China’s Railway Engineering Cradle
Founded as Imperial Chinese Railway College, SWJTU has trained rail engineers since 1896.
Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaQS #851
Southwest Jiaotong University
China’s railway engineering cradle — advancing transport systems since 1896
Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) began in 1896 as the Imperial Chinese Railway College and is widely known as the cradle of China’s railway engineers. A national 211 Project and Double First Class university, it combines vehicle engineering, traction power, railway infrastructure, signalling, transportation planning and civil engineering within one specialist academic environment. Its Xipu, Jiuli and Emei campuses connect students with Chengdu’s major transport and technology economy, while national rail laboratories support work on high-speed, heavy-haul, urban and maglev systems. For international students seeking focused transport expertise, SWJTU offers comparatively affordable study, English-taught graduate options and an international community of more than 600 students.
Project 211Double First-Class
- QS World Ranking
- #851
- Location
- Chengdu, China
- Founded
- 1896
- International Students
- 600+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 18,000 - 36,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- June 30
Why Choose
Why Choose Southwest Jiaotong University
Key reasons international students choose Southwest Jiaotong University for their studies in China.
Full-Scale Rail Testing
National laboratories test high-speed, heavy-haul, urban rail and maglev systems at engineering scale.
End-to-End Transport Expertise
Study vehicles, infrastructure, traction, signalling and operations within one specialized transport university.
Industry-Embedded Chengdu Location
Chengdu connects students to railway design institutes, metro operators and western China’s infrastructure growth.
Global Engineering Pathways
English-taught graduate programs and international partnerships support globally minded rail and civil engineers.
Affordable Specialist Education
Moderate tuition and Chengdu living costs make elite transport engineering study comparatively accessible.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
QS World University Ranking#851
China National Ranking#49
National Designations
Project 211Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Southwest Jiaotong University.
Railway Engineering
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 23,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: SWJTU Presidential Scholarship eligible
Transportation
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 23,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: SWJTU Presidential Scholarship eligible
Electrical Engineering & Automation
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 23,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Chengdu Government Scholarship eligible
Road & Railway Engineering
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 25,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC & Presidential Scholarship eligible
Transportation Planning & Management
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 25,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC & Presidential Scholarship eligible
Transportation Engineering
DoctorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 36,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Southwest Jiaotong University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsA recognized high school diploma with strong mathematics and physics results for bachelor’s entry; a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree for graduate study.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80, or accepted English-medium study proof. Chinese-taught: HSK 5 (180) for science and engineering, or HSK 4 (180) for liberal arts and management.
- Entrance AssessmentAll undergraduate applicants must take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA); required subjects depend on the selected major.
- Required DocumentsPassport, diploma and transcripts, language certificate, study plan, physical examination, non-criminal record and financial guarantee; graduate applicants also submit two academic recommendations.
- Application DeadlinePresidential Scholarship and self-funded graduate applications: June 1. Self-funded undergraduate applications: June 30.
- Application FeeCNY 400, non-refundable, paid through the SWJTU international admission system.
- Medical ExaminationThe Foreigner Physical Examination Form and required test reports must be valid when submitted and are checked again after arrival.
- Visa DocumentsSuccessful applicants receive an Admission Notice and visa application form for an X1 student visa and subsequent residence permit.
Tuition & Scholarships
Costs & Funding
Transparent tuition, living costs and scholarship options for international students.
Cost Breakdown
- Annual Tuition
- CNY 18,000 - 36,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 600 – 1,000 / monthTriple, double or single international room at Xipu campus
- Application Fee
- CNY 400 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearComprehensive insurance is compulsory for international students
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 1,800 – 3,000 / monthMeals, local transport and personal expenses in Chengdu
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 48,000 – 85,000
Chinese Government Scholarship — High-Level Postgraduate Program
Coverage: Full tuition, university accommodation, monthly stipend and comprehensive medical insurance.
Eligibility: Outstanding non-Chinese master’s and doctoral applicants nominated by SWJTU under the CSC Type B program.
Deadline: February 22
SWJTU Presidential Scholarship
Coverage: Full awards cover tuition, accommodation support, medical insurance and a stipend; partial awards cover selected items.
Eligibility: International undergraduate, master’s and doctoral applicants with strong academic records and language preparation.
Deadline: June 1
Chinese Government Scholarship — Silk Road Program
Coverage: Full CSC support for selected degree programs, including tuition, accommodation, stipend and insurance.
Eligibility: Applicants from eligible Belt and Road countries applying to majors named in the annual SWJTU call.
