Sun Yat-sen University is prestigious with fine traditions in teaching and learning. In 1924, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the great leader of China in the 20th century, founded this university personally, and inscribed in his own handwriting the school motto of “Study extensively; Enquire accurately; Reflect carefully; Discriminate clearly; Practise earnestly.” The school was originally named Guangdong University, and later renamed Sun Yat-sen University in 1926. In the 1930s, there were seven schools in the University, which were the Schools of Arts, Sciences, Law, Engineering, Agricultural Studies, Medicine and Education.

In 1935, the University set up the Graduate School and began to enroll graduate students. In the 1950s, the colleges, schools and departments were readjusted nationwide, and Sun Yat-sen University became a comprehensive university with the liberal arts and sciences as its backbone disciplines.