Doctoral Admissions
PhD Programs
Full admissions guide for NPU's doctoral programs. Secure a supervisor acceptance letter first, then follow the step-by-step process to apply for a PhD at one of China's top research universities.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must hold a recognised master's degree and secure a supervisor acceptance letter from an NPU professor before applying.
Academic Requirement
Master's degree by 1 September 2026. Average score of 75% or above (80% for CSC scholarship). Degree must be from a recognised institution.
Supervisor Acceptance Letter
Mandatory for all PhD applicants. Contact potential NPU supervisors directly via faculty pages and obtain written acceptance before submitting your application.
Language — Chinese
HSK Level 5 (200 or above) for Chinese-medium doctoral programs.
Language — English
IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL 90+, Duolingo 120+, or PTE 60+ for English-medium doctoral programs.
Research Achievements
Publications, conference papers, or other scientific research achievements are required as part of the application. Strong publication record is advantageous.
Health & Citizenship
Non-Chinese national with valid passport (through 31 Dec 2026). Good physical and mental health with no infectious diseases.
Deadlines
Application Timeline — 2026
Four rolling batches. The CSC scholarship deadline falls in Batch 2. Secure your supervisor letter before applying.
- 1 Nov 2025 – 15 Jan 2026Batch 1 — Earliest priority batch
- 16 Jan – 28 Feb 2026Batch 2 — CSC scholarship deadline: 28 Feb 2026, 17:00 GMT+8
- 1 Mar – 31 Mar 2026Batch 3
- 1 Apr – 30 Apr 2026Batch 4 — Final deadline
- Late Aug – Early Sep 2026On-site registration at NPU
Checklist
Required Documents
Have all documents ready before applying online. Supervisor acceptance letter must be obtained independently before submission.
- Valid passport copy (valid through 31 Dec 2026)
- Master's degree diploma and transcripts (original or notarised)
- Undergraduate degree diploma and transcripts
- Two professor recommendation letters
- Study/research plan (use official NPU template)
- Supervisor acceptance letter from an NPU professor (mandatory)
- Language certificate — IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo / PTE
- Scientific research achievements, publications, or conference papers
- Non-criminal record certificate (valid within 6 months)
- Medical examination form (valid within 6 months)
- Bank statement showing USD 5,000 balance
- Portfolio (for architecture and design majors)
Forms · Templates · Brochures
Downloads
Every form, template, and guide referenced above. Click any document to start downloading. Items marked Coming soon are being prepared — they will appear here automatically as soon as they are uploaded.
PhD Application Guide 2026
Research Proposal Template (PhD)
Supervisor Acceptance Letter Template
Publications List Template
Recommendation Letter Template
Foreigner Physical Examination Form
Non-Criminal Record Certificate — Sample
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) Application Form
Student Visa (X-Visa) Application Guide
Pre-Arrival Checklist for International Students
Looking for something else? Browse the full document library or email internationalcollege@nwpu.edu.cn.
Costs
Tuition & Fees
All figures in CNY per academic year. Full CSC scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, insurance, and living stipend.
Funding
Scholarships
PhD applicants are eligible for the same scholarship tracks as master's students. Only one scholarship may be held at a time.
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Full coverage — tuition, accommodation, insurance, and monthly living stipend of 3,000 CNY for doctoral students. CSC deadline: 28 Feb 2026.
NPU President Scholarship
Merit-based partial or full tuition scholarship for outstanding PhD applicants.
Xi'an Belt and Road Scholarship
City-level scholarship for students from Belt and Road countries. Multiple prize tiers available.
CSC Youth of Excellence Scheme
Available under multiple specialisations for high-achieving doctoral applicants.
Application Steps
How to Apply
Securing a supervisor is the most critical first step for PhD applicants. The rest of the process mirrors the master's application.
- Step 1Identify a potential NPU supervisor via faculty pages and contact them directly with your CV and research proposal.
- Step 2Obtain a formal written supervisor acceptance letter before opening your online application.
- Step 3Prepare all required documents including research plan, recommendation letters, and publications list.
- Step 4Create an account at admission.nwpu.edu.cn, complete the online form and psychological evaluation, and pay the 600 CNY fee.
- Step 5Admissions Office and academic schools review your application; shortlisted applicants invited for interview.
- Step 6Receive offer letter by email. Pay 3,000 CNY registration deposit to confirm.
- Step 7Receive Admission Letter and JW202. Apply for student visa (X-visa) and complete online pre-registration in August.
Get in Touch
Contact Admissions
Contact the International College Admissions Office for PhD application queries, supervisor directory guidance, and scholarship information.
Room 715, Yi Zi Building, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072
studyatnpu