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Study at Xiangtan University: Double First-Class Maths, Small-City Costs

Universities
Oct 28, 2026
Symmetrical white library building of Xiangtan University behind clipped shrubs under a pale blue sky

To study at Xiangtan University is to bet on one subject: mathematics. The school sits in Xiangtan, a mid-sized city a short train ride from Changsha, and most students abroad have never heard of it. It is not a 985 school, and it is not a 211 either. Yet in 2022 the Ministry of Education put its mathematics on the national Double First-Class list — alongside Fudan, Nankai and Sun Yat-sen. So the obvious doubt is fair: is an unfamiliar name in a smaller city worth it? For a maths or computing student, quite possibly. Below: what the label means, which programmes run in English, what a year costs, and how to apply for 2026.

Quick Links Before You Study at Xiangtan University

Why Study at Xiangtan University: a Maths School First

Double First-Class for mathematics, without 985 or 211

First, the labels. In February 2022 the second-round Double First-Class list named Xiangtan University for one discipline, mathematics (Ministry of Education et al., 2022). Thirteen schools on that list carry maths by name. Ten of them are 985 universities, including Nankai University, Shandong University and Sun Yat-sen University. Only three sit outside the 985 and 211 lists: Capital Normal University, SUSTech and Xiangtan. That is the real hook. Our guide to China’s 985 and 211 universities explains each label, and top universities in China shows the wider field.

Computational maths, the core strength

Now the substance. The maths school grew out of the maths and computational maths majors of 1974, and became the School of Mathematics and Computational Science in 2003 (XTU School of Mathematics and Computational Science, 2026). Computational mathematics is a national key discipline. The school also leads the Hunan National Center for Applied Mathematics, one of the first such centres in China. And two of its graduates became academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In practice, that means numerical methods, scientific computing and the maths behind simulation. It also means a strong link to statistics and data science, which the school teaches too. Pure theory is here as well, of course. But the centre of gravity seems to be maths you can run on a computer.

A broad university behind the maths

Don’t read it as a single-subject school, though. Founded in 1958, Xiangtan University now has 24 colleges and teaching departments and more than 44,000 full-time students (Xiangtan University, n.d.-a). Seven fields sit in the ESI global top 1%, among them chemistry, materials science, engineering, computer science and physics. Law, too, hosts a national base for training legal talent. So a student who arrives for maths will find solid neighbours across the sciences.

Admissions: How to Apply to Xiangtan University

Bachelor’s degrees: taught in Chinese, CSCA required

Be clear about language before anything else. The university’s table of bachelor’s programmes for international students lists Chinese as the teaching language for the majors it shows (Xiangtan University, n.d.-b). The 2026 brochure sets HSK 4 for Chinese-taught study and an age limit under 25 for bachelor’s applicants (XTU International Exchange Office, 2025a). On top of that, bachelor’s applicants must sit the CSCA. Our CSCA exam guide explains the test.

Master’s and PhD: maths can run in English

Graduate study is where the maths strength opens up. The English site lists computational mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics as “Chinese/English” at both master’s and PhD level (Xiangtan University, n.d.-c). Law, physics, electrical engineering and several electronics tracks are marked the same way. Meanwhile, computer science, chemistry, materials and business are listed as Chinese only. Those tables carry no year, however, so confirm the language for your exact programme by email. The language bar, per the 2026 brochure:

  • Chinese-taught programmes: HSK 4 or above.
  • English-taught programmes: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80, waived if English is your native or official language or your last degree ran in English.
  • Age: under 35 for a master’s, under 40 for a PhD.

Documents and deadlines for 2026

For the 2026 intake, self-funded degree applications closed on 30 April 2026, and language-student applications on 31 May 2026. Expect similar dates for 2027, but check the new brochure when it appears. A graduate file usually needs:

  • passport copy, notarised highest diploma and full transcripts;
  • an HSK or IELTS/TOEFL score;
  • a study plan in Chinese or English;
  • two letters from professors or associate professors;
  • the Foreigner Physical Examination Form and a non-criminal record report;
  • a short self-introduction video (under 50 MB) and, if self-funded, a bank statement.

