Westlake University

University rankings
University rankings
Global – Overall
ARWU World	301-400 (2025)
USNWR Global	308 (2025)
Regional – Overall
USNWR Asia	72 (2025)
National – Overall
USNWR National	44 (2025)

Westlake University
西湖大学
Former name	Westlake Institute for Advanced Study (2016–2018)
Type	Private
Established	2018
Location	Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Website	westlake.edu.cn; en.westlake.edu.cn
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese	西湖大学
Traditional Chinese	西湖大學
Hanyu Pinyin
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Xīhú Dàxué
Westlake Institute for Advanced Study
Simplified Chinese	浙江西湖高等研究院
Traditional Chinese	浙江西湖高等研究院
Hanyu Pinyin
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Zhèjiāng xīhú gāoděng yán jiù yuàn

Westlake University (西湖大学) is a private research university in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. It was founded in October 2018.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Westlake University ranked 84th in the world for Nature Index 2021 Young Universities (Leading 150 Young Universities)^[4] and 52nd in China for Nature Index 2025.^[5] It also ranked #301-400 in Academic Ranking of World Universities 2025^[6] and ranked #308 in U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Ranking 2025.^[7]

It has been called "Perhaps the most successful Chinese university at recruiting overseas talents".^[8]

History

The proposal for the establishment of a private research university was submitted on March 11, 2015, by individuals from business and academia, including Shi Yigong, Chen Shiyi, and Pan Jianwei. This initiative led to the creation of WIAS on December 10, 2016 with Shi as president.^[2] The Ministry of Education approved the foundation of a university on April 2, 2018. Shi was elected as the university's president at the first board meeting on April 16.^[1]

The university was inaugurated in Hangzhou on October 20, 2018. It opened with the Yunqi campus;^[2] the Yungu campus began construction in April and Phase 3 campus expansion completed in June 2025.^[9]

Governance System

Council

On April 20, 2018, the University Council was formally established. Dong Qingyuan (董清源) was named the Chairperson of the University Council, Sun Youyou (孙幼幼) the Vice Chairperson of the University Council, and Yang Wenzhu (杨文铸) the Chair of the Committee for Discipline Inspection.^[10]^[11]

Board of Trustees

Westlake University is led by the University President, who operates under the guidance of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees consists of educators and scholars from China and overseas, representatives of donors and representatives of the government, making decisions on major issues such as the strategic planning of the university. It also appoints the University President which executes the decisions of the Board of Trustees.^[12]

Honorary Chair: Yang Chen-Ning, Nobel Laureate in Physics and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chair: Yingyi Qian, Dean of the School of Economics and Management and Professor at Tsinghua University

Administration

The University President is Shi Yigong^[13] and its Vice Presidents include Tian Xu,^[14] Min Qiu and Xiaoyun Zhu.^[15]

Academics

The university's faculties are the School of Life Sciences, School of Science and the School of Engineering.^[16]

Rankings and reputation

Westlake University was ranked 52nd in China^[5] and 124th globally^[17] in Nature Index 2025.

Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking)

Year	Rank	Valuer
2023	501-600^[6]	Academic Ranking of World Universities
2024	501-600^[6]	Academic Ranking of World Universities
2025	301-400^[6]	Academic Ranking of World Universities

Nature Index

Nature Index tracks the affiliations of high-quality scientific articles and presents research outputs by institution and country on monthly basis.

Year	Rank	Valuer
2021	84^[4]	Nature Index 2021 Young Universities (Leading 150 Young Universities)
2023	265^[18]	Nature Index - Academic Institutions - Global
2023	74^[19]	Nature Index - Academic Institutions - China
2025	124^[17]	Nature Index - Academic Institutions - Global
2025	52^[5]	Nature Index - Academic Institutions - China

U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Ranking

Year	Rank	Valuer
2025	308^[7]	U.S. News & World Report Best Global University Ranking

Campus and Campus Life

Westlake University is located in Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in China.

Yungu Campus

The Yungu Campus is located in the Yungu Block of Zijingang Science and Technology City in Xihu District. The circular center of the campus is the "academic loop" for the university's administrative and academic heart, including a large "c"-shaped faculty building. The "residential loop" fills the campus perimeter, and contains residences and other personnel support facilities. The loops are separated by a moat crossed by 12 bridges.^[20]

Yunqi Campus

The Yunqi Campus is located in Yunqi Town, in the southern part of Xihu District of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. This interim campus satisfies the basic needs of Westlake University in its initial stages.

