Universities in Tianjin
14 universities in Tianjin, China for international students — compare tuition, scholarships and CSCA admission requirements.
What it costs to study in Tianjin
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,643 per month, excluding tuition.
Tianjin — a coastal municipality just 30 minutes from Beijing by high-speed rail — pairs two elite universities with a big-city setting at lower cost than the capital. Tianjin University and Nankai University (both Project 985) anchor a strong cluster of Project 211 specialists, and Tianjin is a major port and manufacturing centre in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. For international students it offers top-tier academics and Beijing proximity, with a generous municipal scholarship.
Why study in Tianjin?
- Two Project 985 universities anchor the city — Tianjin University (one of China's oldest, an engineering powerhouse) and Nankai University (an elite comprehensive university) — both national top-tier (neither is a C9 member), over a strong 211 + Double First-Class layer.
- It's 30 minutes from Beijing by high-speed rail — Beijing's academic and job networks within reach, at lower cost than the capital.
- It's a major port and manufacturing centre in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei megaregion, with strong industry ties for engineering and business students.
- It runs a generous Tianjin Government Scholarship — its full award is worth up to about ¥34,800/year (undergraduate), ¥47,800 (master's) and ¥58,800 (doctoral) — alongside the national CSC.
- Tianjin Medical University teaches clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students.
Flagship universities for international students
Tianjin has two Project 985 universities — Tianjin University and Nankai — over a strong layer of 211 + Double First-Class specialists. Be precise about tiers: a Double First-Class discipline is not the same as full 985 status. Choose for the program.
One of China's oldest universities and a full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class (not C9) — an engineering powerhouse, strong in chemical engineering, architecture, instrument science and management.
An elite full Project 985 + 211 + Double First-Class university (not C9) — a top comprehensive university strong in economics, mathematics, chemistry, history and the humanities.
Project 211 + Double First-Class in Clinical Medicine (NOT 985) — a leading medical university that teaches clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students. Read our Study MBBS in China guide first — a Chinese MBBS is a degree, not a licence to practise back home.
Project 211 + Double First-Class in Electrical Engineering (NOT 985) — administratively a Hebei university but located in Tianjin — strong in engineering.
A leading TCM university — Double First-Class in Chinese pharmacy — but note it is Double First-Class only, NEITHER 985 NOR 211.
Not a 985/211 or Double First-Class school, but a Tianjin municipal key university strong in food science, bioengineering and light industry — with a large international-student intake.
Cost of living & tuition
Tianjin is cheaper for students than neighbouring Beijing. As rough planning figures (not official tariffs, varying by university and program): undergraduate tuition commonly runs about ¥14,400–48,000/year (non-medical toward the lower end, medicine higher). Living costs run roughly ¥2,000–5,000/month depending on lifestyle. Always confirm exact tuition and dormitory fees with each university.
Scholarships in Tianjin
Beyond the national Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), Tianjin runs its own Tianjin Government Scholarship for International Students (天津市外国留学生政府奖学金), administered by the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission through the city's universities. Its full award has an annual value of up to about ¥34,800 for undergraduates, ¥47,800 for master's students and ¥58,800 for doctoral students; a partial (tuition-subsidy) award is also offered. Apply through a participating Tianjin university and confirm current amounts and eligibility on each university's admissions page.
Admission & the CSCA
Tianjin's Chinese-Government-Scholarship universities — including Tianjin University, Nankai 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; English-taught programs differ. Prepare the maths and science papers with CSCA practice.
Practice for the CSCA| University | City | Tuition | Bachelor programs | Scholarship | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Aviation University of China | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 2 | — | |
| Hebei University of Technology | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| Nankai University | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 41 | Yes | |
| Tiangong University | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 12 | Yes | |
| Tianjin Foreign Studies University | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 33 | Yes | |
| Tianjin International Chinese College | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 13 | — | |
| Tianjin Medical University | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 2 | — | |
| Tianjin Normal University | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 8 | — | |
| Tianjin University | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 67 | Yes | |
| Tianjin University of Finance and Economics | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 6 | — | Math-only |
| Tianjin University of Science & Technology | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 18 | — | |
| Tianjin University of Technology | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 6 | — | |
| Tianjin University of Technology and Education | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | — | — | |
| Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine | Tianjin | Check programme evidence | 8 | — |
Admission to these universities runs through the CSCA exam
International undergraduate admission to universities in Tianjin 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 Tianjin
Scholarships available at universities in Tianjin.
