Nankai University offers 129 doctoral programs with a duration of 4 years. Including 2 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:

①For Chinese-taught program applicants: Students are required to submit HSK-5 210，or above. Native Chinese speakers and applicants who complete their undergraduate study in Chinese are allowed to be exempted from providing HSK Certificates.

②For English-taught program applicants: Students are required to submit English Proficiency Certificates. IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80，Duolingo 105 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. In addition, applicants for Chinese-taught doctoral programs in the School of Foreign Languages of our university shall meet the requirements on language proficiency and academic background corresponding to the enrolled major; please refer to the 2027 Doctoral Program Catalog for International Students of Nankai University   2027南开大学国际博士研究生招生专业目录.xlsxfor details.

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 2027 Doctoral Program Catalog for International  Students of Nankai University2027南开大学国际博士研究生招生专业目录.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: 20^th October，2026 – 31^th May 2027

Interview: Generally within 20 working days after preliminary review; exact time 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. See the admission catalogue for supervisor information.

F.  Language proficiency certificate(s).

G. Photocopy of passport (Ordinary passport expires after September 2027).  

*Once admitted, passport information cannot be modified before the completion of registration.
H.Foreigner Physical Examination Form (The medical examinations must cover all the items listed and should be conducted after October, 2026).

I. Certificate of Financial Support.

J. Non-criminal record certificate.

Instructions for Application Documents for Nankai University International Graduate Students 关于南开大学国际研究生申请材料的说明.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 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 (https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/#/login). Our Agency Number is 10055 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（https://nankai.at0086.cn/StuApplication/Login.aspx）. 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 2026 – March 10, 2027

Application Deadline: 20^th March, 2027

3. New Sinology Scholarship

Supports young overseas Sinology and Chinese Studies scholars for doctoral studies at Nankai University. Supported disciplines: Law, Economics, History, Literature, Philosophy, Finance, and related fields of Management. After receiving the pre-admission offer from Nankai University, applicants shall log in to the scholarship system and complete the online application.https://www.chinese.cn/page/#/pcpage/cs.

Please refer to the scholarship introduction for details.

Application deadline: February 28, 2027

4. International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

This scholarship is only available to applicants majoring in International Chinese Language Education. 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.

5. 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.

6. “Study-at-NKU” Scholarship

A university-level scholarship at Nankai University, with funding equivalent to the First and Second Prizes of the Tianjin Government Scholarship.

Application Deadline: 31^th May, 2027

* No separate application is required for the Tianjin Government Scholarship or the “Study-at-NKU” Scholarship. Select the corresponding “Apply for Scholarship” option in the Nankai University online application form. Deadlines are subject to each scholarship’s official announcement.

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 2027南开大学国际博士研究生招生专业目录.xlsx.

3. Accommodation Fee: RMB 23–60 per person per day, depending on the campus and room type. For further details, please refer to the "Charging Regulations for International Students' Dormitories at Nankai University."(https://sie.nankai.edu.cn/xyfw/zs.htm)

4. Medical Insurance: 800RMB/year.  (Website: https://www.lxbx.net/).

VIII. Contact Information

Contact: Ms Sun/Wang

School of International Education & Chinese Language and Culture, Nankai University , Balitai Campus (Room 400);

Tel: 0086-22-23508825  

Operating hours: 8:30-12:00; 14:00-17:00  

Email: nkadmission01@nankai.edu,cn

WeChat Official Account: NKUISO  

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