English-Taught Degrees in China for International Students (2026)
China has rapidly established itself as one of the world’s leading higher education destinations, particularly in Engineering, Technology, Science, AI, Business, Economics and Medicine. Many top Chinese universities now offer fully English-taught undergraduate degrees for international students, making Chinese education more accessible to the rest of the world. China is therefore becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional pathways such as the UK, US and Australia.
Compared to Western universities, Chinese universities often offer:
Significantly lower tuition fees (see University Cost & Fees for a detailed cost comparison between China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK and Australia)
Strong global rankings
Access to Asia’s largest economy and technology ecosystem
Strong research output and government investment in innovation
Excellent industrial links and graduate outcomes
Top Chinese Universities Offering English-Taught Degrees
Tsinghua University
Peking University
Fudan University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Zhejiang University
Beijing Institute of Technology
Harbin Institute of Technology
Xi’an Jiaotong University
Tongji University
Read our guide on how to prepare for the CSCA and a breakdown of past paper topics.
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Tsinghua University’s Zijing College offers a personalisable multi-discplinary curriculum including:
Information Science Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Design Science
Zijing College offers two English-taught programmes:
Global Talents in Science and Engineering Programme: Students obtain a Bachelor of Engineering degree after 4 years of study.
Urban Regeneration and Design Programme: Students may choose to graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering (Architecture, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture) after 4 years of study, or continue 1 more year to complete the full training and graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture.
Estimated Tuition: USD 15,000/ year
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Undergraduate International Programme in Data Science and Big Data Technology (UIPDB): The core curriculum includes Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Applied Big Data and AI. Elective courses are offered in 3 specialised modules, namely Statistics and Analysis, Sytems and Data Mining, and Data Science for Social Science.
Applicants should have strong background in Maths and Physics.
Estimated Tuition: USD 12,000/ year
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Shanghai Jiao Tong University offers three English-taught Engineering and Technology courses.
SJTU Engineering Cluster Programme: Includes Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Automation and Intelligent Sensing, Power and Energy Engineering. Students take introductory engineering courses in the first 1.5 years at the Global College, after which they may choose to continue at the Global College or transfer to a more specialised track. In addition to the standard CSCA exam, students are required to take the SJTU International Undergraduate Entrance Exam
SJTU Civil Engineering (Smart and Sustainable Construction) Programme: Includes Smart and Sustainable Construction, Marine and Coastal Infrastructure Engineering, Advanced Structural and Construction Materials, Urban and Infrastructure Resilience.
SJTU Global Institute of Future Technology (Sustainable Energy, Health Science and Technology) Programme: Includes Information Technology, Sustainable Energy Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Materials Engineering, Biology, Psychology, Genetics and Medicine. During the final year, students can study at the University of Waterloo and proceed directly to a master’s degree there (3+1+1 Integrated Bachelor’s-Master’s Pathway). Alternatively, after completing their undergraduate studies, students can directly enter HKU’s Faculty of Engineering for a fully-funded PhD.
Estimated Tuition: USD 12,000—18,000/ year
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Zhejiang University offers two biomedical-related programmes.
ZJU Biomedical Engineering Programme: In Y1-2, students cover the core syllabus which includes Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Biomedical Imaging Technology, Engineering Graphics and Electronics. In Y3-4, students enter specialisation tracks which include Biomedical Technology, Fundamental Theories and AI in Medicine. Estimated Tuition: USD 6500/ year.
The ZJU-UoE Institute offers two dual-degree programmes based entirely in Haining, China. Students will be awarded BSc degrees from both Zhejiang University and the University of Edinburgh. The two programmes are ZJU-Edinburgh Integrative Biomedical Sciences Dual Degree Programme and ZJU-Edinburgh Biomedical Informatics Dual Degree Programme. Estimated Tuition: USD 30,000/ year.
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Beijing Institute of Technology offers one of the widest ranges of English-taught engineering programmes targeted at international students:
Estimated Tuition: USD 4500/ year
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Harbin Institute of Technology offers a wide range of 4 year English-taught Engineering programmes aimed at international students:
Computer Science and Technology
Optoelectronic Information Science and Engineering
Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation
Energy and Power Engineering
Civil Engineering
Students are required to take the HITSZ entrance text (Mathematics & Physics).
Estimated Tuition: USD 4000/ year
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Xi’an Jiaotong University offers a range of 4 year Engineering Programmes aimed at international students:
Electrical Engineering and Automation Programme
Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering Programme
Energy and Power Engineering Programme
Estimated Tuition: USD 26,000/ year
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Tongji University offers an English-taught Civil Engineering Programme. The core curriculum includes maths, statistics, physics, structural and soil mechanics, engineering geology, load and structural design, concrete and steel structure etc.
