# Xiamen University

> Xiamen University is a public research university founded in 1921 by Tan Kah Kee in Fujian. Its international degrees span economics, law, science, ocean affairs and design, with English programmes assigned to specific Siming, Xiang’an and Zhangzhou campuses.

- Canonical page: https://www.studentstraffic.com/university/xiamen-university
- Last reviewed: 2026-10-31
- Publisher: Students Traffic (https://www.studentstraffic.com/)

## Key facts

- Location: Xiamen, [China](https://www.studentstraffic.com/countries/china)
- Type: Public
- Established: 1921
- Official website: https://www.xmu.edu.cn/
- Published programmes on Students Traffic: 18

## Recognition and approvals

- Listed in China’s Ministry of Education 2026 national higher-education institution directory
- Verify: [MOE 2026 national university directory](https://hudong.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xxgk/s5743/s5744/202606/W020260618416094865984.xls)

## Programmes

| Programme | Course | Duration | Medium | Tuition per year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Digital Media Art](https://www.studentstraffic.com/digital-media-art-bachelor-xiamen-university) | Bachelor's Digital Media Art | 4 years | English | CN¥90,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Environmental Design](https://www.studentstraffic.com/environmental-design-bachelor-xiamen-university) | Bachelor's Environmental Design | 4 years | English | CN¥90,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Visual Communication Design](https://www.studentstraffic.com/visual-communication-design-bachelor-xiamen-university) | Bachelor's Visual Communication | 4 years | English | CN¥90,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Accounting](https://www.studentstraffic.com/accounting-master-xiamen-university) | Master's Accounting | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Design](https://www.studentstraffic.com/design-master-xiamen-university) | Master's Design | 2 years | English | CN¥1,20,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Theoretical Economics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/theoretical-economics-master-xiamen-university) | Master's Economics | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Applied Economics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/applied-economics-master-xiamen-university) | Master's Economics | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Environmental Management](https://www.studentstraffic.com/environmental-management-master-xiamen-university) | Master's Environmental Management | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Finance (Degree of Management)](https://www.studentstraffic.com/finance-degree-of-management-master-xiamen-university) | Master's Finance | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [International Law](https://www.studentstraffic.com/international-law-master-xiamen-university) | Master's International Law | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [International Relations](https://www.studentstraffic.com/international-relations-master-xiamen-university) | Master's International Relations | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [Civil and Commercial Law](https://www.studentstraffic.com/civil-and-commercial-law-master-xiamen-university) | Master's Law | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Fiscal and Tax Law](https://www.studentstraffic.com/fiscal-and-tax-law-master-xiamen-university) | Master's Law | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Marine Affairs](https://www.studentstraffic.com/marine-affairs-master-xiamen-university) | Master's Marine Affairs | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Urban and Regional Planning](https://www.studentstraffic.com/urban-and-regional-planning-master-xiamen-university) | Master's Urban Planning | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Biology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/biology-master-xiamen-university) | Master's in Biological Sciences | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Chemical Engineering and Technology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/chemical-engineering-and-technology-master-xiamen-university) | Master's in Chemical Engineering | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |
| [Chemistry](https://www.studentstraffic.com/chemistry-master-xiamen-university) | Master's in Chemistry | 2 years | English | CN¥45,000 (International students) (2027 published guide) |

## Admissions

Choose the exact English degree, academic unit, campus and funding route, then prepare the relevant level’s documents and submit through XMU’s official application system. Complete qualification and academic assessment, monitor notifications and follow final admission instructions for registration and arrival.


## Why students choose it

- Choose an exact mainland campus and academic programme.
- Compare research-oriented master study with published qualification and language routes.
- Explore design study within the documented XMU/UCA academic framework.

## Things to consider

- Design programmes are at Zhangzhou ICI; other programmes have their own catalogue campus.
- Age-45 master eligibility requires confirmation because English and native wording differ.
- International Relations tuition requires a current programme-specific quotation.

## Best fit for

- International graduates comparing English economics, law, science or ocean/environmental study.
- Design applicants prepared to submit a portfolio and meet both institutions’ award requirements.
- Students who can verify their actual campus, funding route and arrival arrangements before travel.

