Nankai University Doctoral Programs Overview 2026

Nankai University offers 127 doctoral programs with a duration of 4 years, including 3 programs available in English. Upon successful completion of the prescribed curriculum, passing the assessments, and defending the graduation thesis, doctoral students will be awarded a doctoral degree. Additionally, all Chinese-taught doctoral students are required to reach HSK Level 5 before graduation. Doctoral students in College of Chinese Language and Culture and School of Literature are required to reach HSK Level 6 and score of 180.

I. Qualifications

a. Applicants must be non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport. For applicants who used to be Chinese citizens but later immigrated to other countries, the conditions set by the Document No. 12 (2020) of Ministry of Education of the Peoples Republic of China should be met.

b. Applicants must have a master degree and be under the age of 40.

c. Language proficiency requirements:

(1) For Chinese-instructed program applicants: Students are required to submit HSK-5 certificates with a minimum score of 180. Native Chinese speakers and applicants who complete their undergraduate study in Chinese are allowed to be exempted from providing HSK Certificates.

(2) For English-instructed program applicants: Students are required to submit English Proficiency Certificates. IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80，DUOLINGO105 are mandatory. Native English speakers are exempted from providing relevant certificates. For applicants who completed their undergraduate study in English, a Certificate of Undergraduate Study in English should be submitted as an alternative language certificate instead of IELTS or TOEFL.

d. Applicants should have no criminal record.

II.  Academic Programs

The full list of programs available for international graduate students can be found in the 2026 Doctoral Program Catalog for International  Students of Nankai University.xlsx

III.  Application Procedure

A. How to Apply

Applicants must complete the online application via the Nankai University International Student Online Service System: https://nankai.at0086.cn/StuApplication/Login.aspx

Application Date: 20th October，2025 – 31th May 2026

Interview: The specific time will be notified by email.

Admission Results Announcement: July.

Note: Due to limited scholarship quotas, scholarship applicants are advised to submit their applications early. Please refer to the "Scholarships" section for details.

B. Application Documents Checklist

All uploaded documents must be in Chinese/English; otherwise notarial translations in Chinese/English are required. Please provide the original documents and certified translations should be submitted together to the application system.

A. Scan of original Highest Diploma. (Scan of Pre-graduation Certificate is required if the applicants have not gained degree certificate before the application deadline. Please resubmit the original highest diploma or original notarized diploma before registration).

B. Scan of notarized copy of the academic transcripts. Applicants who have not graduated before the application deadline must provide their current academic transcript. In this case, the completed academic transcripts must be submitted before registration.

C. Personal Statement. Including study and research plan, family financial situation, reasons for applying for scholarships (if applicable), awards received, and personal strengths (no less than 800 words).

D. Two Recommendation Letters in Chinese or English from two professors or associate professors.

E. Acceptance Letter from NKU Supervisor.

 F. Language proficiency certificate(s).

G. Photocopy of passport (Ordinary passport expires after September 2026).

H. Foreigner Physical Examination Form (The medical examinations must cover all the items listed and should be conducted after October, 2025).

I. Certificate of Financial Support.

J. Non-criminal record certificate.

Instructions for Application Documents for Nankai University International Graduate Students ( Instructions for Postgraduate Application Documents- NanKai University.docx).

IV.  Assessment and Admission

a. After receiving the application materials, the School of International Education and the respective academic schools/departments will review them. Shortlisted applicants based on document review will receive notifications for professional interviews. Interview schedules will be announced via the system email. Applicants should check the application system regularly. The final admission list will be determined by the expert panel after the interviews.

b. Applicants may check their application status at any time via the Nankai University International Student Online Service System (https://nankai.at0086.cn/StuApplication/Login.aspx). The University will issue the Admission Notice and Visa Application for Study in China (JW201/202 Form) to successful candidates.

V.  Registration

a. Admitted students should bring their personal and ordinary passport, Certificate of Admission, Visa Application Form (JW202/ JW201), and original Form of Physical Examination Record for Foreigners (as well as other original documents of physical examination) to the Embassy or Consulate of the People's Republic of China, and apply for a student visa (X1 visa). Students are required to arrive at NKU (along with the required documents) and complete the registration during the dates indicated in the admission notice.

b. Normally, registration is held in late August or early September. All students should present the required original bachelor certificates, and submit the diploma copies certified by their university or certificate authorities upon registration at Nankai University for admission qualification review. Students who fail the admission qualification review will be disqualified from admission.

VI.  Scholarship Programs

1. Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A)

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply to the local dispatching authorities or Chinese embassies/consulates in their home country. When filling in the application form for Chinese Government Scholarship, please fill in "Nankai University" as your first choice in the column of "application institution". For contact information of Chinese embassies/consulates, please visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China. The application usually starts from November to February next year. It is suggested that applicants apply to Chinese embassies /consulates after obtaining Pre-admission Notice or Acceptance Letter from NKU Supervisor. For application deadlines and other relevant information, please refer to the websites of Chinese embassies/consulates.

2. Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B)

Applicants need to submit the application through China Scholarship Council (http://www.csc.edu.cn/laihua/). Our Agency Number is 10056 and please choose Type B. After finishing the application, applicants need to download the scholarship application form and submit it to NKU International Student Service System. The application usually starts from November to February next year. (The exact dates are subject to the Chinese Government Scholarship Guide for that year.)

Application Period: November 2025 – March 10, 2026

Application Deadline: 10^th March, 2026

3. International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

This scholarship is exclusively for applicants to the Master of Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages program. Applicants must complete both the Nankai University online application and obtain pre-admission, and the online application for the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship (https://cis.chinese.cn/account/login). Outstanding applicants may receive a recommendation letter from Nankai University for the scholarship application.

Application Deadline: Please check International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship website.

4. TianJin Government Scholarship

Tianjin Government Scholarship includes the First Prize and the Second Prize scholarships. The First Prize TGS provides tuition fee subsidy, stipend and medical insurance, while the Second Prize only offers tuition fee subsidy. The scholarship has a duration of one academic year and could be applied year by year. Applicants need to download the scholarship application form and submit it to ISSS.

Application Deadline: 31^th May, 2026

VII.  Fees

1. Application Fee: 600RMB (Pay at registration stage. Chinese Government Scholarship winners don't need to pay).

2. Tuition Fee: Please check the Program Catalog.

3.Accommodation Fee: 1,000 – 3,000 RMB/month.

4. Medical Insurance: 800RMB/year.

(Website:http://www.lxbx.net/).

VIII.   Contact Information

Contact: Ms Sun/Xing

School of International Education, Nankai University

Balitai Campus (Room 211); Tel: 0086-22-23508825

Operating hours: 8:00-12:00; 14:00-18:00

Jinnan Campus(Room 203): Tel: 0086-22-23509646 / 3615

Operating hours: 9:00-12:00; 13:00-17:00

Email: nkadmission01@nankai.edu,cn

WeChat Official Account: NKUISO

Website: https://ensie.nankai.edu.cn/