Deadline: See annual program notice
Chengdu Government Sister-Cities Scholarship
Coverage: Municipal scholarship support toward study costs for eligible international degree students in Chengdu.
Eligibility: Applicants from Chengdu’s international sister cities who satisfy the university and municipal selection rules.
Deadline: See annual Chengdu call
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Southwest Jiaotong University.
Modern Xipu Campus
The main campus combines engineering schools, laboratories, residences, sports grounds and green public spaces in Pidu District.
Living Railway Heritage
Historic collections, transport demonstrations and specialist student activities keep the university’s railway identity visible across campus.
International Student Residence
Xipu campus offers furnished single, double and triple rooms with shared services close to teaching buildings.
Engineering Library Resources
Specialist collections support railway, transport, civil, mechanical, electrical and computing study alongside major digital databases.
Campus Sports And Clubs
Stadiums, courts, fitness facilities and student societies balance an academically intensive engineering environment.
Connected Chengdu Living
Metro access links Xipu with central Chengdu’s food, culture, technology employers and major transport hubs.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Southwest Jiaotong University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Southwest Jiaotong University.
Rail Transit Vehicle Systems
The national rail vehicle laboratory studies dynamics, traction, safety and system performance for multiple railway modes.
High-Speed And Heavy-Haul Rail
Large-scale test platforms address vehicle–track interaction, reliability and performance under demanding operating conditions.
Maglev Transportation
Researchers develop high-temperature superconducting maglev technology, vehicle platforms and control approaches for future mobility.
Rail Infrastructure Engineering
Work on bridges, tunnels, geotechnics and track structures supports safer transport across complex terrain.
Signalling And Train Control
Teams combine communications, automation and intelligent control to improve railway capacity, coordination and operational safety.
Integrated Transport Planning
Mobility research connects railways with urban transit, logistics, passenger behavior and sustainable regional development.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Southwest Jiaotong University can take you after graduation.
Railway Systems Careers
Graduates work across rolling stock, traction, signalling, track, operations and railway safety organizations.
Infrastructure Design Institutes
Civil and transport specialists progress into railway, bridge, tunnel and urban infrastructure design and consulting.
Vehicle And Equipment Industry
Mechanical and electrical graduates contribute to rail vehicles, power systems, testing and advanced manufacturing.
Urban Metro Operations
Transportation graduates are prepared for planning, operations, asset management and intelligent mobility roles.
Research And Doctoral Pathways
National laboratories and English graduate tracks provide strong preparation for transport-focused research careers worldwide.
Specialist Alumni Network
A long-established railway alumni community connects graduates across transport authorities, universities and engineering enterprises.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Southwest Jiaotong University helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
The international office coordinates room applications for furnished residences on Xipu campus before registration.
Residence Permit Support
Staff guide students through post-arrival registration and residence permit procedures with Chengdu authorities.
Arrival And Orientation
Orientation explains registration, campus systems, academic rules, insurance, safety and daily life in Chengdu.
Academic Advising
School coordinators and supervisors support course planning, research direction and progress toward degree requirements.
Chinese Language Learning
Language courses help English-track students communicate on campus and prepare for internships in China.
Health And Insurance
Students receive guidance on compulsory insurance, medical examinations, campus care and local hospital referrals.
Campus Safety Services
Campus security and international office contacts provide practical support during urgent situations.
Visa Guidance
International staff assist with admission documents, visa renewals, residence formalities and enrollment certification.
International Student Community
Cultural activities and student associations connect more than 600 international students with Chinese classmates.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Southwest Jiaotong University.
- November – January
Choose Program And Route
Confirm the teaching language, degree level and whether you will apply self-funded or for scholarship consideration.
- By February 22
CSC Postgraduate Deadline
Complete both required systems for the Chinese Government Scholarship High-Level Postgraduate Program.
- February – May
Prepare Documents And CSCA
Undergraduates complete required CSCA subjects while all applicants prepare certified academic and language documents.
- By June 1
Scholarship And Graduate Deadline
Submit Presidential Scholarship applications and self-funded graduate applications through the SWJTU admission portal.
- By June 30
Undergraduate Final Deadline
Self-funded bachelor’s applicants complete the online application, payment and all required uploads.
- June – July
Review And Admission Results
Schools assess academic records, test results and documents before issuing admission and scholarship decisions.
- July – August
Visa And Travel Preparation
Use the university’s admission documents to apply for an X1 visa and arrange travel to Chengdu.
- September
Arrival And Registration
Move into Xipu campus, complete registration and health checks, then attend orientation before classes.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Southwest Jiaotong University.
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