## Campus and city

The university has distinct mainland study locations. Programme catalogues identify the actual campus and academic unit, while international student services support arrival and everyday administration. The ICI design programmes are based at Zhangzhou; marine and environmental routes include Xiang’an assignments. The dated Furong Lake and Jiageng cover depicts Siming Campus rather than a universal programme location.

Xiamen University’s mainland programmes are spread across Siming, Xiang’an and Zhangzhou campuses in Fujian. Students should plan accommodation and arrival around the campus named in their programme and admission instructions. Design studies at Zhangzhou ICI require planning for that location, while the economics and law routes in this portfolio are catalogued at Siming. The university’s name and central admissions address do not establish a single daily commute for all students.

Graduate applicants prepare a research-focused personal statement and may seek an optional supervisor/college pre-acceptance letter before university academic assessment. Master completion involves the prescribed credits and a thesis or practical-achievement defence under the relevant academic scheme. Design study includes portfolio preparation and graduation work within the XMU/UCA framework. These academic arrangements support discussion of projects and supervision; they do not guarantee an internship, company placement or a particular research assignment.


## Hostel, food and safety

Current references are Siming twin rooms CNY 35–65/person/day, Xiang’an twin or quadruple rooms CNY 1,200–4,000/person/academic year, and Zhangzhou quadruple rooms CNY 1,100–1,200/person/academic year. Electricity, water and student-paid Internet are additional as stated. Housing is limited and prioritises scholarships covering accommodation. Confirm the actual room and booking period; students unable to secure campus housing arrange accommodation before arrival. Campus housing normally ends on 31 July of the academic year.

The current guide gives a food-budget reference of approximately CNY 1,000–1,500 per month. Treat this as a planning estimate and confirm dining choices and specific dietary needs at the assigned campus. The published tuition and room tariffs do not establish an included meal plan or universal access to particular food preparation facilities.

International students must purchase medical insurance, with the current annual reference CNY 800. Applications include the prescribed health examination and recent police or permitted school-conduct evidence. Confirm coverage, arrival procedures and any further health checks in the enrolment instructions, and follow the university’s official fee-payment guidance.

The Admissions Office handles new international enrolment and scholarship assessment. The Overseas Students Affairs Office supports registration and student administration, including housing and insurance enquiries; academic units handle programme-specific teaching matters. Students Traffic can help compare public information and prepare questions for the official process, while the university determines admission and allocation.


## Frequently asked questions

### Where are the English programmes taught?

The exact programme catalogue identifies the campus. Design bachelors and the ICI Design master are at Zhangzhou. Economics, law, finance/accounting, international relations, chemistry/chemical engineering and urban/regional planning in this portfolio are at Siming. Marine Affairs, Environmental Management and Biology are at Xiang’an. Plan residence and arrival for the actual programme location.

### How long are the degrees and what awards apply?

The design bachelors are four years under the ICI 4+0 model; XMU and UCA Bachelor awards depend on both institutions’ requirements. English masters are two years. The ICI Design master uses 2+0 with conditional XMU master and UCA MA Design awards. Other formal award abbreviations should be confirmed directly. The two Marine Affairs codes are represented as one offering while distinct award/entry-route evidence remains unproved.

### What English evidence is accepted?

Both guides list TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS Academic 6.0 or a recognised equivalent. Bachelors may use high-school English-medium proof; masters may use previous-university English-medium proof. Applicants from countries where English is an official language have the guide’s stated exemption. Confirm accepted documents and any programme-specific assessment; Chinese-medium entry rules are separate.

### Which undergraduate examinations apply to design?

The general arts table lists Humanities Professional Chinese and Mathematics under CSCA. It explicitly says the Mathematics testing language follows the programme medium, so English is the published Math-paper language for these English routes. No ICI-specific exemption from the general arts requirements has been established here; confirm any exception and score arrangements directly before booking.

### What age and nationality rules apply?

Bachelors are aged 18–30 by 1 September 2027; under-18 applicants provide the stated guardian guarantee without an inferred start-age exemption. Defined Chinese-origin undergraduate cases have four-year foreign-nationality/passport and two-years-overseas-in-four rules by 30 April 2027; nine months counts as a residence year. The master age-45 boundary needs confirmation because English says generally under 45 and native wording permits 45. Scholarship age limits remain separate.

