Best Universities in China for International Students 2027: Top 10 Picks

Ask ten students to name the best universities in China for international students and most will stop after Peking and Tsinghua. That is a shame, because some of the best offers we see each year come from universities further down the list, in cities that are cheaper and friendlier to newcomers. This guide covers the ten names that come up most in our consultations, what each one is genuinely good at, and how hard it is to get in as a foreign applicant

We use the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in mid-2026, as a reference point. Rankings move every year, so treat the numbers as a snapshot and check the latest table before you apply

How we chose these universities

Rank matters, but it is not everything. For this list we looked at four things: overall ranking, the number of programs open to international students, how well the international office supports foreigners, and the scholarships available. A university that ranks 150th but runs fifty English-taught master’s programs and answers emails within a day may be a better choice for you than a top-20 name that admits a handful of foreign undergraduates

If you are just starting out and want the basics of admissions and visas first, read our main guide on how to study in China as an international student and come back here to build your shortlist

Top Chinese universities in the QS 2027 rankings

Peking University and Tsinghua University

These two sit next to each other in Haidian district in Beijing and compete for the same top students. Peking University is the stronger choice for humanities, social sciences, economics and the natural sciences, while Tsinghua leads in engineering, computer science and architecture. Both have large international communities and dedicated international student offices

Getting in is hard. Chinese-taught bachelor’s programs usually expect HSK 5 or 6 and a strong academic record, and both universities run their own written tests or interviews for undergraduate applicants. Master’s applicants have more English-taught options. Two programs worth knowing are the Yenching Academy at Peking University and Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua, both fully funded one-year master’s programs taught in English with very low acceptance rates

What students tell us

Students who end up at either university say the workload is heavier than they expected and that classmates are extremely competitive. Beijing is also one of the most expensive cities in China, so budget on the higher side for rent if you plan to live off campus

Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong and Tongji in Shanghai

Shanghai has three universities on this list, which makes it the best city in China if you want options. Fudan is the classic research university, strong in medicine through Shanghai Medical College, in economics and in journalism. Shanghai Jiao Tong is an engineering and medicine powerhouse with a well-known business school, Antai College. Tongji is the name to know for civil engineering, architecture and urban planning, and it has close links with German universities

Shanghai is international, easy to live in without fluent Chinese and well connected by metro. The trade-off is cost. Rent near Fudan or Jiao Tong’s Xuhui campus can run several thousand RMB a month, which is why most first-year students stay in the international dormitories

Zhejiang University in Hangzhou

Zhejiang University is the one we recommend most often to students who want a top-50 university without Beijing or Shanghai prices. It is huge, with seven campuses and programs in almost every field, and it is particularly strong in computer science, engineering and agricultural science. Hangzhou is home to Alibaba and a busy tech scene, so internships in e-commerce and software are realistic for students with some Chinese

Strong choices outside the big three cities

This is where many of our students land, often with better scholarships. A few examples from the table above

• Nanjing University is excellent in physics, chemistry and Chinese language and literature, and Nanjing is cheaper and calmer than Shanghai
• USTC in Hefei is a science university first, with world-class work in physics and quantum information, ideal for serious STEM students
• Wuhan University has one of the most beautiful campuses in China, famous for its cherry blossoms, and strong law and remote sensing departments
• Harbin Institute of Technology is a top choice for aerospace and robotics, though Harbin winters drop well below minus 20°C
• Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou and Xi’an Jiaotong University are also worth a look for medicine and engineering respectively

Best universities in China for medicine and MBBS

Medicine deserves its own note. Not every top university offers MBBS in English, and the Ministry of Education publishes a list of universities authorised to teach English-taught clinical medicine to foreigners. Fudan, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Zhejiang, Peking, Sun Yat-sen and Wuhan are all known for medicine, while others like China Medical University and Capital Medical University also attract many foreign students. Before you apply, check that your home country’s medical council recognises the degree. Our guide to MBBS in China with a scholarship covers this in detail

Fees and scholarships at top Chinese universities

Top universities are not dramatically more expensive than average ones. Most bachelor’s programs at the universities above cost roughly 23,000 to 40,000 RMB per year, with medicine and some English-taught master’s programs higher. Accommodation in international dormitories usually adds 5,000 to 15,000 RMB a year. Our breakdown of student living costs across Chinese cities helps you compare Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou

All ten universities accept students on the Chinese Government Scholarship, and you can apply either through your local Chinese embassy or through the university directly. Read the details in our CSC scholarship guide for 2027, because each university sets its own deadline and many close as early as January

How to choose the right university for you

Start with the field, not the rank. A student who wants civil engineering is often better served by Tongji than by Peking University. Then look at the language of instruction, the city you can afford, and whether the university has a strong record of admitting students from your country. If you are applying to Chinese-taught programs, your HSK level will narrow the list quickly, since top universities rarely accept less than HSK 5 for bachelor’s degrees

Finally, write to the international office before you apply. How quickly and clearly they answer tells you a lot about the support you will get once you arrive. Then pick four or five universities across different levels and start your documents early

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best university in China for international students?

Peking University and Tsinghua University are the highest ranked, at 13 and 14 in QS 2027. For value and easier admission, Zhejiang University, Nanjing University and Wuhan University are often better choices for international students

Do top Chinese universities teach in English?

Yes, mostly at master’s and PhD level. Bachelor’s programs at the top universities are mainly taught in Chinese, although several offer English-taught undergraduate programs in fields like business, engineering and medicine

Can I get a scholarship at Peking or Tsinghua?

It is possible through the CSC, university scholarships or programs like Yenching Academy and Schwarzman Scholars. Competition is intense, so apply to a wider range of universities at the same time

Is it easier to get into universities outside Beijing and Shanghai?

Generally yes. Universities in cities like Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan and Harbin are strong academically and usually admit more international students relative to applications, with more generous tuition waivers