Founded in 1919 as a private institution, Nankai University
(NU) was noted particularly for its courses which were taught
in full English using foreign curriculum and textbooks. By
1937, Nankai University had expanded and now occupies an area
of 1,480,000 square meters with total building area of 1,000,000
square meters. 
Well known for its motto "A glorious tradition to promote
patriotism, dedication, creativity, love of the community to
build a first rate socialist university", Nankai University
is among the top ten universities in China. It also has collaborative
relationship with over 100 universities and academic institutions.
Many other world-known scholars and entrepreneurs have been
invited as Visiting Professors in Nankai. 
Nankai University comprises 18 colleges and offers 71 Bachelor
degree programs, 206 Master degree programs and 117 Doctoral
programs. Nankai's mathematics, chemistry, Chinese history,
business and economics programs are among the best in China.
The university also has a complete curriculum that includes
humanities, natural sciences, technology, life sciences, medical
sciences and art.
Nankai University
Nankai University is located in Tianjin city and has a beautiful campus setting. Nankai became a national university in 1946 and was accredited by the State Ministry of Education and Tianjin Municipal Government on Dec 25, 2000. Since then, Nankai has readjusted to become a comprehensive university with an emphasis on the arts and sciences.
The College of Chinese Language and Culture in Nankai has long term cooperation with more than 20 universities and institutes around the world. Every year Nankai organizes short term Chinese language programs of which the duration of study ranges from 4 – 8 weeks in summer or winter. They also offer longer term programs for one semester and one year which generally start in the spring and fall. Students are divided into different groups according to their Chinese ability. Optional elective courses are also available in the afternoon, including Chinese society, history, politics, economy, calligraphy, painting and folk music. Moreover, the College of Chinese Language and Culture was designated by the Central Government as a testing site for Chinese proficiency level, also known as HSK as well as a testing site for the Certificate Chinese Language Instructor for International Students. HSK is the Chinese equivalent of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and is designed to measure the Chinese proficiency of non-native speakers. Tests are offered at three levels: Basic, Elementary-Intermediate and Advanced. This test is held by the Chinese Ministry of Education and students who have passed the HSK test will receive the Chinese Proficiency Certificate. The HSK test take place at Nankai University every year in May, July and December.
The faculty and staff members at Nankai University are fully qualified and have excellent academic background in every specialty. Among the 1,527 members, there are 544 professors and 610 associate professors. Many have received awards, including Yangtse River Scholar Award, Million of Talents Program, and Outstanding College Lecturers awards. The faculty has established a complete and excellent educational system by connecting classroom teaching, scientific experiments, academic activities, and social practice. In the past 50 years of teaching Mandarin Chinese language to foreign students, Nankai University has educated more than 10,000 students from over 70 countries. In 1985, Nankai established the College of Chinese Language and Culture accredited by the State Board of Education. In 2002, Nankai was ranked 5th in the list of best educational training institutes for foreign students by the Central Government Ministry of Education. The college boasts advanced modern facilities with fully qualified teachers and advanced teaching methods. It has 51 Chinese language teachers, among whom 6 are professors, 20 are associate professors and 23 are lecturers.
Library There is also a whole series of specialized reading rooms including the social sciences and natural sciences reading rooms, the periodical reading rooms, the Center for International Studies Reading Room and a BiblioFile Retrieval Room. The Multimedia Electronic Services Section covers 440 square meters of floor space with 150 seats. Recreation Facilities Nankai University offers all kinds of activities and encourages international students to participate in as much as possible. At the end of each semester, the university organizes a series of activities including theatrical festival, sports meetings, Chinese language and culture contests, a play performance in Chinese, international students party and school excursions. Sport facilities are also provided such as stadium, gymnasium, tennis courts, swimming pool and table tennis courts. Alternatively, students can enjoy some fun in night clubs, bars, theaters, museums or visit the big department stores near campus. Laundry On each floor of international students dormitories there is a laundry room equipped with washing facilities. A magnetic card for the washing machines is available at the reception desk in every dormitory. A Laundromat is available inside campus where the price is much lower than outside of the campus. Money & Banking There are two banks inside Nankai University, the Bank of Communication and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC). All major currencies are accepted and both banks allow foreigners to open foreign exchange accounts, as well as foreign bank-note accounts. Most Chinese banks are open from 9 am until 4 pm or 5 pm and have branches that are open on weekends. Medical Care Nankai University Hospital is available inside Nankai. Doctors and nurses are Chinese native speakers and only just a few can speak good English. Doctors are on duty 24 hours everyday. The International Medical Treatment Center of Tianjin at the
No. 1 Central Hospital provides comprehensive medical services
for the whole family. Services and medicine are much cheaper
than in private clinics. Payment by cash or credit card is
acceptable. The medical staff speaks English and the on-site
pharmacy stocks Western medication and TCM ingredients. Food & Groceries There are numerous restaurants nearby, providing Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Russian food and many more. The dining hall offers various kinds of Chinese food at a cheap price. Dining hall opens 7 am – 8 am for breakfast, 11:30 am – 1 pm for lunch and the dinner time is 5:30 pm – 7 pm. The Nanyuan Supermarket and Northern Nankai University Market are available inside the campus. They provide food, drinks, snack, groceries, clothes, etc. Postal Services The Balitai post office is located at the east gate of Nankai University, from which students can send international or domestic mail and pick up parcels from overseas. Internet cafes can be found in No. 2 and No. 4 Yiyuan Building, and there is another one in the new library. There are 3 bookstores located in the east gate and southwest gate of Nankai University, providing many kinds of books, magazines, newspapers, music and stationery.
On–campus living is an ideal option for international students for it gives them more chance to interact with Chinese students and improve their Mandarin Chinese, and there are many different types of cuisines offered for international students. All dormitories accommodation offers single and double rooms. Each dorm room is equipped with one or two beds, telephone, TV set, carpet, safe, air conditioner, central heating system, and toilet. Hot water is provided 24 hours. Public phone and laundry room are also available in every building. The Service Center in the international students dormitories even provides copy and fax facilities.
Because there is no airport in Tianjin, students need to go to Beijing first and then continue by train, car or bus. Tianjin is just 135 kilometers away from Beijing, so it will take about 79 minutes by train to arrive. From the train station to the university: 20 km |