All Scholarships (7)
Nankai University Scholarship
I. Scholarship content and standard: Undergraduates: RMB 10,000/person/year Master's and Doctoral students: RMB 15,000/person/year II. Open majors: Unlimited majors III. Eligibility: All students applying for self-financed study in Nankai University are eligible. IV. Date of Application...
Tianjin Foreign Studies University Freshman Scholarship
1. Scholarship Content and Criteria Contribute to the tuition fee of the first year and comprehensive medical insurance for international students coming to China 2. Open majors All academic majors. 3. Qualification of Applicants Bachelor's Degree: High school graduate, 18~35 years old, in good health, HSK4 certificate Master's Degree: University graduate in related majors, 40 years old...
Special Scholarship for International Students of School of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University
I. Introduction of Scholarships The College of Chemical Engineering of Tianjin University has established International Student Scholarships for outstanding foreign students pursuing undergraduate majors in the College. Scholarships for international students in the School of Chemical Engineering are divided into two levels, i.e. First Class Scholarships and Second Class Scholarships, which are used to subsidize tuition fees and living allowances for international students during their stay in China...
Tianjin University Scholarships for Foreign Students
Scholarships for Foreign Students Tianjin University has established scholarships for foreign students to encourage and support outstanding foreign students to study undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees in Tianjin University. Scholarship Criteria First Class Scholarship (including tuition and living expenses) Second Class Scholarship (including tuition) Third Class Scholarship Majors Undergraduate...
Specialized Scholarship for International Students at the School of Architecture and Engineering, Tianjin University
The College of Architectural Engineering of Tianjin University has three first-level disciplines: civil engineering, water conservancy engineering and ship and ocean engineering, of which the first-level discipline of water conservancy engineering and the second-level discipline of structural engineering are national key disciplines, and the discipline of designing and manufacturing ships and marine structures is a key discipline in Tianjin. The college has a long history of running schools and profound...
Tianjin University Scholarships for International Students for Bachelor's Degree in Environment and Energy Field
As a "Special Major" and "Outstanding Engineering Major" established by the Ministry of Education, the School of Environment of Tianjin University offers international scholarships for international undergraduate students with full English. Introduction of Environmental Scholarships The Environmental Scholarships will provide 3 full scholarships and 7 partial scholarships. Full ...
Tianjin's municipal scholarship — full award worth up to ~¥34,800 (undergraduate) / ¥47,800 (master's) / ¥58,800 (doctoral) per year, plus a partial tuition-subsidy award.
Frequently asked questions
How many universities in Tianjin accept international students?
14 universities in Tianjin, 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 Tianjin?
Tuition requires programme and intake verification; catalogue amounts do not establish an annual fee. City living reference: about CNY 1,643 per month, excluding tuition.
Do I need the CSCA exam to study in Tianjin?
Yes — admission to most universities in Tianjin 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 Tianjin for international students?
Tianjin University and Nankai University are the two Project 985 flagships (neither is a C9 member). Below them, Tianjin Medical University (211, and English-taught MBBS), Hebei University of Technology (211, located in Tianjin) and the Tianjin University of TCM round out the field. Choose for your field.
Can I study MBBS in English in Tianjin?
Yes — Tianjin Medical University is on the Ministry of Education's list to teach clinical medicine (MBBS) in English to international students. The list is reissued annually, so confirm current status and seats with the university — and note a Chinese MBBS is a degree, not a licence to practise back home; read our Study MBBS in China guide.
Is Tianjin cheaper than Beijing?
Yes — Tianjin is generally cheaper than neighbouring Beijing while just 30 minutes away by high-speed rail. Undergraduate tuition commonly runs about ¥14,400–48,000/year and living costs roughly ¥2,000–5,000/month. Treat these as estimates and confirm with each university.
Does Tianjin have a provincial scholarship?
Yes — the Tianjin Government Scholarship for International Students (天津市外国留学生政府奖学金), whose full award is worth up to about ¥34,800/year (undergraduate), ¥47,800 (master's) and ¥58,800 (doctoral), plus a partial tuition-subsidy award, alongside the national CSC. Confirm current terms with each university.
Do I need to take the CSCA to study in Tianjin?
If you're applying for an undergraduate program at a Chinese-Government-Scholarship university like Tianjin University or Nankai, 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.