Located in Nanjing, known as the capital of six ancient dynasties, Nanjing University is a key comprehensive university under the direct leadership of the Ministry of Education.

The university dates back to 1902 when Sanjiang Normal School was founded. The School then evolved as Liangjiang Normal School, Nanjing Higher Normal School, the National Southeast University, the National Fourth Zhongshan University, and the National Central University. In August 1949, it was named the National Nanjing University. Today's Nanjing University is formed mainly on the basis of the merging of the arts and sciences schools of the National Nanjing University and the University of Nanking (a well-known university founded in 1888) during the nationwide institutional and departmental restructuring in 1952. In 1994, Nanjing University was named one of the first universities listed in Project 211. In July 1999, the Ministry of Education and Jiangsu provincial government signed an agreement to jointly develop Nanjing University.

Nanjing University consists of 10 schools. They are Humanities, Law, International Business, Foreign Studies, Natural Sciences, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Technology, Geoscience, Life Sciences, and Medicine. With 36 departments, 5 divisions of general course instruction, the Graduate School and the School of Adult Education, the university is running 55 undergraduate programs, 7 dual bachelor's degree programs, 106 master's degree programs, 55 PhD programs, and 43 post-doctoral programs at 14 post-doctoral stations. In addition, 8 two-year certificate programs and 64 adult education programs are offered. The university has 18 national key disciplines and 11 provincial key disciplines. Nanjing University has thus formed a complete series of educational programs at two-year certificate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and post-doctoral levels.

Of the university's 2,150 faculty members, more than 1,500 are professors and associate professors, among whom 21 are members of either the Chinese Academy of Sciences or the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and 2 are fellows of the Third World Academy of Sciences.

Nanjing University takes an active part in international academic exchanges. In recent years, over 2.000 faculty members and students have been sent abroad for advanced studies, academic visits or joint research projects. At the same time, Nanjing University has received over 2,000 international students and visiting scholars from more than 50 countries or regions. Foreign experts are often invited to teach or give lectures. Over 20 world-famous scholars have been conferred Nanjing University honorary doctorates and professorships. The university's links with over 100 universities and research institutions abroad has opened up channels for joint personnel training and cooperative scientific research. Since 1982, Nanjing University has conducted about 100 cooperative projects with institutions abroad and hosted 60 international academic conferences.

Covering an area of 3,600 mu(1/15 of a hectare), Nanjing University consists of two campuses, one in Gulou and the other in Pukou. It has 84 laboratories of different fields and 53 interdisciplinary research centers. Supported by its strong disciplines, the university has built a science and technology industry system that mainly consists of biology and biochemistry, special materials, fine chemicals, electronic information, and mechanical and electrical equipment. The Nanjing University Science and Technology Industrial Zone has been set up.

In carrying out the "Project 211", Nanjing University is building itself into an internationally influential, multi-disciplinary university.