Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
SYSU English scores by level
From SYSU's 2026 enrolment guidelines for master's, doctoral and bachelor's applicants. The guides add that each English-taught programme's own guidelines set its specific requirement.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Master's, taught in English | 6.5, no component below 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 79, no section below 15 |
| Doctoral, taught in English | 6.5, no component below 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 79, no section below 15 |
| Bachelor's | Not listed in the 2026 guide | CSCA test, subjects set per programme |
Other tests and the English-medium waiver
Only IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT are named for graduate programmes. PTE and Duolingo are not mentioned. Applicants who have taken courses taught in English may submit a Certificate of English-Medium Instruction from their school, and SYSU may waive the test score once it verifies the certificate, which helps many Indian, Pakistani and Nigerian graduates.
Bachelor's applicants must sit the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA). The 2026 bachelor's catalogue sets the test subjects and paper language for each programme.
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Application rounds and fees
For 2026 master's entry, the first round ran from 1 January to 15 February 2026 and the second from 16 February to 30 April 2026. The application fee is RMB 400. Master's tuition listed for 2026 is RMB 30,000 a year for humanities, RMB 39,000 for science, engineering and agriculture, RMB 55,000 for medicine and RMB 109,000 for the IMBA.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your SYSU programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does Sun Yat-sen University need?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 with no component below 5.5 for English-taught master's and doctoral programmes.
Does SYSU accept TOEFL?+
Yes. TOEFL iBT 79 with at least 15 in each section.
Can an English-medium degree replace IELTS at SYSU?+
Yes, after verification. You submit a Certificate of English-Medium Instruction from your school and SYSU may waive the test score.
Do bachelor's applicants need IELTS for SYSU?+
The 2026 bachelor's guide does not list an IELTS score. Applicants take the CSCA test, with subjects set for each programme.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in China accepting IELTS 6.5
- IELTS for China
- Wuhan University IELTS requirement
- Zhejiang University IELTS requirement
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 3605 guides
Guide updated on 31 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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