China boasts numerous world-class institutions of higher education, each with its own distinctive characteristics and strengths. Today we present a curated list of 10 Chinese universities highly favoured by international students, hoping to assist those planning their overseas studies.
1. Tsinghua University
Located in Beijing, Tsinghua University is a public research institution. As one of China's most prestigious universities, it is also a member of the C9 League.
Renowned for its world-class teaching and research standards, the university places particular emphasis on cultivating students' leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovative capabilities. Tsinghua comprises 20 schools and 57 departments, offering 51 undergraduate programmes, 139 master's programmes, and 107 doctoral programmes spanning science, engineering, humanities, and other disciplines.
Tsinghua maintains a high degree of internationalisation, hosting over 4,000 international students annually from across the globe. The university also offers more than 500 courses taught in English, providing greater choice for English-speaking international students.
2. Peking University
Peking University is a key member of the C9 League. Comprising 30 faculties and 12 departments, it offers 125 undergraduate programmes, 282 master's programmes, and 258 doctoral programmes.
The university houses 216 research institutes and centres, alongside the largest library on the Asian continent, providing students with abundant academic resources. Here, international students receive first-rate education and earn internationally recognised degrees.
3. Fudan University
As a member of both the C9 League and China's Ministry of Education's Class A Double First-Class Universities initiative, Fudan is renowned for its open academic atmosphere and rigorous research in humanities, sciences, medicine, and technology.
The university hosts 77 research institutes, 112 interdisciplinary research centres, and five state key laboratories. With over 1,760 international students enrolling annually, Fudan ranks as China's second-largest institution for international student enrolment.
4. University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)
A member of the C9 League and a Class A Double First-Class University designated by China's Ministry of Education, the University of Science and Technology of China comprises 13 faculties, 27 departments, and offers 43 undergraduate programmes.
Renowned for cultivating high-level scientific research talent, USTC holds 17 first-level doctoral degree authorisations, 89 second-level doctoral specialisations, and 105 second-level master's degree programmes. Additionally, the university hosts three national research institutes and multiple key laboratories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
5. Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University is a Class A Double First-Class university designated by China's Ministry of Education. As a comprehensive institution, it comprises 140 faculties, departments and divisions, offering over 300 undergraduate programmes and 37 postgraduate programmes.
The university places significant emphasis on international collaboration, having established strategic partnerships with globally renowned institutions such as Imperial College London, Princeton University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. According to 2017 data, Zhejiang University enrolled over 6,800 international students from 148 countries, making it one of China's most popular universities among international students.
6. Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University is a key member of the C9 League and a Class A Double First-Class University designated by China's Ministry of Education. The institution comprises 28 schools, offering 63 bachelor's degree programmes, 250 master's degree programmes, and 203 doctoral degree programmes.
Boasting 11 state key laboratories and national engineering research centres, the university possesses formidable research capabilities. Currently, it hosts over 40,711 students, including 2,722 international students from across the globe.
7. Nanjing University
Nanjing University stands as one of the region's oldest institutions of higher learning. As a member of the C9 League and a Class A Double First-Class university designated by China's Ministry of Education, Nanjing University holds a prominent position within China's higher education landscape.
It was the first university in China to confer doctoral degrees in Chinese Language and Literature, and collaborates with the United Nations to deliver Chinese language programmes. Within the field of Chinese Language and Literature studies, Nanjing University and Peking University are widely recognised as China's two foremost institutions.
8. Southern University of Science and Technology
Southern University of Science and Technology comprises the School of Engineering, School of Science, School of Business, School of Medicine, School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and School of Humanities and Social Sciences, alongside an Advanced Interdisciplinary Research Institute.
Despite its relatively recent establishment, SUSTech has developed rapidly, offering multi-tiered academic programmes from undergraduate to doctoral levels.
9. Sun Yat-sen University
Sun Yat-sen University is a large-scale comprehensive institution offering undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programmes across diverse fields including arts, humanities, sciences, law, business, and engineering.
The university is renowned for its business schools, with the Sun Yat-sen University School of Management and Lingnan School of Management being among only three business schools in China to hold triple accreditation from EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA. Globally, only 58 business schools have achieved this distinction.
10. Beijing Normal University
Beijing Normal University is one of the universities designated under the Chinese Ministry of Education’s ‘Double First-Class’ initiative. The university offers 74 undergraduate programmes, 185 master’s programmes and 142 doctoral programmes, covering a wide range of disciplines, including 16 national key disciplines.
The university hosts multiple high-level research laboratories, comprising four Ministry of Education Key Laboratories and seven Beijing Municipal Key Laboratories.
The above ten universities represent the pinnacle of China's higher education sector, each possessing distinctive strengths and advantages. Specific application requirements vary across institutions and programmes. Should you require further details, please do not hesitate to contact us.