### What do design bachelor applicants prepare?

Prepare high-school graduation or expected-graduation evidence and full transcripts, English evidence, the required entrance-test report, one recommendation, an English personal statement of at least 800 words and the mandatory art portfolio. A college-stamped pre-acceptance letter is optional and gives priority, rather than guaranteeing admission. Final high-school qualification must be available before registration.

### What academic documents do masters need?

Prepare bachelor qualification and full transcripts, graduate English evidence, two associate-professor/professor recommendations and an English statement of at least 1,000 words. Economics/WISE additionally uses a four-part format capped at 1,500 words and two pages. Art applicants provide portfolios. Supervisor-signed, college-stamped pre-acceptance is optional/priority. Degrees obtained outside mainland China require the stated notarisation.

### What personal and financial documents are required?

Both levels provide a passport valid through 31 October 2027, birth certificate, parents’ IDs, CV, financial guarantee and supporting evidence even if seeking a scholarship. The six-month health record includes a stamped photo, chest X-ray, ECG and lab attachments. Police evidence must be issued within six months before submission; graduating high-school students may use school good-conduct evidence instead. Use notarised Chinese/English translations of other-language documents.

### What tuition and additional charges are published?

The 2027 design bachelor tuition is CNY 90,000 per year and the ICI Design master CNY 120,000. Other confirmed science, engineering, economics, management and law master references here are CNY 45,000/year; International Relations needs a programme-specific quote. Application is CNY 400, non-refundable online, and insurance CNY 800/year. Textbooks and living costs are additional; scholarship selection does not create an automatic reduction.

### What accommodation costs and availability apply?

Guide references are Siming twin rooms CNY 35–65/person/day, Xiang’an twin/quadruple rooms CNY 1,200–4,000/person/academic year and Zhangzhou quadruple rooms CNY 1,100–1,200/person/academic year. Utilities and Internet are additional as stated. Housing is limited, with priority for scholarships covering accommodation; others use available surplus or arrange off-campus housing before arrival. Confirm actual room and booking dates.

### When can I apply and enrol?

The 2027 university application windows begin 1 December 2026, with self-funded deadline 31 May 2027, Beijing time. Eligible listed university-system scholarship deadlines are 20 February or 30 April 2027; Type A and other separate routes follow their own calls. Both guides describe autumn enrolment, usually September. Confirm the exact registration date in the admission notice before travel.

### How do scholarship routes affect study location?

Funding is competitive and programme coverage and age limits follow the specific call. YES China cohorts in Marine Affairs, Chemical Engineering and Urban/Regional Planning have year one at XMU and year two in the home country for thesis completion/defence, with specified professional-role eligibility. This special model is separate from regular applicants’ catalogue route. The ICI design 4+0/2+0 models have their own conditional award requirements.

### How does the application and review process work?

Use the official international system and check every entry before submission; submitted applications cannot be edited. XMU reviews citizenship and qualifications, then academic units assess applicants through documents and any interview or written examination. Monitor system/email notifications and final admission instructions. The Admissions Office and student-affairs services handle their respective admissions and registration responsibilities.


## Sources

- [XMU english bachelors](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/Programs/English_Medium_Bachelor_s.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU english masters](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/Programs/English_Medium_Master_s.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU chinese bachelors](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/Programs/Chinese_Medium_Bachelor_s.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU chinese masters](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/Programs/Chinese_Medium_Master_s.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU master guide 2027](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/info/1061/4630.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU master guide 2027 native](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/cn/info/1063/10743.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU ug guide 2027](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/info/1061/4620.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU native master catalogue](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/cn/Majors/EN_MA.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU native ug catalogue](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/cn/Majors/EN_BA.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU faq](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/Help/FAQs.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU contact current](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/Help/Contact_us.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU economics writing guidance](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/info/1141/2549.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [XMU financial guarantee form](https://admissions.xmu.edu.cn/info/1141/1744.htm) (checked 2026-10-31)
- [MOE 2026 national university directory](https://hudong.moe.gov.cn/jyb_xxgk/s5743/s5744/202606/W020260618416094865984.xls) (checked 2026-10-31)

## Free counselling

Students Traffic offers free admission counselling for this university and its programmes.

- Contact: https://www.studentstraffic.com/contact
- WhatsApp: https://wa.me/919176162888
- Phone: +91 91761 62888
- Email: hello@studentstraffic.com