In Guangzhou, Sun Yat-sen University hosts over 4,000 international students annually. South China University of Technology offers over 300 English-taught courses, while Guangdong University of Foreign Studies specializes in language and cultural studies. Jinan University attracts students with its strong programs in medicine and engineering. Guangzhou University focuses on providing a welcoming environment with comprehensive support services for international students.
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Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU)
Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China is one of the best universities in the country welcoming international students. SYSU is an adequate option because it offers a comprehensive support system ranging from academic support to housing provisions and cultural integration. SYSU has over 80 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate programs available in English. The programs cover many areas, including business, medical sciences, engineering, and humanities. The university is home to over 4,000 international students from 100 countries, and its International Student Office arranges orientation programs, Chinese language courses, and cultural exchange events.
Living in Guangzhou and being a student at SYSU is not just a function of education for international students, but a chance to experience vibrant and rich culture. Given the cost of living, students spend about 2,500 RMB per month apart from the deferential tuition fees. The student dormitories on campus costed 1,200 RMB per month, but there is also a broad choice of off-campus housing available at different prices. SYSU’s extensive range of scholarship programs such as the Chinese Government Scholarship and the Confucius Institute Scholarship relieve huge financial pressure. The scholarship programs not only defer tuition fees but also contain substantial living stipends and funds for travel and research. SYSU also features modern facilities and resources, such as spacious laboratories, state-of-the-art libraries, and sports facilities to meet the needs both for academic development and extracurricular endeavors.
South China University of Technology (SCUT)
South China University of Technology – Guangzhou’s top university among international students with a special focus on engineering and technology. Dynamic educational environment and strong emphasis on innovation and practical application makes it an outstanding place of learning.
SCUT provides all students with a broad spectrum of programs, comprising more than 100 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate programs, including a few taught in English. Being so, SCUT attracts nearly 3,000 international students each year. They enroll in such programs as Chemical Engineering, Architecture, and Business Administration. These degrees bring together complex academic disciplines and practice, creating a strong bond between university and industry.
SCUT’s campus in Guangzhou is well-equipped with all necessary facilities, such as high-quality research labs, digital libraries, or collaborative spaces. Information technology and cutting-edge research equipment is crucial for practicing technical sciences, and not at all outdated at this campus. For example, a number of students can rely on the technologies, necessary for their studies of robotics and artificial intelligence.
Living in Guangzhou provides international students with a possibility of a reasonable lifestyle – living expenses in this area of China vary from 2,000 to 3,000 RMB per month. At the same time, SCUT’s accommodation is moderate, as well. University’s students can choose among accommodation types that range from 500 to 1,500 RMB per month, depending on the facilities. In this range, you can find a shared dormitory, an apartment for two, or a single occupancy place. Furthermore, the International Office always organizes a number of workshops for the occupation development and cultural assimilation.
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS)
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies is one of the top-rated institutions in Guangzhou that is focused on foreign languages and international studies. This university is distinguished by its increased emphasis on global education and cross-cultural communication, making it one of the best choices for international students who are interested in excelling at languages and cultural proficiency. GDUFS offers over 60 undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various fields, with particular strengths in applied foreign languages, international business, and global journalism. There are approximately 2,500 international students in the university every year, from more than 90 countries. This international and diverse atmosphere allows for rich cultural exchange and offers substantial international exposure to the students during their studies.
The emphasis on practical application of language at GDUFS is seen in the modern lab equipment and multimedia centers available for student use. Additionally, the university has dedicated facilities for students to practice their Chinese and other languages, helping language learners achieve maximum fluency and cultural competence. Moreover, many courses at GDUFS include internships at multinational corporations and local businesses in Guangzhou, which is vital for gaining practical skills and improving one’s chances of employment. The cost of living in Guangzhou is generally budget-friendly for a university student, with monthly expenses usually being from 1,800 to 2,500 RMB.
The university provides several on-campus housing options, with the cost of a dormitory averaging around 1,000 RMB a month. There are both shared and single rooms available so that students can choose the option that best fits their budget and preferences. GDUFS has a substantial support system in place to help international students during their stay in Guangzhou, including pre-arrival guidance, airport pickup service, and a mandatory orientation session. The university provides a variety of scholarships for international students, including the Chinese Government Scholarship and the Guangdong Government Outstanding Foreign Student Scholarship, which substantially reduces the cost of tuition and living.
Jinan University
Jinan University can be seen as the best university for international students in Guangzhou as it has strong programs in medicine, engineering, and economics. At the same time, the university is more attractive for the majority of international students, especially from the Asian part of the continent, since Jinan University serves as a connecting link between China and Southeast Asia and can offer unique academic opportunities for students from various countries.
The range of courses is extensive as more than 50 undergraduate and 70 postgraduate programs are available in both Chinese and English specializing in several research areas. For international students, such flexibility in terms of the language allows taking part not only in classes but also in university life with pocket-friendly services. The programs’ structure ensures that students receive a holistic education to face contemporary global challenges. There are about 2,800 international students at Jinan University, contributing great cultural diversity.
Since future networking is crucial for international students in the future, they will highly benefit from this wealth. Almost 40 years in the experience of hosting international students, the university also offers outstanding educational facilities like modern laboratories, extensive libraries, and group-learning places. The cost of living in Guangzhou is relatively low, thus, international students do not need to spend more than 1,500 to 2,500 RMB per year. The university provides opportunities to stay in affordable on-campus accommodation for 800 to 1200 RMB per year or in nearby apartments. At the same time, Jinan University is student-welfare-oriented by offering academic consulting, psychological consulting and career consulting services.
Guangzhou University
The Guangzhou University is one of the most popular places of study in Guangzhou for international students due to its comprehensive international culture and a variety of extracurricular activities. Moreover, the university provides opportunities to study various sciences, arts, engineering, or business. The international students are also welcomed as the university offers many courses in English. There is a high number of cultural activities and clubs available at the university, which makes it a valuable choice for international students who wish to integrate into the Chinese culture.
Each year, the university organizes a cultural festival, where the students have the chance to appreciate their own cultural heritage, as well as learn more about the other ones. Moreover, the university organizes many academic workshops for which students with an established interest in a certain culture may apply. Accommodation at the Guangzhou University is both comfortable and quite cheap, as it is usually more affordable than off-campus rentals. The on-campus living typically costs from 1,000 to 1,500 RMB per month and includes all the utilities and internet access. All the dormitories are equipped with centralized hot water systems, while some of them also feature air conditioning.
The best thing about studying at the Guangzhou University is the extensive internship opportunities related to the major fields of study. The university partners with many local and international organizations that offer practical internship and career opportunities. Finally, the university has a lot of support networks, like CIS Personal Support Advisers or China Admissions, help international students with language support, visa requirements or orientation.