Top Universities in Jinan for International Students

September 15, 2026 · CSCA Gateway Team

Jinan, the capital of Shandong province, is led by Shandong University — one of China’s oldest modern universities — alongside a few solid provincial campuses. Note: don’t confuse it with "Jinan University" (暉南大学) in Guangzhou — a completely different school despite the similar English spelling.

1. Shandong University (山东大学)

Founded in 1901, one of China’s oldest modern universities. A Project 985 and 211 member. QS 2026: #339 globally; ARWU: #101-150 band; EduRank 2026: #336 globally, #16 in China. Strong in Literature/History (historically), Mathematics (particularly financial mathematics), and Medicine/Stomatology. Admits around 1,500-1,600 international students.

2. University of Jinan (济南大学)

A provincial university, not a 985/211 member. Formed through a 2000 merger of several building-materials institutes. Strong in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, a legacy of its building-materials roots. A solid second-tier provincial campus.

3. Shandong Normal University (山东师范大学)

A provincial university, not a 985/211 member. Strong in teacher education, with additional research strength in biophysics and hydrology/water resources.

How This Relates to CSCA

Shandong University weighs CSCA Mathematics scores strictly given its financial mathematics strength, plus Chemistry for medical/stomatology majors. University of Jinan places more weight on Chemistry and Physics for materials engineering majors.