Universities

Beihang University (BUAA), formerly Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, was founded in 1952 as China's first university focused on aerospace technology. Since the 1950s it has been one of 16 key state universities. It has grown into a science and technology university with aerospace features, combining science, engineering, liberal arts, law, economics, management, and education. Doctoral programs in 49 fields, master's in 144 fields, bachelor's in 57 subjects. The university has 28 schools and about 130 professional laboratories, of which 35 are listed as state or ministry key laboratories. Campus is in western Beijing near Zhongguancun. International education began in the early 1990s. By the end of 2011, over 1,100 international students were enrolled, including over 700 degree students (doctoral, master, or bachelor).

Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is a key university under the Ministry of Education of China. Founded in Yan’an in 1941, it was the first Chinese institution specialized in foreign language studies and has a long history among universities of this type. It offers a full range of degrees and programs and has a large number of foreign language programs. It is known for foreign language and literature teaching and research, and trains people for work in foreign languages, culture, diplomacy, journalism, and international business. BFSU has 13 schools, colleges, and institutes, 7 academic departments, and many research centers. Schools and institutes include the School of English and International Studies, School of English for Special Purposes, School of Russian Language, Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation, School of International Business, School of Chinese Language and Literature, School of International Relations and Diplomacy, Law School, School of Asian and African Languages, School of European Languages and Cultures, School of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Continuing Education College (Training College), and the Institute of Online Education. Departments cover German, French, Japanese, Spanish, Arabic, Computer Science, and Physical Education. Research centers include the Beijing Center for Japanese Studies, European and American Literature Research Center, Foreign Languages Research Center, International Issues Research Center, and an American Studies Center

Beijing Forestry University (BFU) is a national key university under the Ministry of Education of China, based in Haidian District, Beijing. Founded in 1952, it began as a forestry college and is now multi-disciplinary, with leading strengths in forestry, biology, and forestry engineering, plus courses in sciences, engineering, management, economics, liberal arts, law, and philosophy. Besides undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral education, it offers further education and international student education. It has 57 undergraduate subjects, 15 undergraduate schools, 116 graduate disciplines, and 39 doctoral disciplines. There are 495 full/associate professors, including 127 PhD supervisors and 5 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE). Strong fields include landscape architecture, biological science, forestry silviculture, and soil and water conservation. About 13,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students study at BFU. International students are welcome from language learners to postdoctoral researchers. By 2013, about 2,500 international students had enrolled, from countries including Korea, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Indonesia, Austria, Italy, Finland, France, Turkey, Vietnam, and Mongolia. Since 2007, BFU has admitted Chinese Government Scholarship students and is listed as a recipient university of the Beijing Municipal Government Scholarship

Founded in 1940, Beijing Institute of Technology is a science- and engineering-focused university located in China’s capital. It comprises 19 schools and delivers 64 undergraduate, 196 graduate, and 95 doctoral programmes across disciplines including engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, mathematics, business, law, design art, and foreign languages. The campus hosts over 27,000 full-time students, including more than 1,200 international students from 90 countries. With 3,504 faculty members—including academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering—the university maintains nine national key disciplines and five national key laboratories. Its academic structure integrates science, engineering, and liberal arts, with research activity concentrated in nationally designated centres and laboratories. BIT’s location in Beijing supports sustained engagement with national strategic priorities in technology and innovation.

Beijing Jiaotong University, founded in 1896 during the Qing Dynasty, is a centrally located university in Beijing with over 22,000 full-time students and a teaching staff of 2,842, including 286 full professors. It comprises 12 schools and maintains 120 graduate programmes, 60 doctoral programmes, and 13 post-doctoral research stations. The university hosts 22 research institutes and centres, alongside 39 laboratories spanning diverse academic fields. Twelve of its disciplines are designated as key ministerial priorities. BJTU has welcomed international students since it became one of the first Chinese universities authorised by the central government to do so, and has hosted learners from more than 100 countries. Its School of Software Engineering is among China’s 37 national pilot software engineering schools and follows CDIO-based pedagogy.

Beijing Normal University (BNU) was founded in 1902. It is a major university in Beijing that has received strong national support, including through the "211" and "985" projects. Structure: 1 Faculty, 23 colleges and schools, 2 departments, and 37 institutes. BNU signed an agreement with the Ministry of Education and Beijing Municipal Government and became the 10th university on a special support list aiming for world prestige. It has 108 doctoral programs, 153 master's programs, 60 bachelor's programs, and 25 post-doctoral programs. It has 16 national key disciplines (5 general and 11 specialized). BNU has cooperative agreements with 300 institutions in over 30 countries, and over 50 student exchange partners in Asia, Europe, and North America. Joint Confucius Institutes are named with: University of Manchester (UK); San Francisco State University (US); University of Oklahoma (US); Université de Sherbrooke and Dawson College (Canada); Aalborg University (Denmark); University of Macerata (Italy); and the College of William and Mary (US).

