Admission Guide for 2025 Doctoral Degree Programs (International Students)

University Overview

Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) is an innovation-oriented public university founded by Shenzhen government in the background of China's higher education reform. SUSTech aims to be a globally renowned university that contributes to the advancement of science and technology. It nurtures promising and creative leaders who excel in interdisciplinary research and creating knowledge for the world.

In 2022, SUSTech and its mathematics discipline were included in the list of "Double First-Class" universities and disciplines - the national initiative grouping China's elite universities. The university focuses on science, engineering, and medicine in conjunction with additional domains, such as business, humanities, and social sciences. SUSTech offers undergraduate and postgraduate education while conducting research in a series of innovative disciplines. In the spirit of "For Truth, Innovation, Reform and Excellence with Diligence and Courage," SUSTech highlights "Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship" and dedicates itself to facilitating innovative projects across China and being at the forefront in the modern, international, and innovative metropolis that is Shenzhen.

About the Programs

1. The full-time doctoral degree programs are generally required to be completed in 3-4 years. All programs are taught in English.

2. Please see Annex 1 for a list of SUSTech supervisors and majors/ research areas.

Eligibility of Applicants

1. Applicants should be non-Chinese citizens with valid foreign passports.

2. Applicants should be in good health and meet the physical standards required for applying for a student visa or residence permit.

3. Applicants must hold a master’s degree or an equivalent degree to a master’s degree in China and be under the age of 40.

4. Applicants should have a solid academic background, a strong moral compass, and be willing to abide by the laws and decrees of China and the regulations of SUSTech.

5. Language competence: TOEFL 90 or above or IELTS 6.5 overall or above, with no bands lower than 6. The university will determine whether the language requirement can be waived on a case-by-case basis if the applicant’s previous degree was awarded by an institution where the language of instruction was English.

Application Period

First round: December 4, 2024 – February 12, 2025

Second Round: March 1 – April 1, 2025

Note: Chinese Government Scholarship applicants must apply during the first round!

Application and Review Process

I. Applicants login to the SUSTech online application system (https://sustech.at0086.cn/StuApplication/Login.aspx) during the designated application period, select “doctoral degree programs” and the appropriate scholarship category, complete the application correctly and completely, and upload the required documents listed below:

1. Valid ordinary passport

The passport should not expire before September 1, 2025. Applicants staying in China at the time of application should provide a scanned copy of their passport pages with the Chinese visa or residence permit page and an entry stamp. For applicants who used to be Chinese citizens but later immigrated to other countries,  the conditions set by the Document No. 12 (2020) of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China should be met.

2. Degree certificates and degree authentication

Both master's and bachelor's degree certificates are required to be submitted. Applicants who will not graduate before the application deadline shall provide the pre-graduation certificate, and the degree diploma and degree authentication must be submitted before registration.

3. Academic transcripts (from the undergraduate program onwards)

Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts from the first to last semester shall be provided. These transcripts shall be issued and stamped by the attending university’s academic affairs office, graduate school, or student management department. They can be in Chinese or English but must be attached with notarized English translations if they are in foreign languages other than English.

4. Score report of English language test

A valid TOEFL or IELTS test score report or the official certificate/letter showing the medium of instruction.

5. Research Plan

A research plan written in English or Chinese and composed of no less than 1000 words, including but not limited to personal study and work experience, academic research accomplishments, research plan at the doctoral stage, personal development plan after graduation, etc., and must be signed by the potential SUSTech supervisor. Please see Annex 2 for the template.

6. Letters of recommendation

Two letters of recommendation should be provided with signatures by professors or associate professors related to the applicant's major (or equivalent professionals with relevant academic titles). Please see Annex 3 for the template.

7. CV or resume

A CV or resume of the applicant written in English or Chinese should be provided.

8. Physical examination and blood test results

The physical examination record should be stamped by the hospital and issued within six months before the date of submission. Please see Annex 4 for the template.

9. Non-criminal record report

A valid non-criminal record issued by local authorities is required, and the report must be issued within six months of application submission.

10. Other supporting materials

Published papers, award certificates, etc.

