Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts – 西安美术学院

Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts began in 1949 and took its current name in 1960. It awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in fine arts, design, and related fields.

XAFA has three campuses: Yanta, Chang’an, and Lintong. Together, they cover about 800,000 square metres. The university is a Double First-Class cultivation institution, but it is not on China’s official Double First-Class university list.

Why Choose Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts?

• Fine arts focus: Programs include painting, sculpture, Chinese painting, calligraphy, design, and animation.
• Specialist environment: Students study mainly art and design subjects.
• Historic location: Xi’an is rich in Chinese art, archaeology, architecture, and Silk Road history.
• Portfolio admission: Art applicants can show their skills through a portfolio.
• Lower living costs: Xi’an is generally cheaper than Beijing or Shanghai.
• Scholarships: XAFA offers scholarships for international degree students.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

For the 2026 international bachelor’s intake, applicants generally needed:

• Foreign citizenship
• Age 16–30
• High school diploma or equivalent
• High school transcripts
• Valid passport
• HSK Level 3 or above
• Passport photos
• Portfolio, except for some theory programs
• Guardian documents if under 18

All 2026 international bachelor’s programs were taught in Chinese. Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts offered 27 bachelor’s majors in 2026. Most last four years, while sculpture takes five.

Portfolio requirements depend on the subject.

Program Type	2026 Portfolio Requirement
Fine arts	Five works each in sketching, quick sketching and colour
Calligraphy	Five copying works and five original works
Design	PDF portfolio with 8–10 works and descriptions
Art theory	No portfolio; selection uses school and HSK results

XAFA reviews applications and portfolios, followed by a video interview.

Postgraduate Admission Requirements

International master’s applicants generally need:

• A recognised bachelor’s degree
• University transcripts
• Valid passport
• HSK Level 4 or above
• Application form
• Portfolio for practice-based programs
• Academic writing samples for theory-based programs
• Two recommendation letters from associate professors or above
• Passport photos

Master’s programs take three years and are taught in Chinese. In 2026, 51 supervisors across 12 departments accepted international students.

Doctoral applicants need a recognised master’s degree and at least HSK Level 5.

Students can also read our How to Apply to Chinese Universities guide before preparing their documents.

Undergraduate Tuition Fees

Cost	Amount
Bachelor’s tuition	RMB 32,000/year
Medical insurance	RMB 800/year
Textbooks	RMB 1,000/year

Postgraduate Tuition Fees

Study Level	Tuition
Master’s	RMB 40,000/year
Doctoral	RMB 45,000/year

Master’s students also pay RMB 800 for insurance and RMB 400 for textbooks each year.

What Scholarships Does Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts Offer?

Scholarships for international students include:

• President Scholarship: RMB 10,000
• Entrance Scholarship: RMB 8,000
• Undergraduate Academic Scholarship: RMB 2,000–10,000
• Master’s Academic Scholarship: RMB 2,000–15,000
• Doctoral Academic Scholarship: RMB 5,000–22,000
• Outstanding Scholarship: RMB 2,000

These amounts come from a 2021 policy, so check the latest intake notice.

When Is the Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts Application Deadline?

The 2026 application period ran from April 20 to May 31. XAFA held interviews in June and announced results near the end of the month.

XAFA has not published its 2027 dates yet. Use the 2026 requirements only as a guide until the new notice appears.

XAFA operates campuses in Yanta, Chang’an, and Lintong.

Its facilities support studio work, exhibitions, academic research, and daily student life.

Food & Dining on Campus

The Chang’an Campus has a student dining hall, with more food options nearby.

Student Accommodation

Chang’an Campus has student apartments. XAFA does not publish current international dormitory prices, so confirm housing costs before arrival.

Library

XAFA’s specialist library holds more than 558,000 items. Its collections support research in painting, calligraphy, folk art, and cultural heritage.

The academy also maintains art and museum collections that support research in painting, calligraphy, folk art, and cultural heritage.

Sports Facilities

Chang’an Campus has a gymnasium and outdoor sports grounds.

Research and Academic Support

XAFA has 41 research platforms and supports international cooperation in art education and academic exchange. Research covers Chinese art, folk art, design, archaeology, Silk Road art, and regional painting schools.

Xi’an is a historic Chinese capital and an important Silk Road city. Art students can explore art museums, archaeological sites, and historic works of art.

The city is especially useful for students interested in Chinese art and art history, sculpture, and cultural heritage.

Living Expenses in Xi’an

Students can budget about RMB 4,000–5,500 per month for housing, food, transport, utilities, and leisure.

This is an ApplyForChina estimate, not an official XAFA figure.

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