Universities in Beijing
47 universities in Beijing, China for international students — compare tuition, scholarships and CSCA admission requirements.
What it costs to study in Beijing
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 2,532 per month, excluding tuition.
Beijing — China's capital and the densest cluster of top universities in the country — is its academic and research apex. It hosts more Project 985 universities than any other city (Tsinghua, Peking, Renmin, Beihang, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing Normal, China Agricultural and Minzu), has ranked No. 1 in the world for scientific-research output (Nature Index) every year since 2016, and anchors China's tech industry through Zhongguancun, "China's Silicon Valley." For international students it's the most-chosen city in China — unmatched academic depth and networks, at tier-one prices.
Why study in Beijing?
- It has the deepest bench of elite universities in China: more Project 985 universities than any other city (eight), led by Tsinghua and Peking — both C9 League members — plus a dense layer of Project 211 + Double First-Class specialists. Whatever your field, a top program is here.
- It's the country's research capital: Beijing has ranked No. 1 in the world for scientific-research output on the Nature Index every year since 2016, and hosts the largest concentration of higher-education institutions in China (around 70+).
- It's a genuine tech and graduate-employment hub: Zhongguancun in Haidian — "China's Silicon Valley" — is home to Lenovo, Baidu and ByteDance, and the city's economy is roughly 85% services (the highest service share of any Chinese city), strong for internships and careers.
- It receives the most international students of any Chinese city, with the largest English-taught course catalogue — though that also means more competition and the highest tuition and living costs in the country.
- One honest caveat: Beijing is among China's most expensive and competitive cities, the top universities are extraordinarily selective, and winters are cold and dry with occasionally poor air quality.
Flagship universities for international students
Beijing has more elite universities than anywhere in China. Be precise about tiers — "985" and "211" are the labels students still recognise, and a Double First-Class discipline is not the same as full 985 status. Choose for the program.
China's No. 1 or No. 2 university and a C9 League member — full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class. World-leading in engineering, computer science, architecture and management, and among the hardest universities in the world to enter.
Tsinghua's peer and a C9 League member — full 985 + 211 + Double First-Class, and China's strongest comprehensive university across the humanities, sciences, economics and law (with medicine via Peking University Health Science Center).
A full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class university — China's leading university for the social sciences, economics, law, journalism and public administration.
A genuine full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class university (its Double First-Class discipline is Ethnology) — one of very few specialist universities to hold full 985 status. Strong in ethnology, sociology, anthropology and minority languages.
China's top law school — Project 211 + Double First-Class in Law, but NOT a 985 (a common inflation point: its old "985 discipline-innovation platform" was never full 985 status).
Project 211 + Double First-Class in Foreign Languages (NOT 985) — it teaches the widest range of languages of any Chinese university and is a top pick for languages, translation and Chinese-language study.
Not a 985/211 or Double First-Class school — a surprise given its strong clinical medicine and 20+ affiliated Beijing hospitals — but it publishes English-taught clinical-medicine (MBBS) admissions for international students. If clinical medicine is your goal, read our Study MBBS in China guide first — a Chinese MBBS is a degree, not a licence to practise back home. (Don't confuse it with Peking Union Medical College, which is Double First-Class.)
Cost of living & tuition
Beijing is among the most expensive Chinese cities for students, so budget accordingly. As rough planning figures from study-abroad guides (not official tariffs, and varying by university and lifestyle): undergraduate tuition commonly runs about ¥20,000–40,000/year, with English-taught MBBS / clinical medicine much higher (often around ¥35,000–90,000/year). Living costs run roughly ¥3,000–6,000/month dorm-based, rising toward ¥7,000–8,500/month with off-campus housing. Always confirm exact tuition and dormitory fees with each university.
Scholarships in Beijing
Beyond the national Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Beijing runs its own Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students (北京市外国留学生奖学金), funded by the city and administered through individual Beijing universities (e.g. Beijing Normal and BFSU). It is structured in tiers by coverage — from full awards (tuition + accommodation + living expenses + medical insurance) down to partial and short-term grants. Published per-year amounts vary by source and university (undergraduate awards are commonly cited around ¥20,000/year), so confirm the current tiers and amounts on each university's admissions page. Many top Beijing universities also run their own institutional scholarships.
