English-Taught Curriculum
Academic courses are taught in English, with Chinese language and culture classes supporting daily life and deeper engagement with China.
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Westlake University
Research from day one on a global, English-taught campus in Hangzhou
Westlake University is a private, research-intensive university founded in 2018 in Hangzhou by leading scientists and scholars. Its undergraduate model is deliberately small and highly selective: students begin with a shared interdisciplinary curriculum, choose a major after exploring science and engineering, and join faculty research from the first year. English is the primary language of instruction, while international students also study Chinese language and culture. The university reports around 1,900 students, more than 300 independent laboratories and a faculty-to-student ratio of about 1 to 10, with approximately 90% of faculty holding international backgrounds. Its eight current undergraduate majors span biological sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, electronic and information engineering, materials science, artificial intelligence and clinical medicine. Every admitted international undergraduate receives either the Westlake University Full Scholarship or a tuition-waiver scholarship, making the published CNY 350,000 annual tuition very different from the amount most admitted students ultimately pay.
- Location
- Hangzhou, China
- Founded
- 2018
- International Students
- 60+ countries
- Teaching Language
- English
- Tuition
- CNY 350,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- April 1 (priority rounds: November 1 and January 1)
Why Choose
Why Choose Westlake University
Key reasons international students choose Westlake University for their studies in China.
Research From The First Year
Undergraduates can rotate through laboratories early and build independent projects with active principal investigators rather than waiting until senior year.
Small Cohorts And Close Mentoring
A roughly 1:10 faculty-to-student ratio supports small classes, an academic advisor system and sustained contact with research mentors.
Study Abroad Built In
International study is part of the undergraduate experience, with partner opportunities in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Scholarship For Every Admit
Every admitted international undergraduate receives either a comprehensive full scholarship or a tuition-fee waiver scholarship.
International Faculty Community
About 90% of faculty have studied or worked internationally, bringing globally familiar teaching, research and supervision practices.
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Westlake University.
Biological Sciences
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 350,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Full scholarship or tuition waiver available
Chemistry
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 350,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Full scholarship or tuition waiver available
Physics
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 350,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Full scholarship or tuition waiver available
Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 350,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Full scholarship or tuition waiver available
Electronic and Information Engineering
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 350,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Full scholarship or tuition waiver available
Materials Science and Engineering
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 350,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Full scholarship or tuition waiver available
Artificial Intelligence
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 350,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Full scholarship or tuition waiver available
Clinical Medicine
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 5 years
Tuition: CNY 350,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Full scholarship or tuition waiver available
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Westlake University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsApplicants must be completing, or have completed, a recognized high school curriculum and must provide a final diploma before enrolment. Westlake looks for exceptional strength in mathematics and science.
- International EligibilityApplicants must be non-Chinese citizens holding a valid foreign passport. Candidates with current or former Chinese nationality, or Chinese-national parents, must satisfy the latest Ministry of Education residency and nationality rules.
- English RequirementsApplicants whose schooling was not taught in English should submit IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo English Test results. Published guidance uses IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 90 or Duolingo 120 as reference thresholds.
- Application DocumentsCommon App application, passport details, official high school transcripts, application essays, recommendation letters, English test results where applicable and optional standardized-test reports.
- Standardized TestsSAT, ACT, AP, A-Level, IB and other national examination results are optional but can strengthen the academic review. Westlake publishes competitive score references rather than automatic cut-offs.
- CSCA For 2026The university’s 2026 first-round notice requires international applicants to take CSCA Mathematics and Physics. Applicants in later rounds should confirm the current test requirement directly with admissions.
- InterviewShortlisted applicants are invited to an in-person or online interview that evaluates academic vitality, intellectual potential, global vision and social responsibility.
- Application DeadlinesInternational application rounds are published for November 1, January 1 and April 1. Applications may continue on a rolling basis after April 1 when places remain.
- Medical And Visa DocumentsAdmitted students must complete the required health examination and provide documents needed for the JW202 form, X1 student visa and residence permit.
Tuition & Scholarships
Costs & Funding
Transparent tuition, living costs and scholarship options for international students.
Cost Breakdown
- Annual Tuition
- CNY 350,000 / year
- Tuition
- CNY 350,000 / yearPublished international undergraduate rate before scholarship
- On-Campus Accommodation
- CNY 24,000 / yearPublished estimate for undergraduate residential-college housing
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 30,000 / yearMeals, local transport, books and personal expenses
- Application Fee
- CNY 600 (one-time)Non-refundable undergraduate application fee
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 404,600 before scholarship
Westlake University Full Scholarship
Coverage: Full tuition, on-campus accommodation, comprehensive medical insurance, a living allowance and a one-time travel grant.
