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Suzhou — Gate of the Orient on the west bank of Jinji Lake

Real city photographChristian Gänshirt · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Suzhou · 苏州

Suzhou

Engineering, international programmes and access to Shanghai’s job market

12.7M residents
3 universities to compare

City at a glance

Studying in Suzhou — what matters

Suzhou combines a strong industrial base, international campuses and a calmer urban setting. It is a practical choice for engineering, materials science, business and interdisciplinary study near the wider Shanghai economic cluster.

3
universities to compare
12.7M
residents
~4 000 ¥/month with dorm, ~8 000 ¥ off-campus
planning budget

Curator tip

Compare cities by program requirements, living costs and published application deadlines.

Universities in the city

Universities worth comparing

This editorial shortlist is for initial research. A full catalogue profile is not published yet, so confirm the programme, teaching language and current intake rules on the university's official website.

Soochow University

苏州大学

Comprehensive university: materials, medicine and humanities

Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

西交利物浦大学

International English-medium model, business and STEM

Suzhou University of Science and Technology

苏州科技大学

Engineering, architecture and the built environment

Climate

Winter

December–February: cool and damp, usually 1–10 °C

Summer

June–August: hot and humid, around 27–35 °C

Monthly cost (¥)

On-campus dorm: 800–1 800 ¥/month (on-campus dorm)
Off-campus rental: 3 000–6 500 ¥/month (1-bedroom off-campus)
Food: 1 500–2 600 ¥/month
Transport: 150–350 ¥/month (metro, bus)
Total: ~4 000 ¥/month with dorm, ~8 000 ¥ off-campus

Real city photograph

Gate of the Orient on the west bank of Jinji Lake

Districts

Where students live

Suzhou Industrial Park

Modern area around Jinji Lake, XJTLU and technology offices.

Gusu

Historic canal district with character, though some newer campuses are farther away.

Pros

International academic environment
Easy access to Shanghai
Strong engineering and industry context

Things to consider

Very humid summers
Housing near Jinji Lake can be expensive
Always confirm which campus hosts the programme

City FAQ

What to verify before choosing the city

Which universities should I compare in Suzhou?

Start with Soochow University, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou University of Science and Technology. Programme availability, teaching language and admission rules must be rechecked in the official guide for the relevant intake.

What student budget should I plan for Suzhou?

Treat the ranges on this page as planning estimates. Dorm choice, neighbourhood, season and eating habits can materially change the total.

Who is studying in Suzhou best suited to?

Suzhou suits students seeking engineering, business or an international teaching environment with access to Shanghai but a less intense daily pace.

Sources and freshness

Population is rounded from the 2020 census. Budgets are editorial planning ranges, not an offer. Confirm programmes and requirements for the relevant intake.

Editorially reviewed: 2026-07-15

Useful links

Bachelor's degrees in China

Usually four years of study

Master's degrees in China

CSC scholarship application routes

Scholarships and grants

CSC, Belt and Road, and university scholarships

All universities

Verified university profiles

Apply to a university in Suzhou

A curator will help you compare the published terms of Suzhou universities and check the rules of CSC, Belt&Road and university programs.

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Study in Suzhou: universities, budget and student life | ChinaEduEasy