25 Best Universities In Guangdong For International Students 2025

Guangdong is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in China. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 43 universities and colleges in Guangdong, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 43 universities in Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology and Sun Yat-Sen University are the top-performing schools in Guangdong. This list covers both public and private institutions in Guangdong.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Guangdong. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Guangdong.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Guangdong?

Applying to the universities in Guangdong involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Guangdong to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Guangdong?

Tuition fees at Guangdong’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 15,000 RMB to 120,000 RMB , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 19,000 RMB to 90,000 RMB. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Guangdong!

As we cover the best universities in Guangdong for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Guangdong for International Students

The Southern University of Science and Technology also referred to as SUSTech, is a public higher education institution located in Shenzhen, Guangdong. It is a research-intensive university that has also received recognition globally for its high-quality research, especially in science and technology. Its campus is a combination of a modern and eco-friendly environment with its buildings and green spaces.

In 1924, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the known father of Chinese modernization, founded Sun Yat-Sen University. The Ministry of Education of the Republic of China supervises the university, hosting more than 64,000 students. The university has 5 campuses across Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai cities, occupying more than 5 square kilometers of land area.

Jinan University is a Chinese public center of learning for tertiary students. It is situated in the modernized city of Guangzhou. Adding to this, it has five campuses and some are located in Shenzhen and Zhuhai.

The South China University of Technology is one of the public universities in Guangzhou, China. It was founded in 1952 under its former name, South China Institute of Technology, and has since brought stronger academic strategies in the field of Engineering and Science. Currently, the university offers degree programs in Literature, Management, Economics, and Philosophy.

Shenzhen University (SZU) is a public institute of tertiary studies based in China. Specifically, it is located in the province of Guangdong. SZU’s motto of, “Self-reliance, Self-discipline, Self-improvement” rings true as it is well-known across the country for producing numerous well-rounded graduates.

Guangdong University of Foreign Studies is a public higher education institution that shows strength in the fields of international culture and languages. It covers quite a huge area as the university is composed of three campuses. The school also has a big community as it has research centers and designated faculties, like business, languages and cultures, and more.

The South China Normal University is a well-reputed institute considered one of the best in the country. It is the university of choice for many domestic and international students because of its excellent academic legacy, innovative research projects, and numerous industry partnerships. The university is proud to have experts, academics, and scholars as part of its prestigious faculty that aims to continiously improve educational strategies each year.

Another university that is a part of the Double First-Class University program, the South China Agricultural University is definitely a top-notch institution. Although it has a plus when it comes to agricultural subject areas, the quality of education in other fields is exemplary as well. It also offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs for arts, education, business, and more.

The Guangdong University of Technology was established in 1958 as a provincial university. The Guangdong University of Technology, abbreviated as GDUT, has a total of seven campuses across Guangdong province. GDUT offers different programs such as arts, sciences, management, technology, and engineering.

Located in and named after the large city of Guangzhou, Guangzhou University is a university focused on keeping with the times. With over 37,000 students enrolled, the university strives to ensure that their students are receiving the best education. Their goal is to provide an education that is up to date with the times in which their students live.

Southern Medical University is a Chinese medical school in Guangzhou, Guangdong. It is a top-ranking medical education institution, affiliated with 11 hospitals non-directly connected to many more. Thousands of students choose from its wide range of medical and medicine-related programs, some of which are available in English. The university is also recognized by the World Health Organization.

Shantou University is highly focused on their students and helping them receive the best education that they can give them. All of their various courses are orientated around their students. With many studies and fields to choose from, students of Shantou University can receive an education centered on the students, helping them find the right field of study to succeed.

Guangzhou Medical University is a leading medical university in Guangdong, China. Its interdisciplinary programs in clinical medicine are among the top-rated academic programs in the country and across the globe. The school currently offers two English-taught programs at the undergraduate level. Prospective international students of medicine and surgery are welcome to apply to the said programs. In addition, young medical professionals proficient in Chinese are also welcome to enroll in its postgraduate and doctoral programs.

Foshan University, also known as FOSU, was established in 1958. FOSU was the result of a merger of the old Foshan University and the Foshan Agriculture & Animal Husbandry College. FOSU has three campuses situated in Jiangwan, Xianxi, and Hebin.

The Dongguan University of Technology (DGUT) is a public institution in Guangdong, China. Although first formulated in 1990 and established in 1992, it only began receiving undergraduate students in 2002 and graduate students in 2006. The university is regarded as a science and technology cooperation base and a High-level Polytechnic University. DGUT comprises two campuses: Guancheng and Songshan.

Guangdong Ocean University is a public institution in Zhanjiang, China, specializing in oceanography and maritime sciences. The university began by merging an agricultural academy and a fishery college. Later on, a meteorological school joined the combined institutions. Those institutions were collectively known as Zhanjiang Ocean University until 2005 when it earned its present name.

Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine was founded in 1924. It was originally named as Guangdong Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology School. Specializing in medicine, they offer programs in pharmacy, nursing, traditional Chinese medicine, etc.

Guangdong Medical University is a prominent university in the province of Guangdong, China. Its most widely known academic programs are clinical medicine, pharmacology, and toxicology. These programs are globally acknowledged by ESI (Essential Science Indicators) and are considered top-rated educational programs in medicine. Furthermore, the university has recently welcomed and is currently accepting international students into its campuses.

Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering is an institution in Guangzhou, China, specializing in agriculture and engineering. The institution leads in the training of future agriculture technicians. One of China’s oldest institutions, the university comprises three campuses: Haizhu, Baiyun, and a farm. It also offers programs in science and liberal arts.

Surrounded by scenic lakes and mountains, the Guangdong Pharmaceutical University perseveres in molding future experts and professionals in the medical field. The university has an extensive educational system, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Today, GDPU is actively expanding its participation in international research projects and programs in more than 15 countries globally.

Guangdong University of Finance and Economics is an important institution in the region of Guangdong. Its primary goal is to cultivate talented graduates by providing the highest quality of teaching and research. The university can rightfully boast of being one of the region’s select universities with the highest employability rate. This has indeed become one of the exceptional achievements of the university.

Guangdong University of Education is a specialized public institution established in 1955. It is located in Guangzhou City, China. It is ranked 538th in China and 16th in Guangzhou by EduRank.

United International College, or more aptly, the Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, is an English-based institution in Zhuhai, China. This institution is unique and borne out of a cooperation between its namesake institutions: Beijing Normal University and Hong Kong Baptist University. It aims to internationalize Chinese education; thus, the medium of instruction is English. Both undergraduate and graduate programs are available.

Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts was the successor of the Central South College of Fine Arts in Wuhan, Hubei. It was one of the first schools authorized to confer a master’s degree and began receiving international students early in 1987. It also piloted the Master of Fine Arts program in China. This art school covers several creative disciplines.

Jiaying University was officially established in 1951, but its historical roots date back to 1913, when its predecessor Meixian County Women’s Normal School, was founded. It’s located in a very historical and cultural city in China. The university got its name from its host city Meizhou, formerly Jiaying, during the Qing Dynasty. In 2006, it was recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Education for successfully passing the undergraduate education evaluation. Recently, the institution has been aiming to become one of the most comprehensive universities in Guangdong and throughout China.