25 Best Universities In Hunan For International Students 2025

Hunan 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 35 universities and colleges in Hunan, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 35 universities in Hunan, Central South University and Hunan University are the top-performing schools in Hunan. This list covers both public and private institutions in Hunan.

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

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

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

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

Tuition fees at Hunan’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 6,000 RMB to 50,000 RMB , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 7,000 RMB to 43,000 RMB. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Hunan!

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

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#28 in China
#76 in Asia
#567 in World
Percentage of International Students
3%
Total Number of students - 55,000
International Number of students - 1,647

Central South University traces its roots back to 2000 and has undergone several transformations. It has become a leading institution for higher education and research in China. The university excels in materials science, transportation engineering, mining engineering, environmental science, medical science, and computer science. Moreover, CSU actively encourages interdisciplinary research and collaboration with industry, fostering technological advancements and innovations. By working closely with industry, CSU aims to bridge the gap between academia and real-world challenges, providing students with practical experiences and opportunities for internships and employment.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#36 in China
#103 in Asia
#714 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 36,000

Hunan University traces its roots going as far back as 976 A.D., originally Yuelu Academy. More than a millennia later, it has become one of the most renowned universities in China, where it is one of the country’s top 10 engineering universities. Moreover, it is also tiered as part of the top 1% of universities worldwide.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#95 in China
#379 in Asia
#1688 in World
Percentage of International Students
3%
Total Number of students - 40,000
International Number of students - 1,200

Hunan Normal University is a public institution in Changsha, China. It is also part of the Chinese government’s Double First-Class Universities and Project 211. Numerous international universities have established partnerships with Hunan Normal University, providing its students with many unique opportunities. The university comprises eight campuses, allowing it to offer several bachelor’s and graduate courses.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#110 in China
#455 in Asia
#1924 in World
Percentage of International Students
1%
Total Number of students - 31,000
International Number of students - 200

Changsha University of Science and Technology became a public university in 2003 after the merger of Changsha Institute of Electric Power and Changsha Institute of Transportation. The university offers English and Chinese courses in Engineering, Science and Technology, and Management across its two campuses. With more than 31,000 students, the university is one of the largest in Hunan Province, China.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#145 in China
#572 in Asia
#2300 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 15,700

The National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) is a public institute of higher education in China. It is based in Hunan province’s city of Changsha. Moreover, when it was established in 1953, it began as a military academy focusing on engineering.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#156 in China
#606 in Asia
#2401 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 37,576

Xiangtan University was established in 1958, as initiated by Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China. The university has built 23 colleges and a graduate school, offering degree programs in History, Literature, Science, Economics, and Engineering. It currently enrolls more than 37,000 students and employs around 1,500 full-time teaching staff.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#157 in China
#610 in Asia
#2411 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 36,323

Hunan Agricultural University is located in the serene city of Changsha in Hunan province. The university has attracted many prospective students, particularly those who would like to pursue a career in the agriculture sector. Some of the best academic programs in agricultural sciences and animal and plant science are offered at the university. And these top-ranked study programs are internationally acknowledged, making the institution a favorable school for domestic and international students.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#159 in China
#620 in Asia
#2437 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 37,000

The University of South China is a public institute of higher education. It is located in the charming city of Hengyang. Moreover, it was established in 2000 after Hengyang Medical College and Central South Institute of Technology merged into one institution.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#244 in China
#871 in Asia
#3090 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 31,192

The Hunan University of Technology is a leading university when it comes to engineering and science degrees. It has excellent training facilities and teaching staff, producing wise-minded graduates that contribute deeply to the community. Throughout the years, the university has expanded and now offers management, arts, and economics subjects to both domestic and international students.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#247 in China
#884 in Asia
#3117 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 29,106

Hunan University of Science and Technology was formerly known as Northern Hunan Construction College, founded in 1949. Its formative years include improvements, redevelopments, and the merging of two institutions in 2003 before officially using its current name. The university is credited with having the best programs in two disciplines: Engineering and Chemistry. In addition, several of its academic programs are also acknowledged at the provincial level.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#272 in China
#957 in Asia
#3295 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 41,000

The Central South University of Forestry and Technology, founded in 1958, is a public academic institution in Changsha City, China. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in Forestry, Engineering, Business Management, and Sciences. The university caters to 41,000 students and employs over 2,500 faculty and staff.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#341 in China
#1198 in Asia
#3885 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 18,800

