Yangzhou University (YZU) is a major comprehensive public university located in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. Its origins trace back to 1902, when it was founded by the renowned industrialist and educator Zhang Jian. The university in its current form was established in 1992 through the merger of six higher education institutions. Today, it is a key provincial university co-sponsored by the Jiangsu Provincial Government, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
Yangzhou University is one of the first universities in China to offer master’s and doctoral degrees. It is also a “Jiangsu High-Level University Construction Plan” Category A institution.
History & Evolution
Yangzhou University’s history spans over 120 years, rooted in the educational reforms of the late Qing Dynasty:
Year
Milestone
1902
Zhang Jian founded Tongzhou Normal School and Tonghai Agricultural College — the earliest roots of YZU
1952
Following a national restructuring of higher education, the agricultural and arts programs were relocated to Yangzhou
1992
Yangzhou师范学院, Jiangsu Agricultural College, Yangzhou Institute of Technology, Yangzhou Medical College, Jiangsu Water Conservancy Engineering College, and Jiangsu Commercial College merged to form Yangzhou University
2015
Became a university jointly established by the Jiangsu Provincial Government and the Ministry of Education
2023
Became a university jointly established by the Jiangsu Provincial Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Yangzhou University Rankings & Reputation 2026
Yangzhou University has achieved strong rankings in both national and global arenas, marking 2026 as a year of significant progress.
Global Rankings (2026)
Ranking Body
Rank
CWUR World Ranking
#425 out of 21,291 (Top 2% globally)
US News Best Global Universities
#770
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking)
#301-400
SAA Best University Rankings
#1384 (World); #346 (Asia); #86 (China)
Regional Rankings (2026)
Ranking Body
Rank
THE Asia University Rankings
#116 (Asia); #39 (China mainland)
CWUR Asia Ranking
#108
CWUR China Ranking
#74
National Rankings (2026)
Ranking Body
Rank
ARWU China University Rankings
#93
Nature Index Research Leaders
#99 globally (first time in top 100)
ESI (Essential Science Indicators) Performance
YZU’s research strength is exceptional:
15 disciplines are in the ESI Global Top 1%
4 disciplines are in the ESI Global Top 1‰:
Agricultural Science
Plant and Animal Sciences
Chemistry
Engineering
The other 11 ESI Top 1% disciplines include Materials Science, Computer Science, Clinical Medicine, Biology and Biochemistry, Microbiology, Environment/Ecology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Immunology, Physics, and Social Sciences, General.
Yangzhou University Academic Structure
Schools & Programs
Yangzhou University comprises 31 teaching institutions and offers 103 undergraduate programs.
Degree Programs
Level
Details
Undergraduate Programs
103 majors
First-level Doctoral Programs
19
Professional Doctoral Categories
5
First-level Master’s Programs
51
Professional Master’s Categories
38
Postdoctoral Research Stations
21
Library & Resources
Resource
Details
Library Collection
4.06 million volumes
Teaching & Research Equipment
¥1.557 billion
Total Fixed Assets
¥6.346 billion
Yangzhou University Courses & Fee Structure 2026
Tuition Fees for International Students
Student Type
Annual Tuition (RMB)
International Bachelor’s
14,000 – 24,000 RMB
International Master’s
18,000 – 22,000 RMB
Foundation Program
15,000 RMB (including on-campus accommodation)
MBBS (English Medium)
~30,000 RMB/year
Note: Tuition fees vary by program. Actual fees depend on the specific program and should be verified from the official program list.
Additional Fees (International Students)
Fee Type
Amount (RMB)
Application Fee
600 (non-refundable)
Insurance Fee
1,000/year
Accommodation
Varies by room type
Yangzhou University Admission Process 2026
Application Timeline for International Students
Event
Date
CSC High-Level Graduate Program Application
November 15, 2025 – February 15, 2026
International Student Application
Open for 2026 intake
Result Notification
By August 15, 2026
Eligibility Requirements
Parameter
Requirement
Undergraduate Applicants
High school diploma or equivalent; excellent academic record; age 18-25
Master’s Applicants
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; excellent academic record; age 18-35
Language Proficiency
HSK 5 (180+) for Chinese-taught programs; IELTS 6.0/TOEFL 80 for English-taught programs
Submit Documents: Upload required materials including academic transcripts, passport, and language proficiency certificates
Review: Comprehensive evaluation by academic colleges
Admission Notification: Successful applicants receive admission notice and JW202 form for visa application
Visa Application: Apply for a student (X1) visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate
Yangzhou University Scholarships 2026
Scholarship Type
Details
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) – High-Level Graduate Program
Full tuition + accommodation + living allowance; deadline: Feb 15, 2026
University Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships for outstanding international students
Yangzhou University Campus Life & Facilities
Campus
Yangzhou University’s campus covers over 6,100 mu (approximately 407 hectares). The university’s total built-up area is 1.4359 million square meters.
Student Body (US News Data)
Parameter
Number
Total Students
32,705
International Students
1,998
Academic Staff
2,920
International Staff
227
Undergraduate Degrees Awarded
7,383
Doctoral Degrees Awarded
253
Living Costs
Expense
Estimated Cost
Tuition (Bachelor’s)
14,000 – 24,000 RMB/year
Tuition (Master’s)
18,000 – 22,000 RMB/year
Living Expenses
350 – 600 USD/month
Yangzhou University 2026 Key Developments
1. Record-Breaking Research Achievement (Nature Index)
In June 2026, Yangzhou University achieved a historic milestone by ranking #99 globally in the Nature Index Research Leaders list, marking the first time the university has entered the world’s top 100.
2. Four ESI Top 1‰ Disciplines
In March 2026, Yangzhou University’s Engineering discipline entered the global ESI Top 1‰ for the first time. This brought the total number of ESI Top 1‰ disciplines to four: Agricultural Science, Plant and Animal Sciences, Chemistry, and Engineering.
3. Strong National Ranking Performance
Yangzhou University ranked #93 in the 2026 ARWU China University Rankings, making it one of the nine non-“Double First-Class” universities to break into the top 100.
4. THE Asia University Rankings
In the 2026 THE Asia University Rankings, Yangzhou University ranked #116 in Asia and #39 among mainland Chinese universities.
5. Record Number of Undergraduate Programs Ranked
Yangzhou University had 105 undergraduate programs ranked in the 2026 ARWU China University Subject Rankings, the highest number in Jiangsu Province.
6. The 2026 Commencement
Yangzhou University held its 2026 graduation ceremony in June, celebrating the achievements of its graduating class.
7. International Student Applications
Applications for the 2026 intake remained open, with the university issuing notifications about re-opening undergraduate application periods for international students who took the CSCA exam.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information as of July 2026. Admission policies, fees, rankings, and other details are subject to change. Readers are strongly advised to verify all information through official university channels before making any admission decisions.