Admission & the CSCA
Beijing's Chinese-Government-Scholarship universities — including Tsinghua, Peking and others — fall within the CSCA's scope: from the 2026/27 intake, international undergraduate applicants to these universities sit the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (expanding to all universities by 2028). It tests Academic Chinese plus Mathematics (compulsory) and optional Physics and Chemistry — and the maths and science papers can be taken in English. Chinese-taught undergraduate programs also typically require HSK 4 (some, such as Peking University's clinical medicine, require HSK 5); English-taught programs differ. Prepare the maths and science papers with CSCA practice.
Practice for the CSCAAdmission to these universities runs through the CSCA exam
International undergraduate admission to universities in Beijing generally requires taking the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) exam (Mathematics is compulsory; Physics and Chemistry may be required depending on your university and major). Start preparing for free.
Scholarships in Beijing
Scholarships available at universities in Beijing.
All Scholarships (30)
Renmin University of China Belt and Road Scholarship for International Students
I. Scholarship Contents In order to do a good job in enrolling and training international students, and to attract and encourage outstanding international students to study in China, the University established the "Belt and Road" Scholarship for International Students of Renmin University of China (RUC) in 2017. The scholarship is a one-time award, and the standard is as follows: first class scholarship: 80,000 per person; second...
Renmin University of China Scholarships for Foreign Students
Scholarship Contents The Scholarship for Foreign Students of Renmin University of China (RUC) consists of four scholarships: Academic Achievement Award, Academic Progress Award, Social Activity Award and Outstanding Cadre Award. The scholarships are designed to encourage and commend international students to study seriously, participate actively in various activities and improve their personal qualities. The scholarships are awarded once every academic year...
Central University of Finance and Economics Scholarships for Undergraduate International Students
1.Scholarship Content and Criteria Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) is offering 2 scholarships from 2018 to attract talented students to pursue undergraduate programs at the university. The content of the scholarship is tuition fee waiver. This scholarship is subject to an annual review system. The performance of the previous academic year is assessed at the beginning of September each year, and the credit-weighted average score of the previous academic year is 8...
Peking University Scholarships for Foreign Students
Peking University Scholarships for Foreign Students" is a subsidized scholarship established by Peking University in 2012, aiming at attracting more outstanding foreign students to study bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at Peking University. Scholarship Details: The scholarships are divided into two categories: full scholarships and partial scholarships. The scholarships are divided into two categories: full scholarships and partial scholarships....
Beijing Film Academy Belt and Road Scholarship for Foreign Students
Scholarship Content and Criteria: The Belt and Road Scholarship for Foreign Students of Beijing Film Academy is a special program established by Beijing Municipal Commission of Education for the purpose of implementing the national development strategy of "One Belt, One Road" and supporting universities to carry out the education of foreign students from countries along the belt and road. It is a special program established by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education to implement the national development strategy of "Belt and Road" and to support universities to educate foreign students from countries along the Belt and Road, and it is used to award the scholarships to the newly admitted foreign students with undergraduate degree or above...
Beijing Film Academy Scholarship for Foreign Students
Scholarship Content and Criteria: Beijing Film Academy Scholarship for Foreign Students is a special program established by Beijing Municipal Commission of Education to support the education of foreign students in colleges and universities, and is used to reward newly admitted foreign undergraduate and master's degree students every year. The content of the scholarship is to reduce part of the tuition fee directly when the student pays the tuition fee at the beginning of the first academic year, and the scholarship...
University of Science and Technology Beijing Belt and Road Scholarship for Outstanding Undergraduates
Scholarship Content and Criteria Full scholarship, including tuition, on-campus dormitory, medical insurance, and living expenses (RMB 2500/month for undergraduates). Partial Scholarships Open Majors All undergraduate majors of University of Science and Technology Beijing are eligible to apply. Applicant Qualifications 1. Must be a non-Chinese citizen and in good health; ...
BUAA Scholarships for Foreign Students
Chapter I General Provisions Article 1 In order to encourage self-funded international students to study diligently and stimulate their innovative ability, the Beijing Municipal Government and the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA) have jointly established the Beijing Scholarships for International Students - BUAA Scholarships for Self-funded International Students. Article...
