135, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
Career Counselling
Sun Yat-sen University is a prominent institution of higher education located in Guangzhou, China. Nearly a century old, it has over 67,000 full time students, with an equal split between undergraduates and postgraduates. Only about 1% of the students are from outside China. It is widely accepted that it is difficult to gain admission into SYSU, with a very low admission rate.
SYSU has five campuses, three of which are in the city of Guangzhou, with one each in the cities of Zhuhai and Shenzhen. The three Guangzhou campuses (South, North, and East) ha...
| Establishment year | 1924 |
| Total Students | 67,135 |
| International Students | 623 |
| QS World University Rankings 2024 | =323 |
| Campus Size | 2261 acres |
| Total Number of Campuses | 5 |
| University Website | https://www.sysu.edu.cn/sysuen/ |
| No. of Schools and Divisions | 69 Schools and Departments |
| Nobel Prize Winner Alumni | 0 |
| No. of Education Programs | 141 (undergraduate), 68 (Master’s), 58 (PhD) |
| Student to Faculty ratio | 14:1 |
Sun Yat-sen University offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses through 69 Schools and Departments, spread across all five campuses.
There are also ten allied hospitals (e.g. the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital and the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center), that allow students of Medicine to gain experience through practical exposure.
International applicants to postgraduate courses at Sun Yat-sen University must have a valid non-Chinese passport, sound health (both physical and mental), and a clean criminal record. They must be willing to abide by the laws of China and the university statutes. They must also hold a valid undergraduate degree from a recognized university; PhD applicants must also have a master’s degree or diploma; in certain cases, this requirement may be waived in the case of exceptional research or professional experience. Every course has minimum bachelor’s degree grade requirements and Chinese and English language proficiency criteria: these should be checked on the course webpages. Some courses may require portfolio submissions and online interviews.
The entry requirements for international undergraduate applicants are similar; however, a provisional high school degree certificate is required for students who are currently studying in their final year of high school. Applicants will normally be required to be between the ages of 18 and 25 as of September 1 of the year of program commencement; however, for students who are slightly younger than 18, providing local guardian details will be required. Courses where the medium of instruction is Chinese require an HSK Level 4 or 5 certificate, and English medium programs mandate minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores. These details can be found on individual course pages.
International undergraduate applicants should follow these steps to secure admission to SYSU:
Postgraduate international applicants follow steps that are similar to those listed above. However, detailed transcripts (of either UG or Master’s courses) must be certified by the Department of Academic Affairs (or equivalent) of a recognized global university. Certain courses may also require a portfolio, a research proposal, or professional industry experience. A very large proportion of PG candidates apply for scholarships at the same time as they complete the admission formalities.
Tuition fees for undergraduate international students depend on the area of study as follows:
There are also registration fees of RMB 400 per student.
Tuition fees for international Master’s students are as follows:
Tuition fees for PhD international students are as follows:
Accommodation fees for all international students (UG or PG) depend on the campus and type of living arrangements (single or double room occupancy) chosen. On average, the total amount payable comes to approximately RMB 6,000 to RMB 10,000 per academic year. Students should also budget for other living costs, including food, travel, personal items, and recreation.
Sun Yat-sen University has five campuses. The Guangzhou South campus is the largest of the three locations in the city; this historic location is home to most of the UG and PG students of the university. The small Guangzhou North campus houses many medical and nursing programs. The Guangzhou East Campus is almost the same size as the main South Campus and was opened two decades ago in order to relocate some schools and departments. The Zhuhai Campus is located in the city of Zhuhai; this large campus teaches courses and conducts research in several disciplines. The Shenzhen campus is the newest location, and has the fewest number of courses offered.
Sun Yat-sen University is a powerhouse of cultural activities. For example, the SYSU Student Chorus has 300 student members across four of the five campuses of the university, and these singers collaborate to perform at key campus events and win accolades at regional and inter-university competitions. The SYSU Student Dance Troupe, with 200 members, performs at annual university events, at national summits, and even on the international stage. The SYSU Chinese Orchestra brings appreciation for traditional instruments and compositions through regularly organized concerts. The SYSU Drama Association and Symphony Orchestra are other important cultural organizations on campus.
Students at SYSU have achieved sporting success at the national level for almost a century. Pioneering footballers, track and field athletes, and volleyball players have been nurtured by the sports trainers at the university. Today, SYSU has over 40 Sporting Associations (student clubs). They organize the annual University Sports Meet, in addition to regular matches to help students improve their skills in real time. SYSU was one of the first top-level universities in China to actively allow elite athletes to join, and has helped them balance their academic commitments and sports training to collectively achieve a large number of Olympic medal victories.
The world-class sports facilities at Sun Yat-sen University are used both by the Department of Physical Education and by the student body in general, to play sports recreationally and competitively. The main hub for sports activities is the Yingdong Sports Center on the main Guangzhou South Campus. It contains a large gymnasium (for exercise and fitness activities) and a stadium (for outdoor sports, e.g. soccer and track and field), in addition to basketball and volleyball courts, and an Olympic size swimming pool. The Guangzhou East and Zhuhai campuses also contain large gymnasiums that allow students to play indoor sports and access cardio and weight training areas, as well as outdoor sports fields and grounds.
The Career Development Center conducts several activities throughout the academic year to ensure that students are ready to discover and pursue the career of their choice. It conducts the following activities:
The Chinese Government Scholarship - Chinese University Postgraduate Program at SYSU is meant for exceptional postgraduate students who have displayed academic excellence during their earlier studies. It provides its awardees with free tuition, free accommodation, and insurance, as well as an additional living stipend of RMB 36,000 per year (for master’s students) or RMB 42,000 per year (for doctoral students). It is available only for certain programs; the current list should be checked at the time of application.
The flagship scholarship for undergraduate students is the Belt and Road Scholarship for international bachelor’s students. Students from the ten ASEAN countries who have a very high level of academic excellence in their high school studies are eligible. A maximum of 150 students can be awarded this scholarship. It entails a full tuition fee waiver and a living allowance of RMB 30,000 per year; this can be used to pay accommodation fees, and the remainder is usually spent on food and travel costs.
The International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship is awarded to international students at the university who wish to become teachers of Chinese language or literature. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree and perform excellently in the Chinese HSK Level 5 examination, with a score of 210 or higher. The award entails free tuition, accommodations, and comprehensive medical insurance. There is also a living allowance of RMB 36,000 per year.
The Chinese Government Scholarship - High Level Graduate Program is similar to the Chinese University Postgraduate Program award; however, it is open to students enrolled in all programs, without any restrictions except the fundamental one of excellent academic performance.