Founded in 1958, Beijing University of Chemical Technology is a national key university located across three campuses in Beijing: the east campus on Beisanhuan East Road, the west campus near Zizhuyuan Park, and the north campus adjacent to the Ming Tombs Scenic Area. It maintains science and engineering as its academic foundation while expanding into management, economics, law, humanities, education, philosophy, and life sciences. The university comprises twelve colleges, including Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and International Education, and hosts doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate programmes across more than forty disciplines. Its academic staff includes over seven hundred full and associate professors, alongside eight academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. With nearly thirty-one thousand students, the university supports a diverse cohort of domestic and international learners. English-taught master’s programmes are offered in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering (Macromolecules).

Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM), established in 1956 in Beijing, specialises in traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese Materia Medica. It has been included in Project 211 and Project 985. Teaching combines classroom study, clinical practice, and research for domestic and international degree students.

Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT) was established in 1955. It is directly administered by the Ministry of Education and co-built by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. It was among the first "Project 211" universities and is included in the "Project 985 Innovation Platform for Superior Discipline". BUPT is a multidisciplinary research-oriented university focused on engineering and sciences, with coordinated development of management, humanities, and sciences, and particular strength in information technology. It is described as an important talent base for China's IT industry. It has 19 academic units (including the School of Information and Communication Engineering, School of Electronic Engineering, School of Computer Science, and others) and 3 research institutes. "Information and Communication Engineering" and "Computer Science and Technology" were included in China's "double first-class" discipline list. In the Fourth Round National Evaluation of Disciplinary Development, Information and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, and Electronic Science and Technology were evaluated as A Class or above, with ICE as A+. In 2016, BUPT professors participated as core members in "Key Technologies in 4G Mobile Communication System and Applications" and won a Special National Award for Science and Technology Progress. In the 2012 national discipline evaluation, Information and Communication Engineering ranked 1st nationwide.

Beijing University of Technology (BJUT) was founded in 1960. It is a key university under the Beijing Municipal Government. It offers programs and research across science, engineering, economics, management, literature, law, philosophy, education, and art. In 1981 it was among the first universities authorized by the Ministry of Education to award master's degrees. In 1985 it gained the right to award doctoral degrees. In December 1996 it was approved under the national "211 Project" as one of about 100 key universities for the 21st century. In the 2013 QS Asian University Rankings it was ranked #126 in Asia and #29 among Chinese universities. BJUT has 3 national key disciplines: Optical Engineering, Materials Science, and Structural Engineering; 39 Beijing municipal key disciplines; 18 first-category doctoral programs; 71 second-category doctoral programs; 31 first-category master's programs; 139 second-category master's programs; and 17 post-doctoral programs. The College of International Education (CIE) supports international students.

Central China Normal University (CCNU) was founded in 1903 and took the name CCNU in 1985. It is a comprehensive university on the National 211 Priority Project list. The campus is on Guizi Mountain in Wuhan, bordering East Lake and South Lake. CCNU has 25 schools and departments, more than 60 research institutes/centers, 59 bachelor's programs, 94 doctoral programs, and 184 master's programs. Student body over 30,000, including 8,000 postgraduates and more than 2,700 international students. CCNU was among the first Chinese universities to accept international students and is appointed to accept students with Chinese Government Scholarship. It is also among the earliest state-level Chinese Language Teaching Bases ratified by the State Council. It has exchange and research cooperation with more than 100 universities in over 70 countries, including the United States, Germany, Japan, Russia, France, New Zealand, Australia, Korea, and Vietnam. Overseas enrollment began in 1965. About 2,700 overseas students from more than 100 countries study long-term or for degrees

The Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) began as the National College of Music in 1940 and later merged with other Chinese music education institutions. It trains high-level musical specialists and is the only fine-arts university in China listed in the "211 Project". Departments and colleges include Musicology, Composition, Conducting, Piano, Voice and Opera, Orchestral Instruments, Traditional Chinese Musical Instruments, Music Education, Orchestra Academy, Science and Technology (Electro-Acoustic Music Center, Institute of Music Therapy, Violin Making Center, Voice Research Center), Musicology Institute, Music Education College for Distance Learning, Continuing Education College, and attached primary and middle school. Teaching staff: 389, including 52 PhD supervisors, 207 master's supervisors, 119 professors, and 223 associate professors. CCOM was among the first institutions able to confer doctoral degrees in China and, in 2001, had the first post-doctoral station among Academies of Fine Arts, approved by the Academic Degrees Committee, Human Resources Department of the State Council, and Ministry of Education. The Musicology Institute (set up 2003) is described as the only Ministry of Education key Institute of Humanities and Social Science among Academies of Fine Arts. Orchestra Academy was established in 2005, described as the first of its kind in Asia for training orchestra players.

Central South University stands in Changsha, a historic city in south-central China. Formed in 2000 through the merger of three institutions—including a pioneering medical school founded in 1914—the university brings together strengths in mineral resources, materials science, medicine, civil engineering, and transportation. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes across eleven academic fields, with 31 colleges and institutes, a graduate school, and three top-tier affiliated hospitals. Around 52,400 students study here, supported by approximately 20,000 staff. The university hosts 24 postdoctoral research stations and maintains academic links with more than 200 overseas universities and research organisations.

Founded in 1949 in central Beijing, Central University of Finance and Economics began as the Central Institute of Taxation and evolved through several institutional phases before adopting its current name in 1996. It operates under the Ministry of Education and focuses primarily on economics, management, law, arts, sciences, and engineering. The university maintains its main campus in downtown Beijing while developing a new campus in Shahe, Changping District, covering 80.4 hectares upon completion. With over seven decades of teaching and research experience, CUFE has grown into a national hub for education and scholarship in financial and economic disciplines. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes across its constituent schools and institutes. Student enrolment numbers reflect its status as a medium-sized university with concentrated academic strengths. Its academic culture emphasises faculty quality and scholarly rigour across disciplines.

Chang’an University (CHD) in Xi’an, founded in 1951, is administered by the Ministry of Education and is a Project 211 university. It is especially known for highway transportation and construction engineering, with broader engineering and related programmes. International students study on degree pathways across its Xi’an campuses.

China Pharmaceutical University (CPU) is in Nanjing. It began as the National Pharmaceutical School in 1936 and was China’s first independent school of pharmacy. It remains a leading pharmacy university with many specialized fields. It is a “211 Project” key university under the Ministry of Education. 1 and Traditional Chinese Pharmacy ranks No. 3 CPU was among the earliest institutions authorized by the Ministry of Education to admit full-time pharmacy students and visiting scholars from overseas. It hosts Chinese scholarship students and has recruited international students since the 1950s. Structure: 6 schools (Pharmacy; Traditional Chinese Pharmacy; Life Science and Technology; International Pharmaceutical Business; Continuing Education; Higher Vocational Education), 4 independent departments (Basic Sciences; Foreign Languages; Social Sciences; Physical Education), and 23 key labs and centers at state or provincial level. For international students, CPU offers 22 bachelor’s, 33 master’s, 26 doctoral, and 23 post-doctoral programs in Chinese, plus English Pharmacy programs, visiting student and visiting scholar programs, Chinese language programs, and 6 short-term training programs

Founded in 1952 and based in Wuhan, China University of Geosciences specialises in Earth sciences while maintaining a broad academic structure across science, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and education. It delivers integrated undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral training through 19 colleges offering 57 bachelor’s, 106 master’s, and 37 doctoral programmes. The university hosts national and provincial key laboratories and engineering centres, supported by around 1,300 academic staff—including nine members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Its campus features comprehensive teaching facilities, extensive library and museum collections, and accommodates approximately 20,000 full-time students, including over 500 international degree-seeking students. CUG has welcomed overseas learners since the 1980s and currently hosts more than 400 international students enrolled in degree programmes, alongside short-term and exchange visitors each year.

China University of Mining and Technology was founded in 1909 and is based in Xuzhou, a city in northern Jiangsu province known for its natural setting and urban infrastructure. It operates as a national key university under the direct administration of China’s Ministry of Education and participates in the ‘211 Project’ and the ‘985 Innovation Platform for Advantageous Disciplines’. The university offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes across engineering, sciences, humanities and social sciences, with particular academic focus on mining and safety engineering—both designated National Double First-class Construction Disciplines since 2017. Its campus hosts over 23,700 students, including more than 650 international students from 69 countries. CUMT maintains teaching and research activity across multiple schools and institutes, supported by facilities aligned with its long-standing disciplinary emphases.

