Beijing has 92 regular higher education institutions (adult-education colleges excluded), 69 of which award bachelor's degrees (Ministry of Education list, 17 June 2026). The city hosts more Double First-Class universities than any other: over 30 of the 147. Two Beijing universities lead China's rankings: Peking University (13th in QS 2027) and Tsinghua (14th). Under the 2026–2027 fee lists, a Chinese-taught bachelor's at a strong Beijing university costs about $3,400–4,600 (RMB 23,000–31,000) a year, and a dorm bed $75–220 (RMB 500–1,500) a month. Beijing also runs its own scholarship for international students, applied for through the university.
Below: how Beijing's universities differ, which to choose for your field, what study and housing cost at eight universities, how admission for 2027 works and the conditions of the Beijing Government Scholarship. If you have not chosen a city yet, start with our overview of universities in China or the study in China page.
Studying in Beijing: pros and cons
- Density of strong universities. Two national leaders plus Renmin, Beijing Normal, Beihang, Beijing Institute of Technology and specialised universities for languages, finance, media and the arts.
- Most campuses are in Haidian. Peking, Tsinghua, BLCU, BFSU and many others sit close together in the north-west of the city, but some universities have outer campuses: BIT has two, Zhongguancun and Liangxiang, and a dorm bed at Liangxiang costs a third to a half less.
- International environment. According to the Beijing municipal government, about 58,000 international students study in the city.
- City scholarship. The Beijing Government Scholarship has three categories (see below).
- Easy transport. According to China's central government, Beijing was the first mainland city to let passengers tap foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard cards at metro gates. Cards issued by Russian banks generally do not work abroad, so Russian students will need another method.
The downsides are worth planning for:
- High entry bar at the top two. Peking University selects bachelor's students through a written test and interview, and Tsinghua requires HSK 5 with 60+ in each section for 2027 entry. Almost everyone needs back-up choices.
- Central campuses cost more to live on. A bed in a double at BIT's Zhongguancun campus costs $200 (RMB 1,350) a month, against $135 (RMB 900) at the suburban Liangxiang campus, which means a longer commute.
- Early deadlines. Tsinghua closes bachelor's applications on 28 February, and most Peking University applications are also due by the end of February, months before school ends.
- English-taught bachelor's degrees at the top are expensive. Tsinghua charges $14,920 (RMB 100,000) a year, against $3,880–4,480 (RMB 26,000–30,000) for its Chinese-English programmes.
Which Beijing universities international students choose and why
The "strengths" column lists the disciplines the Ministry of Education included for each university in the Double First-Class programme.
| University | Profile | Official Double First-Class strengths | What matters for international students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peking University | Comprehensive research | Self-determined | QS 2027: 13th; two bachelor's routes: written exam (Chinese, English, maths) or document-based selection |
| Tsinghua University | Engineering, IT, economics, architecture | Self-determined | QS 2027: 14th; Chinese-taught programmes require HSK 5 with 60+ in each section from 2027 |
| Renmin University of China | Social sciences and humanities | Economics, law, politics, sociology, journalism, statistics, business, public administration | Chinese-taught bachelor's $3,580–4,470 a year; English-taught Global BBA $5,370 |
| Beihang University | Aviation and space | Mechanics, instrumentation, materials, control, computing, transport, aerospace, software | 11 English-taught bachelor's majors for 2026, from aircraft design and robotics to AI and international trade; applicants aged 18–22 |
| Beijing Institute of Technology | Engineering | Physics, materials, control, defence technology | Bachelor's: $3,430 Chinese-taught, $4,470 English-taught per year |
| Beijing Normal University | Education and sciences | Education, psychology, philosophy, history, literature, maths, geography, ecology | 40 majors open to international students, bachelor's $3,580–4,130 a year; not only teacher training |
| Beijing Foreign Studies University | Languages | Foreign languages and literature | Languages, translation, international relations; 32 bachelor's programmes, some English-taught |
| Beijing Language and Culture University | Chinese for foreigners | Not on the list | The best-known address for a Chinese language year |
| UIBE, Central University of Finance and Economics | Economics, trade, finance | Applied economics | UIBE's Chinese-taught bachelor's from $3,700 a year, HSK 4 accepted |
| Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications | Telecoms and IT | ICT, computer science | For network engineers and programmers |
| Communication University of China | Media and film | Journalism and communication, drama and film | Media, film, TV |
| University of Science and Technology Beijing | Metallurgy, materials, mining | Materials, metallurgy, mining, history of science | Same fee for Chinese- and English-taught programmes: $3,470 a year |
For the arts, Beijing has the Central Academy of Fine Arts, the Central Conservatory of Music and the Central Academy of Drama, all on the Double First-Class list.
