The founding of International Campus was an important initiative of Zhejiang University to serve China's strategy of opening-up of education and innovation-driven development. It was also an important measure by the university to elevate itself to a world-class university with Chinese characteristics. 

In 2013, Zhejiang University began to build its international campus in Haining. The International Campus was launched in 2016 and received the first cohort of students in September. In 2019, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council jointly issued the Outline of the Integrated Regional Development of the Yangtze River Delta, proposing to build the international collaborative education model. In 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Science and Technology jointly issued the Construction Plan for International Collaborative Education Models: Zhejiang University International Campus (Haining) and Duke Kunshan University.  In 2023, Zhejiang Province issued the Implementation Plan for International Collaborative Education models: Zhejiang University International Campus (Haining)（2023-2025）. The International Campus, representing the universities, appeared on the special postage stamp commemorating the 5th anniversary of the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta.

International Campus puts into practice the international collaborative education model of “High-Quality and 1+ X”, by partnering with world-class universities. 2 joint institutes have already been successfully established with the University of Edinburgh (ZJU-UoE Institute) and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (ZJU-UlUC Institute). In addition, Zhejiang University International Business School (ZIBS) was officially established, as well as 11 international research centers. The student population has researched nearly 3,000, with international students accounting for 15%.