Biology, Zoology and Life Sciences are strong research areas for international students planning to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree in China.
Students preparing for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2027–2028 can find opportunities in areas such as Zoology, Biological Sciences, Ecology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Animal Biology and related disciplines.
This guide provides 100 Chinese universities to explore for Biology, Zoology and related Life Science programs, together with their CSC Agency Numbers and official university websites.
Important Before Using This List
This list is intended for university research and shortlisting.
It does not mean that all 100 universities will offer a separate Zoology program under CSC in 2027–2028.
A university may offer:
- Biology
- Zoology
- Ecology
- Animal Biology
- Aquatic Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
- Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
- Wildlife Conservation
- Animal Ecology
under different schools and degree levels.
Applicants must verify the final 2027–2028 program list, teaching language, scholarship route and deadline from the university’s latest official admission notice.
Biology and Zoology Program Names in China
Applicants should not search only for the word “Zoology.”
In the Chinese academic discipline system, Zoology commonly appears within the broader Biology discipline.
| Code | Major / Research Area |
|---|---|
| 0710 | Biology |
| 071001 | Botany |
| 071002 | Zoology |
| 071003 | Physiology |
| 071004 | Hydrobiology / Aquatic Biology |
| 071005 | Microbiology |
| 071006 | Neurobiology |
| 071007 | Genetics |
| 071008 | Developmental Biology |
| 071009 | Cell Biology |
| 071010 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
| 071011 | Biophysics |
| 0713 | Ecology |
Current official program listings from Chinese universities and UCAS show these disciplines being offered under Biology and Life Sciences.
100 Chinese Universities for Biology, Zoology & Life Sciences
| No. | University | CSC Agency Number | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peking University | 10001 | Official Website |
| 2 | Tsinghua University | 10003 | Official Website |
| 3 | Beijing Normal University | 10027 | Official Website |
| 4 | Capital Normal University | 10028 | Official Website |
| 5 | China Agricultural University | 10019 | Official Website |
| 6 | Beijing Forestry University | 10022 | Official Website |
| 7 | University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) | 80001 | Official Website |
| 8 | Nankai University | 10055 | Official Website |
| 9 | Tianjin University of Science and Technology | 10057 | Official Website |
| 10 | Tianjin Normal University | 10065 | Official Website |
| 11 | Hebei University | 10075 | Official Website |
| 12 | Hebei Agricultural University | 10086 | Official Website |
| 13 | Hebei Normal University | 10094 | Official Website |
| 14 | Shanxi University | 10108 | Official Website |
| 15 | Shanxi Agricultural University | 10113 | Official Website |
| 16 | Inner Mongolia University | 10126 | Official Website |
| 17 | Inner Mongolia Agricultural University | 10129 | Official Website |
| 18 | Liaoning University | 10140 | Official Website |
| 19 | Dalian Ocean University | 10158 | Official Website |
| 20 | Jilin University | 10183 | Official Website |
| 21 | Northeast Normal University | 10200 | Official Website |
| 22 | Northeast Agricultural University | 10224 | Official Website |
| 23 | Northeast Forestry University | 10225 | Official Website |
| 24 | Harbin Normal University | 10231 | Official Website |
| 25 | Fudan University | 10246 | Official Website |
| 26 | Shanghai Jiao Tong University | 10248 | Official Website |
| 27 | Shanghai Ocean University | 10264 | Official Website |
| 28 | East China Normal University | 10269 | Official Website |
| 29 | Shanghai Normal University | 10270 | Official Website |
| 30 | Shanghai University | 10280 | Official Website |
| 31 | Nanjing University | 10284 | Official Website |
| 32 | Soochow University | 10285 | Official Website |
| 33 | Nanjing Forestry University | 10298 | Official Website |
| 34 | Nanjing Agricultural University | 10307 | Official Website |
| 35 | China Pharmaceutical University | 10316 | Official Website |
