Northwest University is a public institution located in Xi'an city, Shaanxi Province, in Northwest China.

The university can trace its origins back to 1902 and has undergone a series of name changes since being established. It assumed its present name in 1912, before being renamed National Northwest University 11 years later. It was then called National Xi'an Provisional University after the merger with National Beiping University becoming the National Northwest Associated University in 1938, and then National Northwest University again in 1939.

The university has three campuses: the Taibai Campus, the Taoyuan Campus and the Chang’an Campus. Together, they cover an area of almost 400 acres. In 1978 it was designated as one of China's National Key Universities, which are recognised as prestigious and receive a high level of support from the central government. It was one of the first universities in China empowered to set up doctoral, postdoctoral and master’s programs.

The university describes its vision as “promoting the national spirit, integrating the ideas from around the world and shouldering the responsibility of developing northwest China”, and its motto is: “Fairness, Integrity, Diligence and Simplicity.”

NWU attaches great importance to international exchange and cooperation programmes, and has established collaborative relationships with more than 100 universities in more than 20 countries, including the UK, the US, Germany, France and Japan.

The city of Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi province and is best known internationally as the home of the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. It is one of the oldest cities in China and is the most populous in Northwest China.