Founded in 1953 and based in Beijing, China University of Petroleum (Beijing) is a national key university under the Ministry of Education. It operates across 16 colleges and delivers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programmes in energy-related disciplines, with growing emphasis on sustainable energy, deep-water technology, environmental engineering and energy policy. The university hosts two national key laboratories and over twenty ministerial research institutes, supported by a teaching staff of 1,369, including professors and associate professors. Its student body includes more than 14,000 degree candidates from across China and 832 international students representing 52 countries. CUPB maintains long-standing academic and research ties with major global energy enterprises. It offers 27 bachelor’s, 99 master’s and 48 doctoral programmes.

Founded in 1952, the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) is a Beijing-based institution with two campuses: Xueyuan Lu in Haidian District and Fuxue Lu in Changping District. It evolved from the merger of law, political science, and sociology departments formerly housed at Peking University, Yenching University, Fu Jen Catholic University, and Tsinghua University. CUPL offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes across law, political science, philosophy, economics, management, history, and education. The university comprises 19 schools and departments, alongside 10 university-level research institutes. With around 15,000 full-time students—including over 800 international students—and more than 800 academic staff, CUPL maintains a focused presence in legal and social sciences education. Its post-doctoral research centre supports advanced scholarly work in these fields.

Chongqing University (CQU) is a key national university directly under the Ministry of Education. It is a “211 Project” and “985 Project” university with support from central and local government. Founded in 1929, CQU has 28 colleges, plus the Graduate School, the City College of Science and Technology, the College of Continuing Education, and the College of Networking Education. Total enrollment is about 50,000: about 20,000 master’s and doctoral students and 30,000 undergraduates. The university has 24 postdoctoral mobile stations, 133 doctoral programs, 256 master’s programs, 18 professional master’s programs (including MBA, EMBA, MPA, and master of engineering), and 89 bachelor’s programs across science, engineering, liberal arts, economics, management, law, agriculture, and education. Staff: about 5,400 faculty and staff, including about 2,700 full-time teachers; 3 members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and 12 contracted members from other institutions; 6 members of the Subject Appraisal Team of the Degree Committee under the State Council; 4 chief scientists of the National 973 Project; 4 state-level middle-aged or young experts with distinguished contribution; 500 doctorate supervisors; and 1,700 full professors and associate professors. CQU has exchange links with over 100 higher education institutions in about 20 countries, including the USA, England, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Holland, Japan, South Korea, and Russia.

The Communication University of China (CUC) is a “Project 211” key university under the Ministry of Education. It began in 1954 as a training center for technicians of the Central Broadcasting Bureau. In April 1959 it became Beijing Broadcasting Institute (approved by the State Council). In August 2004 it was renamed Communication University of China. It is in east Beijing near the Old Canal, on 473,000 m² of land with 383,000 m² of construction. Motto: integrity, professionalism, erudition, and competence. The university focuses on media and information communication fields and is widely known for radio and television training.

Dalian Maritime University (DMU) was founded in 1909. It is a major maritime university and the only key maritime institution under China’s Ministry of Transport. It is recognized by the International Maritime Organization as a center for maritime education and training. Programs: 6 post-doctoral research centers, 6 primary-discipline doctoral programs, 32 subordinate-discipline doctoral programs, 18 primary-discipline master’s programs, 97 subordinate-discipline master’s programs, and 51 undergraduate programs. About 19 teaching and research units include Navigation College, Marine Engineering College, Information Science and Technology College, Transportation and Management College, Environmental Science and Engineering College, Transportation Equipment and Ocean Engineering College, Law School, Foreign Languages College, Public Management and Humanities College, Department of Mathematics, and Department of Physics. About 20,000 students. More than 90,000 graduates have been trained at DMU, many working in China’s shipping industry. Facilities include maritime science buildings, a survival training center, harbor basin, library, swimming pool, planetarium, a training dock, over 100 laboratories (including a full-mission ship-handling simulator and an engine-room simulator), and two ocean-going training vessels

Dalian University of Technology (DUT) is a national key university under the Ministry of Education, in the coastal city of Dalian. It is strong in science and technology and also covers economics, management, applied liberal arts, foreign languages, and social sciences. It has a graduate school, 7 faculties, and 5 colleges, with about 32,000 full-time students. DUT has academic agreements with more than 120 higher education or research institutions in more than 20 countries and regions. The School of International Cultural Exchanges handles enrollment, teaching, and management of international students. About 6,000 students from 102 countries have studied at DUT for degrees or Chinese language training