University of International Business and Economics Presidential Scholarship for Study in China
1.Scholarship Content and Criteria The Presidential Scholarship for Studying in China of the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) is designed to provide financial support to international students who have excellent academic results in the academic and non-academic programs applied by UIBE and whose families are in need of financial assistance, so as to enable them to come to China for further study as they wish. 2.Open Majors All the majors offered by the University for international students are open to this scholarship....
Notice on Applications for the 2024 Peking University International Chinese Language Teacher Scholarship Master’s Program in International Chinese Education
Project Introduction: To meet the international community’s growing demand for professionals in Chinese language education, promote the development of Chinese language education worldwide, and support the professional growth of international Chinese language educators, the Center for Language Exchange and Cooperation under the Ministry of Education (hereinafter referred to as “the Center”) has established the International Chinese Language Teacher Scholarship (hereinafter referred to as “the Scholarship”),...
Notice on Applications for the 2024 Peking University International Chinese Language Teacher Scholarship Program—General Training/Preparatory Program
Project Introduction: To meet the international community’s growing demand for professionals in Chinese language education, promote the development of Chinese language education worldwide, and support the professional growth of international Chinese language educators, the Center for Language Exchange and Cooperation under the Ministry of Education (hereinafter referred to as “the Center”) has established the International Chinese Language Teacher Scholarship (hereinafter referred to as “the Scholarship”)....
Notice on Applications for the 2025 Beijing Language and Culture University Chinese Government Scholarship Short-Term Research Exchange (China Link) Program
Chinese English Russian Japanese Korean Undergraduate Education Why Choose BLCU Program Overview List of Majors (Taught in Chinese) List of Majors (Taught in English) Study Abroad Admissions Guide Admission Requirements Application Process Health Insurance Getting to Campus Code of Conduct...
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in Beijing accept international students?
47 universities in Beijing, China are listed for international undergraduate admission, across 1 cities. Most are admitted through the CSCA exam.
How much does it cost to study a bachelor in Beijing?
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 2,532 per month, excluding tuition.
Do I need the CSCA exam to study in Beijing?
Yes — admission to most universities in Beijing for international undergraduates runs through the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) exam. Mathematics is compulsory; Physics and Chemistry may be required depending on the university and major.
Which is the best university in Beijing for international students?
Tsinghua and Peking University are the apex — both C9 League, full 985 + 211 + Double First-Class, and among the most selective universities anywhere. Beijing also has the deepest bench of 211 + Double First-Class specialists in China: Renmin (social sciences), Beihang (aerospace), Beijing Institute of Technology (engineering) and Beijing Normal (education), plus CUPL (law), BFSU (languages) and the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Choose for your field.
Does Beijing have more top universities than other Chinese cities?
Yes — Beijing has more Project 985 universities than any other Chinese city (eight, including Tsinghua, Peking, Renmin, Beihang and Beijing Normal), the largest concentration of higher-education institutions in the country, and has ranked No. 1 worldwide for research output on the Nature Index every year since 2016.
Can I study MBBS in English in Beijing?
Capital Medical University publishes English-taught clinical-medicine (MBBS) admissions for international students; the Ministry of Education authorises English-taught MBBS at a list of universities that is reissued each year, so confirm current-year status and seats with the university. Note that Peking University's clinical-medicine program for international students is taught in Chinese (HSK 5). And remember a Chinese MBBS is a degree, not a licence to practise back home — read our Study MBBS in China guide.
Is studying in Beijing expensive?
It's among the most expensive Chinese cities for international students. Undergraduate tuition commonly runs about ¥20,000–40,000/year (medicine much higher), and living costs roughly ¥3,000–6,000/month dorm-based, more with off-campus housing. Treat these as estimates and confirm with each university.
Do I need to take the CSCA to study in Beijing?
If you're applying for an undergraduate program at a Chinese-Government-Scholarship university like Tsinghua or Peking, then from the 2026/27 intake yes — the CSCA is required, expanding to all universities by 2028. It tests Academic Chinese plus Maths (compulsory) and optional Physics/Chemistry, with the science papers available in English.
Sources
- Tsinghua University (official)
- Peking University (official, English)
- Beijing Government Scholarship (via Beijing Normal University admissions)
- China MOE — Double First-Class (双一流) university list (2022)
- China MOE — English-medium MBBS for international students
- China Scholarship Council (CSC) — campuschina.org