Anhui University dates its foundation to 1928, when a provincial university was established in Anqing. After the early 1950s, when the original university was divided into an agricultural college and a normal college, it was rebuilt in 1958 in Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province, where it remains today.
The university is a public institution of Anhui Province and one of the universities included in Project 211. Since 2013 it has been jointly supported by the provincial government and the Ministry of Education. Its Hefei campuses include Longhe and Qingyuan, and it has also been designated a teaching base for Chinese language and culture for international students.
Times Higher Education data show an enrolment above 40,000 students, and Times Higher Education 2026 lists the university between 1001 and 1200 in its World University Rankings. The university offers programmes in the sciences, engineering, humanities and social sciences.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Automation, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Industrial Design, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Materials, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology and Genetics, Nanotechnologies, Optics, Physics, Process Control, Robotics, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Statistics, Structural Engineering, Telecommunications, Thermodynamics
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Key university in Anhui province. Regional collaborations.
Research:
AI & Big Data, New Materials & Devices, Optical Engineering & Quantum Information, Environmental Science.
Famous Alumnis:
N/A
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
1600
Current students***:
28000
Foreign students***:
N/A%
Cumulative former students***:
N/A
Pros
Comprehensive university serving Anhui province, developing strengths in computer science and materials.
Cons
More known for humanities and social sciences historically, engineering is growing.
Best For
Comprehensive university in Anhui with growing programs in computer science and materials science.
USTC, also in Hefei, is a public university whose specialties include quantum physics, computer science and materials science.
Hefei University of Technology, a neighbour in the same city, is a public university with mechanical, automotive and materials engineering.
Shanxi University in Taiyuan combines physics and optoelectronics with chemistry, materials science and life sciences.
Heilongjiang University, in Harbin, is a public university with chemistry, materials science, life sciences and computer science.
Nankai University in Tianjin is a public university with chemistry, physics and life sciences as its main specialties.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
Universität des Saarlandes (Germany) in Saarbrücken lists computer science and artificial intelligence, materials science and systems engineering.
Universität Konstanz (Germany) combines chemistry and nanoscience with physics, materials science and computer science.
Université de Rennes (France) lists computer science and cybersecurity together with materials science among its specialties.
University of Limerick (Ireland), at Castletroy, offers materials science, aeronautical engineering and software engineering.
Pohang University of Science and Technology (South Korea) in Pohang lists materials, mechanical engineering and physics.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
Why does Anhui University give 1928 as its starting year?
The provincial Anhui University was opened in Anqing in 1928. The present university was rebuilt in Hefei in 1958 after the earlier institution had been divided in the early 1950s.
Where can students find the university?
Its campuses are in Hefei, the capital of Anhui Province, and include the Longhe and Qingyuan campuses. Maps and transport information are on the university's website.
Who funds and supervises it?
It is a public university of Anhui Province. In 2013 the provincial government and the Ministry of Education agreed to build it jointly.
Is Anhui University part of Project 211?
Yes, it is one of the universities included in the programme, according to Wikipedia in English and Chinese. Project 211 supported selected universities from the 1990s.
Can international students study there?
The university has been a teaching base for Chinese language and culture and takes foreign students; its international office publishes the current admission conditions.
How large is the student body?
Times Higher Education reports more than 41,000 students for its 2026 rankings. Because the sources use different counting dates, the university itself should be asked for current totals.
How is it placed in world rankings?
Times Higher Education 2026 gives the band 1001-1200. This is a band rather than an exact position.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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