Scholarships and Tuition at Xiangtan University

What a year costs

Fees are modest. The 2026 brochure, dated November 2025, lists these figures (XTU International Exchange Office, 2025a):

  • Bachelor’s and Chinese language study: 14,000 CNY a year.
  • Master’s: 18,000 CNY a year.
  • PhD: 23,000 CNY a year.
  • Insurance: 800 CNY a year.
  • On-campus housing: 600 CNY a month for a double room, 900 CNY for a single; water, power and gas extra.

Scholarship options

The main route for graduate students is the Chinese Government Scholarship. For 2026, Xiangtan ran a “high-level graduate” (Type B) round. It covered tuition, campus housing and insurance, plus 3,000 CNY a month for master’s students and 3,500 CNY for PhDs (XTU International Exchange Office, 2025b). That round closed on 1 March 2026. You apply twice: on the university system, then on the CSC portal with agency number 10530. Our CSC scholarship application guide walks through both steps.

Beyond that, the office also lists a Silk Road programme, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship for language students, and a Hunan provincial scholarship for one-year language study by students from Belt and Road countries. Award sizes and eligibility shift each year, so read the current notice. For the full picture, compare our guide to scholarships in China.

Living in Xiangtan as an International Student

A smaller city in the Changsha cluster

Xiangtan is one corner of the Changsha–Zhuzhou–Xiangtan triangle, three cities that function more and more as one region. Since 2016 an intercity railway has tied them together (Wikipedia, 2026). So the provincial capital is close. Hunan University, Central South University — which also holds a maths listing — and Hunan Normal University are all within reach for seminars or a weekend.

Cost of living next to Changsha

Here is the quiet upside. A double room on campus costs 7,200 CNY over twelve months, and canteens keep meals cheap. Day-to-day prices in a city of Xiangtan’s size probably run a little below Changsha, though we found no official comparison. Spicy food is the default, by the way. Xiangtan cooking belongs to the Xiang River style of Hunan cuisine.

Weekends and local context

For city life, most students head to Changsha; our Changsha city guide covers its food streets and riverside. Shaoshan, Mao Zedong’s birthplace, falls under Xiangtan’s own administration, and Mao himself suggested founding the university. Further out, our guide to travelling in Hunan covers the mountains and old towns.

Visiting the Xiangtan University Campus

The campus lies in Yuhu District. Look for two landmarks. First, the old three-arch gate, which the university treats as a symbol. Second, the broad, symmetrical library, set behind clipped shrubs and a plaza. Entry rules for visitors can change, so carry your passport and check at the gate.

Practical Tips Before You Commit

  • Write to a supervisor early. The brochure accepts a supervisor’s recommendation form, and it helps.
  • Confirm the language in writing. “Chinese/English” can mean bilingual teaching, not fully English.
  • Plan the HSK. HSK 4 opens bachelor’s study and Chinese-taught graduate programmes.
  • Watch two calendars. CSC rounds close months before self-funded ones.
  • Compare. Central South University is the nearby maths alternative with a 985 name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Xiangtan University a 211 or Double First-Class school?

It is Double First-Class since 2022, for mathematics. It is not a 985 or 211 school.

Can I study at Xiangtan University in English?

Not at bachelor’s level. Some master’s and PhD programmes, including maths and statistics, are listed as Chinese/English.

How much is tuition?

For 2026: 14,000 CNY a year for a bachelor’s, 18,000 for a master’s and 23,000 for a PhD.

How big is the CSC stipend?

In the 2026 Type B round, 3,000 CNY a month for master’s students and 3,500 for PhDs, on top of tuition, housing and insurance.

How far is it from Changsha?

Close enough for day trips. The intercity railway links the two cities.

Conclusion: Is It Worth It to Study at Xiangtan University?

For most fields, a bigger name in Changsha may serve you better. For mathematics, statistics or scientific computing, though, the choice to study at Xiangtan University holds up well. The Double First-Class listing, English-friendly graduate maths and low fees all point the same way. The trade-off is a smaller city and Chinese-only bachelor’s study. Weigh both, contact a supervisor, then apply. Once the offer arrives, our China student visa guide covers the next step.

References