China Academy of Art
University Overview & Academic Standing
China Academy of Art (CAA, 中国美术学院) is China's oldest and most prestigious comprehensive national institution for higher visual arts education. Founded on the shores of West Lake in Hangzhou in 1928 by educator Cai Yuanpei as the National Academy of Art, CAA is co-constructed by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government under the national "Double First-Class" framework.
CAA operates four architecturally celebrated campuses in Hangzhou and Shanghai (Nanshan, Xiangshan, Liangzhu, and Zhangjiang), designed by Pritzker Prize laureate Wang Shu. Both Fine Arts and Design are designated national Double First-Class disciplines, consistently securing #1 and A+ evaluations across China. CAA is renowned for its cross-media arts laboratories, contemporary calligraphy centers, and Chinese art history archives.
CAA is a magnetic hub for international artists, offering master studio apprenticeships, traditional ink painting immersions, and bilingual design degrees, supported by the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) and Zhejiang Provincial Grants.
- National Academic Tier: National Double First-Class University / Historic Mother of Modern Chinese Art
- Supervisory Authority: Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education / MCT
- Institutional MOE Code: 10355
- Location & Campus Base: Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province / Shanghai
- Signature & Flagship Disciplines: Fine Arts (Chinese Painting & Oil), Visual Communication Design, Architecture & Urban Design, Media Art
Campus Environment & Satisfaction Benchmarks
Authentic satisfaction ratings compiled from authenticated student feedback (Ministry of Education CHSI Student Satisfaction Surveys):
University Admissions FAQ
Does China Academy of Art require CSCA exam scores for international applicants?
How do I apply for the CSC Type B scholarship at China Academy of Art?
Are English-taught degree courses fully accredited internationally?
Colleges, Faculties & Degree Programs Under Construction
Our academic verification team is currently standardizing and translating the official substantive colleges, degree-granting faculties, and English-taught academic degree catalogs for China Academy of Art. The verified academic curriculum and discipline taxonomy will be published in the upcoming database release.
Auditing parent schools, research institutes, and key academic departments authenticated via official university directories.
Compiling Double First-Class disciplines, ESI top 1% fields, and national first-class undergraduate programs.
Structuring English-taught Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. degree tracks along with HSK/IELTS entrance prerequisites.
Student Accommodations & Scholar Dormitories
Comprehensive on-campus accommodation facilities provided for enrolled scholars at China Academy of Art:
Room Configuration & Amenities
- Single Ensuite Room
- Double Twin Ensuite Room
- Air conditioning, central heating & high-speed campus fiber WiFi
- Independent study desk, spacious wardrobes & private balconies
- Communal floor kitchens, automatic laundry rooms & student lounges
Accommodation Standards & Pricing
- Official On-Campus Rate: ~1,200 - 1,600 RMB/year (Standard International Dormitory)
- CSC Full Scholarship: 100% complimentary room allocation included
- Utilities: Generous monthly electricity & hot water quotas included
Dining Halls & Certified Halal Canteens
Authentic culinary infrastructure catering to diverse international dietary and cultural needs:
- Dining Variety: Multi-Floor Campus Dining Halls & Certified Halal Canteen
- Halal Dining: Certified Halal Dining Hall on-campus preparing authentic Muslim cuisine and Central Asian specialties.
- Canteen Price Range: Nutritious meals typically range from 10 to 25 RMB per meal.
- Digital Payment: Seamless access via Campus Smartcard, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
Campus Cultural Festivals & Student Societies
Vibrant multicultural student community with rich extracurricular organizations and events:
International Cultural Expo
Annual flagship cultural festival showcasing traditional cuisine, music, costumes, and folklore from over 100 participating nations.
Language Exchange Clubs
Weekly peer conversation tables pairing international scholars with native Chinese students for bilingual fluency practice.
Outdoor & Excursion Societies
Organized weekend excursions to historical heritage sites, regional mountains, and eco-parks across Zhejiang.
Athletic Infrastructure & Sports Facilities
World-class athletic and recreation facilities open daily to enrolled university scholars:
Host City Overview & Wikipedia Climate Guide
Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province) provides an exceptional environment for international scholars, combining rich cultural heritage with world-class municipal infrastructure:
Hangzhou's climate is humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa) with four distinct seasons, characterised by long, very hot, humid summers and chilly, cloudy and drier winters, albeit with occasional snow. The mean annual temperature is 17.0 °C (62.6 °F), with monthly daily averages ranging from 5 °C (41.0 °F) in January to 29.3 °C (84.7 °F) in July. The city receives an average annual rainfall of 1,438 mm (...
Public Transit & Airport Connections
Rapid and budget-friendly municipal transportation connecting the campus across Hangzhou:
Metro Rail Connectivity
Direct subway lines connecting the campus station to downtown business hubs in 20-30 minutes (fares from 2 to 6 RMB).
International Airport
Direct access via Airport Express train or licensed taxi/Didi dispatch (~40-60 minutes).
High-Speed Rail Terminal
Seamless transit connection to high-speed railway terminals offering 350 km/h bullet trains across major Chinese metropolises.
Monthly Cost of Living Breakdown (Student Budget Estimates)
Realistic monthly student budget estimates for living in Hangzhou (surveyed living metrics):
| Expense Category | Estimated Range (RMB / Month) | Notes & Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Campus Canteen Meals | 1,200 - 1,800 RMB | 3 meals/day in university dining halls & halal canteens. |
| Dormitory Utilities (Electricity/AC) | 80 - 150 RMB | Basic quota covered; modest excess billed monthly. |
| Mobile Phone & 5G Data | 50 - 90 RMB | Student package with 50GB-100GB high-speed data. |
| Local Public Transit (Metro/Bus) | 100 - 200 RMB | Subway and shared bike monthly passes. |
| Personal Sundries & Leisure | 400 - 800 RMB | Cinema, groceries, gym, weekend coffee outings. |
| Total Monthly Living Budget | ~1,830 - 3,040 RMB | Fully covered by standard CSC monthly stipend (2,500 - 3,500 RMB) |