Note: Applicants should scan the original or notarized application documents in color using a scanner. Images captured by mobile phone or camera will NOT be accepted. Application documents must be either in English or Chinese. If the documents are in other languages, the original documents and their notarized Chinese or English translations of the documents must be attached. The applications will not be processed if the application materials are incomplete or unclear or the notarized certificates do not meet the requirements.

II. SUSTech academic departments review the applications, and the applicants who have passed the preliminary review will be notified by the academic departments of the selected assessment method and time.

III. Applicants for the Chinese Government Scholarship “High-Level Graduate Student Program” must submit the application during the first round. After obtaining the “pre-admission notice” issued by SUSTech, applicants must also complete the online application through the China Scholarship Council system (http://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn), select “type B” program, and agency code 14325. Please see Annex 5 and Annex 6 for the required documents and instructions for the system.

IV. The China Scholarship Council determines the final admission result of the Chinese Government Scholarship Program. The final admission results of SUSTech’s first-grade scholarship programs will be determined and notified by the university. Candidates who fail to obtain the Chinese Government “High-Level Graduate Student Program” Scholarship will be recommended for SUSTech’s first-grade scholarship. 

V. SUSTech will issue an electronic copy of the admission letter to the admitted candidate within the application system, and the candidate will be required to complete the subsequent visa application process within the application system as needed.

VI. Admitted candidates should apply for an X1 visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate with the electronic admission letter and JW201/ 202 form. The X1 visa holders must apply for a residential permit of the local public security bureaus within 30 days of entry into China. SUSTech will not accept the registration of students without a valid student visa, and international students whose visas or residence permits have expired are not allowed to stay or conduct activities on campus.

Scholarships

SUSTech offers scholarships for international PhD students in the following categories:

In addition, PhD students who are enrolled and do not receive the Chinese Government Scholarships may have the opportunity to receive the “Guangdong Provincial Government Outstanding International Student Scholarship (new student),” and outstanding new international students are eligible for funding for the first academic year, with a rate of RMB 30,000 per student. This scholarship does not require a separate application. New students (non-Chinese Government Scholarship recipients) who are admitted and enrolled will be evaluated based on merit. The evaluation criteria and materials needed for the scholarship are consistent with the admission requirements.

Note: All scholarship students shall have the annual review based on academic and overall performance during the previous year, and students will continue to enjoy the scholarship after passing the review. Otherwise, the scholarship will be suspended or canceled. Chinese Government Scholarship students should not receive any other scholarships from the Chinese local government and universities simultaneously. If found, the student’s scholarship qualifications will be canceled, and the student must return all scholarships obtained. Those who deliberately conceal their financial assistance, in addition to disqualification, will not be allowed to apply for Chinese Government Scholarships within three years.

Registration

Admitted students must complete registration procedures according to the registration date and location required in the Admission Letter. Students are not allowed to register in advance. Those who have failed to register within the time limit without approval will be regarded as having given up their admission qualifications. Scholarship recipients will be disqualified.

Following the relevant regulations and requirements of the Ministry of Education, all admitted students will be subject to a physical examination and a review of admission qualification after enrollment. Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements or are involved in fabricating application materials or any acts of dishonesty will be disqualified from admission or student status. Scholarship recipients will be disqualified.

Additional Remarks

This application notice applies to the enrollment of international doctoral programs application in 2025. If the policy of the Ministry of Education and related departments is adjusted, SUSTech will make corresponding adjustments and announce the changes promptly.

Contact Information

Department of Computer Science and Engineering Email: csyzb@sustech.edu.cn

SUSTech Graduate School: https://gs.sustech.edu.cn/ 

SUSTech Official Website: www.sustech.edu.cn

For inquiries regarding the admission process, please contact:Tel: 0086（755）88010473 Email: pgadmissions@sustech.edu.cn

For inquiries regarding academic programs and supervisors, please contact the academic department: https://gs.sustech.edu.cn/#/admission/common?current_child_id=107&id=107

Annex

1. List of Research Areas for 2025 Doctoral Program Admissions.pdf

6. 中国政府奖学金信息系统申请人用户操作说明.pdf

5. 中国政府奖学金申请材料清单.pdf

3. Recommendation Letter Template.docx.docx

2. Research Proposal Template.docx.docx

4. Foreigner Physical Examination Form 外国人体格检查表.pdf