Friday, 06/03/2026

OlaChina.org

Breaking Language Barriers: Discover China Today.

Live Now
March 2026
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  

🤐 Privacy Policy

OlaChina.org

Breaking Language Barriers: Discover China Today.

Live Now
Headlines

Sichuan University: Another Side of Western Universities

OlaChina07 mins
Panoramic view of Sichuan University Wangjiang Campus in Chengdu showing traditional Chinese architecture along the Wangjiang River with students walking tree-lined paths, featuring cultural elements of giant pandas and Sichuan hotpot representing the city's heritage. A panoramic view of Sichuan University Wangjiang Campus featuring historic traditional Chinese architecture along the Wangjiang River, where students stroll through tree-lined pathways amid cultural symbols including giant pandas and Sichuan hotpot, perfectly blending ancient academic heritage with modern university vitality in Chengdu.

Sichuan University， Sichuan University is located in Chengdu, a city renowned for its pandas and hotpot.

Many foreigners think of either Peking University or Tsinghua University when they hear “China’s top universities”. However, in reality, Sichuan University located in the southwestern hinterland of China has long been underestimated. It was founded in 1896 and is the oldest higher education institution in western China, with a heritage comparable to that of prestigious universities in the east.

In other words, if you want to understand the real China, Chengdu may be better able to give you the answer than Beijing.

Sichuan University’s Strength, Speaking with Numbers

Let’s talk about a few rankings first and feel the weight.

According to the latest data:

The last item may have surprised many people. The CWTS Leiden ranking is based on academic publication and citation as core indicators, and Sichuan University ranks among the top five globally in this dimension, far surpassing many well-known Western universities.

What does this mean? The key is that the depth of academic output relies not only on reputation accumulation, but also on genuine research output.

How Large Is the Professional Map of Sichuan University?

Sichuan University currently has 34 colleges covering 12 disciplines:

  • Literature, Science, Engineering, Medicine, Economics
  • Management, Law, History, Philosophy, Agriculture, Education, Art

There are 109 undergraduate majors, 438 master’s programs, 354 doctoral programs, and 37 postdoctoral research stations.

This coverage is quite similar to that of the comprehensive old universities in Europe (such as the University of Manchester in England and the University of Munich in Germany) – everything, but each has its own strengths.

Specially Noteworthy Areas of Strength:

  • Oral Medicine: Ranked first in China for a long time
  • Medicine and Life Sciences: West China Medical Center is one of the most influential medical schools in China
  • Fire and Safety Engineering: Ranked 5th in the country
  • Materials Science and Chemical Engineering have both entered the forefront of global disciplines

Three Campuses, Each With Its Own Personality

Sichuan University has three main campuses in Chengdu, each with its own focus, covering a total area of approximately 4.7 square kilometers (Wikipedia, 2025) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan_University).

Wangjiang Campus – The oldest in history, located in the city center, by the banks of the Wangjiang River, with a strong humanistic atmosphere. This place is very similar to the old universities in Europe that are surrounded by cities, and stepping out of the gate is a common life.

Huaxi Campus – The location of the Medical College. Huaxi Hospital is one of the largest and most authoritative hospitals in China, with abundant clinical training resources for medical students.

Jiang’an Campus – Built in 2003, it has a stronger sense of modernity and is about 12 kilometers away from the city center. Most students come here to study in their sophomore year.

There is a shuttle bus connection between campuses, making transfers convenient.

How To Apply to Sichuan University As A Foreign Student

Currently, Sichuan University has over 2900 international students from more than 100 countries.

Basic Application Requirements (For International Students):

  • Holding a valid foreign passport, non-Chinese nationality
  • Undergraduate application: Graduated from high school, generally under the age of 22
  • Master’s application: Hold a bachelor’s degree, generally under the age of 30
  • PhD application: Hold a master’s degree, generally under the age of 35
  • Chinese taught program: HSK Level 5 or above certificate required
  • English taught program: TOEFL score of 80 or above, or IELTS score of 6.0 or above

The application entrance and detailed material requirements can be accessed on the official website of the Office of International Student Management at Sichuan University: https://global.scu.edu.cn/oso/

Scholarship: Studying Doesn’t Necessarily Have To Cost A Lot Of Money

This may come as a surprise to many people.

Sichuan University offers a variety of scholarships for international students, including:

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC Scholarship)
This is the main funding channel for studying abroad in China. Graduate students can receive full scholarships, covering tuition fees, accommodation subsidies, medical insurance, and monthly living expenses (up to 2000 yuan/month for master’s students and 3000 yuan/month for doctoral students).

Outstanding Student Scholarship For Studying At Sichuan University
The school sets up its own scholarships, covering undergraduate and graduate students, with specific amounts and conditions announced annually. The quota is limited; it is recommended to submit the application as soon as possible. For details, please refer to: https://global.scu.edu.cn/oso/article/index/1084?lang=zh

Compared to the tuition fees of tens of thousands of dollars in European and American universities, this cost-effectiveness is quite outstanding.

Chengdu: This City Itself Is The Reason

After talking about school, let’s talk about the city. These two are almost inseparable.

Chengdu has a history of over 3000 years and is the political, economic, and cultural center of Southwest China. But it is completely different from the “international metropolis” atmosphere of Beijing and Shanghai – Chengdu people are better at living.

For foreign students studying abroad, Chengdu has several practical attractions:

  • Giant Panda Breeding Research Base: About a 20-minute drive from the campus, it is the world’s largest giant panda conservation center
  • Sichuan cuisine culture: Spicy and fresh, completely different from Westerners’ inherent impression of “Chinese cuisine”
  • Affordable prices: Compared to Shanghai and Beijing, the cost of living in Chengdu is about 30% -40% lower
  • Convenient transportation: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Tianfu International Airport offer direct flights to multiple international cities

In addition, there are the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area, Mount Emei, Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area and other world cultural and natural heritage around Chengdu, and there are abundant tourism resources around Chengdu during holidays.

If we have to make an analogy, the pace of life in Chengdu is a bit like Seville in Spain – slow and fast, delicious food, rich culture, but without the oppressive feeling of a top city.

Summary: Why Sichuan University Deserves Serious Consideration

This is not a school that relies on fame to sustain its reputation.

With a history of 129 years, a comprehensive ranking of the top 200 in the world, and the unique charm of Chengdu, it has become an almost irreplaceable option for studying in western China.

For foreigners, coming here is not just about pursuing a degree. It is also an opportunity to delve into the depths of China and truly understand this land.

If you just want to get a card on ‘studying abroad in China’, any city is fine. But if you want to truly enter the core of Chinese culture, Chengdu – and Sichuan University – may be a more serious choice to take seriously.

References

More universities

Leave your comments with us

Latest News

A scenic autumn view of Northeastern University China's Nanhu Campus in Shenyang, featuring modern university buildings blended with traditional Chinese architectural elements, students walking along tree-lined pathways beside Nanhu Lake, surrounded by vibrant fall foliage and distant mountains under a clear blue sky. Students enjoy a picturesque fall day at Northeastern University's Nanhu Campus, where contemporary academic facilities harmoniously integrate with traditional Chinese design elements along the scenic lakeside walkways of this prestigious Shenyang institution.

Northeastern University

OlaChina 0