Harbin Institute of Technology

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.

About Harbin Institute of Technology

HIT was established on 7 June 1920 as the Harbin Sino-Russia Industrial School, set up to train railway engineers. The name Harbin Institute of Technology was reinstated in 1938, and in 2000 it merged with Harbin University of Architecture to form the current university.^[1] It celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020.^[2]

HIT was in the first batch of Project 211 institutions (1996) and one of the first nine members of Project 985 (1999). It was designated a Class A university under the Double First-Class initiative in 2017, and it belongs to the C9 League, the alliance of nine leading Chinese universities.^[2][1]

The main campus is in Nangang District, Harbin. HIT also has a campus in Weihai, Shandong, and one in Shenzhen, Guangdong.^[2][1] Student figures differ by source: Times Higher Education lists 24,312 full-time-equivalent students^[8], while Wikipedia’s infobox shows 25,002 undergraduates and 12,710 postgraduates without a year.^[1] We use the THE figure because it states its basis.

How is Harbin Institute of Technology ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, HIT is 190th. That is a rise of 66 places from 256th in 2026 (it was =252nd in 2025) and puts it in the global top 200 for the first time.^[3][9][10] QS’s commentary notes that HIT’s international-faculty and international-student ratios rose sharply in the same edition and says the jump “might reflect real change or a data update.”^[9]

Times Higher Education 2027 places HIT 96th and ShanghaiRanking’s ARWU 2026 97th.^[8] Rankings use different indicators, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. See also the China ranking.

What can you study at Harbin Institute of Technology?

HIT offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programmes to international students, plus non-degree options: a pre-university programme, long- and short-term Chinese-language programmes, exchange and summer schools.^[11]

Most master’s programmes are taught in Chinese. English-taught master’s options exist in Management, Materials Science, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics and Chemical Engineering. All doctoral programmes can be taught in English except those in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.^[4][5]

At bachelor’s level, HIT’s own page says all programmes are taught in Chinese, with Civil Engineering and Chemical Engineering Technology also available in English.^[7] The consultancy reproduction of the 2026 brochure lists a longer English-taught set (Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Architecture, Intelligent Medical Engineering and Business Administration).^[6] The two sources differ, so check the current programme list.

How much does Harbin Institute of Technology cost for international students?

The master’s and doctoral amounts are on HIT’s own pages, posted 7 August 2025 for the September 2025 intake.^[4][5] HIT’s official bachelor’s page shows tuition only as an image we could not read, so the bachelor’s amounts come from a reproduction of the 2026 brochure by an education consultancy.^[7][6] Confirm all figures for your intake.

Other costs

Insurance is CNY 800 a year, the self-funded application fee CNY 400 (CNY 600 if you apply for the HIT scholarship) and accommodation CNY 800 a month per bed, excluding utilities and internet.^[4] Applicants must show a bank deposit of at least CNY 30,000 at graduate level^[4] and CNY 20,000 at bachelor’s level.^[7] For living costs, see our Study in China guide.

Scholarships

HIT lists the Chinese Government Scholarship, the HIT International Students Scholarship, two Youth of Excellence Scheme programmes (Master’s in Business Administration and in Transportation Engineering) and the China Link Scholarship Program.^[11] The brochure reproduction describes HIT scholarship tiers from a full tuition waiver to a 20% reduction at bachelor’s level.^[6] Amounts and eligibility are set in the scholarship notices, so read them before applying.

How do you apply to Harbin Institute of Technology?

Applications run through HIT’s online international student application system.^[11] The steps are the same at every level: complete the online form, pay the application fee and upload the documents.^[4]

• Bachelor’s: you must be a non-Chinese citizen with a high-school diploma, under 30 and in good health.^[7]
• Master’s: you need a bachelor’s degree and must be under 35 (under 30 for the HIT scholarship). Documents include a study plan of at least 1,500 words, two recommendation letters from professors or associate professors, a physical examination record and a non-criminal record.^[4]
• Doctorate: you must be under 40 (under 35 for the HIT scholarship); the document list is the same as for the master’s.^[5]

The September intake is the only one. HIT’s pages say applications are accepted year-round but also name cut-off dates, and these change, so we list none here. Check the current dates and contact StudyatHIT@hit.edu.cn with questions.^[4]

Which language level do you need?

For Chinese-taught programmes HIT asks for HSK level 4 with at least 210 points, valid for two years. A certificate from your previous institution showing that the degree was taught in Chinese can replace the HSK.^[4][5][7] Chinese Language and Literature applicants do not need a language certificate at bachelor’s level.^[7]

For English-taught programmes the master’s and doctoral requirement is TOEFL 80 or IELTS Academic 6.0 with no subtest below 5.5, or a certificate that your previous degree was taught in English.^[4][5] At bachelor’s level HIT’s page says TOEFL 78 or IELTS 6.0; the brochure reproduction says TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5). Check the current figure before you book a test.^[7][6]

More about studying in China

• China: best universities
• Study in China: complete guide
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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