Universities in China

The second most populous nation in the world, situated in East Asia, China is approaching world superpower status, and the sheer diversity of experiences available in China make it a fascinating location to visit. The universities in China now compete amongst the very best in the world, making it an attractive destination for international students.

The types of University

The 3,000+ universities and colleges of China have very specific naming conventions, depending on their status, the focus of their academic work and their institutional affiliation. Understanding these conventions will help you to understand the type of each Chinese university.

Status of Chinese universities and colleges

The first important thing of note is that whilst the Ministry of Education of China imposes strict naming conventions on education institutions in China, these are only reflected in the Chinese names of these institutions. So whilst an institution may only be allowed to refer to itself as a college in its Chinese title, it may refer to itself as a university in its English language title.

The status of Chinese education institutions can be sorted into groups including the following:

• University – to qualify for university status, the institution must have over 8,000 full time students and must meet several other criteria relating to numbers of staff and choice of subjects.
• College
• Vocational University/Vocational College

The academic focus of Chinese universities and colleges

Universities in China are also categorized by the subject areas of their academic focus. There are several subject categories, including:

• Sports
• Science and Engineering
• Languages
• Arts
• Politics
• Finance
• Comprehensive colleges and universities, which cover multiple disciplines of study

In addition, universities in China may be either provincial, which aim to develop students whose skills will best serve development of local areas, or governmental, which aim to develop students whose skills will help to develop the country at large. There are also privately owned and run universities in China.

Language of tuition

China is a nation of many (hundreds!) of related languages, with Mandarin Chinese (often called Standard Chinese) being the most widely spoken dialect. Standard Chinese is the official national language of China, bridging the gap between regional dialects.

Whilst Mandarin Chinese is the most commonly used language of tuition, many Chinese universities also offer bachelors and masters degrees taught in English, as part of the Chinese government’s drive to open China to global markets.

Popular cities in China for International students

• Shanghai – Located on the central east coast of China on the estuary of the Yangtze River, Shanghai is China’s economic hub and one of the world’s most important financial centers. It has a well developed modern transportation system, and welcomes millions of tourists every year. There are a wide range of universities for international students to consider in Shanghai, including East China Normal University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Shanghai University.

• Beijing – China’s capital, and a city with extensive history, Beijing is located in the north east of China and is home to more than 20 million people. This vast sprawling city offers visitors many attractions, such as the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China, and a wonderful mix of historic and new architecture. It is also home to a large number of universities, including Beijing Normal University, Peking University and Tsinghua University.

• Shenzhen – Located on the south eastern coast of the country, Shenzhen is China’s major high tech city, hosting many of the country’s large tech companies. Despite the rapid recent growth of the city, it retains many parks and green areas, and the modern architecture is both futuristic and adventurous. Shenzhen can also offer a vibrant art scene, making it a very pleasant place to visit. Students in Shenzhen can study at universities such as Shenzhen University and South University of Science and Technology of China.

• Hangzhou – Located in China’s Zhejiang province on the east of the country, Hangzhou is a favorite destination for holiday makers and tourists alike, with the famous West Lake being a popular place to visit. There are several high quality universities in the area, including Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Gongshang University and Zhejiang University of Technology.

• Chengdu – The capital of China’s Sichuan province, located in the west of the country, Chengdu is probably best known for its Panda park, whilst the city itself is a very pleasant place to visit with a strong food culture. There are many universities in the region including Sichuan University, Chengdu University and Chengdu University of Technology.

• Tianjin – Located on the coast of northern China, Tianjin is known for being a large port city which can offer an attractive blend of eastern and western cultures. Universities include Tianjin University, Tianjin University of Technology and Nankai University.

• Hong Kong for more information about Hong Kong, please visit our Hong Kong directory.

The top universities in China

China has now fully established itself as a major force in education, with many world class universities.

Table of the top ranked universities in China

See below for a list of universities and higher education providers in China. Click on universities you are interested in below to read more and to see which courses are available for international students.