Students looking for a good quality higher education in the province of Hunan should consider Jishou University. The institution was established in 1958 with the support of its local government. From only providing undergraduate programs in its early years of operation, the government has granted the university to offer master’s programs in 2003 and doctoral programs in 2012. To this day, Jishou University continues to flourish into becoming one of the leading universities in the region.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#349 in China
#1224 in Asia
#3940 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 17,000

Hunan Institute of Science and Technology (HNIST) is a highly regarded public institution for its science and engineering programs. It comprises 16 units that offer undergraduate and graduate programs in science, engineering, liberal arts, economics, and other fields. HNIST’s excellent training is evident in the performance of its students, who have been winning competitions left and right.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#372 in China
#1323 in Asia
#4181 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 17,846

The Hunan University of Chinese Medicine was established in 1960. It is a public university situated in Changsha, Hunan Province. The university stands as a teaching-oriented medical university that also focuses on research and healthcare service.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#409 in China
#1475 in Asia
#4535 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 14,333

Changsha University is a public educational institution in China. It is situated in the scenic province of Hunan. This eminent center of learning offers various programs in engineering, literature, management, and a lot more.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#443 in China
#1628 in Asia
#4851 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 17,019

Hunan Institute of Engineering (HIE) is a national university in Xiangtan, China. It is part of government education initiatives, such as the Excellent Engineers Education and Training Program, 2011 Plan, and Double First-Class. Two colleges were merged to form HIE, one focused on mechanical and electrical while the other was dedicated to textile. Two campuses comprise the university, allowing it to offer several programs.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#453 in China
#1661 in Asia
#4918 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 24,000

Hengyang Normal University is a public university in Hunan Province, China, approved by the Ministry of Education. It offers undergraduate programs in Education, Engineering, Arts, Management, and Music. The university is currently home to more than 24,000 students.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#481 in China
#1796 in Asia
#5199 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 19,556

Hunan First Normal University is a public school located in the Yuele District. The higher education institution has been around since 1903. The school has also earned university rankings, such as the Shanghai Ranking.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#487 in China
#1822 in Asia
#5246 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 26,966

Shaoyang University was founded in 1958, but with a history going back to 1906. It has four campuses in Hunan Province, China, serving as home to nearly 27,000 students. The university specializes in undergraduate degree programs in varied disciplines, such as Economics, Medicine, Law, Biology, Science, and Agronomy.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#495 in China
#1883 in Asia
#5350 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 18,057

Huaihua University is a public institution in Hunan, China. Before having its present name, it was previously known as the Qianyang Normal College and then Huaihua Normal College. Two campuses with 21 departments comprise the university, allowing it to offer many specialties.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#497 in China
#1895 in Asia
#5366 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 15,149

Hunan University of Science and Engineering is a university that constantly aims for innovation and advancement. It offers a hospitable and student-friendly environment, letting the students learn and improve during their stay in the Hunan Province. The university is furnished with facilities and laboratories that can aid the students’ learning process.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#517 in China
#2004 in Asia
#5561 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 18,600

Hunan City University is an undergraduate provincial institution located in Yiyang City, China. Two institutions, with respective predecessors, were merged to form Hunan City University, and these are Hunan Urban Construction College and Yiyang Normal College. The university offers around 50 programs in different disciplines, but its core lies in urban construction, management service, etc.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#518 in China
#2014 in Asia
#5578 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 24,000

Hunan University of Art and Science is striving to change the world of art and science. With over 20,000 students from all around the world, the university is working to make a difference by helping fulfill the dreams of each of the students so they in turn can change the world for the better. The university was established in the late 1990s and holds the mission of helping students from both China and from around the rest of the world.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#544 in China
#2130 in Asia
#5790 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data

Changsha Medical University is said to be the first private school in the country that is focused on the medical field. The school offers courses for undergraduates. Some of these include medical imaging, pharmacy, and nursing.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#548 in China
#2152 in Asia
#5832 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 20,671

Xiangnan University offers full-time undergraduate programs in several academic disciplines, including engineering, medicine, arts, management, and sciences. Having only been established in 2003, this thriving institution aims to be recognized as a top higher education institution that provides various key academic disciplines at the national level. At present, the educational system of the school has demonstrated positive outcomes as several of its undergraduate programs are already recognized at the provincial level.

We know that choosing your dream school in Hunan not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.

So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in Hunan, make sure to visit our list of the best public and private universities in Hunan! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!