Which Beijing university fits your goal
| Goal | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Top brand, fundamental science | Peking, Tsinghua | National leaders, but the toughest selection and highest HSK threshold |
| Engineering and IT | Tsinghua, Beihang, BIT, BUPT, USTB | Strong technical schools with different selectivity and fees |
| Economics, finance, trade | Renmin, UIBE, CUFE | Officially recognised strengths in economics |
| Languages, translation, China-related careers | BFSU, BLCU, Peking | Language and translation programmes |
| Psychology, education | Beijing Normal | China's leading normal university with a broad programme range |
| Learn Chinese first | BLCU or university language programmes | HSK preparation before degree entry; see Chinese language programmes in China |
What study costs in Beijing
The fees below are those the universities publish for international students. The year is the one stated in each university's document: a 2026 figure may change for 2027 entry.
| University and programme | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Tsinghua, 2027 entry: Chinese-English programmes, science and engineering / economics and law / arts | $4,470 / $3,880 / $5,960 (RMB 30,000 / 26,000 / 40,000) |
| Tsinghua, 2027 entry: English-taught programmes | $14,910 (RMB 100,000) |
| Tsinghua, 2026 Chinese-taught master's | $4,180–4,920 (RMB 28,000–33,000) |
| Tsinghua, 2026 English-taught master's | from $4,470 (RMB 30,000) a year; e.g. Advanced Computing $5,810 (RMB 39,000) a year |
| BIT, 2026 bachelor's: Chinese / English | $3,430 / $4,470 (RMB 23,000 / 30,000) |
| USTB, 2026 bachelor's | $3,470 (RMB 23,300) |
| Beihang, 2026 bachelor's: Chinese-taught / biomedical engineering, design and painting / English-taught | $3,730 / $4,470 / $4,470 (RMB 25,000 / 30,000 / 30,000) |
| Renmin, 2026 fee list, Chinese-taught bachelor's: law, economics, finance, journalism, business, international relations / art / other schools | $3,880 / $4,470 / $3,580 (RMB 26,000 / 30,000 / 24,000) |
| Renmin: English-taught Global BBA / Chinese-taught master's | $5,370 (RMB 36,000) / $4,170–4,770 (RMB 28,000–32,000) |
| Beijing Normal, 2026 bachelor's: humanities / sciences, engineering and arts | $3,580 / $4,130 (RMB 24,000 / 27,700) |
| BFSU, current bachelor's catalogue: Chinese-taught / English-taught | $3,880–4,620 / $3,880–5,950 (RMB 26,000–31,000 / 26,000–39,900) |
| UIBE, current fee list: Chinese-taught bachelor's / "2+2" double majors | $3,700 / $4,920–5,220 (RMB 24,800 / 33,000–35,000) |
Peking University does not publish its undergraduate tuition in the admission rules; it is announced after approval. Use only the official notice for your budget.
The table shows that fees for Chinese-taught programmes at strong Beijing universities usually differ by no more than $1,200 (RMB 8,000) a year. The language of the programme, the dorm campus and a scholarship change the budget far more.
Extras: application fee of $120 (RMB 800) at Peking and Tsinghua, $100 (RMB 660) at UIBE, $90 (RMB 600) at BIT and USTB, $75 (RMB 500) at Beijing Normal and $60 (RMB 400) at Beihang (Peking's graduate admission charges $120 (RMB 800) per programme, up to two); a non-refundable tuition deposit of $600 (RMB 4,000) at UIBE, credited against tuition; insurance of $120 (RMB 800) a year at Tsinghua and USTB, $120–270 (RMB 800–1,800) at BIT and a four-year policy of $480 (RMB 3,200) at Beihang; residence permit of $60 (RMB 400) a year at BIT.
