China’s 985, 211 & Double First-Class Universities (2026 List)
China’s elite university system is defined by three programs: Project 985, Project 211, and Double First-Class. Each one built on the last, and together they shape admissions standards, scholarship eligibility, employer expectations, and graduate outcomes across the entire system.
Project 211 launched in 1995, targeting approximately 100 key universities for concentrated government funding. The name references the 21st century and the goal of building world-class institutions by the centenary of the People’s Republic.
Project 985 followed in 1998 — named after its announcement date, May 1998. It selected a smaller group for even deeper investment, aiming to fast-track a handful of universities to genuine global research standing.
Double First-Class (双一流) replaced both programs in 2017. Unlike its predecessors — which were permanent designations — Double First-Class status is reviewed every five years, making it a live quality signal rather than a fixed label. Being on the current list means the institution has at least one discipline recognised at world-class level and receives targeted government funding to develop it further. A new third round was announced in March 2026.
How the Three Programs Relate
The relationship between the three programs is a clean hierarchy: 985 ⊂ 211 ⊂ Double First-Class.
All 39 Project 985 universities are also Project 211 universities. Beyond those 39, a further 76 universities belong only to Project 211 — giving a combined total of 115 institutions across 985 and 211. All 115 are on the Double First-Class list, which also includes additional institutions that gained DFC status on discipline strength alone, bringing the full total to 147 Double First-Class universities out of roughly 3,000 nationwide. The table below covers the most prominent of those additional DFC-only institutions; for the complete official list, refer to the MoE source in the references.
Official 985, 211, and Double First-Class Universities by Province
| Province | 985 Universities | Pure 211 Universities | DFC Only (Selected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Tsinghua University, Peking University, Renmin University of China, Beihang University (BUAA), Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT), China Agricultural University, Beijing Normal University, Minzu University of China | Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing University of Technology, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing Forestry University, University of International Business and Economics, Communication University of China, Central University of Finance and Economics, China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Sport University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Central Conservatory of Music, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), China University of Petroleum (Beijing), China University of Geosciences (Beijing), North China Electric Power University (Beijing) | Capital Normal University, Central Academy of Drama, Central Academy of Fine Arts, China Conservatory of Music, China Foreign Affairs University, Peking Union Medical College, People’s Public Security University of China, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Shanghai | Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, East China Normal University | Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai International Studies University, East China University of Science and Technology, Donghua University, Shanghai University, Naval Medical University | Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, ShanghaiTech University |
| Jiangsu | Nanjing University, Southeast University | Soochow University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, China University of Mining and Technology (Xuzhou), Hohai University, Jiangnan University, Nanjing Agricultural University, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing Normal University | Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications |
| Shaanxi | Xi’an Jiaotong University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Northwest A&F University | Northwest University, Xidian University, Chang’an University, Shaanxi Normal University, Fourth Military Medical University | — |
| Hubei | Wuhan University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology | Wuhan University of Technology, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Central China Normal University, Huazhong Agricultural University, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) | — |
| Hunan | Central South University, Hunan University, National University of Defense Technology* | Hunan Normal University | Xiangtan University |
| Guangdong | Sun Yat-sen University, South China University of Technology | Jinan University, South China Normal University | Southern Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, South China Agricultural University, Southern University of Science and Technology |
| Sichuan | Sichuan University, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China | Southwest Jiaotong University, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Sichuan Agricultural University | Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Tianjin | Nankai University, Tianjin University | Tianjin Medical University, Hebei University of Technology** | Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine |
| Shandong | Shandong University, Ocean University of China | China University of Petroleum (East China) | — |
| Liaoning | Dalian University of Technology, Northeastern University | Liaoning University, Dalian Maritime University | — |
| Jilin | Jilin University | Northeast Normal University, Yanbian University | — |
| Heilongjiang | Harbin Institute of Technology | Harbin Engineering University, Northeast Forestry University, Northeast Agricultural University | — |
| Chongqing | Chongqing University | Southwest University | — |
| Zhejiang | Zhejiang University | — | — |
| Anhui | University of Science and Technology of China | Hefei University of Technology, Anhui University | — |
| Fujian | Xiamen University | Fuzhou University | — |
| Gansu | Lanzhou University | — | — |
| Shanxi | — | Taiyuan University of Technology | Shanxi University |
| Inner Mongolia | — | Inner Mongolia University | — |
| Henan | — | Zhengzhou University | — |
| Yunnan | — | Yunnan University | — |
| Xinjiang | — | Xinjiang University, Shihezi University | — |
| Guangxi | — | Guangxi University | — |
| Guizhou | — | Guizhou University | — |
| Jiangxi | — | Nanchang University | — |
| Hebei | — | — | — |
| Hainan | — | Hainan University | — |
| Ningxia | — | Ningxia University | — |
| Qinghai | — | Qinghai University | — |
| Tibet (Xizang) | — | Tibet University | — |
*National University of Defense Technology is a military institution located in Hunan. **Hebei University of Technology is administered by Hebei Province but its main campus is in Tianjin.
Choosing a University: Suggestions by Category
The C9 League — the highest-ranked 985 universities
Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, Nanjing University, University of Science and Technology of China, Harbin Institute of Technology, and Xi’an Jiaotong University. Postgraduate recommendation rates at these nine exceed 30%, and most leading overseas universities list them as priority consideration schools. For a closer look at these nine, see our guide to the top universities in China.