Covering an area of 11.5 acres with a total construction space of 106,000 m², the Yunqi Campus consists of four research buildings, one administrative building and two student residence halls, which were put into operation in March 2017. The Yunqi Campus features a small sports field with a basketball court and fitness equipment, a gym, a two-floor dining hall, a café and a campus store. Furthermore, a running track along the campus border has been laid in 2019. Regular leisure activities are organized by different clubs, the Union of Faculty and Staff and the Office of Academic Services and Student Affairs.^[21]

References

^ ^a ^b Guo, Meichen (18 April 2018). "China's first private research university launches as school board is elected". People's Daily Online. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c Wang, Hairong (15 November 2018). "Newly established Westlake University aims to be a world-class private research facility". Beijing Review. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
^ "Westlake University". Retrieved 2023-05-23.
^ ^a ^b "Leading 150 young universities - Nature Index 2021 Young Universities - Supplements - Nature Index". Nature Index. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c "2025 tables: Institutions - academic - Annual tables - Nature Index". Nature Index. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "ShanghaiRanking-Univiersities-WestlakeUniversity". Retrieved 18 September 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Westlake University in China - US News Best Global Universities". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
^ Wang, Vivian (4 June 2025). "China Really Wants to Attract Talented Scientists. Trump Just Helped". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
^ Ma, Zhenhuan (22 October 2018). "Westlake University a model of reform". China Daily. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
^ "西湖大学党委正式成立" [The Party Committee of West Lake University was formally established].
^ "Leadership & Organization - Westlake University". en.westlake.edu.cn. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
^ Normile, Dennis (23 February 2018). "Biologist unveils China's first private research university". Science. 359 (6378): 856. Bibcode:2018Sci...359..856N. doi:10.1126/science.359.6378.856. PMID 29472461.
^ Ma, Zhenhuan (2018-04-18). "Private university in Hangzhou names president". China Daily.
^ "Professor gives up Yale tenure for Chinese post". China Plus. 2018-04-17.
^ "Administrative Team | Westlake University". en.westlake.edu.cn. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
^ "Academics". Westlake University. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
^ ^a ^b "2025 tables: Institutions - academic - Annual tables - Nature Index". Nature Index. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
^ "2023 tables: Institutions - academic - Annual tables - Nature Index". Nature Index. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
^ "2023 tables: Institutions - academic - Annual tables - Nature Index". Nature Index. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
^ "Yungu Campus". Westlake University. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
^ "第一次开学典礼在即 "小而精"的西湖大学来了-浙江新闻-浙江在线" [The first opening ceremony is about to come. The "small but sophisticated" West Lake University is here]. Zhejiang News - Zhejiang Online. Archived from the original on 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2018-11-25.

30°19′49″N 120°02′00″E / 30.33041°N 120.03345°E / 30.33041; 120.03345

[pdo_launch-1] Guo, Meichen (18 April 2018). "China's first private research university launches as school board is elected". People's Daily Online. Retrieved 2 March 2022.

[br_inaug-2] Wang, Hairong (15 November 2018). "Newly established Westlake University aims to be a world-class private research facility". Beijing Review. Retrieved 2 March 2022.

[3] "Westlake University". Retrieved 2023-05-23.

[NatureIndex2021YoungUniversities-4] "Leading 150 young universities - Nature Index 2021 Young Universities - Supplements - Nature Index". Nature Index. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[NatureIndex2025China-5] "2025 tables: Institutions - academic - Annual tables - Nature Index". Nature Index. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[AcademicRankingofWorldUniversitiesRanking2025-6] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g "ShanghaiRanking-Univiersities-WestlakeUniversity". Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[USNewsWorldReportBestGlobalUniversitiesRanking2025-7] "Westlake University in China - US News Best Global Universities". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[8] Wang, Vivian (4 June 2025). "China Really Wants to Attract Talented Scientists. Trump Just Helped". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 August 2025.

[cd_reform-9] Ma, Zhenhuan (22 October 2018). "Westlake University a model of reform". China Daily. Retrieved 2 March 2022.

[10] "西湖大学党委正式成立" [The Party Committee of West Lake University was formally established].