Where to live: Beijing university dorms and prices
Dorm places for international students are allocated by online booking within a set window. Tsinghua states that students who miss the booking must find off-campus housing themselves.
| University | Option | Price per bed |
|---|---|---|
| BIT, Zhongguancun campus | Double / triple / quad room | $200 / $180 / $130 (RMB 1,350 / 1,200 / 900) a month |
| BIT, Liangxiang campus | Double / triple / quad | $130 / $100 / $75 (RMB 900 / 700 / 500) a month |
| USTB | Double / quad | $220 / $110 (RMB 1,500 / 750) a month |
| Beihang, Beijing campuses | Double room | $4.50 (RMB 30) a day, about $135 (RMB 900) per 30 days, utilities extra |
| Beijing Normal | International student dorm | Booked online after the admission letter; for 2026, 1 July – 15 August |
| Tsinghua | Zijing International Student Apartments: doubles and triples | Price shown in the university booking system |
If you live off campus, you must register with the local police within 24 hours of moving in. See student life and housing in China and the cost of studying in China.
Can you study in Beijing in English?
For 2026 entry, Tsinghua offered four English-taught bachelor's programmes: Global Talents in Science and Engineering, Urban Regeneration and Design, Politics, Economics and Sociology, and a dual economics degree with the Chinese University of Hong Kong; each costs $14,920 (RMB 100,000) a year under the current fee list. BIT offers an English-taught bachelor's for $4,480 (RMB 30,000) a year and accepts IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 85 or Duolingo 110. Beihang listed 11 English-taught bachelor's majors for 2026 (communication engineering, aircraft design, low-altitude technology, computer science, mechanical engineering, robotics, safety engineering, quality and reliability, AI, biomedical engineering, international trade) at the same $4,480 (RMB 30,000), with TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.0. BFSU's English-taught programmes cost $3,880–5,950 (RMB 26,000–39,900), the top end at its international business school.
Master's options are broader: at Tsinghua, English-taught programmes cover computing, electronics, materials, environment, international construction management, business journalism, public administration and Chinese law. The one-year Schwarzman Scholars master's in global affairs at Tsinghua and the Yenching Academy's China Studies programme at Peking University are fully funded; Yenching applications for 2027 close on 30 November 2026. See English-taught degrees in China.
How to apply: steps and deadlines
- Choose level and language. For Chinese-taught bachelor's programmes, strong universities usually ask for HSK 5 with 180+ (BIT, Beihang, Beijing Normal), while USTB and UIBE accept HSK 4. Peking University's master's programmes require HSK 6 with 200 (science and engineering) or 210 (humanities). English-taught programmes require IELTS or TOEFL.
- Take the CSCA for bachelor's entry. BIT, USTB, Beihang, Beijing Normal and UIBE required it for 2026 entry, Peking from Chinese Government Scholarship applicants; Tsinghua accepts it alongside SAT, A-Level and IB. Beihang wanted the score uploaded by 30 May.
- Apply on time. Latest cycle:
| University | Window |
|---|---|
| Tsinghua, bachelor's 2027 | 30 Sep – 20 Nov 2026 and 21 Nov 2026 – 28 Feb 2027 |
| Peking, bachelor's 2026 (exam route) | 1 Jan – 28 Feb 2026; written test late March, interview mid-April |
| Peking, bachelor's 2026 (no written exam) | 19 Dec 2025 – 28 Feb 2026 and 12 Jun – 10 Jul 2026 |
| Peking, master's 2026 | 20 Oct – 23 Dec 2025 |
| BIT, bachelor's 2026 | until 1 Jun 2026 |
| USTB, bachelor's 2026 | 1 Nov 2025 – 15 Jun 2026 |
| Beijing Normal, bachelor's 2026 | 15 Nov 2025 – 15 Mar 2026 |
| Beihang, bachelor's 2026 | 1 Nov 2025 – 30 Jun 2026, pre-admission in waves in March, April and June |
| UIBE, Chinese-taught bachelor's | 20 Mar – 30 Jun |
- Receive the admission letter and JW202 form and apply for an X1 visa; see the Chinese student visa.
- Within 30 days of arrival, apply for a study residence permit.
Age limits apply: Peking University's exam route generally admits applicants aged 18–25, Beihang 18–22 and Beijing Normal 18–40. Document lists are in applying to Chinese universities. The university decides on admission, the Chinese consulate on the visa and the funder on scholarships.
What scholarships are available for study in Beijing?
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) through an embassy or a university.
