How to choose 985 universities for international students? Ranking, Tuition, Application Difficulty
The 985 Project universities represent the pinnacle of Chinese higher education and are the top choice for many international students. But with 39 985 institutions to choose from, how should you decide? This article analyzes the latest 2025 ranking data from an international student perspective to help you make an informed choice.
Article Navigation
- [Ranking Data Overview](#Ranking Data Overview) - Complete data for the top 20 universities
- [International Ranking Comparison](#International Ranking Comparison) - QS/THE ranking references
- [International Student Perspective Interpretation](#Data Significance for International Students) - Which metrics matter most to you
- [CSCA Score Requirements](#CSCA Score Reference & Application Difficulty) - Score thresholds for different tiers of institutions
- [Tuition & Living Costs](#Tuition & Living Cost Estimates) - Budget reference for studying abroad
- [Scholarship Opportunities](#Scholarship Opportunity Analysis) - How to secure financial support
- [Application Timeline](#Application Timeline) - Key Deadlines
- [Institution Selection Advice](#Tiered Institution Selection Guide) - Choosing Based on Personal Circumstances
Ranking Data Overview
Below is the 2025 Top 20 Ranking of China's 985 Universities based on multiple objective metrics:
---International Ranking Comparison
For international students, understanding these universities' positions in global rankings is equally important, as it relates to the international recognition of their degrees:
- Tsinghua University and Peking University remain firmly in the global top 20, with their degrees enjoying the highest international recognition
- Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Zhejiang University rank among the top 50 globally, offering outstanding value for money
- Domestic Rankings ≠ International Rankings: The University of Science and Technology of China ranks 5th domestically but only 137th globally in QS (due to its smaller scale and focus on STEM disciplines)
- International rankings hold limited value for domestic job hunting but are crucial for further studies or overseas employment
From an International Student's Perspective: What Do These Data Mean?
International Student Application Difficulty and CSCA Score Reference
Estimated Tuition and Living Expenses
Budget planning is crucial for university selection. Below are reference costs for 985 universities:
Scholarship Opportunities Analysis
For international students, 985 universities generally offer more scholarships with higher amounts. Here's an overview of scholarship availability across university tiers:
Top five universities by annual funding (Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Peking University, Harbin Institute of Technology) typically allocate more generous scholarship budgets. Focus your efforts on scholarship programs at these institutions. View the full scholarship list
for more details.
Application Timeline
Applying to 985 universities requires advance planning. Key dates for the 2026 fall semester are as follows:
- Research target universities and programs
- Prepare for CSCA exam (begin practice)
- Prepare for HSK exam (if required)
- China Scholarship Council Scholarship Application Opens (Submit through Chinese Embassy)
- Prepare application materials (transcripts, recommendation letters, study plan)
- Take the Hanban exam (typically in December of the same year or March of the following year)
- CSC Scholarship Application Deadline (usually end of March)
- Direct university application deadline (April to May, varies by institution)
- Top universities like Tsinghua University and Peking University have earlier application deadlines
- Receive admission offers and JW-202 forms
- Process X1 student visa
- Book flights and arrange accommodation
- Arrive in China and complete enrollment procedures
- Medical Examination and Residence Permit Processing
- New Semester Begins!
- Top universities (Tsinghua, Peking University) have earlier application deadlines; prepare 2-3 months in advance
- Competition for China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarships is intense; requires outstanding CSCA scores and complete application materials
- Some universities offer spring enrollment (February-March), with application deadlines in October-November of the previous year
Tiered University Selection Recommendations
Tier 1: Top 985 Universities (Ranked 1-5)
- Top CSCA scores (85%+)
- Aspiring to pursue academic research
- Seeking elite academic pedigree
- Highest international recognition
- Extensive English-taught programs
- Abundant scholarship opportunities from the China Scholarship Council
- Outstanding CSCA scores (80-85%)
- Clear academic focus
- Applicants prioritizing value for money
- Distinctive academic programs (engineering-focused institutions)
- Relatively low application competition intensity
- Exceptional professional networking resources
- Outstanding computer science grades (75-80%)
- Prioritizes lower living costs
- Preference for specific cities/regions
- Lower cost of living (non-tier-one cities)
- Less competitive scholarship environment
- Greater attention for international students
City Factors: Considerations Beyond University Rankings
When choosing a university, city factors profoundly impact international students' quality of life:
of Technology Shanghai: Jiaotong, Fudan, Tongji
University | Wuhan: Wuhan University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology | Xi'an: Xi'an Jiaotong University, Northwestern Polytechnical University
Popular Majors and Recommended Universities
Recommended Institutions: Tsinghua University, Peking University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Harbin Institute of Technology
Recommended Institutions: Beihang University
Northwestern Polytechnical University, Harbin Institute of Technology
Recommended Institutions: Peking University Health Science Center, Fudan University
School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Recommended Institutions: Peking University Guanghua School of Management, Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management, Fudan University
School of Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Antai College of Economics and Management
Recommended Institutions: China Agricultural University, College of Agriculture at Zhejiang University, Nanjing University
Next Steps
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do international students need Gaokao scores to apply to 985 universities?
No. International students apply through the CSCA exam (China Scholarship Test) and are not required to take the Chinese Gaokao. The Gaokao admission scores mentioned here serve only as a reference for applicant quality at these institutions and are not directly relevant to international student applications.
Q2: What CSCA score requirements do 985 universities have for international students?
The following are estimated based on past admission trends and are for reference only:
- Top institutions like Tsinghua and Peking University: Recommended score above 90%
- Other C9 League universities: Recommended score 85-90%
- General 985 universities: Recommended score 75-85%
- English-taught programs typically have lower requirements
⚠️ Actual admission standards fluctuate annually and by program. Always refer to official university admissions brochures. Visit university detail pages for the latest information.
Q3: Are lower-ranked 985 universities worth applying to?
Absolutely! Institutions ranked 13-20 (e.g., Wuhan University, Sun Yat-sen University):
- Remain among China's premier academic institutions
- Offer less competitive scholarship pools
- Feature lower living costs
- Excel in specific disciplinary fields
When selecting a university, consider academic strength, city environment, and personal budget holistically—don't focus solely on rankings.
Q4: How can I obtain scholarships at 985 universities?
Primary avenues include:
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC): Apply through Chinese embassies/consulates abroad; 985 universities receive more quotas
- University Scholarships: Apply directly to target universities, typically based on CSCA scores
- Provincial Scholarships: Offered by some provinces for international students at local universities
Outstanding CSCA scores are crucial for scholarship applications. Prepare early.
Q5: When choosing a 985 university, should I prioritize ranking or location?
Both factors matter. Consider your personal goals holistically:
- Academic Pursuit: Prioritize top-ranked institutions with strong disciplinary strengths
- Career Planning: Prioritize universities in first-tier cities (Beijing, Shanghai)
- Budget Management: Second-tier city 985 universities offer better value for money
Want to explore Chinese universities? Visit our University Database for CSCA application details, scholarship opportunities, and program information.
Preparing for the CSCA exam? Review our Preparation Guide and Practice Question Bank.