Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Nánjīng Dàxué
Bopomofo	ㄋㄢˊ ㄐㄧㄥㄉㄚˋ ㄒㄩㄝˊ
Wade–Giles	Nan²-ching¹ Ta⁴-hsüeh²
Tongyong Pinyin	Nán-jing Dà-syué
IPA	[nǎn.tɕíŋ tâ.ɕy̯ě]

Nanjing University (NJU) is a big public university in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. The Chinese government's Ministry of Education supports it. It is one of China's top universities. Nanjing University is also part of the C9 League, a group of leading universities in China.

The university started in 1902 as Sanjiang Normal School. Over the years, its name changed several times. It became Nanjing University in 1950. In 1952, it joined with the University of Nanking.

Nanjing University has four main campuses. These are the Xianlin campus, the Gulou campus, the Pukou campus, and the Suzhou campus.

History of Nanjing University

Early Years and Growth

An old gate at the former campus site, called "Tao is Universal Through All Times."

In 1902, a new school called Sanjiang Normal College opened. It was built to be a modern university, like those in Japan. Its goal was to replace older Chinese schools. In 1906, its name changed to Liangjiang Normal College. This school started China's first modern art department.

After the Republic of China began, the Nanking Higher Normal School was founded in 1915. This school started China's first modern gymnastics (physical education) department in 1916. By 1920, it had five main study areas: Liberal Arts, Agriculture, Engineering, Commerce, and Education.

The "China Science Society" set up its main office here in 1918. Many important scientists in China's history came from this university. They helped start many new science fields in China. It became known as the "cradle of modern science."

Welcoming Women and New Ideas

In 1919, the university decided to let women students join. This was a big step! It became the first higher education school in China to have both male and female students. In 1920, eight women enrolled, and over 50 more joined as auditing students.

In 1921, the National Southeastern University was founded. The Nanking Higher Normal School joined it in 1923. This university had many different colleges, from arts to engineering. It was one of the first modern universities in China. It focused on both teaching and research. The university also helped create China's modern education system. Many famous thinkers from around the world visited and taught here. These included John Dewey and Bertrand Russell.

The university became the main national university after Nanjing became the capital city. Its name changed to National Central University in 1928. It had many colleges, including Humanity, Science, Engineering, and Medicine. During the Anti-Japanese War (1937–1945), the university moved to Chongqing for safety.

After 1949 and Modern Times

In 1949, after the Chinese Civil War, the university was renamed National Nanking University. In 1952, many parts of the university became separate schools. For example, the engineering college became Southeast University. At the same time, the old University of Nanking joined Nanjing University. Nanjing University then moved to the University of Nanking's campus.

During the Cultural Revolution, the university faced many challenges. In 1978, a professor from Nanjing University wrote an important article. This article helped lead to big changes in China. It helped end the Cultural Revolution and start a new era of reform.

Since 1978, Nanjing University has grown a lot. Many new departments and schools have been created. The university has expanded its size and offerings. In 2009, the Xianlin Campus opened for undergraduate students. It is now a main campus along with the Gulou campus.

What Students Study

Old Great Hall, a historic building on campus.

Nanjing University has a long history of teaching many subjects. Over 1500 years ago, ancient Nanjing University had some of the first literature and history departments. In modern times, it started China's first departments for art, gymnastics, biology, and business.

The university has changed its academic programs over time. For example, in 1921, it had five main schools. Now, many former departments have become their own schools.

Nanjing University was the first in China to give out modern bachelor's degrees. It also built China's first modern science labs. In 1931, it awarded China's first doctor's degree in medicine. Today, it is known for many fields, especially Chinese Language and Literature, and natural sciences. Many Nobel Prize winners have taught here.

Schools and Departments

The main entrance of the Gulou Campus.

A view of Nanjing University.

Here are some of the main schools and departments at Nanjing University:

School of Liberal Arts (Literature, History, Philosophy, Religion)
School of Foreign Studies (English, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, Korean)
School of Government (Politics, Public Administration)
School of Law
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Sociology, Psychology)
School of Business (Management, Economics, Finance)
School of Journalism and Communication
Department of Mathematics
School of Physics (Physics, Modern Physics)
School of Astronomy and Space Science
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
School of Geoscience (Atmospheric Sciences, Earth Science, Geography)
School of Life Sciences (Biology, Biochemistry)
School of Medicine
School of Environment
School of Architecture and Planning
School of Electronics Science and Engineering
Department of Computer Science and Technology
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (Materials, Energy, Biomedical Engineering)

Looking at Xianlin campus from a nearby subway station.

