Hangzhou Normal University (HZNU), located in the vibrant city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is a key university in the province with a rich tradition in teacher education and a strong commitment to comprehensive, balanced development across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Its origins trace back to 1908, with the establishment of the Zhejiang Official Dual-level Normal School, one of China’s six major higher normal institutions at the time.

Over the course of more than a century, HZNU has grown alongside the nation’s development. Distinguished figures such as Lu Xun, Li Shutong, and Ye Shengtao once taught at the university, helping shape its deep cultural and educational foundations. Among its notable alumni are Cai Ronggen, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Jack Ma, the lead founder of Alibaba Group. Today, HZNU carries forward its motto of “Diligence, Conscientiousness, Honesty and Generosity; Erudition, Elegance, Refinement and Excellence” and the spirit of openness, progressiveness, and pursuit of excellence.

HZNU operates across three beautiful campuses—Cangqian, Yuhuangshan, and Xiasha—covering a total area of 2.29 million square meters. It consists of 24 schools and divisions, along with two affiliated hospitals. The university currently has 32,563 full-time students, including 5,936 graduate students and 419 international students. Its faculty body includes 2,907 staff members, of whom 2,148 are full-time teachers; 78.45% hold doctoral degrees. Nearly 80 faculty members have been recognized as national or provincial-level distinguished talents, including academicians and recipients of prestigious honors.

HZNU’ s academic structure is strong and diverse. The university offers 6 first-level discipline doctoral programs, 1 professional doctoral program, 25 first-level discipline master’s programs, and 26 professional master’s programs. Fifteen disciplines, including Chemistry, Clinical Medicine, Botany and Zoology, Neurology and Behavior, Engineering, Material Science, Environmental Science and Ecology, Biology and Biochemistry, Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Psychiatry and Psychology, Social Sciences General, Physics and Molecular Biology and Genetics rank among the world’s top 1% in ESI, with Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany and Zoology, and Clinical Medicine standing out in the top 0.5%.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are among HZNU’s core strengths. The university is a national pilot institution for the Ministry of Education’s Excellence Teacher Training Program and a pioneer in innovation and entrepreneurship education. It currently boasts 27 national first-class undergraduate programs, 16 provincial-level first-class programs, and 23 nationally recognized courses. Research strength is equally impressive, with 37 provincial and ministerial-level research platforms, 11 provincial innovation teams, and 8 international research cooperation platforms. The University Science Park has been accredited as a “National University Science Park” and a “National-level Science and Technology Business Incubator.”

HZNU is deeply engaged in global collaboration. It operates Kharkiv Institute at Hangzhou Normal University, a Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution, and maintains exchange partnerships with over 30 universities across the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and other countries and regions. It was among the first universities selected for China’s international education quality certification pilot program.

Looking to the future, HZNU remains firmly committed to innovation, openness, and excellence. The university continues to work toward building a strong, distinctive, and culturally vibrant first-class institution, making new contributions to education, research, and international cooperation in the new era.

Time Line and Celebrities in the Development of Hangzhou Normal University

• 1908  Zhejiang Dual-Level Normal School

• 1912 Zhejiang Provincial Dual-Level Normal School

• 1913  No.1 Normal School of Zhejiang Province

• 1923  High School and Normal School Emerged

• 1931  Zhejiang Provincial Hangzhou Normal School

• 1938  Interim Allied Normal School of Zhejiang Province

• 1939  Zhejiang Provincial Allied Normal School

• 1946  Zhejiang Provincial Hangzhou Normal School

• 1956  Hangzhou Normal School of Zhejiang Province

• 1978  Hangzhou Teachers College

• 2000  Six Colleges/Institutes merged into Hangzhou Teachers College

• 2007  Hangzhou Normal University