This guide provides everything you need to know to apply for a 2026 postgraduate program at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech).

Table of Contents

1.    Welcome to SUSTech

2.    Our Postgraduate Programs

3.    Eligibility Requirements

4.    Application Timeline & Deadlines

5.    How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide

6.    Required Application Documents

7.    Funding & Scholarships

8.    Contact Information

1. Welcome to SUSTech

Welcome to Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech)! We are a dynamic public university at the forefront of China's higher education reform. Located in the vibrant metropolis of Shenzhen, our mission is to become a world-class research institution that cultivates creative leaders dedicated to solving global challenges. If you are driven to produce knowledge with a global impact, our postgraduate programs offer an exceptional platform for your ambitions.

Why SUSTech？

·         Commitment to Excellence: Our academic rigor is nationally recognized. In 2022, SUSTech and our mathematics discipline were selected for China’s prestigious "Double First-Class" Initiative, placing us among the country's elite institutions. Our community is centered on Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship and guided by its motto "Virtue, Truth, Advance".

·         World-Class Research Environment: You will be mentored by world-class faculty and gain access to state-of-the-art facilities, empowering you to push the boundaries of knowledge across a diverse range of innovative disciplines.

·         Located in a Global Innovation Hub: Shenzhen is more than our location—it's our inspiration. As a global leader in technology, the city provides a dynamic ecosystem for our students, offering unparalleled opportunities for industry collaboration and hands-on experience.

2. Our Postgraduate Programs

All our postgraduate programs are full-time and delivered entirely in English. The standard study duration for the Doctoral Program is 4 years, and for the master's program is 3 years. To find a potential supervisor whose research aligns with your interests, please refer to the complete list in Annex 1.

Available Majors:

Code	Program/ Major	Doctoral Program	Master's Program
070100	Mathematics	●
070200	Physics	●	●
070300	Chemistry	●
070800	Geophysics	●	●
071000	Biology	●	●
080100	Mechanics	●	●
0801Z1	Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics	●	●
080500	Materials Science and Engineering	●	●
081100	Control Science and Engineering	●	●
081200	Computer Science and Technology	●	●
083000	Environmental Science and Engineering	●	●
083100	Biomedical Engineering	●	●
087300	Integrated Circuits Science and Engineering	●	●
120100	Management Science and Engineering	●

3. Eligibility Requirements

We welcome talented applicants from around the world. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

1）  Citizenship: Be a non-Chinese citizen holding a valid foreign passport.

2）  Academic Background:

Doctoral Program: Hold a master's degree or an equivalent qualification. Applicants should be under the age of 40 at the time of application.

Master's Program: Hold a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification. Applicants should be under the age of 35 at the time of application.

3）Health Status: Be in good health and meet the standards required to obtain a Chinese student visa.

4） English Language Proficiency: Demonstrate strong English skills through one of the following:

·         A TOEFL score of 90 or higher.

·         An IELTS score of 6.5 or higher (with no sub-score below 6.0).

Waiver: This requirement may be waived if you earned a degree from an institution where English was the sole medium of instruction. An official letter from the university is required as proof.

4. Application Timeline & Deadlines

·         First Round: November 3, 2025 – January 18, 2026

·         Second Round: February 16, 2026 – April 1, 2026

Important Reminder: Applicants wishing to be considered for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) must submit their applications during the first round.

5. How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Submit Your Online Application

Visit the SUSTech Application Portal to create your profile, select your program type (doctoral or master’s) , and scholarship type (CGS or SUSTech First-Grade Scholarship). Upload all the required documents.

Step 2: Academic Review & Assessment

Our academic departments will review your application. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an assessment, which may include an interview or examination.

Step 3: Additional Process for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) Application

Applicants successfully selected for the CGS “High-Level Graduate Student Program” will first receive a Pre-Admission Notice issued by SUSTech. After obtaining the Pre-Admission Notice, applicants must also complete the online application via the China Scholarship Council System (http://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn), select the “Type B” program, and enter SUSTech’s agency code: 14325. See Annex 5 and Annex 6 for the required documents and instructions.

Step 4: Admission Decision & Visa Process

Final admission decision of the CGS is determined by the China Scholarship Council. Applicants not awarded the Chinese Government Scholarship will be considered for SUSTech’s First-grade Scholarship, with no additional application required. 

