The Zhejiang University was founded in 1897 as Qiushi Academy and was the first university founded by Chinese. In 1928 it was officially renamed "Zhejiang University". In 1998, It emerged together with Hangzhou University, Zhejiang Agricultural University and Zhejiang Medical University.

The University is located in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province. Because of its economic strength Hangzhou is the No.2 of all Chinese capitals at the provincial level. It is located in the south of the Yangzi River Delta and it takes only one hour from Shanghai to Hangzhou by train. As one of the 7 historical capitals of China, Hangzhou is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. Its history can be traced back to 4700 v. Chr. Hangzhou is mainly known in China as a tea growing area. The most famous green tea in China, the Dragon Well tea (Longjing), is grown here. 

The Zhejiang University belongs to both 211 and 985 project and is a member of the C9 League. 2013 it won the 3rd place in the Chinese university ranking (Netbig Chinese University Ranking). It is also a member of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (Network of Asia-Pacific Research Universities) and Worldwide Universities Network. The focuses of research at the Zhejiang University are mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, computer science, medicine (with 7 affiliated hospitals) and social sciences.

The Zhejiang University offers 122 undergraduate, 326 masters, 296 PhD programs and 47 post-doctoral stations. Numerous English language programs are offered, for example, Master programs in Law, International Relations, MBA and China Studies.

Since 2013, Zhejiang University is a partner university of the Freie Universität Berlin. There are cooperation projects between both universities in Chemistry, China Studies, German Studies, Philosophy, and East Asian Art History.