Tianjin University

Key facts

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

About Tianjin University

Tianjin University says it was founded in 1895 as Peiyang University and is the oldest institution of higher education in the modern history of China. Its founder was Sheng Xuanhuai and its first president was Charles Daniel Tenney.^[1] Wikipedia records that it took the name Tianjin University in 1951 after merging with the Hebei Institute of Technology, and that it belongs to Project 985, Project 211 and the Double First-Class initiative.^[7]

The university has two main campuses in Tianjin: the Weijin Road Campus in Nankai District and the Peiyangyuan Campus in Haihe Education Park. The facts page gives the Weijin Road Campus 1,288,500 m² and the Peiyangyuan Campus 2,436,000 m².^[6]

The university also runs international institutes in Fuzhou, Hainan and Shenzhen, with separate and much higher tuition (see the fees section).^[3][4]

How is Tianjin University ranked?

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Tianjin University is =235th, tied with ENS de Lyon. A Chinese technology news report on the release also lists it as 235th, between Harbin Institute of Technology (190th) and Beijing Institute of Technology (243rd).^[2][8] Wikipedia gives its 2026 QS position as 257th, so it rose 22 places.^[7]

Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

QS publishes its ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access. The position above comes from an aggregator and a news report that reproduce the QS table.

What can you study at Tianjin University?

For 2027 entry the university offers 80 undergraduate programmes to international students. Duration is 4 years, or 5 years for architecture, and 13 programmes are taught in English, including Chemical Engineering and Technology, Environmental Engineering and Pharmaceutical Science (which is taught only in English).^[3] It also offers 118 master’s programmes of 2–3 years, 39 of them in English, and 125 doctoral programmes of 3–4 years, 51 of them in English.^[4][5]

The undergraduate admissions page for 2026–27 says that 67 programmes were open to international students and 3 were in English, so the numbers changed between the two pages.^[9] Graduating Chinese-taught bachelor’s and master’s students must reach Level 5 of the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages; English-taught bachelor’s students must reach Level 4.^[3][4]

How much does Tianjin University cost for international students?

All figures are per year for the 2027 intake. The pages say that tuition and scholarships are subject to the admission notice.^[3][4][5]

International institutes

Programmes at the Shenzhen International Institute, the International Joint Institute in Fuzhou and the Hainan International Institute cost far more. Bachelor’s programmes there cost CNY 100,000–130,000 a year.^[3] At master’s level, the Fuzhou institute costs CNY 150,000 in year 1 and CNY 30,000 a year in years 2–3, Hainan costs CNY 276,000 for three years, and Shenzhen costs CNY 150,000 a year.^[4]

Other costs

The application fee is CNY 500, paid after admission; Chinese Government Scholarship winners do not pay it. Bachelor’s admits pre-pay a CNY 7,000 deposit that is not refunded if they do not enrol. Insurance costs CNY 800 a year, and dormitory beds cost CNY 15–60 a day depending on type and campus.^[3] For living costs, see our Study in China guide.

Scholarships

The Chinese Government Scholarship usually covers tuition, a stipend, on-campus accommodation and medical insurance for master’s and doctoral students, and requires an annual review.^[4][5] At bachelor’s level the Type A route is open for Chinese-taught programmes only.^[3]

How do you apply to Tianjin University?

• Bachelor’s: take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA), a national test run by the China Scholarship Council, then apply on the university’s International Student Service System with a school diploma, transcripts, a study plan of at least 600 words, a bank certificate and a language certificate.^[3]
• Master’s: you need a bachelor’s degree and to be under 35. Apply online with transcripts, a study or research plan of at least 1,000 words, two professor recommendations and, if you have one, an acceptance letter from a TJU supervisor. Interviews follow, and results are announced in July.^[4]
• Doctorate: you need a master’s degree and to be no older than 40, a research proposal of at least 1,000 words signed by a TJU professor and, if you have one, an acceptance letter from a TJU supervisor.^[5]

We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ for scholarship applicants. Check the current notice on the School of International Education site.

Which language level do you need?

HSK is China’s standardised Chinese test, with levels 1 to 6. Chinese-taught bachelor’s programmes need HSK 5 with at least 180 points, or HSK 4 with at least 180 for programmes of the School of International Education. English-taught bachelor’s programmes need IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80.^[3]

Chinese-taught master’s and doctoral programmes need HSK 5 with at least 180 points. English-taught master’s programmes need IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 80 or Duolingo 110, and English-taught doctorates need IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80.^[4][5] The English-taught MBA is stricter: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 85, a GPA above 3.2 out of 4.0, at least one year of work experience and an acceptance letter from a TJU supervisor.^[4] Native speakers, and applicants whose previous degree was taught in the same language, are exempt from the certificate.^[3]

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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• Harbin Institute of Technology
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