Successful applicants will receive an admission offer. The process for obtaining your visa documents (JW201 or JW202 Form) depends on your scholarship award. Applicants must use these documents to apply for an X1 student visa at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate, and then apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arriving in China.

Important Reminder: SUSTech will not accept students' registration without a valid student visa. International students with expired visas or residence permits are not permitted to stay on campus or participate in university activities.

6. Required Application Documents

Please prepare clear, color scans of all documents in English or Chinese.

·         Part A: Personal Information

1)      Passport Information Page

2)      Foreigner Physical Examination Form (Issued within 6 months before the date of application submission. Use template in Annex 4)

·         Part B: Academic Records

3)      Non-Criminal Record Certificate

4)      Degree Certificates (all completed and in-process degrees starting from the bachelor's level)

5)      Academic Transcripts (all completed and in-process degrees starting from the bachelor's level)

6)      Proof of English Proficiency

·         Part C: Application Materials

7)      Research Plan (Signed by your potential SUSTech supervisor; use template in Annex 2)

8)      Two Letters of Recommendation (Use template in Annex 3)

9)      CV or Resume with details of relevant publications

·         Part D: Supporting Documents (Recommended)

10)  Supplementary Materials (e.g., published papers, awards)

7. Funding & Scholarships

SUSTech is committed to ensuring that postgraduate study is affordable. All admitted international students will be evaluated based on their application materials and awarded a comprehensive scholarship.

Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS)

A prestigious award for outstanding students who apply in the first round.

·         Benefits: Full tuition and accommodation (shared room) waiver, a monthly living stipend (RMB 3,500 for doctoral students, and RMB 3,000 for master’s students), medical insurance, and a research allowance.

·         Research Allowance*: Doctoral student: RMB 4,550/month (pre-proposal, pre-tax) and RMB 5,500/month (post-proposal, pre-tax). Master’s student: RMB 2,500/month (pre-tax).

SUSTech First-Grade Scholarship

Awarded to all other admitted international postgraduate students.

·         Benefits: Full tuition and accommodation (shared room) waiver, medical insurance, and a research allowance.

·        Research Allowance*: Doctoral student: RMB 4,550/month (pre-proposal, per-tax) and RMB 5,500/month (post-proposal, pre-tax). Master’s student: RMB 2,500/month (pre-tax).

 * Research Allowance Details:

	Basic Allowance Pre-tax (RMB/ Month)	Incentive Allowance Pre-tax  (RMB/ Month)
Doctoral Student (Pre-proposal)	2,050	2,500
Doctoral Student (Post-proposal)	2,500	3,000
Master's Student	500	2,000

Additional Award: Guangdong Provincial Scholarship for Outstanding International Students

·         Eligibility: Open to newly enrolled doctoral and master’s students who do not receive the CGS.

·         Award: A one-time, supplementary award of RMB 30,000 (doctoral student) / RMB 20,000 (master’s student) for the first academic year.

·         Application: No separate application is needed; evaluation is based on academic merit (aligned with admission criteria). This scholarship is for one year and may be renewed upon annual application and performance.

Important Scholarship Policies:

1.  Duration: Doctoral students can receive the scholarship for up to 4 years; master's students can receive the scholarship for up to 3 years.

2.  Annual Review: All scholarships are subject to an annual review of both academic performance and overall conduct. Renewal is contingent upon successfully meeting the required standards during this review. Failure to do so may result in suspension or termination of funding.

3.  Exclusivity Rule: Students receiving the CGS are not permitted to hold any other scholarships from Chinese government entities or universities simultaneously. If a violation is found, the CGS will be revoked, and the student must repay all funds previously awarded.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.

General Admission Inquiries

For questions about the application process, required documents, or scholarships:

·         Email: pgadmissions@sustech.edu.cn

·         Phone: +86 (755) 8801 0473

Academic & Supervisor Inquiries

For specific questions about program curricula, research areas, or finding a potential supervisor, please contact the relevant academic department directly.

·         Find Department Contacts: SUSTech Graduate School Website.

We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to the SUSTech community! 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CHECK -

https://gs.sustech.edu.cn/#/admission/en/detail?current_id=187&id=187&article_id=3408