Zhejiang University was founded in 1897, formerly known as an academy, and is one of the earliest new institutions of higher learning founded by the people of China. It is one of the first key universities to enter the National 2 1 1 Project and the 985 Project. In the long-term process of running a school, Zhejiang University has cultivated a large number of outstanding talents with rigorous and realistic style and created fruitful results with persistent innovative spirit.

Zhejiang University has a strong faculty. At present, there are 15 academicians of China Academy of Sciences, 12 academicians of China Academy of Engineering, 9 chief scientists of 973 Project, 5/kloc-0 academicians of Changjiang distinguished professor, and 67 winners of Outstanding Youth Fund. High-level graduate tutors and good experimental conditions for scientific research have laid a solid foundation for the development of high-level graduate education.

Zhejiang University established the Ocean Research Center in 2003. On this basis, the relevant disciplines and talents were integrated, and the Department of Marine Science and Engineering of Zhejiang University (referred to as the Department of Oceanography) was established in May 2009. The Department of Oceanography has made great progress in teaching staff, personnel training, scientific research, international cooperation and exchange, and realized the leap-forward development of oceanography.

In order to further implement the major national strategic deployment, actively serve and support the national marine development strategy, and respond to major local needs, on February 20 12, 12, Zhejiang University Ocean College (to be established) was formally established on the basis of the existing marine department. On June 20 13, Zhejiang University officially issued a document, renamed the College of Oceanography of Zhejiang University (to be established) as the College of Oceanography of Zhejiang University, and formally established the Department of Ocean Science and the Department of Ocean Engineering. The 5+4 Institute was established, and the basic framework of the two departments was established.