| 36 | Nanjing Normal University | 10319 | Official Website |
| 37 | Jiangnan University | 10295 | Official Website |
| 38 | Yangzhou University | 11117 | Official Website |
| 39 | Zhejiang University | 10335 | Official Website |
| 40 | Zhejiang University of Technology | 10337 | Official Website |
| 41 | Zhejiang Sci-Tech University | 10338 | Official Website |
| 42 | Zhejiang Ocean University | 10340 | Official Website |
| 43 | Zhejiang Normal University | 10345 | Official Website |
| 44 | Ningbo University | 11646 | Official Website |
| 45 | Anhui University | 10357 | Official Website |
| 46 | University of Science and Technology of China | 10358 | Official Website |
| 47 | Anhui Agricultural University | 10364 | Official Website |
| 48 | Anhui Medical University | 10366 | Official Website |
| 49 | Anhui Normal University | 10370 | Official Website |
| 50 | Xiamen University | 10384 | Official Website |
| 51 | Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University | 10389 | Official Website |
| 52 | Fujian Normal University | 10394 | Official Website |
| 53 | Nanchang University | 10403 | Official Website |
| 54 | Jiangxi Agricultural University | 10410 | Official Website |
| 55 | Jiangxi Normal University | 10414 | Official Website |
| 56 | Shandong University | 10422 | Official Website |
| 57 | Ocean University of China | 10423 | Official Website |
| 58 | Shandong Normal University | 10445 | Official Website |
| 59 | Qingdao University | 11065 | Official Website |
| 60 | Zhengzhou University | 10459 | Official Website |
| 61 | Henan University | 10475 | Official Website |
| 62 | Henan Normal University | 10476 | Official Website |
| 63 | Wuhan University | 10486 | Official Website |
| 64 | Huazhong University of Science and Technology | 10487 | Official Website |
| 65 | China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) | 10491 | Official Website |
| 66 | Huazhong Agricultural University | 10504 | Official Website |
| 67 | Central China Normal University | 10511 | Official Website |
| 68 | Hubei University | 10512 | Official Website |
| 69 | Central South University | 10533 | Official Website |
| 70 | Hunan Agricultural University | 10537 | Official Website |
| 71 | Hunan Normal University | 10542 | Official Website |
| 72 | Sun Yat-sen University | 10558 | Official Website |
| 73 | Jinan University | 10559 | Official Website |
| 74 | South China Agricultural University | 10564 | Official Website |
| 75 | Guangdong Ocean University | 10566 | Official Website |
| 76 | South China Normal University | 10574 | Official Website |
| 77 | Hainan University | 10589 | Official Website |
| 78 | Guangxi University | 10593 | Official Website |
| 79 | Guangxi Normal University | 10602 | Official Website |
| 80 | Southwest University | 10635 | Official Website |
| 81 | China West Normal University | 10638 | Official Website |
| 82 | Sichuan University | 10610 | Official Website |
| 83 | Sichuan Agricultural University | 10626 | Official Website |
| 84 | Guizhou University | 10657 | Official Website |
| 85 | Yunnan University | 10673 | Official Website |
| 86 | Southwest Forestry University | 10677 | Official Website |
| 87 | Yunnan Agricultural University | 10676 | Official Website |
| 88 | Yunnan Normal University | 10681 | Official Website |
| 89 | Northwest University | 10697 | Official Website |
| 90 | Northwest A&F University | 10712 | Official Website |
| 91 | Shaanxi Normal University | 10718 | Official Website |
| 92 | Lanzhou University | 10730 | Official Website |
| 93 | Gansu Agricultural University | 10733 | Official Website |
| 94 | Northwest Normal University | 10736 | Official Website |
| 95 | Qinghai University | 10743 | Official Website |
| 96 | Ningxia University | 10749 | Official Website |
| 97 | Xinjiang University | 10755 | Official Website |
| 98 | Xinjiang Agricultural University | 10758 | Official Website |
| 99 | Shihezi University | 10759 | Official Website |
| 100 | Hainan Normal University | 11658 | Official Website |
Agency Numbers should always be checked against the latest university CSC notice before final submission. The Agency Number identifies the university or receiving authority in the CSC application system, and the university name displayed in the system should match the institution you intend to apply to.
