Central South University campus
Changsha, China
Photo: Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA)

Central South University

Changsha·public

#=452

QS Rank

4%

Intl. students

$2,500

Tuition/yr

57,917

Enrollment

20.4:1

Student:Faculty

About Central South University

Central South University is a Double First-Class research university in Changsha, China, ranked 96th globally by ARWU and strong in engineering and materials science.

Central South University (CSU) is a public research university in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, founded in 2000 through the merger of three predecessor institutions. It is designated as a Double First-Class university by the Chinese State Council and is part of Project 211 and Project 985, placing it among China's leading national universities.

CSU has particular academic strength in materials science and engineering, which rank in the global top 0.1% by ESI citations. The university operates 33 schools covering engineering, medicine, business, law, and humanities, and runs three affiliated Xiangya hospitals that are among China's most prominent medical institutions. It also maintains a joint international college with the University of Dundee (UK).

The main campus spans both banks of the Xiangjiang River in Changsha, covering over 3.17 million square meters. Total enrollment stands at approximately 57,900 students. The university hosts around 2,765 international students, representing about 4% of the student body.

World University Rankings

QS World University Rankings (2026)#=452
Times Higher Education (THE) (2025)#251-300
ARWU / Shanghai Rankings (2024)#96

For Nepali students

  • CSU is a leading destination for Nepali students pursuing engineering, mining, metallurgy, or medicine in China, subjects where the university holds world top-1% ESI rankings, making degrees highly credible for employers and graduate schools.
  • The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), open to Nepali applicants through both the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu and the university's own channel, can cover full tuition, dormitory fees, and provide a monthly stipend of RMB 2,500–3,500, making a degree here potentially cost-free for competitive applicants.
  • For self-funded students, annual undergraduate tuition is among the lowest of any Double First-Class university in China, at roughly RMB 16,000–26,000 (approximately USD 2,200–3,600) depending on the program, well below costs in Western destinations.
  • China currently does not offer a formal post-study work visa pathway comparable to Australia or the UK, so Nepali graduates typically return home or seek employer-sponsored routes; however, CSU's strong industry links in mining and materials, sectors directly relevant to Nepal's economy, improve employment prospects.

Programs(10)

MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)

Nursing & Health Sciences
Bachelor's~$3k/yr

BEng Civil Engineering

Engineering
Bachelor's~$3k/yr

BEng Mechanical Engineering

Engineering
Bachelor's~$3k/yr

BSc Computer Science and Technology

Computer Science & IT
Bachelor's~$3k/yr

MSc Materials Science and Engineering

Engineering
Master's~$3k/yr

MSc Mining Engineering

Engineering
Master's~$3k/yr

MSc Metallurgical Engineering

Engineering
Master's~$3k/yr

MBA Business Administration

Business & Management
Master's~$3k/yr

PhD Civil Engineering

Engineering
PhD~$3k/yr

PhD Materials Science and Engineering

Engineering
PhD~$3k/yr

Data last verified from official sources · Disclaimer

Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents

A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:

GPA 3.060%+ in NEB +2, B+ average in Cambridge A-levels, or Second Division in a TU bachelor's degree.
GPA 3.370%+ in NEB +2 or First Division in a TU bachelor's degree.
GPA 3.675%+ in NEB +2 or First Division with Distinction in a TU bachelor's degree.
IELTS 6.5The most common graduate minimum — achievable with 2–3 months of focused preparation. IELTS 7.0+ needed for the most competitive programs.

Use our GPA converter to translate your exact score to the 4.0 scale.

Does my profile match Central South University?

Enter your GPA and IELTS score for an instant admission likelihood check.

Uses published minimum requirements. Final decisions are always at the university's discretion. Use our GPA converter to get your score on the 4.0 scale.

Similar universities in China

Want us to verify Central South University’s current requirements?

Our counselors can confirm the latest deadlines, tuition, and requirements directly with the admissions office — free, no signup required.