24 Best Universities In Guangzhou For International Students 2025

Guangzhou 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 24 universities and colleges in Guangzhou, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 24 universities in Guangzhou, Sun Yat-Sen University and Jinan University are the top-performing schools in Guangzhou. This list covers both public and private institutions in Guangzhou.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Guangzhou, 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 Guangzhou, Guangdong.

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

Applying to the universities in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

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

Tuition fees at Guangzhou’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 48,000 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 Guangzhou!

As we cover the best universities in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou for International Students

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Founded in 1950, Guangdong University of Finance was initially established to offer higher education in the field of study of finance. It has since expanded to provide a wide array of academic disciplines, maintaining finance as its key discipline. The university’s primary goal is to become the best in the said discipline in the southern region of China. And it is progressively showing off its competence as the quality of education and training have been widely recognized by the community.

Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University, or GPNU, is a public university established in 1957. It is authorized by the Education Department of Guangdong Province to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. GPNU has different facilities available to its students such as training centers, laboratories, information centers, gymnasium, library, and dormitory buildings.

In the South of China, Guangzhou Sport University is the region’s only university to offer higher sports education. It offers several comprehensive study programs, with physical science considered a top-tier academic program. The institution not only provides higher education courses but also accepts and trains students in various sports such as baseball, softball, and handball. This truly embodies the importance and inclusion of sports in education.

Founded in 1989, Guangdong Baiyun University is one of the private academic institutions in Guangzhou City, China. It offers bachelor’s programs in Mechanical Manufacturing and Automation, Arts and Design, and Business Management. The university has over 18,000 students across its 16 faculties.

Xinghai Conservatory of Music, also known as Xinghai Conservatory, was named after a famous Chinese composer, Xian Xinghai. The conservatory is publicly funded and was established in Guangzhou City in 1932. It is ranked 650th in China and 19th in Guangzhou by EduRank.

Guangzhou College of Commerce has a charming environment that is perfect for studying. The institution’s campus alone has attracted many students to pursue an education. It currently offers carefully selected academic disciplines such as economics, management, literature, engineering, arts, and law.  Out of all educational programs, e-commerce is considered to be its key discipline. In addition, the quality of education is commended and has been much-admired by the local community of Guangdong.

Established more than twenty years ago, Guangdong Peizheng College has become one of the outstanding private institutions in Guangdong province. Throughout the years, it has garnered several provincial awards and has triumphed in cultivating competent and skillful individuals. In addition, the institution has a friendly and endearing environment, and it organizes several events and festivals yearly. This way, students could enjoy and develop their talents and social skills during their stay on the campus.

Guangzhou Maritime University is considered one of the preferred training bases for cultivating competent professionals in the maritime sector. The international maritime organization has acknowledged this undergraduate institution for its first-class teaching and research. Its prominence as one of the leading naval universities is quite apparent, especially in the South region of China. While maritime and engineering study programs are the most popular among students, it has grown into a full-time university to provide higher education in other areas of study such as management, law, and arts, to name a few.