[11] "Leadership & Organization - Westlake University". en.westlake.edu.cn. Retrieved 2023-08-16.

[12] Normile, Dennis (23 February 2018). "Biologist unveils China's first private research university". Science. 359 (6378): 856. Bibcode:2018Sci...359..856N. doi:10.1126/science.359.6378.856. PMID 29472461.

[13] Ma, Zhenhuan (2018-04-18). "Private university in Hangzhou names president". China Daily.

[14] "Professor gives up Yale tenure for Chinese post". China Plus. 2018-04-17.

[15] "Administrative Team | Westlake University". en.westlake.edu.cn. Retrieved 2023-08-16.

[16] "Academics". Westlake University. Retrieved 2 March 2022.

[NatureIndex2025Global-17] "2025 tables: Institutions - academic - Annual tables - Nature Index". Nature Index. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[NatureIndex2023Global-18] "2023 tables: Institutions - academic - Annual tables - Nature Index". Nature Index. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[NatureIndex2023China-19] "2023 tables: Institutions - academic - Annual tables - Nature Index". Nature Index. Retrieved 18 September 2025.

[20] "Yungu Campus". Westlake University. Retrieved 2 March 2022.

[21] "第一次开学典礼在即 "小而精"的西湖大学来了-浙江新闻-浙江在线" [The first opening ceremony is about to come. The "small but sophisticated" West Lake University is here]. Zhejiang News - Zhejiang Online. Archived from the original on 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2018-11-25.

