Tsinghua University is a public research university in Haidian District, Beijing, founded in 1911.[1] It is ranked 14th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from =17th in 2026.[2] On 31 December 2025 it had 63,132 registered students, among them 2,631 international students in the three degree groups it reports.[3]
Tuition for international students depends on the programme. Most undergraduate programmes cost RMB 26,000 to 40,000 a year; four English-taught programmes cost RMB 100,000.[4] In the 2027 graduate list, doctoral programmes cost RMB 32,000 to 40,000 a year in most subjects and master’s programmes RMB 28,000 to 33,000.[5] Chinese-English-taught undergraduate programmes need HSK level 5 or above; English-taught ones need an English test instead.[6]
Key facts
| Official name | Tsinghua University (清华大学) |
| Location | Haidian District, Beijing 100084 (postal address of the admissions office)[7] |
| Type | Public research university, affiliated with and funded by China’s Ministry of Education; member of the C9 League[8] |
| Founded | 1911, as Tsing Hua Imperial College; renamed Tsing Hua College in 1912; National Tsing Hua University from 1928[1] |
| Registered students (31 December 2025) | 63,132: 16,526 undergraduates (784 international), 21,752 postgraduates including part-time (1,397 international), 24,854 doctoral candidates (450 international)[3] |
| Schools and departments | 33 schools and 54 departments[3] |
| Staff | 17,382 faculty and staff and 3,454 postdoctoral researchers[3] |
| Campus area | 483.43 hectares[3] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 14th (=17th in 2026, 20th in 2025)[2] |
| Undergraduate study period | Four years for most programmes; five for Architecture and Sculpture; eight for Clinical Medicine (MD)[7] |
| Undergraduate tuition | RMB 26,000–40,000 a year for most programmes; RMB 100,000 for four English-taught programmes[4] |
| Graduate tuition (2027 list) | Doctoral RMB 32,000–40,000 a year in most subjects; master’s RMB 28,000–33,000 a year in most subjects[5] |
| Chinese requirement | HSK 5 or above for Chinese-English-taught undergraduate programmes; none for English-taught ones[6] |
| Official website | tsinghua.edu.cn |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About Tsinghua University
Tsinghua was founded in 1911 as Tsing Hua Imperial College. In 1912 it became Tsing Hua College, a preparatory school for students going to study in the United States. The university section and a four-year undergraduate programme began in 1925, and in 1928 it took the name National Tsing Hua University with 16 departments in four schools.[1]
After the war years it returned to its campus, Qing Hua Yuan (Tsinghua Garden), in Beijing in 1946. In 1952 it was restructured as a polytechnic university focused on training engineers.[1] Today it is a public research university affiliated with the Ministry of Education and a member of the C9 League.[8]
The university’s facts page (data as of 31 December 2025) lists 33 schools, 54 departments and a campus of 483.43 hectares.[3]
How is Tsinghua University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Tsinghua is 14th in the world. It was =17th in 2026 and 20th in 2025.[2] Peking University is 13th, Fudan University 26th and Zhejiang University 47th in the same edition.[2] Wikipedia’s Tsinghua page also lists QS rank 14 for the 2027 edition.[8]
QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access, so we cite secondary tables. Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. For the national league table see Best universities in China.
What can you study at Tsinghua University?
Most undergraduate programmes take four years of full-time study. Architecture and Sculpture take five years, and Clinical Medicine takes eight years and leads to an MD. Most programmes are taught in both Chinese and English, and some are taught only in English.[7]
The undergraduate fee list names colleges such as Zhishan, Tanwei, Zijing, Xinya and Rixin, and subject groups including Architecture, Computer Science, Electronic Information, Mathematics and Physics, Chemistry and Life Science, Economics, Finance and Management, Law, Arts and Clinical Medicine.[4]
At graduate level the 2027 fee list separates programmes taught in Chinese or bilingually from programmes taught fully in English. The English-taught list covers, among others, Architecture, Civil Engineering (international construction and project management), Environmental Science, Computer Science, Materials Science, the Global MBA, Public Administration, Law, Journalism, Public Health and the Schwarzman Scholars programme.[5]
How much does Tsinghua University cost for international students?
