Shandong University

About Shandong University

Shandong University (山东大学 / SDU), located in Shandong Province, the ancient cradle of Confucian civilization, is one of China's oldest, largest, and most prestigious national comprehensive research universities. Directly administered by the Ministry of Education of China, SDU is designated under the national "Double First-Class" Class A initiative and was a founding member of Project 985 and Project 211. Founded in 1901 as Shandong Imperial College (山东大学堂) during the late Qing Dynasty under Governor Yuan Shikai, SDU was the second modern national university founded in China after the Imperial University of Peking (1898). Its Cheeloo College of Medicine traces its lineage back to 1864 with Tengchow College and Cheeloo University, earning it legendary stature as one of China's four venerable medical bastions ("North Xiehe, South Xiangya, East Qilu, West Huaxi"). Today, SDU exemplifies a world-class multi-campus model known as "One University, Three Cities" (Jinan, Weihai, and Qingdao). In Jinan, SDU operates six specialized campuses: the flagship Central Campus (housing the landmark Zhixin Building, Confucius Plaza, School of Literature, Mathematics, and Economics), Baotuquan Campus (home to the historic Cheeloo College of Medicine, School of Medicine, and Pharmaceutical Sciences), Qianfoshan Campus (Materials Science, Power & Engineering), Software Park Campus (Qilu Software College), Hongjialou Campus (Foreign Languages, Law, Fine Arts), and Xinglongshan Campus (Mechanical & Civil Engineering). In Weihai, a scenic coastal campus on the Yellow Sea focuses on marine science, space physics, and international joint programs. In Qingdao, an expansive coastal innovation campus in Jimo hosts cutting-edge institutes in marine science, cyber science, life sciences, and the renowned SDU Museum. Shandong University boasts world-class research strengths in Mathematics (consistently ranked #1 in China), Cryptology & Cyber Security, State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Clinical Medicine, Chemistry, and Confucian Classical Studies. SDU welcomes over 3,500 international scholars from more than 110 countries, supported by prestigious funding including the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC Agency No. 10422), Shandong Provincial Government Scholarship, SDU Outstanding International Student Scholarship, and the Jinan Sister City Scholarship.