Universities Where Zoology Is Clearly Available
Students specifically interested in Zoology rather than general Biology should pay special attention to universities that explicitly list Zoology in their academic programs.
Peking University
Peking University’s School of Life Sciences currently lists doctoral areas including:
- Zoology and Evolutionary Biology
- Plant Sciences
- Cell Biology
- Genetics and Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
- Biotechnology
This makes Peking University a particularly strong but highly competitive option for advanced Life Science research.
Xiamen University
Xiamen University’s current international doctoral program list includes:
Zoology – 071002
through the School of Life Sciences.
It also lists:
- Hydrobiology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Zoology is currently shown among its English-medium doctoral options.
East China Normal University
East China Normal University’s School of Life Sciences currently lists Zoology among its international doctoral programs and indicates Chinese/English instruction.
Related options include Cell Biology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Nanjing Forestry University
Nanjing Forestry University’s current 2026–2027 Chinese Government Scholarship High-Level Postgraduate guide lists:
- Zoology
- Botany
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Ecology
with Chinese/English options in relevant programs.
Anhui Medical University
Anhui Medical University’s current CSC postgraduate program information lists Biology disciplines including:
- Zoology
- Botany
- Physiology
- Aquatic Biology
- Microbiology
- Neurobiology
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Its current Agency Number is 10366.
Hubei University
Hubei University’s CSC postgraduate program information has included Zoology with Chinese or English instruction, together with Botany, Microbiology, Genetics, Ecology and Molecular Biology.
Northwest University
Northwest University’s international doctoral program directory lists Zoology (071002) along with Botany, Microbiology, Genetics, Cell Biology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Southwest University
Southwest University’s School of Life Sciences explicitly lists Zoology research areas including:
- Animal evolution and systematics
- Animal resources and ecology
- Animal molecular biology and biotechnology
- Animal evolutionary genomics
- Amphibian diversity
Some listed supervision is available in Chinese and English.
Northeast Normal University
The School of Life Sciences at Northeast Normal University lists graduate programs covering Zoology, Botany, Physiology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Ecology, Microbiology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
UCAS is particularly important for Zoology applicants because research can be conducted through specialized Chinese Academy of Sciences institutes.
Official UCAS listings include Zoology at institutions such as:
- Institute of Zoology, CAS
- Kunming Institute of Zoology
- Chengdu Institute of Biology
- Institute of Hydrobiology
- Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology
The current CSC Agency Number for UCAS is 80001.
Biology vs Zoology: Which Should You Choose?
The best program depends on your previous academic background and proposed research.
| Your Interest | Programs to Search |
|---|---|
| Animals and animal diversity | Zoology |
| Evolution and taxonomy | Zoology / Evolutionary Biology |
| Wildlife | Zoology / Wildlife Conservation |
| Animal behavior | Zoology / Ecology |
| Aquatic organisms | Hydrobiology / Marine Biology |
| Molecular research | Molecular Biology / Genetics |
| Cells and development | Cell Biology / Developmental Biology |
| Ecology and biodiversity | Ecology / Conservation Biology |
| Microorganisms | Microbiology |
| General life sciences | Biology / Biological Sciences |
A student with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Zoology does not necessarily need a program titled exactly “Zoology.”
A professor working in animal ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, biodiversity, wildlife conservation or aquatic biology may also be a suitable research match.
How to Choose a University
Do not select universities only because they appear in a list.
For each university, check:
Program → Research Area → Professor → Teaching Language → CSC Availability → Deadline
For Master’s and particularly PhD applicants, professor and research compatibility can be more important than university ranking alone.
How to Find a Zoology Supervisor
Open the university’s:
School of Life Sciences / College of Biological Sciences / School of Ecology
Then check faculty profiles for research keywords such as:
- Zoology
- Animal ecology
- Evolution
- Taxonomy
- Biodiversity
- Wildlife
- Entomology
- Aquatic biology
- Animal genetics
- Conservation biology
- Animal behavior
Read at least a few recent publications before contacting the professor.