Undergraduate
| Annual tuition | Programmes |
|---|---|
| RMB 26,000 | Economics, Finance and Management; Law; Xinya, Rixin and Zhishan colleges |
| RMB 30,000 | Architecture; Intelligent Manufacturing; Electronic Information; Computer Science; Automation; Mathematics, Physics and Modern Engineering; Chemistry and Life Science; several colleges |
| RMB 40,000 | Arts; Clinical Medicine, foundation stage (3 years) |
| RMB 60,000 / 70,000 | Clinical Medicine, research stage (2 years) / clinical stage (3 years) |
| RMB 100,000 | Four English-taught programmes (Zijing College, Zhishan College, and the Tsinghua–CUHK dual degree while studying at Tsinghua) |
This fee page shows no academic year or date (its footer says 2020), so confirm the current amounts with the admissions office.[4] Insurance costs RMB 800 a year and the application fee is RMB 800, non-refundable.[4]
Graduate (2027 fee list, published 23 September 2026)
| Level and subject | Tuition per year |
|---|---|
| Doctorate: science, engineering, medicine, economics, management | RMB 40,000 |
| Doctorate: philosophy, law, education, literature, history, area studies | RMB 32,000 |
| Master’s: science, engineering, medicine | RMB 33,000 |
| Master’s: economics, management | RMB 30,000 |
| Master’s: philosophy, law, education, literature, history | RMB 28,000 |
Art, design and journalism programmes are higher: doctoral journalism and communication RMB 60,000, doctoral art RMB 50,000, master’s art RMB 45,000, and fine arts or design RMB 65,000 (master’s) to 75,000 (doctoral).[5] Many professional and English-taught programmes have their own fees, quoted either per year or for the whole programme:[5]
| Programme | Tuition |
|---|---|
| Master’s in Advanced Computing (English) | RMB 39,000 a year |
| Doctoral Program in Computer Science and Technology (English) | RMB 40,000 a year |
| Master’s in Environmental Science, Engineering and Management (English) | RMB 78,000 in total (2 years) |
| Tsinghua Global MBA (English) | RMB 198,000 in total (2 years) |
| Master of Finance, School of Economics and Management / Shenzhen | RMB 198,000 in total (2 years) |
| Schwarzman Scholars programme | RMB 64,000 in total |
For joint and dual-degree programmes the list shows only the fee payable to Tsinghua; the partner university’s fee is separate.[5]
Scholarships
Tsinghua’s financial-aid page describes the Chinese Government Scholarship (full awards cover tuition, accommodation, a stipend and medical insurance; partial awards cover some of these) for undergraduate and graduate degree students. It also describes a separate Tuition Scholarship for graduate students that covers tuition for one academic year and can be applied for annually.[9] For living costs see our Study in China guide.
How do you apply to Tsinghua University?
- Undergraduate: applications go through Tsinghua’s online system for international applicants. There are two application rounds, and the Arts programmes and the Tsinghua–CUHK dual degree are each open in only one of them.[7] Applicants must be non-Chinese nationals with a foreign passport and a high school graduation certificate, and be at least 18 by 1 September 2027 (younger applicants need a guardian statement).[6]
- Supporting documents: transcripts, national or regional matriculation certificates, international test results such as CSCA, SAT, ACT, A-Level, AP or IB, and Olympiad certificates where they apply. The page sets no minimum scores.[6]
- Graduate: applications go through the Graduate Admissions Office portal. Required documents and language rules are set by the programme, so read its own brochure.[10]
We give no deadlines because they change every year. Current dates are on the undergraduate admissions site and the graduate admissions site.
Which language level do you need?
English-taught undergraduate programmes: a high level of English is needed, and non-native speakers submit official results from tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. Proof of Chinese is not required.[6]
Chinese-English-taught undergraduate programmes: applicants need HSK level 5 or above with scores above 60 in each of Listening, Reading and Writing. Native speakers of Chinese, or applicants who studied at a Chinese-medium high school, can ask for an HSK waiver, which Tsinghua must approve. These applicants also need strong English, shown by tests such as TOEFL or IELTS.[6]
The eligibility page names no minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores, and we could not read language rules for graduate programmes, which are set by the programme.[6]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is tuition at Tsinghua University for international students?
Undergraduate tuition is RMB 26,000 to 40,000 a year for most programmes, and RMB 100,000 for four English-taught programmes.[4] In the 2027 graduate list, doctoral tuition is RMB 32,000 to 40,000 a year and master’s tuition RMB 28,000 to 33,000 in most subjects, with higher fees for professional and art programmes.[5]
How is Tsinghua University ranked?
It is 14th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from =17th in 2026, and one place behind Peking University (13th).[2]
Do I need Chinese to study at Tsinghua?
How many international students does Tsinghua have?
The facts page, with data as of 31 December 2025, lists 784 international undergraduates, 1,397 international postgraduates and 450 international doctoral candidates, 2,631 in total by our addition.[3]
Can I get a scholarship at Tsinghua?
Tsinghua’s financial-aid page describes the Chinese Government Scholarship and, for graduate students, a Tuition Scholarship that covers tuition for one academic year.[9]
More about studying in China
- China: best universities
- Study in China: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in China
- Beijing Institute of Technology
- Beijing Normal University
- Fudan University
- Harbin Institute of Technology
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Nanjing University
- Nankai University
- Peking University
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Sichuan University
- Southeast University
- Sun Yat-sen University
- Tianjin University
- Tongji University
- University of Science and Technology of China
- Wuhan University
- Xiamen University
- Xi’an Jiaotong University
- Zhejiang University
Sources
[1] Tsinghua University: History (page without a date)
[2] Xuanxiao: QS World University Rankings 2027, results and analysis (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article dated 19 Jun 2026; QS edition released 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Tsinghua University: Facts and Figures (data as of 31 Dec 2025)
[4] Tsinghua Undergraduate Admissions: Fees (page without a date, footer 2020)
[5] Tsinghua Graduate Admissions: Tuition Fees of Graduate Programs for International Students 2027 (published 23 Sep 2026)
[6] Tsinghua Undergraduate Admissions: Eligibility (entry in 2027, page without a date)
[7] Tsinghua Undergraduate Admissions for international students (programmes, rounds, postal address) (page without a date; rounds for 2027 entry)
[8] Wikipedia: Tsinghua University (type, C9 membership, QS 2027 value)
[9] Tsinghua University: Financial Aid for international students (page without a date, footer 2024)
[10] Tsinghua University: International graduate programs (admissions overview) (page without a date, footer 2024)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.