Strong and accessible 985 universities
Beihang University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Tongji University, Southeast University, Wuhan University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Sichuan University, Tianjin University, Nankai University, Shandong University, Jilin University, Xiamen University, Central South University, Dalian University of Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University, East China Normal University, Minzu University of China, Hunan University, and Chongqing University. Postgraduate recommendation rates here range from 18% to 25%.
Lower-tier 985 universities
Northeastern University, Lanzhou University, Northwest A&F University, Ocean University of China, National University of Defense Technology, Qinghai University, and Tibet University. Postgraduate recommendation rates fall between 12% and 18%. Each institution receives separate provincial admissions quotas that preserve its local strategic value. For students whose scores fall below the mid-tier 985 threshold, these remain valid 985-labelled options — but in some fields a strong specialist 211 or DFC university may be the better long-term choice.
If your target is a specific field
Outside the top 985 schools, the smartest choice is the institution that dominates your target discipline. The distinction between 211 and DFC-only matters less than field strength. Some standout examples:
- Finance and Economics: Central University of Finance and Economics, University of International Business and Economics, and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics are target schools for major Chinese investment banks — employers treat a degree from these institutions almost as a prerequisite.
- Politics and Law: China University of Political Science and Law holds near-default status as a red-circle institution on legal and government employer shortlists.
- Languages and Diplomacy: Beijing Foreign Studies University and Shanghai International Studies University maintain dedicated pipelines to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China Foreign Affairs University (DFC) adds a more direct institutional link to the Ministry itself.
- Technology niches: Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications is the top feeder for Huawei in ICT. Xidian University produces many of Huawei’s research engineers. Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics leads in drone and aviation supply.
- Medicine: Southern Medical University (DFC) and Guangzhou Medical University (DFC) are recognised regional leaders. Nanjing Medical University (DFC) and Tianjin Medical University round out the top non-985 options in clinical medicine.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine: Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (DFC), Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DFC), Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DFC), and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DFC) collectively cover the four major TCM schools in China.
- Arts and Performing Arts: Central Academy of Fine Arts, Central Academy of Drama, Central Conservatory of Music, and Shanghai Conservatory of Music (DFC) are the national benchmark institutions in their fields. For creative and performing arts, these carry more weight than any 985 degree.
- Research Sciences: University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (DFC) is directly affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and produces some of China’s most cited research output. For postgraduate study in the sciences, it competes directly with C9 schools.
- Frontier regions: Tibet University, Qinghai University, and Ningxia University accept students at roughly the provincial first-tier score line, yet still offer postgraduate recommendation rates approximately twice those of non-listed universities.
In most fields, the right specialist institution will carry more employer weight than a lower-tier 985 degree in an unrelated subject.
What This Means for International Students
Scholarships: The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) does not formally restrict eligibility to 985 or 211 universities, but the overwhelming majority of CSC host institutions are on the Double First-Class list. Choosing a DFC institution significantly improves your access to funding.
Admissions: Most 985 and DFC universities have dedicated international student offices with English-language application processes. Pure 211 schools vary more widely in their international infrastructure — worth checking directly before applying.
Degree recognition abroad: The Double First-Class label is now the current official designation and increasingly the more useful signal to cite on a CV when applying to foreign graduate programs. A degree from a C9 or top-tier 985 is increasingly well understood internationally without further explanation.
Employer recognition in China: If you plan to work in China after graduating, the 985/211 label still carries more weight with Chinese employers than the Double First-Class designation — simply due to familiarity. This gap will narrow over time, but it has not closed yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 985 and 211 universities?
Both are Chinese government funding programs, but 985 is the more selective tier. Project 211 (launched 1995) covers about 115 key universities, while Project 985 (launched 1998) funds a smaller elite group of 39 for deeper, world-class research investment. Every 985 university is also a 211 university, so 985 sits inside 211 as its top tier.
How many 985 and 211 universities are there in China?
There are 39 Project 985 universities and 115 Project 211 universities in total — the 39 985 schools plus 76 that are 211 only. All 115 are also on the newer Double First-Class list, which extends to 147 universities once discipline-based additions are counted, out of roughly 3,000 institutions nationwide.
Is Double First-Class the same as 985 and 211?
Not quite. Double First-Class (双一流) replaced both programs in 2017 and is the current official designation. Unlike the permanent 985 and 211 labels, it is reviewed every five years, so it works as a live quality signal. All 985 and 211 universities are included, alongside extra institutions selected purely on discipline strength. A third review round was announced in March 2026.
Which are China’s top 985 universities?
The nine most prestigious 985 universities form the C9 League: Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, Nanjing University, the University of Science and Technology of China, Harbin Institute of Technology, and Xi’an Jiaotong University. These are China’s closest equivalent to the Ivy League and are priority targets for overseas graduate admissions.
Do 985 and 211 universities matter for international students?
Yes. Most Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) host institutions are Double First-Class universities, so choosing one of the 985 or 211 schools improves your funding access. These universities also tend to have dedicated English-language international offices, and the 985/211 label still carries strong recognition with Chinese employers after graduation.
References
Ministry of Education — Sunshine College Entrance Examination Platform (2025). https://gaokao.chsi.com.cn
Ministry of Education — Double First-Class University and Discipline List, Phase 2 (February 2022). http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A22/s7065/202202/t20220211_598710.html
2026 Government Work Report — Announcement of Third-Round Double First-Class Construction (March 2026). https://www.gov.cn
Essential Website for College Students (2025). List of National 985 and 211 Universities. https://www.dxsbb.com/news/126858.html
Michelson Research Institute (2023). 2023 Chinese College Student Employment Report. Social Science Literature Publishing House.