University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) Admission Guide for International Students

What USTC is, and what this guide covers

The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) is a research-intensive university in Hefei, Anhui province, focused on the natural sciences, engineering and technology, and affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It is comparatively small and strongly graduate- and research-oriented.

This guide covers how international students apply, foregrounding its research character. All specifics — programmes, fees, stipends, deadlines — live on USTC's official pages and change each intake; verify them there before relying on any figure.

The International College and admissions portal

International admissions are handled by USTC's International College, whose English site publishes admission guides, programme lists and application steps, with applications made through USTC's official online system.

Apply directly rather than through a paid agent; no one can guarantee admission or funding, and a demand to pay for a guaranteed place should be treated as a scam.

A research-first, graduate-heavy profile

USTC's profile is research-first: much of its international enrolment is at master's and doctoral level, and even undergraduate study is science- and mathematics-intensive.

If your goal is a taught, non-research degree, check carefully which programmes USTC actually offers to international students in your field before applying — the strongest fit at USTC is usually a research programme aligned with a specific lab.

The supervisor and research-proposal route

For master's and especially PhD study, USTC applicants are generally expected to identify a potential supervisor whose lab matches their interests and to submit a research proposal; some routes involve a pre-admission or acceptance step with that supervisor.

Early, specific contact with the department and a well-scoped proposal matter. The exact expectation varies by school, so follow the individual programme's official instructions.

English-taught options, funding and applying

USTC offers English-taught options at graduate level in several science and engineering fields; teaching language determines the language evidence (IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught, HSK for Chinese-taught, with the precise level set per programme). Funding for research students often combines USTC's own scholarships with the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), which USTC hosts under the Chinese University Program.

A funded research place typically means applying to USTC and to a scholarship in parallel, with supervisor support. Stipend levels, coverage and deadlines change each year and are published officially — verify them on USTC's and CSC's official pages; never pay for "guaranteed" funding.

• Identify a research area and a matching supervisor/lab on USTC's official site.
• Contact the supervisor early with a clear research proposal.
• Prepare documents (passport, transcripts, certificates, proposal, references, language proof), notarised and translated where required.
• Apply on USTC's official online system and to any scholarship within its window, then use the admission paperwork for your student visa — general information only; verify current steps officially.