Universities in China are becoming a new magnetic pole for international students to further their studies with high-cost performance English programs, government scholarships and the integration of production, teaching and research. Based on the latest ranking of soft science and the data of the Ministry of education, this paper combs the core application information to help you understand how to choose, apply and save money for “Chinese universities”.
Why are universities in China the first choice?
According to the 2,025 ShanghaiRanking, Tsinghua and Peking University’s scientific research output growth rate ranked first in the world (ShanghaiRanking, 2,025). The Chinese government’s investment in education accounted for 4.1% of GDP, higher than the EU average of 3.4% (World Bank, 2,023). The average annual tuition fee for English teaching projects is 2,800 – 4,500 US dollars, only 1/4 of the same projects in the United States. In addition, 40% of international freshmen can get the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC, 2,024), achieving “zero tuition + monthly subsidies” for studying abroad.
Top ten in 2025: a quick survey of Universities in China
| Rank | University Name | global citation score | number of English projects | proportion of international students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tsinghua University | 36.1 | 148 | 11% |
| 2 | Peking University | 35 | 28 | 13% |
| 5 | Fudan University | 36.8 | 65 | 15% |
| 6 | Nanjing University | 36.8 | 41 | 10% |
| 8 | Wuhan University | 33.8 | 52 | 9% |
| 9 | Huazhong University of Science and Technology | 32.2 | 39 | 8% |
| 10 | Zhongshan University | 32.1 | 47 | 12% |
(ShanghaiRanking, 2025)
North China: the flagship of Universities in China
Tsinghua University: AI and global governance
It is located in the core of Zhongguancun, and 2,025 QS engineering technology is the sixth in the world. SIGS Shenzhen international graduate school newly established the English master of “AI+ cross-border e-commerce”. After graduation, you can get through to Tencent and HUAWEI for practical training.
Peking University: Humanities and carbon-neutral science
The master of “Chinese Studies” in English is listed as a regional research model by Harvard Yanjing Society. The new direction of “carbon neutral rule of law” was established. In 2024, 1,200 applications were received globally, and the enrollment rate was only 8%.
East China: the Golden Triangle of University Innovation in China
Fudan University: the laboratory beside the financial heart of Shanghai
It is adjacent to Lujiazui and has built a joint laboratory with 150+ multinational enterprises. The international MBA graduates’ average annual salary in 2024 is 420,000 yuan; they are popularly employed by many companies, including JP Morgan and Alibaba.
Zhejiang University: Agricultural Science and Technology for the Digital Village
Located in Hangzhou, it co-built the “digital agriculture” English doctor with Alibaba Bodhidharma Academy, whose tuition fee is free, and the subsidy is 3,500 yuan per month. In 2025, it is planned to expand the enrollment to 30 students from Belt and Road countries.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University: ship and brain computer interface
The English master of “marine engineering” provides an internship in Sanya Deep Sea Experimental Station; The brain computer interface project of Med-X Research Institute published 23 sub journals of Nature, which attracted FDA cooperation in 2024.
Central China & Southern China: the new black horse of Universities in China
Wuhan University: cherry blossom and remote sensing satellite
It has the largest remote sensing satellite ground station in Asia, and the master’s degree in “space information science” in English is popular, which has 80% of the 2,024 graduates enrolled in the projects of ESA and NASA in China.
Huazhong University of Science and Technology: National Laboratory of Optoelectronics
Optics Valley core, leading the construction of “China Optics Valley” laser Industrial Park. The per capita scientific research funds for the English doctoral program are 420,000 / year, and the new direction of “quantum sensor” will be added in 2025.
Zhongshan University: Tropical Medicine and deep diving
Adjacent to the South China Sea, it has a 6,000-ton scientific research ship called “Zhongshan University”. Cooperate with the WHO on “tropical disease prevention and control”, English master, and provide marine sampling training credits.
Scholarship: Let the tuition at universities in China return to zero
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC): tuition-free + monthly living allowance of 3,000 yuan
- Shanghai municipal government scholarship: an additional subsidy of 20,000 yuan per year
- “Belt and Road” special project of Zhejiang University: full tuition + round-trip ticket
- “South China Sea Research” research assistant subsidy of Zhongshan University: 4,500 yuan per month
(CSC, 2024； Fudan, 2024)
Application process: three steps to lock in Universities in China
- Select project: in https://www.chinaadmissions.com Select English teaching projects
- preparation materials: report card, recommendation letter, language (IELTS ≥ 6.0/TOEFL ≥ 80)
- Synchronous application for scholarship: through the http://www.campuschina.org. Upload supplementary forms to improve the probability of a full prize
The way out for graduation: the gold content of the University Diploma in China
In 2024, the top eight schools in China in the QS employer reputation list were all among the top 50 in the world. The employment rate of Tsinghua and Fudan international students in the six months after graduation was 93%, of which 53% had a first salary of more than 200,000 yuan in China, and 30% went to Europe and the United States to study (British Council, 2,023).
Tips before the trip: University micro strategy integrated into China
- Accommodation: 42% of the international students’ apartments on campus include single rooms and public kitchens, and the cost is 600 – 1,200 yuan/month
- Pay: bound to the international version of WeChat Pay, you can scan the code in 50+ countries for a tax refund
- Health: English window of the school hospital, free appointment of new crown vaccine, reinforcing needle
References
British Council. (2023). Global Graduate Outcomes China Report.
CSC. (2024). Chinese Government Scholarship Annual Statistics.
Fudan University. (2024). International Student Scholarship Directory.
ShanghaiRanking. (2025). Academic Ranking of World Universities 2025. https://www.shanghairanking.cn/rankings/bcur/2025
World Bank. (2023). Education Statistics.