Do not send the same generic email to every professor.
Strong Universities to Research First
Applicants with strong academic and research profiles can initially explore universities such as:
Peking University, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, Xiamen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Wuhan University and UCAS.
For students specifically interested in Zoology, Ecology or animal-related research, also closely check:
East China Normal University, Nanjing Forestry University, Northeast Normal University, Southwest University, Northwest University, Hubei University, China West Normal University and relevant UCAS institutes.
English-Taught or Chinese-Taught?
Do not assume every Biology or Zoology program is available in English.
Some universities provide:
- English-taught programs
- Chinese-taught programs
- Both options
- English supervision but Chinese coursework
For example, Xiamen University currently lists Zoology among its English-medium doctoral programs, while East China Normal University and Nanjing Forestry University also show Chinese/English availability in relevant Life Science programs.
Always check the program list for your exact intake.
CSC Scholarship Availability
Being a university with a relevant Biology department does not automatically mean that every Biology or Zoology major will be available under CSC every year.
A university may change:
- Eligible majors
- Master’s or PhD quotas
- Scholarship routes
- Teaching language
- Supervisor availability
- Deadlines
The current CampusChina host-university network contains more than 280 Chinese institutions, but participation in a particular scholarship route or major must still be checked individually.
How to Use the CSC Agency Number
For a university-based CSC application, commonly called Type B, the university provides an Agency Number.
For example:
| University | Agency Number |
|---|---|
| Peking University | 10001 |
| Tsinghua University | 10003 |
| East China Normal University | 10269 |
| Xiamen University | 10384 |
| Hubei University | 10512 |
| Southwest University | 10635 |
| Northwest University | 10697 |
| UCAS | 80001 |
When you enter the Agency Number in the CSC system, confirm that the correct university name appears before continuing.
Do not guess an Agency Number.
How Many Universities Should You Shortlist?
A practical approach is to first identify around 10–15 universities.
Then reduce the list based on:
- Your exact major
- Research match
- Professor availability
- English/Chinese instruction
- Academic requirements
- CSC route
- Application deadline
For Zoology applicants, research compatibility should be a major factor.
For example, a university that is lower in overall ranking but has several professors working directly in your Zoology research area may be a better application choice than a highly ranked university with no suitable supervisor.
Documents to Prepare
Before applying, commonly required documents include:
- Passport
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificate
- Academic CV
- Study Plan or Research Proposal
- Recommendation letters
- Language certificate
- Physical Examination Form
- Non-Criminal Record Certificate
- Acceptance or pre-admission letter where required
- CSC application form
- University application
Applicants should follow the official checklist of their target university.
Important for 2027–2028 Applicants
Most final 2027–2028 university scholarship notices have not yet been published.
Use this period to:
- Shortlist universities
- Identify Zoology/Biology programs
- Find professors
- Prepare your CV
- Prepare a research proposal
- Check language requirements
- Contact suitable supervisors where appropriate
When the 2027–2028 admission notice is released, verify the final program and scholarship requirements before submitting.
Official Information
For final application information, always use:
Campus China / China Scholarship Council
Official Campus China Website
and the official university website provided in the table above.
Do not use third-party scholarship pages as the final authority for program availability, Agency Numbers or deadlines.
Final Advice
Biology and Zoology applicants have many possible study routes in China.
Do not limit your search only to programs titled “Zoology.”
Also explore:
Biology → Ecology → Evolutionary Biology → Animal Biology → Hydrobiology → Genetics → Wildlife Conservation → Molecular Biology
depending on your previous education and intended research.
The best CSC university is not simply the highest-ranked university. It is the university where your academic background, research topic, supervisor and available scholarship program fit together properly.
Important Note
This article is intended to help students prepare and shortlist universities for the CSC Scholarship 2027–2028.
Inclusion in this list does not guarantee that a specific Biology or Zoology program will be offered under CSC for the 2027–2028 intake. Applicants must verify the latest official university scholarship announcement before applying.
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