Eligibility: Outstanding admitted international undergraduates selected through the holistic admission and scholarship review.
Deadline: Considered with the admission application
Westlake University Tuition-Waiver Scholarship
Coverage: Full tuition-fee waiver. Students remain responsible for accommodation, insurance, living costs and travel.
Eligibility: Admitted international undergraduates who are not selected for the comprehensive full scholarship.
Deadline: Considered with the admission application
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Westlake University.
Yungu Campus
A purpose-built 246-acre campus in northwest Hangzhou organized around connected academic, research, residential and public spaces.
Residential College Living
Undergraduates live in furnished residential-college suites designed to combine private study space with shared community life.
Dining On Campus
Campus dining offers Chinese and international choices close to residences, classrooms and laboratories.
Sports And Recreation
Indoor and outdoor facilities support fitness, team sports and recreation alongside a demanding academic schedule.
Student Groups And Activities
Clubs span science, arts, music, sports, public service and entrepreneurship, with support for students creating new groups.
Life In Hangzhou
Metro links connect campus to West Lake, historic districts and Hangzhou’s technology corridor, including Alibaba and other major employers.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Westlake University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Westlake University.
Three Hundred Plus Laboratories
More than 300 independent laboratories create unusually broad opportunities for undergraduate rotations and mentored research.
Artificial Intelligence And Engineering
Faculty work across machine learning, computer vision, robotics, microelectronics, photonics and intelligent systems.
Biomedicine And Clinical Translation
Life science and medicine connect basic discovery with disease mechanisms, drug development and research-oriented clinical training.
Materials And Molecular Science
Research covers nanomaterials, energy materials, chemical biology, synthesis and advanced characterization.
Fundamental Science
Physics, chemistry and mathematics groups investigate quantum systems, particle physics, condensed matter and theoretical questions.
Global Research Network
International faculty and overseas partners support visiting research, co-supervision and study-abroad pathways.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Westlake University can take you after graduation.
Graduate Study Pathways
Research-intensive training prepares students for master’s, doctoral and physician-scientist routes at Westlake and universities worldwide.
Biotechnology And Life Science
Laboratory experience supports roles in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and biomedical research.
AI And Digital Technology
Artificial intelligence and electronic engineering graduates build skills relevant to software, robotics, chips and data-intensive industries.
Advanced Materials And Energy
Materials, chemistry and physics training leads toward semiconductors, clean energy, manufacturing and research careers.
Hangzhou Innovation Economy
The city’s technology companies and start-up ecosystem create access to projects, mentors and industry exploration.
Entrepreneurial Development
Interdisciplinary projects, faculty laboratories and innovation resources help students test ideas beyond the classroom.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Westlake University helps international students settle in and succeed.
International Orientation
Arrival programming covers registration, campus systems, housing, health requirements and daily life in Hangzhou.
Visa And Residence Permit Guidance
Staff support JW202 documentation, X1 visa preparation and residence-permit procedures after arrival.
Residential College Support
Residential staff and peer communities help new students settle into campus housing and build local connections.
Academic Advising
Advisors help students navigate the common curriculum, explore fields and select a major at the appropriate point.
Research Mentorship
Faculty mentors guide laboratory selection, project development, research ethics and longer-term academic goals.
Chinese Language Learning
International undergraduates study Chinese for two or more years, with courses designed for academic and everyday communication.
Study Abroad Advising
Dedicated guidance helps students compare partner institutions, plan credits and prepare for overseas study.
Health And Wellbeing
Health insurance coordination, campus services and wellbeing support are available throughout the degree.
Career Development
Career services connect academic interests with graduate study, industry exploration, internships and application preparation.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Westlake University.
- By November 1
First Application Round
Submit the Common App application, school records, essays, recommendations and available test results for the earliest review.
- By January 1
Second Application Round
Complete the second-round application and upload any required English-language or standardized-test reports.
- By April 1
Third Application Round
Submit by the final published round deadline. Later applications may be considered on a rolling basis if places remain.
- After Submission
Holistic Application Review
Admissions reviews academic vitality, intellectual potential, global vision, social responsibility and the full school context.
- By Invitation
Interview And Assessment
Shortlisted candidates complete an in-person or online interview and any academic assessment required for their admission round.
- After Final Review
Admission And Scholarship Decision
Successful applicants receive an admission offer together with either the full scholarship or tuition-waiver scholarship decision.
- Summer
Visa And Arrival Preparation
Complete the medical examination, receive admission and JW202 documents, apply for an X1 visa and confirm housing.
- September
Registration And Orientation
Arrive in Hangzhou, move into the residential college, register and begin international-student orientation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Westlake University.
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