Duke Kunshan University (DKU) is a Chinese-American partnership of Duke University (Durham, North Carolina, United States) and Wuhan University (Wuhan, Hubei, China) to create a liberal arts and research university offering academic programs for students from China and throughout the world. DKU received approval from the Chinese Ministry of Education in 2013 and its curricula are also approved by the Jiangsu Provincial Education Bureau.

Students have the opportunity to study at both the DKU campus in Kunshan, China and at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Undergraduate students will have the opportunity to spend a summer and a semester on the Duke University campus in Durham, North Carolina. Students are awarded degrees from both Duke University and Duke Kunshan University upon graduation and become members of both institutions’ alumni organizations. In 2018, Duke Kunshan University welcomed their first inaugural undergraduate class

Founded in 2013, Duke Kunshan University is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of Kunshan (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Jiangsu. Officially recognized by the Education Department of the Jiangsu Province, Duke Kunshan University (DKU) is a coeducational Chinese higher education institution. Duke Kunshan University (DKU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. DKU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Campus

The 200-acre campus site is within the Kunshan Yangcheng Lake Science Park and features state-of-the-art classroom and meeting facilities, library resources, student and faculty housing and dining space, and recreational facilities. Multi-purpose meeting spaces, breakout rooms, and study areas allow students to work individually or in groups to review course material, complete assignments, and participate in the vibrant, intellectual life of the campus.

With a residential culture modeled after the world’s greatest universities, the Duke Kunshan University campus environment encourages the exchange of ideas and continuous learning and growth in the classroom and beyond.

The campus blends traditional Chinese elements with advanced educational technology in a spacious, modern setting.  Extensive aquatic elements, including an aquatic quadrangle at the center of campus, symbolize the region’s famous water towns and are integrated throughout the campus while leading information technology and Telepresence systems provide instant connections to colleagues and classmates around the world.

Located within the Kunshan Yangcheng Lake Science Park, the first phase of the DKU campus includes classroom and research spaces, student and faculty residences, dining facilities, an executive conference center, and recreation and leisure spaces.

Designed by the internationally renowned architect, Gensler, the campus seeks to be a model of sustainable development, reflective of the natural and cultural context of the Jiangnan region.

• Native Wetlands: The 201-acre site has a high water table, so designers elected to preserve 40 acres as community gardens—much in the way that Duke’s original campus in Durham is carefully nested into a forest. As the Durham campus is noted for its Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the Kunshan campus highlights its regional geography by featuring landscaped gardens, wetlands and waterways.
• Energy Efficiency: The campus design’s use of daylight, solar shading, passive cooling, and natural flood control is informed by centuries of experience dealing with the opportunities and challenges of Kunshan’s climate and terrain.
• A Walkable Campus: Roadways are on the perimeter to create a pedestrian-friendly central campus with walking paths and bridges connecting the buildings to one another.
• Regional Connections: Kunshan’s location between Shanghai and Suzhou allows easy access to these major metropolitan centers by highways and high-speed railway.

Duke Kunshan University, a Sino-American partnership between Duke University in the US and Wuhan University in China, offers a Duke education in the dynamic and rapidly growing China. 

At this truly international university, you will:

• Receive a Duke University degree upon graduation
• Have the opportunity to study at the Duke campus in Durham, NC, US
• Learn from leading Duke and Duke Kunshan faculty (All courses are taught in English)
• Live and learn on the state-of-the-art Duke Kunshan campus with students and faculty from all around the world
• Cultivate critical thinking skills, acquire deep insights about China, and develop global leadership capabilities that will boost your educational and career opportunities

Duke Kunshan University is a place for learning, living and growing, in a setting that encourages the pursuit of knowledge within and beyond the classroom. The 200-acre campus site features state-of-the-art classroom and meeting facilities, library resources, student and faculty housing and dining space, and recreational facilities. Multi-purpose meeting spaces, breakout rooms, and study areas allow students to work individually or in groups to review course material, complete assignments, and participate in the vibrant, intellectual life of the University.

Designed by the internationally renowned architect, Gensler, the campus seeks to be a model of sustainable development, reflective of the natural and cultural context of the Jiangnan region.

Native wetlands: The 201-acre site has a high-water table, so designers elected to preserve 40 acres as community gardens—much in the way that Duke’s original campus in Durham is carefully nested into a forest. As the Durham campus is noted for its Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the Kunshan campus highlights its regional geography by featuring landscaped gardens, wetlands and waterways.

Energy efficiency: The campus design’s use of daylight, solar shading, passive cooling, and natural flood control is informed by centuries of experience dealing with the opportunities and challenges of Kunshan’s climate and terrain.

A walkable campus: Roadways are on the perimeter to create a pedestrian-friendly central campus with walking paths and bridges connecting the buildings to one another.

Regional connections: Kunshan’s location between Shanghai and Suzhou allows easy access to these major metropolitan centers by highways and high-speed railway.

