25 Best Universities In Shandong For International Students 2026

Shandong 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 54 universities and colleges in Shandong, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 54 universities in Shandong, Shandong University and Ocean University of China are the top-performing schools in Shandong. This list covers both public and private institutions in Shandong.

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

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

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

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

Tuition fees at Shandong’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 12,000 RMB to 45,000 RMB , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 17,600 RMB to 40,000 RMB. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Shandong!

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

Shandong University, also called Shanda or SDU, is a public research university that was established in 1901. SDU has a total of eight campuses: six are located in Jinan, while two others are located in Weihai and Qingdao. Shandong University also has a number of research centers catering different fields from engineering to humanities and social sciences, and also has three university hospitals.

The Ocean University of China is a public institution in Qingdao City specializing in oceanography and fisheries science. It offers courses in science, engineering, fisheries, agronomy, pharmaceuticals, liberal arts, etc. Over the years, it became part of China’s Top 40 and Top 100 Universities lists. It comprises four campuses: Yushan, Fushan, Laoshan, and Huangdao.

Qingdao University, founded in 1909, is one of the universities in Qingdao, in the Shandong Province, China. It offers academic programs in Engineering, Art, History, Philosophy, and Business, and most are taught in the Chinese language. Over 46,000 students, with more than 1,600 international students, are currently enrolled across the university’s 34 colleges.

Shandong Normal University (SDNU) is a public institute of tertiary studies. It is based in Shandong province’s bustling city of Jinan. Additionally, SDNU is known for its outstanding instructors who provide high-quality education to all students.

Shandong University of Science and Technology (SDUST) is a public institution that mainly provides science and technology (S&T) programs. Aside from these, they also have course offerings related to business, humanities, education, and arts. The school’s main campus is situated in Qingdao, but there are also campuses in Tai’an and Jinan.

Qingdao University of Science and Technology was founded in 1950 with an initial focus on vocational courses. After its move to Qingdao, the university has undergone further transition, eventually leading to its current focus on Science and Technology, along with Engineering, Management, and Liberal Arts. It has also built four campuses across several districts in the city.

The University of Jinan (UJN) is a public center of excellence. It offers a variety of courses for all students across the tertiary level. Additionally, UJN is located in the picturesque province of Shandong.

The Shandong University of Technology, founded in 1956, offers an extensive variety of Engineering and Science courses. Located in Zibo, China, the university campus occupies around 240 hectares, providing students with a conducive learning environment and convenient local transportation. Over 37,000 students are currently enrolled in the university across its 173 undergraduate and graduate programs.

Yantai University was established in 1984 and is located in Shandong, China. The institution was built with the support of Peking University and Tsinghua University. It consists of faculties that cover various programs, such as arts, education, and sciences. The university also has partnerships with other institutions around the globe.

Shandong University of Finance and Economics, or SDUFE, is located in the historic city of Jinan. SDUFE was initially founded in 1952, then named the Shandong Institute of Finance and Economics. The Shandong University of Finance and Shandong Economic University merged on July 4, 2011, formally forming Shandong University of Finance and Economics. As a university, they specialize in programs related to economics, management, and finance, while also offering additional programs such as engineering and physical education.

Shandong Agricultural University (SDAU) started as Shandong Higher Agricultural School in 1906, thus giving the university more than 100 years of background and experience. SDAU is located in Tai’an City, right at the foot of a mountain. It is one of China’s leading agricultural universities, such that it was ranked #151 by QS Top Universities for Agriculture and Forestry. The programs SDAU offers cater to the following disciplines: agricultural science, life science, natural sciences, and social sciences.

The Qingdao University of Technology was established in 1952, and it only started as a civil engineering-focused institution. As of now, the institution offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses even in other fields, like humanities, business, and more. Its performance in engineering programs has gained recognition in different rankings.

Ludong University is a public institution in Yantai City, China. It started as Yantai Teachers College, then Yantai Normal University, before earning its present name. Many majors (40+) are offered at Ludong University. According to EduRank, the institution is 357th in China.

Qufu Normal University (QFNU) is a public center of learning for students at the tertiary level. QFNU began welcoming students in the year 1955 and was previously known as Shandong Normal Specialized Postsecondary College and then Qufu Teacher’s College. Adding to this, its present name was established at the same time that it gained university status which was in 1985. Lastly, QFNU is well-known for working towards international connections with numerous educational institutions overseas.

The Qilu University of Technology, abbreviated as QLUT, is one of the most reputable universities in the province of Shandong. QLUT has four campuses spread between Heze and Jinan. QLUT offers multiple programs in different areas such as arts, law, management, engineering, and sciences, among others.

Binzhou Medical University offers a lot of medical-related academic programs. The university has two campuses: one in Binzhou city and its main campus is located in Yantai city. It is known for providing specialized undergraduate programs specifically designed for students with disability. This has been a fruitful and remarkable path for the university as it still offers these unique programs. Over 1300 disabled students have successfully graduated and obtained medical-related degrees throughout the years.

Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, abbreviated as SDUTCM, was founded in 1958 as Shandong Traditional Chinese Medicine College. SDUTCM was reorganized in 1996, hence the name was changed to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. SDUTCM has focused on science, technology, and innovation research platforms.

Shandong Jianzhu University is a public institute of higher studies. It is located in the scenic city of Jinan. Furthermore, the center of excellence has two campuses which are the Heping Campus and the New Campus.

Founded in 1891, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences is a public university that provides numerous academic programs in the field of medicine. Students of the university have access to its library of ever-growing books and e-books comprised of research and medical books. The university even publishes several of these books, with some faculty members serving as editors.

Weifang Medical University (WMU)was originally founded in 1951 as Changweig Medical School. It has undergone several reconstructions and has become a comprehensive and multidisciplinary institution. The institution offers a range of degree programs with the main focus on medicine and medical sciences. In addition, it has world-class teaching facilities and state-of-the-art research centers that cater to the needs of students in developing advanced scientific research. WMU also has a solid global reputation as it’s listed in the WHO World Directory of Medical Schools.

Located in a scenic location near to the ocean, Qingdao Agricultural University offers many different courses of study for students. Established in the mid 1900s, the university now includes four campuses. Several thousands of students from China and around the world now attend this university as they endeavor to provide each and every one of them the best education for them to fulfill their destinies.

The province of Shandong is home to Jining Medical University. It is a public institution offering various programs related to medical sciences. The university started as Jining Medical Assistant School. It only earned its present name in 1987.

Liaocheng University is a public institution in Shandong, China. It started as the Shandong Teachers’ College, Liaocheng Branch, in 1974 and earned its present name and university status in 2002. It has two campuses: east and west. Around 200 bachelor’s and master’s programs are available at Liaocheng University, covering a broad scope of disciplines such as philosophy, law, sciences, economics, etc.

Linyi University, a public institution in Shandong, China, is one of the province’s first universities. It started as the Seaside High School of the Military and Political College in 1941 before becoming Linyi University in 1958. From a military school, the institution became more focused on teachers. More than 60 programs are available at the university.

Weifang University is a public university in Shandong Province, China. It offers undergraduate and graduate courses in various disciplines, such as Art, Education, Science, and Engineering. The university campus occupies around 1,543 acres of land, and is home to more than 24,000 students.