25 Best Universities In Beijing For International Students 2025
Beijing is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in China. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 59 universities and colleges in Beijing, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.
Out of 59 universities in Beijing, Tsinghua University and Peking University are the top-performing schools in Beijing.
To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Beijing. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Beijing.
How do I get admission to the best universities in Beijing?
Applying to the universities in Beijing involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Beijing to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!
How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Beijing?
Tuition fees at Beijing’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 11,800 RMB to 52,000 RMB , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 13,800 RMB to 128,700 RMB. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Beijing!
As we cover the best universities in Beijing for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.
Top Universities in Beijing for International Students
Tsinghua University is one of the top 1% universities in the world. It was founded in 1911, with its campus located in the capital city of China. The university is popular for its global take on education, offering top-caliber teaching, world-class research outputs, and work ethics driven by social commitment.
Founded in 1898, Peking University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China. Its campus in Beijing houses more than 46,000 students, with nearly 10% international students. The university is known for its modernization of China’s education system, introducing study fields in Liberal Arts, Sciences, Engineering, Medical Sciences, and Agricultural Sciences.
Beijing Institute of Technology, or BIT, was established in May of 1939. In 2010, BIT created the Excellence League, along with 9 other Chinese universities, which promotes better reforms in the education system. BIT has four campuses in Beijing, and two others in Hebei and Guangdong.
Beijing Normal University (BNU) is a renowned university located in Beijing, China. Established in 1902, it is one of China’s oldest and most prestigious universities, with a strong emphasis on teacher education, basic sciences, and humanities. BNU has a long-standing reputation for excellence in teacher education and produces a significant number of qualified teachers each year. Additionally, BNU hosts international conferences, symposiums, and academic events to facilitate global knowledge exchange and collaboration among the students.
Beihang University, formerly Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA), is a prestigious research university in Beijing, China. It is one of China’s top universities in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, and information technology. Beihang University maintains close ties with the aerospace and aviation industries and other sectors relevant to its research fields. This collaboration enables students and faculty to engage in real-world projects, gain practical experience, and contribute to technological advancements.
Located in the culture-rich city of Beijing, Renmin University of China is a public academic institution specializing in the fields of humanities and social sciences. It is consistently recognized for its strong programs in philosophy and law. In recent years, the university has started to build a strong reputation in the field of business. Renmin also boasts strong links to more than 100 international universities and research institutes, which students can benefit from.
Established in 1905, China Agricultural University was formed through various mergers of different colleges and universities along the years. China Agricultural University, or CAU, now offers a wide variety of programs or courses in different fields such as medicine, agriculture, engineering, management, economics, among others. It is now one of the top universities not only in China, but also in the world.
Formerly named Beijing Steel and Iron Institute, the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) is a public institute of higher education. It is one of China’s national key universities. Furthermore, it is known for specializing in metallurgy-focused study programs.
The Beijing Language and Culture University, China’s “Mini/Little United Nations,” was established in 1962. The university is known as such because of the large proportion of international students that comprise its population. It was the first to offer Chinese language and culture courses to more than 200,000 international students. Chinese locals who also wish to learn foreign languages are welcomed.
Established in the late 1800s, Beijing Jiaotong University consists of a total of two campuses. The university has a focus on providing a technological, scientific, mechanical, and engineering education. The university’s vision is to train students to become leaders in the world of technology and science.
Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT) is a public institution situated in China’s capital. It specializes in technology, including cable communications, wireless communications, electronic engineering, etc. This top-ranking university is a member of government initiatives for bettering education, such as Project 211 and Double First-Class Universities.
Beijing University of Chemical Technology, also known as Beihua or Huada, is a public institution comprising three campuses – east, west, and north campus – and twelve colleges. It is also part of government programs like the Double First Class University Plan and Project 211. Thousands of students enter every year and choose from several specialized programs.
Beijing University of Technology (BJUT) is a leading public institution in China’s capital. It was established to develop more engineering talents for the nation. The university is part of the Chinese government’s education initiatives, such as Project 211 and the Double First-Class Initiative. Its chemistry, engineering, computer science, and other programs are top-ranked worldwide.
The North China Electric Power University comprises two campuses, one in Beijing and another in Baoding. This public institution is focused on developing future talents for the energy and power industry. Several courses, some English-taught, are offered at the university, including engineering, automation, and business majors.
Beijing Foreign Studies University is one of the best institutions that provide a wide selection of academic programs specializing in foreign language studies. This one-of-a-kind university only offers top-class education and globally recognized programs in foreign studies and literature. And it is also the number one institution to offer over 100 foreign language programs in China. A truly exceptional university that has established its prominence in the national and international community.
The University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) is a public institution in Beijing that was established back in 1951. It is a research-intensive university, but the UIBE is concentrated in the fields of business, law, international languages, relations, and such. It is also a part of the Double First-Class University Plan of the country and is considered to be another selective university when it comes to undergraduate admissions.
The China University of Petroleum was established in 1953 in Beijing, China. It has been accepting international students since 1994. As a leading institution in the country, it became part of the key national universities and Project 211. Moreover, the university’s excellence extends abroad, as it garners high rankings in various fields: chemistry, engineering, material sciences, geosciences, etc. It also has strong relationships with foreign universities, thus, opening more opportunities for its students.
One of the widely known outstanding medical universities in China is Capital Medical University. Located in the capital city of Beijing, the institution has partnered with some of the major hospitals in the city to provide high standards of education to its student body. The university is ideal for students who want to pursue a career in medicine and professionals who would like to complete a research study. With its wide array of programs in the medical discipline, students have plenty of options to choose from and can focus more on what particular specialization they wish to practice in their future careers.
Founded in 1952, Beijing Forestry University is among the public institutions for higher learning located in China’s capital city. Through its foundational disciplines, Biology and Ecology, the university offers degree programs in Forestry, Grass Science, Agro-economic Management, and Landscape Architecture. With more than 25,000 students and nearly 5% international students, the university is one of the diverse places for learning, in terms of cultural, social, and academic aspects.
Capital Normal University is one of the high-ranking public universities in China. Located in Beijing, the university has been responsible for cultivating talents in the Chinese capital throughout the years. It offers study options across a broad range of disciplines and has received multiple awards for its excellence in teaching, particularly at the undergraduate level.
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine is a one-of-a-kind institution that offers specialized study programs in Chinese medicine. China is known for its traditional medicine, health practice, and wellness. Many international students flock to the country to pursue an education that is unique and can only be offered in the country. And as one of the few universities to provide such distinct study programs, it has become one of the most sought-after medical institutions among local and international students.
The Central University of Finance and Economics is a public institution in Beijing, China, and was founded shortly after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. This university is supported not just by the Ministry of Education but also by the Ministry of Finance. It is part of several government education programs, like the Double First-Class Universities, Project 211, and Leading Academic Programs Innovation Platform.
Communication University of China offers extensive courses in the realms of communication and technology. They hold the vision of training bright leaders in these fields. With many courses surrounding theses subjects as well as many others, students can come to learn to change the world of technology at Communication University of China.
Peking Union Medical College is a public university in Beijing, China, founded in 1906. It was the first to offer an 8-year program in Clinical Medicine in the country. The university works with Tsinghua University and Peking Union Medical College Hospital in providing students with a technologically advanced and high-quality education.
The China University of Political Science and Law, founded in 1952, is among the universities in China that offer legal studies, along with courses in Science, Philosophy, Arts, and Management. Its two campuses in Beijing are home to more than 18000 students. Since its foundation, the university has grown to become one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country.
We know that choosing your dream school in Beijing not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.
So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in Beijing, make sure to visit our list of the best public universities in Beijing! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!