Jinan, Shandong · Founded 1901 · Project 985 · Project 211 · Double First Class
Shandong University 山东大学
Shandong University is one of China's largest and oldest comprehensive universities, with eight campuses across Jinan, Qingdao and Weihai. It is particularly strong in mathematics, clinical medicine, materials science and Chinese literature.
Overview
Shandong University is one of China's largest and oldest comprehensive universities, with eight campuses across Jinan, Qingdao and Weihai. It is particularly strong in mathematics, clinical medicine, materials science and Chinese literature.
SDU hosts one of the oldest and best-known Chinese language programmes for international students in northern China, and Qingdao campus offers ocean-related and life-science degrees by the sea.
History
SDU was founded in 1901 as the Shandong Imperial University in Jinan, making it one of the first modern universities established after the Boxer uprising. It moved several times during the war years, relocating to Sichuan.
In 2000 it merged with Shandong Medical University and Shandong University of Technology, creating a very large comprehensive institution. Its medical school traces back to Cheeloo University, founded in 1864 as one of China's first Western medical schools.
SDU is a Project 985 and Double First Class university. Its Qingdao campus, opened in 2016, focuses on ocean science, life sciences and engineering.
World rankings, 2017–2026
| Edition | QS | ARWU | THE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 371 | 301–400 | 801–1000 |
| 2018 | 361 | 301–400 | 801–1000 |
| 2019 | 332 | 201–300 | 601–800 |
| 2020 | 340 | 201–300 | 601–800 |
| 2021 | 326 | 201–300 | 501–600 |
| 2022 | 320 | 151–200 | 451–500 |
| 2023 | 316 | 151–200 | 401–500 |
| 2024 | 315 | 151–200 | 351–400 |
| 2025 | 316 | 151–200 | 301–350 |
| 2026 | 309 | 151–200 | 301–350 |
Compilations such as this one can lag a publisher's revisions; verify the current figure at source.
Campuses
| Campus | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Central Campus (Jinan) | 27 Shanda South Road, Jinan, Shandong | Historic campus with the main administration and humanities schools. |
| Baotuquan Campus | 44 Wenhua West Road, Jinan | Medicine and public health, next to Jinan's famous springs. |
| Hongjialou Campus | 5 Hongjialou, Jinan | The former Cheeloo University site; international student services. |
| Qingdao Campus | 72 Binhai Road, Jimo, Qingdao | Ocean science, life sciences, engineering and the new international campus. |
| Weihai Campus | 180 Wenhua West Road, Weihai | Business, translation and marine science. |
Faculty and research
Shandong University employs around 6,500 academic staff, including about 17 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. 17 national academy members. The School of Mathematics and the School of Clinical Medicine supervise international graduate students.
Discipline strength
| Discipline | National grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | A+ | Consistently ranked in China's top five for pure mathematics. |
| Clinical Medicine | A+ | Descent from Cheeloo University, one of China's first Western medical schools. |
| Materials Science & Engineering | A | Crystal materials and functional ceramics. |
| Chinese Language & Literature | A | Classical Chinese and philology. |
| Basic Medicine | A | Physiology and human anatomy. |
| Pharmacology & Toxicology | A | Drug safety in traditional and modern medicine. |
| Control Science & Engineering | A | Automation and systems. |
| Environmental Science & Engineering | A | Water resource management. |
Grades follow China's national discipline evaluation scheme (A+ is the highest). Consult the university for the most recent evaluation results.
Programmes open to international students
| Programme | Level | Language | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Language and Literature | Bachelor | Chinese | 4 years |
| Clinical Medicine (MBBS) | Bachelor | English | 6 years |
| International Business | Bachelor | English | 4 years |
| Materials Science and Engineering | Master / PhD | English | 3 / 4 years |
| Chinese Language Programme | Language | Chinese | 0.5–2 years |
Admissions, tuition and deadlines
Requirements
Bachelor: high school diploma, SDU entrance examination, HSK 5 or IELTS 6.0. Graduate: degree, transcripts, two recommendation letters, study plan.
Deadlines and fees
Deadlines: Bachelor: December – April. Graduate: December – April.. Application fee: CNY 400. Tuition: CNY 20,000–26,000 per year for bachelor's; CNY 26,000–40,000 for master's; MBBS around CNY 55,000 per year.
Scholarships
Chinese Government Scholarship, Confucius Institute Scholarship, Shandong Provincial Government Scholarship, SDU President Scholarship.
Notable alumni
| Alumnus | Field | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zang Kejia | Poet | A leading modern Chinese poet; SDU graduate. |
| Ji Xianlin | Indologist and linguist | One of China's most respected scholars of Sanskrit and Tocharian. |
| Peng Shilu | Nuclear engineer | 'Father of China's nuclear submarines'; SDU-linked alumnus. |
| Xue Qikun | Physicist | Academician and discoverer of the quantum anomalous Hall effect; SDU graduate. |
Why students choose this university
- Very low tuition and living costs for a Project 985 university
- Qingdao campus offers ocean and life sciences by the coast
- Long-standing international student services