- Beijing Government Scholarship (regulations published on the city portal in January 2026): category A covers tuition, housing, insurance and a monthly allowance; B tuition, housing and insurance; C tuition and insurance. You apply to your chosen university, which selects recipients and reviews them every year.
| Condition | What the regulations require |
|---|---|
| Age | Bachelor's up to 25, master's up to 35, doctorate up to 40, preparatory course up to 24 |
| Chinese for Chinese-taught programmes | HSK 4 or higher for degrees, HSK 3 for preparatory courses |
| English for category A on English-taught programmes | TOEFL 85 or IELTS 6.5 |
| Grades | Category A: average of 85/100 or GPA 3.6; B and C: 80/100 or GPA 3.0 |
| References | Two letters from associate professors or above for master's and doctoral applicants |
| Combining awards | Not allowed with other Chinese government or university scholarships |
A scholarship is competitive and the university decides; if Beijing is unaffordable without one, prepare a back-up in a cheaper city. - University scholarships, for example Peking University's award, which waives all or part of tuition and provides insurance and a monthly allowance.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing a Beijing university
- Applying only to Peking and Tsinghua: add BIT, Beihang or Beijing Normal to your list.
- Ignoring the campus: an outer campus is cheaper but far from the centre.
- Missing the dorm booking window.
- Confusing BLCU and BFSU: the first is mainly Chinese for foreigners, the second foreign languages and international relations.
- Counting on part-time work: off-campus work requires university approval and a residence-permit annotation. See work and internships for students in China.
FAQ
In QS 2027, Peking University (13th) and Tsinghua (14th). For a specific field, check official strengths: Renmin for economics, Beihang for aerospace, Beijing Normal for psychology.
Under the 2026–2027 fee lists, a Chinese-taught bachelor's at a leading university costs $3,400–4,600 (RMB 23,000–31,000) a year; English-taught bachelor's degrees range from $4,470 at BIT and Beihang to $14,910 at Tsinghua. A dorm bed costs about $75–220 a month.
Yes, on an English-taught programme, though there are few at bachelor's level. Otherwise, take a Chinese language year (for example at BLCU) and apply through regular admission.
Often, for bachelor's programmes: BIT and USTB required it in 2026, and Peking University required it from Chinese Government Scholarship applicants. It is not needed for master's programmes.
Yes: the Beijing Government Scholarship in categories A, B and C, applied for through the university. Chinese-taught degree applicants need HSK 4, and bachelor's applicants must be 25 or younger.
On language, USTB and UIBE accepted HSK 4 for Chinese-taught programmes in 2026, while the others asked for HSK 5. That does not mean no selection: CSCA results and school grades count everywhere.
BLCU is the most common choice, but many universities run language programmes. See our BLCU profile.
Sources
- Ministry of Education of China — list of institutions, 17 June 2026 — checked 23.09.2026
- Ministry of Education — Double First-Class list (2022) — checked 23.09.2026
- QS — top universities in mainland China, updated 17 June 2026 — checked 23.09.2026
- Beijing Municipal Government — Study in Beijing and Beijing Government Scholarship regulations — checked 24.09.2026
- Tsinghua — fees, 2027 schedule, eligibility, English-taught programmes and accommodation — checked 23.09.2026
- Tsinghua — 2026 graduate tuition — checked 23.09.2026
- Peking University — 2026 bachelor's, exam route, no-exam route and 2026 graduate admission — checked 23.09.2026
- Beijing Institute of Technology — 2026 bachelor's — checked 23.09.2026
- University of Science and Technology Beijing — 2026 bachelor's — checked 23.09.2026
- Beihang — 2026 bachelor's: fees, housing, English-taught majors — checked 24.09.2026
- Renmin University — fees for international students — checked 24.09.2026
- Beijing Normal University — 2026 bachelor's — checked 24.09.2026
- Beijing Foreign Studies University — bachelor's catalogue — checked 24.09.2026
- UIBE — Chinese-taught bachelor's — checked 24.09.2026
- Yenching Academy and Schwarzman Scholars — checked 23.09.2026
- Government of China — guide to living in China (payments, metro, SIM) — checked 23.09.2026
Dollar amounts are converted at the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026 ($1 = RMB 6.7034) and rounded.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. Apply
Next steps
- English-Taught Degrees in China: Programmes, Universities, Fees and Requirements
- Applying to Chinese Universities: Documents Checklist for 2027
- Work and Internships for Students in China: What a Study Visa Allows and How to Register an Internship
- Cost of Studying in China: Tuition, Housing and a First-Year Budget
- Studying in China for international applicants
- China Student Visa: X1 vs X2, the JW202 Form, the 30-Day Residence Permit and Where to Apply
