Huaqiao University

Huaqiao University (HQU) is a genuinely unusual institution in China: its name literally translates as "Overseas Chinese University," and it was founded in 1960 for exactly that purpose — to educate ethnic Chinese living outside mainland China, as well as young people from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. It reports to the United Front Work Department (formerly the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office) and has two campuses in Fujian province: Quanzhou, the main campus, and Xiamen.

HQU isn't part of Project 211 or Project 985, but its Chemical Engineering and Technology discipline is included in the national Double First-Class initiative. Given its mission, the university runs one of China's most developed Chinese-language prep systems for foreign students and has long had one of the highest shares of international and overseas-Chinese students of any Chinese university.

Fujian's warm, subtropical climate, its proximity to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and decades of experience working specifically with an international student body make Huaqiao a particularly comfortable starting point for students new to studying in China. The university offers international students language programs, bachelor's and master's degrees, and grants.