Xiamen University
Xiamen University • 厦门大学
About the University
Xiamen University is a prestigious public university in China with strong programs in economics, science, medicine, and international studies.
National Standing and Key Strengths
- Included in Project 211, Project 985, and the Double First-Class Initiative (Top 20–30 nationally)
- Strongest academic fields: marine science, chemistry, economics, management, materials science, medicine, and interdisciplinary studies
- Multiple disciplines ranked in the global Top 1% (ESI)
General Profile
Founded in 1921 by the renowned overseas Chinese patriot Tan Kah Kee, XMU is the first university in modern China established by an overseas Chinese. It is a comprehensive research university with a long tradition of academic excellence and international engagement.
Campuses and City
XMU operates four campuses:
- Siming Campus: main campus, historic core
- Zhangzhou Campus
- Xiang’an Campus: modern science and engineering hub
- Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM): overseas branch campus
The university is located in Xiamen, a major coastal city in Fujian Province, known for its maritime economy, international openness, and high quality of life. Campuses combine coastal landscapes, hills, and modern infrastructure, often cited as among the most beautiful university environments in China.
Academic Structure and Research
- 6 academic divisions
- 35 schools and colleges
- 17 research institutes
- 36 postdoctoral research stations
- Covers 12 major disciplinary categories: humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, medicine, and interdisciplinary fields
Faculty and Students
- Nearly 3,000 full-time faculty and researchers
- Professors and associate professors account for ~74% of academic staff
- 15 academicians of the Chinese Academies (CAS & CAE) and 3 TWAS academicians
- Student population exceeds 47,000:
- ~21,000 undergraduates
- ~20,000 master’s students
- ~6,000 doctoral students
- Since its founding, XMU has educated over 500,000 graduates
Internationalization and Infrastructure
- Partnerships with 277 universities worldwide
- Cooperation with 54 leading global institutions
- Leads the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” University Consortium
- Operates 14 Confucius Institutes and 34 Confucius Classrooms across 12 countries
- Malaysia Campus (XMUM) established in 2014: first overseas campus fully founded by a Chinese Double First-Class university, offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs to an international student body