Tongji University also offers an English-taught Architecture programme which includes a combination of engineering, design and art.
Estimated Tuition: USD 5200/ year
Engineering, Computing, Science & Technology Degrees in China
STEM subjects currently have the widest range of English-taught undergraduate programmes offered, reflecting China’s global strength in technology, engineering, research and innovation.
Economics, Business & Finance Degrees in China
China is one of Asia’s most popular destinations for Business, Economics and Finance education. The programmes are particularly attractive for students interested in international business, global trade, Asian markets, entrepreneurship and quantitative finance. These universities have strong industrial links and excellent career outcomes for graduates.
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Fudan University offers two English-taught Economics/ Finance courses. Applicants should have a strong background in Maths.
Undergraduate International Programme in Economics (UIPE): The curriculum is based on liberal arts education with gradually increasing depth each year. Students are encouraged to do an exchange programme for one semester.
Global Bachelor of Fintech (GBF): The core curriculum covers finance, business, data science and fintech, including case studies, industry projects and internship support. Students can tailor their learning through electives in two specialised tracks, namely financial practices and quantitative technology.
Estimated Tuition: USD 12,000/ year
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Tsinghua University’s offers two economics-related English-taught programmes:
Tsinghua-CUHK Dual Undergraduate Degree Programme in Economics: Students spend 2 years each at Tsinghua University and CUHK in Hong Kong. At the end of 4 years, students graduate with a Bachelor’s in Economics from Tsinghua and a Bachelor of Social Science in Economics from CUHK.
Tsinghua Politics, Economics and Sociology for Global Leaders in Smart Society Programme: Students will be trained on a multidisciplinary curriculum. At the end of 4 years, based on their choice, students will obtain a Bachelor of Economics of Bachelor of Law in Political Science, International Relations or Sociology.
Estimated Tuition: USD 15,000/ year
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Zhejiang University offers a 4 year Global Communication and Management programme. The core curriculum includes management, finance, business, accounting, economics and global communication. Students have the opportunity to participate in 6 month industry internships at world-leading firms.
Estimated Tuition: USD 9500/ year
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Beijing Institute of Technology offers the 4 year English-taught International Economics and Trade Programme targeted at international students. The core curriculum includes maths, finance, accounting, international business, economics, banking and technology.
Estimated Tuition: USD 4500/ year
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Harbin Institute of Technology offers the following English-taught programmesaimed at international students:
Business Administration
Economics
Students are required to take the HIT entrance text (Mathematics).
Estimated Tuition: USD 4000/ year
Medicine Degrees in China
There are a number of English-taught MBBS degrees in China aimed solely at international students. These are significantly cheaper (often a tenth of of the cost) compared to their counterparts offered in the the UK, Australia and Hong Kong.
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Fudan University offers a 6 year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme designed exclusively for international students. Applicants must have strong backgrounds in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Excellent students have the opportunity to particpate in overseas clinical internship programmes.
Estimated Tuition: USD 11,000/ year
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Zhejiang University offers a 6 year English-taught Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) targeted at international students, which includes 1 year of pre-medical studies, 2 years of pre-clinical and 3 years of clinical studies.
Applicants must have scored 70% or above in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology in high school.
Estimated Tuition: USD 6500/ year
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Xi’an Jiaotong University offers 6 year English-taught medical and dentistry programmes aimed at international students.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). Estimated Tuition: USD 6000/ year
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS). Estimated Tuition: USD 7200/ year
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Tongji University offers an English-taught Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme aimed at international students. The curriculum includes both preclinical and clinical studies, and some courses in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Estimated Tuition: USD 6700/ year
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Universities offering English-taught undergraduate programmes (non-exhaustive) include:
Tsinghua University
Peking University
Fudan University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Zhejiang University
Beijing Institute of Technology
Harbin Institute of Technology
Xi’an Jiaotong University
Tongji University
English-taught programmes tend to be concentrated in the fields of engineering, science, technology, economics, business and medicine.
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Not necessarily. Many undergraduate programmes are taught fully in English. Some programmes involve learning Chinese language at undergraduate level, and passing the Chinese test is a prerequisite for graduation.
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Tuition fees at Chinese universities are on average substantially lower than their counterparts in the UK, US, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Please see University Costs and Fees for a detailed comparison of tuition fees between countries.
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Yes. Degrees from Chinese universities are internationally recognised and increasingly respected globally, particularly in STEM, business and economics. The Times Higher Education Global University Employability rankings places 5 Chinese universities within the global top 70 for graduate employability.