Zhengzhou, Henan · Founded 1956 · Project 211 · Double First Class
Zhengzhou University 郑州大学
Zhengzhou University is the largest university in China by student numbers, with around 73,000 students, and the flagship institution of Henan province — China's most populous province and historically its most educationally under-served.
Overview
Zhengzhou University is the largest university in China by student numbers, with around 73,000 students, and the flagship institution of Henan province — China's most populous province and historically its most educationally under-served.
It is strong in materials science, clinical medicine, chemistry, engineering and archaeology, and offers unusually low tuition with a large, well-organised international student office.
History
ZZU was founded in 1956 as Zhengzhou University, the first comprehensive university in Henan, built to serve the province's industrial development. It was a Project 211 university from 1996.
In 2000 it merged with Zhengzhou University of Technology and Henan Medical University, becoming a much larger comprehensive institution with a complete medical school and a strong engineering faculty.
ZZU gained Double First Class status in 2017 with three designated disciplines: chemistry, materials science and engineering, and clinical medicine. It now operates four campuses across Zhengzhou.
World rankings, 2017–2026
| Edition | QS | ARWU | THE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 651 | 601–700 | 1000+ |
| 2018 | 651 | 601–700 | 1000+ |
| 2019 | 622 | 501–600 | 1000+ |
| 2020 | 641 | 501–600 | 801–1000 |
| 2021 | 621 | 401–500 | 801–1000 |
| 2022 | 551 | 401–500 | 801–1000 |
| 2023 | 521 | 301–400 | 601–800 |
| 2024 | 511 | 301–400 | 601–800 |
| 2025 | 511 | 301–400 | 501–600 |
| 2026 | 501 | 301–400 | 501–600 |
Compilations such as this one can lag a publisher's revisions; verify the current figure at source.
Campuses
| Campus | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Main Campus (New Campus) | 100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, Henan | The largest campus; most undergraduate teaching and international student housing. |
| South Campus | Zhengzhou | Humanities, law and business. |
| East Campus (Medical) | Zhengzhou | Medicine and the First Affiliated Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the world by patient volume. |
| North Campus | Zhengzhou | Engineering and technology. |
Faculty and research
Zhengzhou University employs around 5,700 academic staff, including about 7 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. 7 national academy members. The School of Materials Science and Engineering and the First Affiliated Hospital (the world's largest single hospital by bed count) support international medical and materials research students.
Discipline strength
| Discipline | National grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Materials Science & Engineering | B+ | High-temperature ceramics and refractory materials; local industry ties. |
| Clinical Medicine | B+ | The First Affiliated Hospital is the largest in the world by bed count. |
| Chemistry | B+ | Inorganic and materials chemistry. |
| Civil Engineering | B+ | Structural engineering and construction. |
| Archaeology | A- | Henan is China's archaeological heartland; ZZU has exceptional field access. |
| Chemical Engineering | B+ | Process engineering and resource recovery. |
| Public Health | B+ | Population health research in a province of 100 million people. |
| Law | B+ | One of the largest law schools in central China. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Medicine (MBBS) | Bachelor | English | 6 years |
| Civil Engineering | Bachelor | English | 4 years |
| International Economics and Trade | Bachelor | English | 4 years |
| Materials Science and Engineering | Master | English | 3 years |
| Chinese Language Programme | Language | Chinese | 0.5–2 years |
Admissions, tuition and deadlines
Requirements
Bachelor: high school diploma with biology and chemistry for MBBS, ZZU entrance examination, IELTS 5.5–6.0 or HSK 4. Graduate: degree, transcripts, two references, study plan.
Deadlines and fees
Deadlines: Bachelor: January – May. Graduate: January – May.. Application fee: CNY 400. Tuition: CNY 16,000–22,000 per year for bachelor's; CNY 22,000–35,000 for master's; MBBS around CNY 45,000 per year.
Scholarships
Chinese Government Scholarship, Confucius Institute Scholarship, Henan Provincial Government Scholarship, ZZU President Scholarship.
Notable alumni
| Alumnus | Field | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zhang Haidi | Writer and disability advocate | Widely known public figure associated with Zhengzhou. |
| Wang Jian | Engineer | Alumnus and industrial technology leader. |
| Li Keqiang (education links) | Economist | Studied law at Peking University with research ties to Henan's development. |
| Shi Yigong (regional ties) | Biologist | Henan-born scientist with academic connections to the province. |
Why students choose this university
- Affordable MBBS and engineering degrees at a Project 211 university
- Henan Provincial scholarships are among the most accessible in China
- Direct high-speed rail to Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai