeDomestic tuition is approximately CNY 5,000–8,000 per year.
LivingMonthly living costs in Nanjing are estimated at CNY 2,500–4,000 (approx. EUR 330–530) for housing, food, and transport.
Chinese Government Scholarships (CSC) and provincial scholarships can significantly offset tuition for international students.
Admissions
UndergraduateSecondary school graduation certificate and transcripts; health certificate; proof of language proficiency.
Master's/PhDBachelor's or master's degree certificate and transcripts; research proposal for PhD applicants; two academic reference letters.
TOEFL80 iBT
IELTS6.0
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2024392
Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)Top 200
University scholarships
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)Full tuition + stipend + accommodation
SEU President ScholarshipFull or partial tuition waiver
Jiangsu Provincial Government ScholarshipCNY 20,000/year
Accreditation
Accredited by China's Ministry of Education; member of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU).
Programs
a selectionScholarships
for China
full fundingTsinghua University
Schwarzman Scholars
Open to applicants of any nationality who hold (or will hold) a bachelor's degree by the programme start and are under ~29 years old at the deadline. English proficiency is required; Chinese is not. Selection seeks demonstrated leadership, academic strength, and the potential to bridge China and the world.
full
Funding
€65k
Max
Oct 15, 2026
Deadline
full fundingTsinghua University (sponsored by Siemens Ltd., China)
Siemens China Scholarship at Tsinghua University
International students who meet Tsinghua University's PhD admission requirements, hold a strong academic background in computer science, engineering or AI, apply to one of the approved Siemens research fields, and do not hold another major PhD scholarship at Tsinghua. Applicants should be willing to collaborate on industry-focused research with Siemens.
full
Funding
€22k
Max
Feb 28, 2027
Deadline
full fundingChina Scholarship Council (CSC), Ministry of Education, People's Republic of China
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Open to non-Chinese citizens in good health who meet the academic and age requirements for their level (under ~25 for bachelor's, ~35 for master's, ~40 for doctoral, as a guideline). Applicants apply via a Chinese university, a Chinese embassy, or another dispatching authority, depending on the programme.
full
Funding
€20k
Max
Apr 30, 2027
Deadline
full fundingTsinghua University / China Scholarship Council (CSC)
Tsinghua University Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS)
For non-Chinese citizens in good health who apply for a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing. The Chinese Government Scholarship is administered by Tsinghua as a designated host university; applicants apply both to the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and for Tsinghua admission, and must meet the relevant age and academic requirements.
full
Funding
€15k
Max
Mar 1, 2027
Deadline
full fundingShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SHSMU)
SJTU School of Medicine Chinese Government Scholarship
Open to non-Chinese citizens in good health who are not currently studying in China. Master's applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and be under 35; doctoral applicants must hold a master's degree and be under 40. Applicants must show excellent academic records and must not hold any other Chinese government or organisation scholarship.
full
Funding
€15k
Max
Apr 14, 2027
Deadline
full fundingSoochow University
Soochow University Chinese Government Scholarship
Open to non-Chinese citizens in good health with a valid passport. Master's applicants need a bachelor's degree with good grades and should preferably be under 35; doctoral applicants need a master's degree with strong academic results and should preferably be under 40. Applicants must not already hold another Chinese government or university scholarship.
full
Funding
€14k
Max
Feb 28, 2027
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What is Southeast University's global ranking?
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Southeast University is ranked 392 in the QS World University Rankings and is among the Top 200 universities according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). This places it as one of China's top universities.
What are the estimated tuition fees for international students at Southeast University?
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International student tuition fees at SEU range from approximately CNY 26,000 to CNY 50,000 per year for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Scholarships are available to help offset these costs.
What are the living costs for students in Nanjing?
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Monthly living expenses in Nanjing, including housing, food, and transportation, are estimated to be between CNY 2,500 and CNY 4,000.
What are Southeast University's strongest academic fields?
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SEU is particularly renowned for its strengths in engineering, architecture, information science, and medicine. It is also recognized for its comprehensive research capabilities.
What are the language requirements for international students?
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For English-taught programs, students typically need a TOEFL score of 80 iBT or an IELTS score of 6.0. For Chinese-taught programs, HSK level 4 or above is generally required.
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