Nankai University
Tianjin, China • Founded 1919 • World Rank #137
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1919, the Nankai University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Tianjin (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants).
Officially recognized by the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission, Nankai University (NKU) is a very large-sized coeducational Chinese higher education institution. Nankai University (NKU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study.
This 105-year-old Chinese higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
NKU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Nankai University's on-the-ground location and digital channels to engage with the institution. Library access for prospective students is often arranged separately through the main library team.
Academic Details
Nankai University at the institutional level: enrolment, staffing, and accreditation summary. Accreditation has expiry and renewal cycles worth checking on the awarding body site for currency.
Academic Structures
Nankai University's teaching architecture in the units below. New faculties (formed in the last decade) signal where the institution is investing for the future.
Unit 20 items
- Business School
- College of Chemistry
- College of Chinese Language and Culture
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering
- College of Foreign Languages
- College of History
- College of Ideological and Cultural Education
- College of Information Technology and Science
- College of Life Sciences
- College of Software
- Department of Philosophy
- Law School
- School of Economics
- School of Literature
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- School of Medicine
- School of Pharmacy
- School of Physics
- TEDA College
- Zhou Enlai School of Government Administration
Degrees
Also postdoctoral programs; sino-foreign Joint Programs in Economics
Bachelor's 70 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Accountancy
- Administration
- Applied Chemistry
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Physics
- Architectural and Environmental Design
- Archiving
- Artificial Intelligence
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Communication Arts
- Computer Science
- Design
- E-Business/Commerce
- Economics
- Electronics and Automation
- Engineering
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Ethnology
- Finance
- Foreign Languages Education
- French
- German
- History
- Human Resources
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Management
- Information Sciences
- Insurance
- International Business
- International Studies
- Japanese
- Journalism
- Law
- Library Science
- Logic
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Medicine
- Museum Studies
- Painting and Drawing
- Pharmacy
- Philosophical Schools
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Publishing and Book Trade
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Russian
- Social Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Software Engineering
- Spanish
- Statistics
- Stomatology
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Tourism
- Translation and Interpretation
- Urban Studies
Master's 42 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Applied Linguistics
- Applied Physics
- Art Criticism
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Business Administration
- Chemistry
- Communication Arts
- Comparative Literature
- Design
- Ecology
- Economics
- Electronic Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Ethnology
- Finance
- Fine Arts
- Foreign Languages Education
- Hotel Management
- Industrial and Production Economics
- Information Sciences
- Journalism
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Medicine
- Modern Languages
- Optical Technology
- Optics
- Pharmacy
- Philosophical Schools
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Publishing and Book Trade
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Safety Engineering
- Sociology
- Solid State Physics
- Tourism
Doctoral 47 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Ancient Civilizations
- Ancient Languages
- Applied Linguistics
- Applied Physics
- Biochemistry
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Science
- Ecology
- Economics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Electronics and Automation
- English
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Finance
- Information Sciences
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Japanese
- Law
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Optical Technology
- Optics
- Organic Chemistry
- Philology
- Philosophical Schools
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Physiology
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Russian
- Safety Engineering
- Sociology
- Software Engineering
- Solid State Physics
- Statistics
- Zoology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Tianjin Municipal Education Commission.
