Westlake University is a new type of high-quality research-oriented university based in the historic Chinese city of Hangzhou - a stunning city well-known throughout Asia for its long history, rich culture, fine arts, and beautiful scenery. Our university was founded by prominent globally respected scientists and scholars. We are quickly becoming a leading university for science, engineering, and innovation. At Westlake, we emphasize academic freedom, research excellence, interdisciplinary engagement, and international collaboration. We are committed to building a truly international, world-class, research-oriented university.

Develop broad vision and intuition as you probe the principles and properties of matter, space, and time in their bachelor’s program in Physics. You’ll learn to make interdisciplinary connections between the branches of physics—high energy physics; astrophysics; atomic, molecular, and optics physics; and condensed matter physics—and to other scientific fields.

Sample courses: Classical Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Superconductivity and Magnetism, Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Optics, Particle Physics, Stellar Astrophysics, Computational Physics, Elasticity and Fluid Mechanics.

Curriculum:

Prepare for the Future with Our Curriculum

During the first two years of your undergraduate journey at Westlake you will take the same classes with students in your cohort, prior to declaring a major. The program is designed to stimulate your intellectual curiosity and create a cross-disciplinary community of peers. Our interdisciplinary core curriculum follows a liberal arts model to build a breadth of knowledge in science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences, and will help you make connections between important and diverse global issues.

Science and engineering core courses prepare you for advanced study in all of our five majors and to develop foundational skills in mathematics, quantitative reasoning, computing, and critical thinking. These courses allow you to explore your academic interests across disciplines, make an informed choice about your eventual major, and to establish a framework for advanced interdisciplinary research projects.

Acquire Chinese Language Skills for Success

All international undergraduate students study Chinese for two or more years. Familiarity with Mandarin Chinese, the primary language of nearly twelve percent of the world population, is becoming increasingly important as the world becomes more interconnected. Their Chinese language classes, in tandem with a superb education in a science or engineering field will give you an edge as you pursue your career in a globalized economy.

Study Abroad at Top Universities

The study abroad experience is an integral part of your Westlake education. After completing your freshman and sophomore years, you will spend a semester or full year abroad at one of our partner institutions in North America, Australia, Europe, or Asia. Study destinations include programs at UC Berkeley, Cornell University, UC San Diego, University of Edinburgh, University of Queensland, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and many more.

Develop Skills for Lifelong Learning

Once you declare your major in your sophomore year, get ready to accelerate your learning with a program designed to equip you for the challenges you will face in your career. Along with core courses and electives, each of their five majors also include experiential programs and opportunities for independent study, theoretical and laboratory research, and interdisciplinary investigations.

At Westlake’s renowned key laboratories, you can work alongside world-class faculty and researchers as you develop valuable research skills while receiving professional guidance and mentoring. Undergraduate students are also encouraged to take advanced graduate-level courses as electives and can choose from over 300 courses in topics from science, engineering, and technology. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, you will undertake a capstone project culminating in a senior thesis. This project is your opportunity to make meaningful contributions to your field and will establish a starting point for the next phase of your life, whether it be graduate school, entrepreneurship, an industrial career, or another path.

ADMISSIONS TIMETABLE 
First Round 

• November 1 Application Due
• November 22 Interview begins
• December 31st Admission Decision
• January 15 Student Reply

Second Round 

• January 1 Application Due
• January 22 Interview begins
• March 1 Admission Decision
• May 1 Student Reply

Third Round 

• April  1 Application Due
• April 8 Interview begins
• April 21 Admission Decision
• May 1 Student Reply

Join Inspiring People

At Westlake University, you will learn from and be mentored by their world-class faculty. Over 95% of our professors hail from top-notch universities including MIT, Caltech, UC Berkeley, and Stanford. In addition, all our senior leadership have studied and/or held positions at distinguished institutions such as Princeton, Harvard, Yale, UPenn, UIUC, and KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden). You will work and collaborate with these brilliant scientists and engineers changing their world. You will also be surrounded by enthusiastic fellow students who seek challenges in academics, personal growth, and cultural adventures. At Westlake, you will make lifelong friends and connect with future leaders.

A Community for Future Leaders

Westlake University is an intimate, supportive, and diverse community. Different interests and causes are represented by multiple types of student groups, allowing individuals to explore, create, and lead in their own ways. We hope to facilitate an engaging, exciting, and inspiring student life experience for all.

Westlake University Campus

Our beautiful campus was designed by renowned German firm HENN GmbH and is one of the most sustainable and multi-functional campuses in the world. Our campus boasts 300 state-of-the-art independent laboratories, 13 innovation platforms, and six shared research facilities. Our main campus is in the heart of an expanding university town, between a major technology hub and ancient historical ruins, tea plantations, and Westlake UNESCO world heritage site.

"Go International, Go Abroad"

GO INTERNATIONAL

Westlake university’s goal is to recruit 50% domestic and 50% international students to all undergraduate programs to create a truly international study environment.

Our PhD programs recruit students from top global masters’ programs.

GO ABROAD

In addition to your international experience in China, all undergraduate students are required to spend a semester or full academic year at one of their 19 partner universities abroad. We have established study abroad programs with leading universities in North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia including UC Berkeley, Cornell University, University of Edinburgh, UC San Diego, Monash University, Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and many more.

PhD students are encouraged to study in short-term programs abroad or to present their research at international academic research conferences and forums. There are ample funding opportunities for graduate international experiences.