Top-Rated Petroleum Discipline
Its A+ Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering discipline anchors specialist training across the complete upstream-to-downstream energy chain.
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Southwest Petroleum University
China’s petroleum engineering specialist — advancing energy technology since 1958
Southwest Petroleum University (SWPU) was founded in Nanchong in 1958 as Sichuan Petroleum Institute and now operates campuses in Chengdu and Nanchong. It is a national Double First Class university built around Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, an A+ discipline in China’s national discipline assessment. SWPU combines reservoir geology, drilling, production, storage and transportation with chemical engineering, computing and emerging work in hydrogen, geothermal energy and carbon capture. Its research and practical training links with PetroChina, Sinopec and CNOOC give international students direct exposure to China’s energy industry. With about 41,000 full-time students, 510 international students, English-taught engineering degrees and comparatively low tuition in Chengdu, SWPU offers a focused and accessible route into conventional and low-carbon energy careers.
Double First-Class
- Location
- Chengdu, China
- Founded
- 1958
- International Students
- 510
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 16,000 - 25,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- May 30
Why Choose
Why Choose Southwest Petroleum University
Key reasons international students choose Southwest Petroleum University for their studies in China.
Industry-Built Training Base
Joint platforms with PetroChina, Sinopec and CNOOC connect coursework, applied research and industry practice.
Reservoir Research Leadership
National laboratories provide advanced facilities for reservoir geology, drilling, production and unconventional resource development.
Affordable English Degrees
English-taught engineering degrees start at CNY 16,000 annually, combining technical specialization with accessible public-university costs.
Energy Transition Expertise
Petroleum strengths now extend into hydrogen, geothermal energy, underground storage and carbon capture research.
Chengdu Energy Gateway
Chengdu places students near western China’s energy companies, technology ecosystem and comparatively affordable urban life.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
China National Ranking#119
National Designations
Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Southwest Petroleum University.
Petroleum Engineering
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 16,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Sichuan Government Scholarship eligible
Computer Science & Technology
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 16,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Chengdu Belt and Road Scholarship eligible
Mechanical Engineering
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 16,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Sichuan Government Scholarship eligible
Civil Engineering
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 16,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Chengdu Sister City Scholarship eligible
Petroleum & Natural Gas Engineering
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 20,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC & provincial scholarship eligible
Geological Resources & Geological Engineering
DoctorLanguage: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 25,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC & provincial scholarship eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Southwest Petroleum University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsA recognized high school diploma for bachelor’s entry, a relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s entry or a relevant master’s degree for doctoral study.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught applicants submit TOEFL, IELTS or accepted proof of previous English-medium education; the general 2026 brochure does not publish a universal minimum score.
- Entrance AssessmentUndergraduate applicants submit a China Scholastic Competency Assessment transcript; engineering applicants take Mathematics and Physics.
- Required DocumentsPassport, diploma and transcripts, language proof, non-criminal record, financial guarantee and physical examination; graduate applicants add a research plan and two recommendations.
- Application DeadlineGeneral international applications close May 30. The 2026 CSC High-Level Postgraduate application closed February 28.
- Application FeeCNY 400, charged as the university application and registration fee.
- Medical ExaminationSubmit the Foreigner Physical Examination Form completed within six months, with the required supporting test reports.
- Visa DocumentsAdmitted students receive an Admission Notice and JW202 form for the X1 student visa and post-arrival residence permit process.
Tuition & Scholarships
Costs & Funding
Transparent tuition, living costs and scholarship options for international students.
Cost Breakdown
- Annual Tuition
- CNY 16,000 - 25,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 2,200 – 4,400 / yearPublished 2026 shared-room rates vary by degree level and residence assignment
- Application Fee
- CNY 400 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 600 / 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 41,000 – 67,000
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 SWPU under the CSC Type B route.
Deadline: February 28
Sichuan Provincial Government Scholarship
Coverage: Annual award of CNY 20,000 for bachelor’s, CNY 25,000 for master’s or CNY 30,000 for doctoral study.
Eligibility: International degree applicants meeting SWPU admission requirements and the province’s academic and conduct standards.
Deadline: May 30
Chengdu Belt and Road Government Scholarship
Coverage: Annual award of CNY 20,000 for bachelor’s, CNY 25,000 for master’s or CNY 30,000 for doctoral study.
Eligibility: Eligible international students connected to Belt and Road countries, subject to SWPU review and annual quotas.
Deadline: See annual SWPU notice
Chengdu International Sister City Scholarship
Coverage: Annual award of CNY 20,000 for bachelor’s, CNY 25,000 for master’s or CNY 30,000 for doctoral study.
