Tsinghua University

Often called "China's MIT." A global powerhouse in engineering, technology, and science, located on the site of former royal gardens in Beijing.

Beijing (Haidian), China World Rank: #17 (QS 2026) Founded: 1911

53,000+

Students

#1

Engineering Rank (Global)

88

Academicians (CAS/CAE)

21

Schools

Why Study at Tsinghua?

Engineering Giant

Consistently ranked #1 in the world for Engineering and Computer Science (US News), surpassing even MIT in research output for certain technical fields.

Schwarzman Scholars

Home to Schwarzman College, a highly selective scholarship program modeled after the Rhodes Scholarship, training future global leaders.

Royal Gardens

The campus is situated on the former imperial gardens of the Qing Dynasty. It was voted by Forbes as one of the most beautiful university campuses in the world.

Innovation Hub

Located in the heart of the Zhongguancun technology hub, Tsinghua creates more startup founders and tech leaders than any other university in China.

School of Econ & Mgmt

Tsinghua SEM is a premier business school with an advisory board that includes CEOs of Apple, Tesla, and Facebook.

Global Partnerships

Tsinghua offers dual degree programs with Berkeley, Yale, Johns Hopkins, and Imperial College London, bridging East and West.

Popular Programs

Computer Science

World-leading CS and AI curriculum

Civil Engineering

Ranked #1 globally for infrastructure

Architecture

Liang Sicheng's historic department

Economics

SEM - Highly quantitative focus

Electrical Engineering

Top-tier research in signals & systems

Physics

Fundamental research powerhouse

Material Science

Pioneering nanotechnology work

Industrial Engineering

Operations research and management

Environmental Eng.

Leading China's green initiatives

Automotive Engineering

Specialized vehicle technology major

*Note: Most undergrad programs require HSK 5 or 6 (fluent Chinese).

Global MBA

Tsinghua-MIT Global MBA Program

Master in Global Affairs

Schwarzman Scholars (Fully Funded)

LLM (Chinese Law)

International Arbitration & Law

Master of Public Admin

MID (International Development)

MSc Advanced Computing

English-taught CS program

MEM (Engineering Mgmt)

Ideally suited for tech leaders

Master of Architecture

EPMA English Program

MSc Environmental Eng.

Global Environment Program

TBSI (Shenzhen)

Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute

PhD

Research degrees across all STEM fields

Scholarships & Funding

Chinese Govt Scholarship

The "CSC Scholarship" (Type A/B) covers tuition, accommodation, insurance, and provides a monthly living stipend.

Schwarzman Scholars

A fully-funded, one-year master's program designed to build a global community of future leaders. Covers all expenses.

Beijing Govt Scholarship

Offers tuition fee waivers (full or partial) for international students for one academic year, renewable annually.

Siemens Scholarship

Corporate scholarship for PhD students in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Automation.

Tuition Scholarships

Tsinghua University International Student Scholarship provides full or partial tuition support for outstanding degree students.

Confucius Institute

Full scholarships for students focusing on Chinese language education and related humanities fields.

Campus Landmarks

The Old Gate

The iconic white marble gate (Er Xiao Men) is the symbol of the university, representing its history and prestige.

Auditorium

A distinctive dome structure mixing Greek and Roman architectural styles, situated on the Great Lawn.

Tsinghua Art Museum

TAM is a world-class museum housing over 13,000 diverse art pieces, from calligraphy to ceramics and textiles.

Shuimu Tsinghua

A scenic garden known as "Water and Wood Tsinghua," historically a favorite spot of Qing emperors.

West Gymnasium

Tsinghua has a famous sports tradition ("7+1" motto: work healthy for 50 years). Facilities include Olympic-standard pools.

New Library

Designed by Guan Zhaoye, this massive complex blends modern utility with the university's traditional architectural style.

Research & Innovation

Institute for AI

Tsinghua is China's leader in AI research, focusing on machine learning, computer vision, and brain-inspired computing.

Nuclear Energy

Home to the Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology (INET), operating its own experimental test reactors.

Climate Change

The Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development advises national policy on carbon neutrality.

Life Sciences

The School of Life Sciences leads in structural biology, famously led by structural biologist Shi Yigong.

GIX (Seattle)

The Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) is a unique partnership with the University of Washington and Microsoft.

x-lab

An education platform designed to foster student creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship on campus.

Entry Requirements

Undergraduate Requirements

  • HSK 5/6: Mandatory for almost all majors. HSK 4 may be accepted if you take a year of Chinese first.
  • Academic Records: High GPA in high school (A-Levels A*AA, IB 38+, or equivalent).
  • Standardized Tests: SAT/ACT/A-Levels/IB scores are required to replace the Gaokao.
  • Video Introduction: A 3-minute video introducing yourself and why you want to study at Tsinghua.
  • Interview: Online interview required for qualified applicants to assess language and academic fit.
  • Age Limit: Applicants must generally be under 25 years of age.

Graduate Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree: From a recognized university.
  • Language Proficiency: HSK 6 for Chinese programs; TOEFL/IELTS for English programs.
  • Personal Statement: 800+ words detailing research experience and study plan.
  • References: Two letters of recommendation from associate professors or higher.
  • GRE/GMAT: Required for SEM (Business School) and recommended for other competitive departments.
  • Passport: Non-Chinese citizens with a valid passport.
  • Timeline: Applications typically open in Oct/Nov and close in Feb/March.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it harder than MIT?
For domestic Chinese students taking the Gaokao, it is arguably the hardest university in the world to get into. For international students, it is competitive but more accessible, provided you meet the language requirements.
Are there English undergraduate degrees?
Very few. While Tsinghua offers hundreds of courses in English, full undergraduate degree programs taught entirely in English are rare. Most international undergrads must learn Chinese. Graduate level has many English options.
Where is the campus?
It is located in the Haidian District in northwest Beijing, adjacent to the Old Summer Palace and Peking University. It is a massive, self-contained city with its own apartments, schools, and markets.
What is the Schwarzman Scholars program?
It is a highly prestigious, fully-funded one-year Master's program in Global Affairs at Tsinghua. It is designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders and has an acceptance rate lower than Harvard.

Ready to Study at "China's MIT"?

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