Jilin University is a national key comprehensive university under the direct administration of Ministry of Education in China, located in Changchun, Jilin Province. It was founded in 1946. In 1960, it was listed as national key university; In 1984, it was one of the 22 universities initially granted the permission to admit postgraduates; In 1995, approved by State Education Commission of China, it was granted as one of the first "Project 211" universities; In 2001, Jilin University was listed as one of “Project 985” key construction universities; In 2004, it was approved as one of the universities under direct administration of the Ministry of Education of China; In 2017, it was rated as one of the universities for building world-class universities in the “Double World-class Initiative” .

In 2000, Jilin University merged with the former Jilin University of Technology, the former Norman Bethune University of Medical Sciences, the former Changchun University of Science and Technology and Changchun Institute of Posts and Telecommunications. In 2004, the former University of Military Logistics also joined.

Jilin University offers a wide range of disciplines, including 50 colleges or schools, covering 12 academic categories, namely, philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, science, engineering, agriculture, medical science, management, and art. Among them, 11 disciplines, namely archaeology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering, philosophy, law, mechanical and bionic engineering, electronic science and technology, geological resources and engineering, and one health are selected as “Double First-class” constructing disciplines according to the list released by Ministry of Education.