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Higher Education Institutions in Zhejiang
List of universities and colleges in China • Department of Education of Zhejiang Province
Military	People’s Armed Police: China Coast Guard Academy_Ningbo^{Deputy Army Level, Degree} • Non-commissioned Officer School_Hangzhou^{Division Level, Degree}
National	Ministry of Education: Zhejiang University^{DBC 985 211 Key P+M Degree} Ministry of State Security: University of International Relations, Hangzhou Campus^{Key Degree}
Hangzhou	Zhejiang University^{DBC 985 211 Key P+M Degree} China Academy of Art^{DBC P+M Degree} University of International Relations, Hangzhou Campus^{Key Degree} Zhejiang University of Technology^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang Gongshang University^{P+M Degree} Hangzhou Dianzi University^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang Chinese Medical University^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang A&F University^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang Sci-Tech University^Degree Hangzhou Normal University^Degree Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics^Degree China Jiliang University^{P+M Degree} Communication University of Zhejiang^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang Conservatory of Music^{P+M Degree} Hangzhou Medical College^Degree Zhejiang Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang University of Science and Technology^Degree Zhejiang Police College^Degree Zhejiang International Studies University^Degree Hangzhou City University^Degree Westlake University^{Private, Degree} Zhongfa Aviation University^{Foreign, Degree} Zhejiang Shuren University^{Private, Degree} Hangzhou Dianzi University Information Engineering School^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Hangzhou Normal University Qianjiang College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Binjiang Institute^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Gongshang University Hangzhou College of Commerce^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Institute of Economics and Trade^{P+M Vocational} Zhejiang Police Vocational Academy^{P+M Vocational} Tourism College of Zhejiang^{P+M Vocational} Zhejiang Institute of Communications^Vocational Zhejiang Financial College^Vocational Zhejiang Vocational College of Commerce^Vocational Zhejiang Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering^Vocational Zhejiang College of Construction^Vocational Zhejiang Technical Institute of Economics^Vocational Zhejiang Vocational Academy of Art^Vocational Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College^Vocational Professional and Technological College of Zhejiang Electric Power^Vocational Zhejiang College of Sports^Vocational Zhejiang Tongji Vocational College of Science and Technology^Vocational Hangzhou Polytechnic^Vocational Zhejiang Vocational College of Special Education^Vocational Zhejiang Yuying College of Vocational and Technology^{Private, Vocational} Zhejiang Changzheng Vocational and Technical College^{Private, Vocational} Hangzhou Wanxiang Polytechnic^{Private, Vocational} Zhejiang Open University^Continuing Hangzhou Workers Part-time University^Continuing Zhejiang Provincial Level Organ Staff Part-time University^Continuing Zhejiang Staff University of Economics and Management^Continuing
Ningbo	Zhejiang University (Ningbo Campus)^{DBC 985 211 Key P+M Degree} Ningbo University^{DBC P+M Degree} Zhejiang Wanli University^Degree Ningbo University of Technology^Degree NingboTech University^Degree Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University^{Professional, Degree} Ningbo University of Finance and Economics^{Private, Degree} University of Nottingham Ningbo China^{Foreign, Degree} College of Science and Technology, Ningbo University^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Business Technology Institute^Vocational Ningbo Polytechnic^Vocational Zhejiang Fashion Institute of Technology^Vocational Ningbo Childhood Education College^{Vocational, Continuing} Ningbo City College of Vocational Technology^Vocational Ningbo College of Health Sciences^Vocational Ningbo Open University^Continuing Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo
Wenzhou	Wenzhou Medical University^{P+M Degree} Wenzhou University^Degree Wenzhou Institute of Technology^Degree Wenzhou Business College^{Private, Degree} Wenzhou-Kean University^{Foreign, Degree} Wenzhou Medical University Renii College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Industry and Trade Polytechnic^Vocational Zhejiang College of Security Technology^Vocational Wenzhou Vocational and Technical College^Vocational Wenzhou Vocational College of Science & Technology^Vocational Zhejiang Dongfang Polytechnic^{Private, Vocational} City University of Wenzhou (Wenzhou Open University, Wenzhou Workers Spare-time College)^Continuing
Jiaxing	Zhejiang University (Haining International Campus)^{DBC 985 211 Key P+M Degree} Jiaxing University^Degree Jiaxing Nanhu University^Degree Tongji Zhejiang College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Oriental Institute of Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Jiaxing Vocational and Technical College^Vocational Jiaxing Nanyang Polytechnic Institute^{Private, Vocational} Jiaxing Education College^Continuing
Huzhou	Huzhou University^Degree Huzhou College^Degree Huzhou Vocational and Technical College^Vocational Zhejiang Yuxiang Vocational and Technical College^{Private, Vocational}
Shaoxing	Shaoxing University^Degree Zhejiang Yuexiu University^{Private, Degree} Zhijiang College of Zhejiang University of Technology^{Private, Degree, Independent College} College of Technology and Art of Zhejiang Sci-tech University^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Shaoxing University Yuanpei College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Jiyang College of Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University ^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Agricultural Business College^Vocational Zhejiang Industry Polytechnic College^Vocational Zhejiang Post and Telecommunication College^Vocational Shaoxing Vocational and Technical College^{Private, Vocational}
Jinhua	Zhejiang Normal University^Degree Zhejiang Guangsha Vocational and Technical University of Construction^{Private, Professional, Degree} Zhejiang Normal University Xingzhi College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Shanghai University of Finance and Economics Zhejiang College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} China Jiliang University College of Modern Science and Technology^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Jinhua Polytechnic^Vocational Yiwu Industrial and Commercial College^Vocational Zhejiang Hengdian College of Film & Television^{Private, Vocational} Zhejiang Jinhua Technology and Trade Polytechnic^{Private, Vocational} Jinhua Education College^Continuing
Quzhou	Quzhou University^Degree Quzhou Vocational and Technical College^Vocational
Zhoushan	Zhejiang University (Zhoushan Campus)^{DBC 985 211 Key P+M Degree} Zhejiang Ocean University^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang International Maritime College^Vocational Zhoushan Tourism and Health College^Vocational
Taizhou	Taizhou University^Degree Taizhou Vocational and Technical College^Vocational Taizhou Vocational College of Science and Technology^Vocational Zhejiang Automotive Vocational and Technical College^{Private, Vocational}
Lishui	Lishui University^Degree Lishui Vocational Technical College^Vocational
Unless otherwise stated, all the universities and colleges listed are provincial or municipal public universities and colleges. DBC : Double First-Class Construction; 985 : Project 985; 211 : Project 211; Key : National Key Universities; P+M : provincial and ministerial co-founded universities. ^Degree: institutions offering degree education; ^Professional: institutions offering professional training and certificates. ^Vocational: institutions offering vocational training and diploma. ^Private: privately founded. ^Foreign: Sino-foreign cooperative joint universities; ^Independent: Independent college affiliated to a university; ^Continuing: Continuing education institutions; ^Private: Privately founded As of April 2018, there were 108 higher education institutions in Zhejiang, among which 36 were private, and 9 Continuing education institutions.