21 Best Public Universities in Guangzhou for International Students

Search Courses:

Guangzhou is one of the cities in China you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, studying in Guangzhou can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture. You can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it.

There are 24 universities you can find in Guangzhou, Guangdong, and 21 of them are public universities. Having these many choices makes Guangzhou a great place for international students.

In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Guangzhou, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!

Rank University Location
1 Sun Yat-Sen University Guangzhou, China
2 Jinan University Guangzhou, China
3 South China University of Technology Guangzhou, China
4 Guangdong University of Foreign Studies Guangzhou, China
5 South China Normal University Guangzhou, China
6 South China Agricultural University Guangzhou, China
7 Guangdong University of Technology Guangzhou, China
8 Guangzhou University Guangzhou, China
9 Southern Medical University Guangzhou, China
10 Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou, China
11 Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine Guangzhou, China
12 Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering Guangzhou, China
13 Guangdong Pharmaceutical University Guangzhou, China
14 Guangdong University of Finance and Economics Guangzhou, China
15 Guangdong University of Education Guangzhou, China
16 Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts Guangzhou, China
17 Guangdong University of Finance Guangzhou, China
18 Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University Guangzhou, China
19 Guangzhou Sport University Guangzhou, China
20 Xinghai Conservatory of Music Guangzhou, China
21 Guangzhou Maritime University Guangzhou, China

Public Universities in Guangzhou

1. Sun Yat-Sen University

  • Sun Yat-Sen University Page
  • 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.

    2. Jinan University

  • Jinan University Page
  • 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.

    3. South China University of Technology

  • South China University of Technology Page
  • 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.

    4. Guangdong University of Foreign Studies

  • Guangdong University of Foreign Studies Page
  • 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.

    5. South China Normal University

  • South China Normal University Page
  • 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.

    6. South China Agricultural University

  • South China Agricultural University Page
  • 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.

    7. Guangdong University of Technology

  • Guangdong University of Technology Page
  • 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.

    8. Guangzhou University

  • Guangzhou University Page
  • 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.

    9. Southern Medical University

  • Southern Medical University Page
  • 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.

    10. Guangzhou Medical University

  • Guangzhou Medical University Page
  • 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.

    11. Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine

  • Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine Page
  • 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.

    12. Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering

  • Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering Page
  • 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.

    13. Guangdong Pharmaceutical University

  • Guangdong Pharmaceutical University Page
  • 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.

    14. Guangdong University of Finance and Economics

  • Guangdong University of Finance and Economics Page
  • 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.

    15. Guangdong University of Education

  • Guangdong University of Education Page
  • 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.

    16. Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts

  • Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts Page
  • 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.

    17. Guangdong University of Finance

  • Guangdong University of Finance Page
  • 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.

    18. Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University

  • Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University Page
  • 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.

    19. Guangzhou Sport University

  • Guangzhou Sport University Page
  • 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.

    20. Xinghai Conservatory of Music

  • Xinghai Conservatory of Music Page
  • 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.

    21. Guangzhou Maritime University

  • Guangzhou Maritime University Page
  • 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.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Guangzhou?

    Absolutely! International students in public universities in Guangzhou can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.

    As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Specifically, public universities in Guangzhou, Guangdong charge up to 48,000 RMB for bachelor’s and 90,000 RMB for master’s studies.


    I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in Guangzhou, Guangdong. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.