ACCEPTANCE RATE

8.3%

Undergraduate admissions

In March 2018, DKU admitted 251 students, or 7.98% of its inaugural applicant pool, a selectivity similar to the 8.3% acceptance rate at Duke University. All undergraduate applications for Duke Kunshan are submitted using the Common Application.

Duke Kunshan has received a record number of applications from international students for the Class of 2025, more than double the figure last year.

Just over 1,800 students from more than 100 countries around the world have applied to join the university’s fourth undergraduate class, up from about 900 applications last year, said Jessica Sandberg, dean of international enrollment management.

Most applicants are from the United States, while others come from countries including Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Ghana, India, Morocco, Russia, Peru, South Korea, Turkey and Vietnam.

Duke Kunshan University Scholarship

DKU Scholarships

Duke Kunshan University is committed to enrolling a highly talented, diverse and international student body. Scholarship support is available to help achieve these goals and we are dedicated to providing full or partial scholarships to students who need financial support.

C.A.N. Achievement Scholarship

Duke Kunshan offers full-tuition scholarships, half-tuition scholarships and quarter-tuition scholarships for excellent undergraduate students from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau, including Chinese citizens and internationals who are seeking a Chinese undergraduate degree in China.

Amount:

• The full-tuition scholarship is 24,400 RMB
• The half-tuition scholarship is 12,200 RMB
• The quarter tuition scholarship is 6,100 RMB

Kunshan Innovation Scholarship

In an effort to seek out bright, creative and resourceful young innovators and change agents, Duke Kunshan University is pleased to offer 10 full-tuition scholarships for Duke University undergraduates and qualified students from other accredited undergraduate institutions in the United States to participate in the Global Learning Semester program at Duke Kunshan University during the Spring 2018 or the Fall 2018 semesters.

Blair Sheppard Leadership Scholarship

The scholarship aims to cultivate the next generation of global business leaders. All Master of Management Studies (MMS) program applicants are considered for the Blair Sheppard Leadership scholarship, with preference given to female students from developing countries.

China Construction Bank Scholarship

Aiming at cultivating the next generation of global health leaders, the scholarship is available for students who are admitted to Global Health program and who demonstrate outstanding academic and leadership potentials. All Global Health program applicants are automatically considered for scholarships.

Gao Xiqing & Wang Jian Medical Physics Scholarship

The scholarship is available for outstanding international students who are admitted to or currently enrolled in the Medical Physics program.

Wang Jian & Gao Xiqing Global Health Scholarship

The scholarship is available for outstanding students who are admitted to and currently enrolled in the Global Health program.

Guo Tingting Scholarship

All Graduate program applicants from developing countries demonstrating financial difficulties will be considered for the scholarship, with preferences given to students from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Chancellors’ Scholarship

In honor of Liu Jingnan and Mary Bullock, Duke Kunshan University’s inaugural Chancellor and inaugural Executive Vice Chancellor, the scholarship is named “Chancellors’ Scholarship” and is the highest honor for incoming Duke Kunshan University students.

The Chancellors’ Scholarship is awarded in recognition of demonstrated academic achievement, leadership and overall potential. The scholarship will be awarded to one top incoming student in each degree program and can be awarded in conjunction with other types of merit-based and need-based scholarships.

Bayeco Environment Fellowship

The scholarship aims at cultivating the next generation of global environmental leaders. The scholarship is available for students who are admitted to the international Master of Environmental Policy (iMEP) program, both from China and internationally.

Jasmine Jiangsu Government Scholarship

The Jiangsu Provincial Government has set up the “Jasmine Jiangsu Government Scholarship” for international students. At Duke Kunshan University, this scholarship will be provided to those excellent international graduate students.

Campus Life

A variety of clubs are available to serve the diverse needs of Duke Kunshan’s student body. Students are even encouraged to create their own clubs. All clubs receive guidance and support from the Student Affairs Office.

Building on the tradition of athletic excellence at Duke University, Duke Kunshan offers students access to brand new sports and fitness facilities, as well as a chance to participate on competitive varsity teams.

Duke Kunshan University Sat Scores

Due to the limitations on opportunities to prepare for and take the SAT and ACT because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Duke Kunshan is continuing a test-optional policy for the 2021-2022 application cycle. Students who do not submit SAT or ACT scores with their application this year will not be at a disadvantage in our admissions process. In the absence of standardized exam results, the admissions committee will place increased emphasis on the remaining components of your application, including high school performance, application essays, and, in some cases, an admissions interview. There are no additional requirements for those who choose test-optional, although applicants are welcome to submit any additional materials that they feel may strengthen their application. 

Common Application Checklist

• School report
• Counselor recommendation
• High school transcripts
• Teacher evaluations (2)
• SAT or ACT test score (optional for Fall 2021 applications)
  • No minimum test score is required for admission
  • International testing school codes for Duke Kunshan University:
    • SAT – 7059
    • ACT – 0621
• Personal Essays
  • DKU-specific essay prompts:
  • “Why do you think Duke Kunshan University is a good match for you? And what special qualities do you feel you could bring to Duke Kunshan University?” (Required)
  • “Is there anything else you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you?” (Optional)