Eligibility: Applicants from Chengdu’s international sister cities who satisfy university and municipal selection requirements.
Deadline: See annual SWPU notice
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Southwest Petroleum University.
Chengdu Xindu Campus
The main campus brings engineering schools, energy laboratories, residences, libraries and sports facilities together in Xindu District.
Historic Nanchong Campus
SWPU retains its founding campus in Nanchong, preserving the university’s petroleum education heritage and selected academic facilities.
Low-Cost Student Housing
International residences offer furnished shared rooms at published annual rates well below many major Chinese cities.
Energy-Focused Library
Print and digital collections support petroleum, geology, chemistry, engineering, computing and interdisciplinary energy study.
Sports And Societies
Athletic grounds, courts, student organizations and cultural activities provide balance beyond laboratory and classroom work.
Connected Chengdu Living
Metro access links Xindu with Chengdu’s employers, transport hubs, food districts and cultural attractions.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Southwest Petroleum University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Southwest Petroleum University.
Reservoir Geology And Exploitation
A national key laboratory advances reservoir characterization, development strategy and recovery technology for complex resources.
Drilling And Production
Research addresses well construction, drilling fluids, completion, production systems, safety and challenging subsurface conditions.
Unconventional Energy Resources
Teams study shale gas, tight reservoirs and other unconventional resources important to western China’s energy supply.
Storage And Transportation
Pipeline integrity, flow assurance, gas storage and transport systems connect subsurface engineering with energy delivery.
Low-Carbon Energy Systems
Hydrogen, geothermal energy, underground storage and carbon capture research extend SWPU’s expertise beyond conventional petroleum.
Digital Energy Engineering
Data science, sensing, simulation and intelligent control improve exploration decisions and industrial energy operations.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Southwest Petroleum University can take you after graduation.
National Energy Companies
SWPU’s long partnerships with PetroChina, Sinopec and CNOOC create strong recognition across China’s energy sector.
Oilfield Services Careers
Petroleum graduates enter drilling, completions, reservoir, production, equipment and technical service roles.
Subsurface Geoscience Roles
Geology and resource engineering prepare graduates for exploration, reservoir evaluation and environmental subsurface work.
Pipeline And Storage
Transport specialists work in pipeline design, gas storage, integrity management, LNG and energy logistics.
Energy Transition Pathways
Hydrogen, geothermal and carbon management research supports movement into emerging low-carbon energy roles.
Postgraduate Research Routes
National laboratories and specialist supervisors prepare students for doctoral study and applied energy research worldwide.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Southwest Petroleum University helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Coordination
International staff coordinate residence assignment and explain room charges, utilities and campus housing rules.
Residence Permit Support
Students receive guidance on temporary registration, medical verification and residence permit applications after arrival.
Arrival And Orientation
Orientation covers registration, academic expectations, campus systems, insurance, safety and daily life in Chengdu.
Academic Advising
School coordinators and graduate supervisors support course planning, laboratory placement and degree progress.
Chinese Language Learning
Mandarin study helps English-track students manage daily life and prepare for industry communication in China.
Health And Insurance
Staff assist with compulsory insurance, physical examination procedures and access to appropriate medical care.
Campus Safety Services
Campus security and international office contacts provide clear channels for urgent assistance and incident reporting.
Visa Guidance
The university supports JW202 documentation, X1 visa preparation, renewals and residence formalities.
International Community
A community of 510 international students joins intercultural events, student societies and Chinese campus activities.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Southwest Petroleum University.
- September – November
Choose Degree And Funding
Confirm your program, degree level, teaching language and intended scholarship route before preparing documents.
- December – February
Prepare Graduate Materials
CSC candidates prepare degree records, language proof, recommendations and a research plan of at least 1,500 words.
- By February 28
CSC Postgraduate Deadline
Submit the Chinese Government Scholarship High-Level Postgraduate application through the required CSC and SWPU systems.
- February – May
Complete Documents And CSCA
Undergraduates complete Mathematics and Physics CSCA subjects while all applicants finalize verified supporting documents.
- By May 30
General Application Deadline
Submit the complete international student application and all required uploads through the SWPU online service system.
- After Submission
Academic Review
SWPU reviews eligibility, academic preparation, language evidence and program fit before confirming admission decisions.
- After Admission
Arrange Visa And Travel
Use the Admission Notice and JW202 form to apply for an X1 visa and plan travel to Chengdu.
- Date On Admission Notice
Arrival And Registration
Report to campus on the stated date, complete registration and health procedures, then attend orientation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Southwest Petroleum University.
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