In short
Xiamen University is a prestigious Chinese institution founded in 1921, offering a wide range of programs on a stunning coastal campus. It provides competitive tuition fees and living costs for international students, alongside numerous scholarship opportunities.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1921
- Students
- 47,000
- International students
- 1,208
- Acceptance rate
- 20%
- Tuition (intl)
- €3–7k/yr
- Languages
- EN, ZH
- Location
- Xiamen, China
Xiamen University (XMU), founded in 1921 by Tan Kah Kee, is one of China's most prestigious universities, consistently ranked in the global top 350. A member of China's Double First-Class Initiative, Project 985, and Project 211, XMU has 35 schools covering science, engineering, economics, law, arts, and medicine. Nineteen disciplines rank in the ESI global top 1%, and two — chemistry and materials science — are in the top 1‰. The university's iconic campus on the Fujian coast is widely considered among the most beautiful in Asia.
Why study here
- Elite status: Double First-Class, 985, and 211 recognised Chinese university.
- World-class research in chemistry, marine science, ecology, statistics, and finance.
- Stunning coastal campus with modern facilities and a vibrant international community.
- XMU Malaysia campus offers a pathway for study in Southeast Asia under the same brand.
- Rich scholarship ecosystem: Chinese Government Scholarship, Fujian Provincial, and XMU-specific awards.
Student life
Xiamen University offers a rich campus life across multiple campuses. Students enjoy seaside views, cultural festivals, student clubs, and a highly international atmosphere with students from over 100 countries. The city of Xiamen is consistently rated one of China's most liveable, with excellent food, public transport, and access to scenic spots including Gulangyu Island.
Fees
InternationalInternational undergraduate tuition: CNY 20,000–35,000 per year (approx. EUR 2,600–4,600). Master's and PhD: CNY 25,000–40,000 per year (approx. EUR 3,300–5,200). Medical and engineering programs may be higher.
HomeChinese domestic students pay government-subsidised tuition of CNY 5,000–7,000 per year.
LivingLiving costs in Xiamen: CNY 24,000–42,000 per year (approx. EUR 3,100–5,500) including accommodation (on-campus dorms start at CNY 600/month), food, and personal expenses.
Tuition is reviewed annually. Scholarship holders may have fees fully or partially waived. Medical insurance of CNY 800/year is required for international students.
Admissions
UndergraduateHigh school diploma; must not be Chinese citizen; under 30 years old
Master'sBachelor's degree or equivalent; under 40 years old
PhDMaster's degree; under 50 years old
IELTS Academic6.0 (for English-taught programs)
TOEFL iBT80
HSKHSK 4 or above for Chinese-taught programs
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2024341
ESI Global Top 1% (disciplines)19 disciplines
ESI Global Top 1‰Chemistry, Materials Science
China's Double First-Class UniversitiesTier 1
University scholarships
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)Full scholarship: tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend CNY 2,500–3,500
Fujian Provincial Government ScholarshipPartial to full coverage
Xiamen Tan Kah Kee ScholarshipCNY 8,000–20,000 per year
XMU Sustainable Coastal Development ScholarshipPartial scholarship
China Studies Program PhD Fellowship (New Sinology)Full scholarship for humanities/social sciences PhD students
Accreditation
Accredited by China's Ministry of Education; member of national 211 Project, 985 Project, and Double First-Class Initiative.
Programs
a selectionXiamen University · China
Doctoral Programs at Xiamen University
Xiamen University (XMU), founded in 1921 by Mr. Tan Kah Kee, a prominent overseas Chinese leader, is a leading university in China. It is recognized as a key university under the "211 Project", "985 Project", and the "Double First-Class" initiative. Situated by the sea in Xiamen, the university is known for its beautiful campus and comprehensive academic offerings across 35 schools and 17 research institutes. Several disciplines, including Chemistry, Materials Science, and Engineering, are ranked among the top 1% globally (ESI), with Chemistry, Marine Science, Biology, Ecology, Statistics, and Education selected for national world-class discipline development. XMU fosters international collaboration with 277 partner universities worldwide.
PhD
Level
€5k
Tuition
48 mo
Duration
Xiamen University · China
Master's Programs at Xiamen University
Xiamen University (XMU), founded in 1921 by renowned overseas Chinese leader Tan Kah Kee, is a leading Chinese university with a "Double First-Class" status. Located by the sea in Xiamen, it's known for its beautiful campus and strong academic programs. XMU has multiple campuses and a significant international presence, with over 277 international university partnerships. The university boasts 19 disciplines ranked in the ESI global top 1%, including Chemistry, Materials Science, and Engineering in the top 1‰. With a large faculty and student body, XMU is committed to fostering global exchange and academic excellence.
Master's
Level
€5k
Tuition
24 mo
Duration
Xiamen University · China
Xiamen University - International Undergraduate Programs
Xiamen University (XMU) is a prestigious university in China, founded in 1921 by Tan Kah Kee. It is a key national university known for its beautiful campus located by the sea and its strong academic programs. XMU is committed to internationalization and offers several programs taught in English for international students. The university aims to provide a high-quality educational experience with a focus on innovation and global perspectives. International students at XMU become part of a vibrant academic community with extensive resources and a supportive environment.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
48 mo
Duration
Xiamen University · China
Xiamen University International Student Programs
Xiamen University (XMU), founded in 1921 by Mr. Tan Kah Kee, a renowned patriotic overseas Chinese leader, is a prestigious Chinese university recognized for its high academic standards and beautiful campus located by the sea. As a key university in China's national "211 Project," "985 Project," and "Double First-Class" initiative, XMU is committed to providing a world-class educational experience. The university offers a wide range of programs across various disciplines, with 19 fields ranking in the global top 1% according to ESI. XMU has a vibrant international community and extensive global partnerships, fostering an environment of open education and cross-cultural exchange. Students benefit from a dedicated faculty and state-of-the-art facilities spread across multiple campuses. Prospective international students can pursue undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university provides various scholarships and financial aid opportunities to support talented students from around the world. XMU's commitment to academic excellence, combined with its stunning natural setting, makes it an attractive destination for international learners.
Bachelor's
Level
€12k
Tuition
48 mo
Duration
Scholarships
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 are the tuition fees for international students at Xiamen University?
+
International undergraduate tuition ranges from CNY 20,000–35,000 per year. Master's and PhD programs cost CNY 25,000–40,000 annually, with potential increases for medical and engineering fields. These fees are subject to annual review.
What are the living costs for international students in Xiamen?
+
Estimated living costs in Xiamen are CNY 24,000–42,000 per year. This includes accommodation, food, and personal expenses, with on-campus dorms starting at CNY 600 per month.
What are the admission requirements for international students?
+
Undergraduate applicants need a high school diploma and must be under 30. Master's candidates require a bachelor's degree and must be under 40, while PhD applicants need a master's degree and must be under 50.
What are the English language proficiency requirements?
+
For programs taught in English, students typically need an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 or a TOEFL iBT score of 80. For Chinese-taught programs, an HSK 4 or above is generally required.
What scholarships are available for international students?
+
Xiamen University offers various scholarships including the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship, Xiamen Tan Kah Kee Scholarship, and XMU-specific awards, which can cover partial to full costs.
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