Institute of Education
Institute for Gymnastics
International School
Jinling College
Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies

University Campuses

The Gulou campus in autumn.

Nanjing University has four main campuses: Gulou, Xianlin, Pukou, and Suzhou.

The Gulou Campus is in the center of Nanjing City. It has a North Garden for classes and research, and a South Garden for student living.

The Pukou Campus is in a suburban area. It used to host younger undergraduate students. Now, it is home to Nanjing University Jinling College.

The Xianlin Campus is in the northeast of Nanjing. It is a large, modern campus for undergraduate and some graduate students. It opened in 2009. You can get there by subway from the Gulou campus.

The Gulou campus has several museums, like the Nanjing University Museum. You can also find Sun Yat-sen House there. It is said that Sun Yat-sen, China's first provisional president, lived there.

University Culture

Motto

The university's motto is "Sincerity with Aspiration, Perseverance and Integrity." Another way to say it is "Be Honest and Intelligent, Study Hard and Act Sincerely."

This motto was chosen by students in 2002. The first part of the motto comes from the university's past. The second part comes from an old Chinese book called Book of Rites.

Song

The university song was created in 1916. It is the first school song in Nanjing University's modern history.

Anniversary

The university celebrates its anniversary on May 20 every year. This date was chosen in 1954. It remembers a student movement against hunger and war that happened on May 20, 1947. In Chinese, "5.20" sounds a bit like "I Love You." This shows students' love for their university.

Rankings and Reputation

University rankings

BCUR National	Domestic	6
Wu Shulian National	Domestic	9
CUAA National	Alumni	6
QS National	General	7
THE National	General	7
QS Asia (Asia version)	General	33
THE Asia (Asia version)	General	16

ARWU World	Research	96
QS World	General	145
THE World	General	73
USNWR World	General	=123

Nanjing University is known as one of the top universities in China and around the world.

Global Rankings

In 2023, Nanjing University was ranked 7th in China. It was also ranked 73rd globally by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It is consistently in the top 150 universities worldwide. This is according to major global rankings like Academic Ranking of World Universities and QS World University Rankings.

For scientific research, Nanjing University is also highly ranked. The Nature Index Annual Table 2022 placed it as the 5th best university in China. It was 8th among all universities globally for its research output.

Rankings in China

Nanjing University is considered one of the most competitive universities in China. Before 2000, it was often ranked among the top 3 universities in the country. Even now, it remains in the top 5 or 7 in most Chinese university rankings.

Admissions

How Hard It Is to Get In

Nanjing University is very selective. This means it is hard to get into. In 2021, it was reported to be the fourth most selective university in mainland China.

Students from Other Countries

Nanjing University welcomes many students from all over the world. In 2014, about 3600 students from other countries studied there. About 40% were from Asia, and 40% were from Europe and North America.

Academics

The northwestern corner of Nanjing University's Gulou campus. It houses the Hopkins-Nanjing Center for foreign students.

Chinese Language and Literature

Nanjing University has a very strong program in Chinese language and literature. It was the first university in mainland China to give a doctoral degree in this field. It also works with the United Nations for its Chinese language program. Many experts consider it one of the best schools for Chinese studies in the world.

Western Literature

Nanjing University started the first department for Western literature in China in 1921. This department later became the School of Foreign Studies.

Other University Institutions

Herbarium

The Nanjing University Herbarium (N) was founded in 1915. It is the first modern herbarium in China. A herbarium is a collection of dried plants used for scientific study.

Famous People from Nanjing University

Alumni and Students

Many successful people have studied at Nanjing University.

Many winners of China's top science awards are graduates of Nanjing University.
It ranks very high in the number of alumni who become top scientists and engineers in China.
In early government exams in the Republic of China, many top scorers were from Nanjing University.

University Faculty and People

Many famous professors and researchers have taught at Nanjing University.

Several major winners of China's highest natural science prize were connected to Nanjing University.
The university is among the top three for the number of leading scientists on its faculty.
Many of the founding leaders of the Chinese Academy of Sciences either taught or studied at Nanjing University.

In Literature

Nanjing University has appeared in books, films, and TV shows.

Liao-Fan's Four Lessons is a famous book and film. Its author, Yuan LiaoFan, was a student at the Imperial University of Nanking long ago.
Chiang Kai-Shek's Face is a story about professors and Chiang Kai-Shek, who was once president of the university.

Nanjing University facts for kids

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