Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics was founded in October 1952. In 1996, NUAA passed the evaluation process of Project 211 directed by the Ministry of Education, and became one of the nation’s “100 key universities for the 21st Century.” Approved by the Ministry of Education, NUAA launched postgraduate programs in 2000. In 2011, NUAA became the key construction University of “985 Project Advantage Discipline Innovation Platform". At present, NUAA has a full-time enrollment of over 8141 postgraduate students, 17924 undergraduates, and 673 international students. There are also 5873 other types of registered students in various programs.

NUAA has a faculty with significant academic prestige and educational experience. The full-time staff number more than 3075, including more than 1330 professors and associate professors, 406 Ph.D. supervisors, 10 CAS academicians, 3 members of Academic Degree Committee under the State Council, 13"Changjiang Scholar Award" professors, 19 professors with national or provincial recognition for their outstanding contributions, as well as 135 experts who enjoy special government allowance.

NUAA enjoys a well-balanced development of multiple disciplines in engineering and technology, management sciences, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences with the characteristics of aeronautics, astronautics and civil aviation. NUAA consists of 15 colleges, e. g. College of Aerospace Engineering, College of Energy & Power Engineering, College of Mechanical Engineering, and College of Civil Aviation. NUAA has set up 98 research institutes, such as unmanned aircraft vehicle research institute and helicopter technology research institute, and 51 laboratories including 1 National Key Laboratory, 12 Ministerial Key Laboratories, 2 National Engineering Teaching Bases and 3 National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Centers, providing the first class facilities and conditions for teaching and research. NUAA offers a wide range of programs including 52 undergraduate programs, 199 master programs, 80 doctoral programs and 12 postdoctoral programs. There are two first grade disciplines including Navigation Guidance & Control, Power Electronics and Power Drives and nine second grade disciplines including Aircraft Design, Engineering Mechanics, and Mechanical Manufacture & Automation that are all honored as national key disciplines. There are key 15 disciplines with the characteristics of national defense and 5 key disciplines that are recognized as key disciplines of Jiangsu Province.

Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics attaches great importance to international cooperation and exchanges. It has established cooperation with more than 100 famous universities, research centers and enterprises all over the world. About 500 international students from 30 countries, e.g. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Nepal, India, Malaysia, Philippine, Iraq, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Kenya, etc. are studying for doctoral, master and bachelor degrees. In2009, it has been appointed by Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China to accept international students with Chinese Government Scholarship.