Nanjing Normal University (NNU) is located in the ancient capital of China, Nanjing, the country’s seat of power for six dynasties.

In 1902 the university opened under the name Sanjiang Normal University. It has had a complicated history, changing its name a dozen times and merging with several other institutions, including the National Ginling University and Nanjing Power College.

Since 1996, Nanjing Normal University has been part of the 211 project, one of China’s key education projects developing prominent universities.

NNU has 26 schools and two colleges which cover a comprehensive breadth of academic fields, ranging from Chinese Language and Literature to Dynamics Engineering.

The university is responsible for many major scientific research projects. Research at the university goes beyond the physical sciences, through the work of institutions such as the Collaborative Innovation Centre for the Development of the Rule of Law and the Research Institute of Moral Education.

The university covers three campuses: Xianlin Campus, Suiyuan Campus, and Zijin Campus. Suiyuan Campus has an almost legendary reputation for beauty: its grounds are laid out around an old school house and traditional gardens. With its gingko trees and ponds, it truly looks like a work of art.

As the ancient capital of China, Nanjing is the location of many remarkable historic sites. The Ming tombs, listed by UNESCO World Heritage, are stunning mausoleums located near the city. Alternatively, drop into one of Nanjing’s hot springs to relax with views of the surrounding mountains.

The history of Nanjing Normal University (NNU) can be traced back to 1902 with the establishment of Sanjiang Normal College, one of the cradles of China’s higher normal schools. It evolved into Liangjiang Excellent Normal College, National Nanjing Higher Normal School, National Southeast University, the Fourth Zhongshan University, National Jiangsu University, National Central University, and then Nanjing University in the following decades. The other origin of Nanjing Normal University is Nanking University which was established in 1888 and it developed into Private Ginling University in 1910. In 1951, Private Ginling University and Private Ginling Women's Arts and Science College, which was known as Private Ginling Women's University, were integrated to National Ginling University. In 1952, as the result of the nationwide adjustment of higher education, some schools and departments of Nanjing University and Ginling University were separated from the former universities and merged into Nanjing Normal College which was set up on the former site of the Ginling Women's University. In 1984, Nanjing Normal College was renamed Nanjing Normal University. In 1996, it entered the list of key universities of “Project 211”. In 2000, Nanjing Power College was incorporated into the university as well.