Chemistry (College) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Polymer and Plastics Technology
Common Career Paths
- Chemist
- Lab Researcher
- Quality Control Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Chinese Language and Culture (College) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Linguistics
- Chinese
- Cultural Studies
- Foreign Languages Education
- Linguistics
Computer and Control Engineering (College) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Computer Science
- Electronics and Automation
- Information Technology
Common Career Paths
- Software Engineer
- Data Scientist
- Systems Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Electronic Information and Optical Engineering (College) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Electronic Engineering
- Information Sciences
- Optical Technology
- Optics
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Environmental Science and Engineering (College) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ecology
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Safety Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Foreign Languages (College) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- English
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Russian
- Spanish
- Translation and Interpretation
Common Career Paths
- Translator
- Interpreter
- Language Teacher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
History (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- History
Life Sciences (College) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Cell Biology
- Entomology
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Zoology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Pharmacy (College) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Microbiology
- Pharmacy
Common Career Paths
- Pharmacist
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
TEDA (College) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Biotechnology
Tourism and Service Management (College) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philosophy (Faculty) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Aesthetics
- Ethics
- Logic
- Philosophical Schools
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
Economic and Social Development (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economics
- Industrial and Production Economics
Finance and Development (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Finance
Common Career Paths
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Banker
- Risk Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Japan Studies (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Japanese
State Economy (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economics
TEDA Applied Physics (Institute) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Physics
- Nanotechnology
- Optical Technology
Common Career Paths
- Physicist
- Research Scientist
- Data Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Nanotechnology
- Optics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Business (School) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Archiving
- Business Administration
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Management
- Library Science
- Management
- Marketing
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Economics
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Finance (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Finance
Common Career Paths
- Financial Analyst
- Investment Banker
- Risk Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Government (School) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Administration
- Ethnology
- Higher Education
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Social Policy
- Social Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
Law (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Literature (School) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Linguistics
- Chinese
- Communication Arts
- Comparative Literature
- Design
- Fine Arts
- Journalism
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Modern Languages
- Philology
- Publishing and Book Trade
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
Marxism Education (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Philosophical Schools
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Materials Science and Engineering (School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Solid State Physics
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Mathematical Sciences (School) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Statistics
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medicine
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Physics (School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Physicist
- Research Scientist
- Data Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Nankai University's programme catalogue is grouped by level below — use the filter to narrow your shortlist. Programme entry windows and admissions criteria typically appear on each programme's dedicated page.
66 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in China
Bachelor's Degree 66 programmes
Showing 10 of 66.
How to apply to Nankai University
Practical steps to apply to Nankai University, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Nankai University's catalogue includes 66 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Nankai University's admissions process.
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3
Get your documents ready
Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Submit your completed application through Nankai University's official website at www.nankai.edu.cn. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.
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5
Reach out and track your application
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +86 (22) 2350 8229. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nankai University
Concise answers to the most-searched questions about Nankai University, useful as a quick orientation before exploring the rest of the profile.
How old is Nankai University?
The institution opened in 1919 (approximately 107 years ago).
Where is Nankai University located?
Nankai University is located in Tianjin, China.
Is Nankai University a public or private institution?
It is a public higher-education institution.
What is the student enrolment at Nankai University?
Student enrolment at Nankai University is around 30,000-34,999.
What is Nankai University's ranking?
Nankai University holds rank #137 globally and #38 in China.
What qualification levels does Nankai University offer?
Nankai University delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
How is Nankai University organised academically?
Nankai University has 20 academic units.
Who recognises Nankai University?
Nankai University is accredited by Ministry of Education.
Where can I learn more about Nankai University?
You can find Nankai University online at www.nankai.edu.cn.
Top-Ranked Universities in China
Top China universities often run international branch campuses. Nankai University's international footprint compared to this benchmark signals global engagement scale.
Members of International Forum of Public Universities (IFPU)
Network reputation can differ from individual institutional reputation. International Forum of Public Universities (IFPU) membership may enhance or moderate the perceived standing of Nankai University depending on how the network is regarded.
Faculties at nearby universities
Regional admissions cycle quirks (early-deadline schemes, regional aid programmes) apply consistently across the universities near Nankai University. Worth knowing during shortlisting.
Where Else to Study Linguistics & Language Studies
Looking for Linguistics & Language Studies programmes beyond Nankai University? Other universities in China cover the same discipline. Cross-comparing modules, assessment styles, and faculty profiles is the fastest way to find the right fit.
Universities Compared with Nankai University
Mid-career outcome data (5–10 year post-graduation) is harder to source but more revealing than starting-salary data. Where available for peer institutions, it is worth comparing.
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