🏅 QS World Rank #14
Tsinghua University — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
China’s leading engineering and technology university — QS World Rankings 2027 #14
Tsinghua University is a public research university in Beijing, founded in 1911 and widely regarded as China’s leading engineering and technology university. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (announced June 2026), it ranked 14th in the world, up three places from 17th. This guide covers Tsinghua’s programmes, international undergraduate admission rounds, confirmed fee figures, scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan, and the questions prospective students ask most. Every figure is labeled with its year or ranking edition.
Tsinghua University Overview
Tsinghua University is a public research university in Beijing, founded in 1911 as Tsinghua Xuetang. It is a member of the C9 League and is widely regarded as China’s leading university for engineering and technology. Its campus in the Haidian district, in north-west Beijing, is built on the grounds of a former imperial garden.
Tsinghua offers 93 undergraduate majors and 45 minors across 12 discipline categories, and most programmes are taught in both Chinese and English, with selected English-taught programmes (Tsinghua admissions site, 2026/27 entry).
Tsinghua Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
Tsinghua University is ranked 14th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026. It climbed three places from 17th in the previous edition. Peking University ranks 13th, the highest in mainland China.
QS ranks universities using academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, student-to-faculty ratio, and measures of international faculty and students. This is a QS-specific result, not one universal ranking. Times Higher Education and ARWU use different methods and can order the same universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities and the QS World University Rankings 2027 press release (18 June 2026).
Key Strengths & Programs
Tsinghua offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes, and it is known for:
- Engineering — across all major disciplines
- Computer science and artificial intelligence
- Architecture — five-year programmes in Architecture and Sculpture
- Business and economics — Tsinghua SEM (School of Economics and Management)
- Science, law, and humanities
- Clinical medicine — an eight-year programme leading to an MD degree
- Schwarzman Scholars — a well-known one-year master’s programme in global affairs based at Tsinghua
For the full list, see Tsinghua’s official website.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
Tsinghua runs an international undergraduate admissions system. Details below were checked in October 2026; confirm them on the official site before applying.
Undergraduate Admissions (International Students)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Application round 1 (2026/27 entry) | 30 September to 20 November 2026, with results in January 2027 |
| Application round 2 (2026/27 entry) | 21 November 2026 to 28 February 2027, with results in early May 2027 |
| Eligibility (Global Talents programme, 2025) | Foreign nationals aged at least 18 with a high-school diploma and outstanding academic results, supported by transcripts, exam certificates, or standardized tests such as SAT, ACT, A-level, AP, or IB |
| English | Non-native English speakers applying to English-taught programmes submit TOEFL, IELTS, or similar results |
| Programme length | 4 years in most programmes, 5 years for Architecture and Sculpture, 8 years for Clinical Medicine |
Graduate Admissions
Master’s and doctoral programmes have their own application systems and deadlines, and several are taught fully in English. Check the programme page.
Official source: Tsinghua international admissions.
Tsinghua Acceptance Rate
Tsinghua does not publish an official acceptance rate for international undergraduate applicants. Competition for Chinese applicants through the national gaokao is extremely high, but that is a separate system.
Any single percentage you see online for international admission is an unverified estimate. Use the published requirements for your programme as the real guide.
Practical Application Checklist
- Pick a major and check whether it is taught in English, Chinese, or both
- Note the two rounds: 30 September to 20 November 2026, and 21 November 2026 to 28 February 2027
- Prepare transcripts, diploma, and test results (SAT, ACT, A-level, AP, IB, or equivalent)
- Book TOEFL or IELTS if you apply to an English-taught programme
- Check the application fee and scholarship options on the official site
- Apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship through the correct channel and deadline
- Check Chinese student visa requirements
- Verify every date, fee, and requirement on Tsinghua’s official website before applying
Fees & Costs
Tsinghua publishes fees by programme, so there is no single figure. The official figures confirmed for this page are:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Global Talents in Science and Engineering programme, annual tuition (2025 intake) | RMB 100,000 |
| Application fee, same programme (one-time) | RMB 800 |
| Medical insurance, same programme (annual) | RMB 800 |
| Standard Chinese-taught undergraduate tuition | Not listed on the page checked; see the Fees link on the Tsinghua admissions site |
Older estimates of ‘RMB 30,000–40,000 per year’ were not confirmed for this edition. Treat them as unverified and check the official Fees page for your programme. Living costs in Beijing are additional.
Confirm all fees on the Tsinghua international admissions site.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Tsinghua offers government and institutional support for international students:
- Chinese Government Scholarship: a major fully funded route, covering tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, and medical insurance (as reported by ProPakistani; confirm details with CSC)
- Tsinghua freshman scholarships: listed on Tsinghua’s admissions site; check eligibility and amounts
- Schwarzman Scholars: a competitive, fully funded master’s programme in global affairs
- HEC Pakistan: acts as a nominating agency for the Chinese Government Scholarship for Pakistani applicants
See also our guide to fully funded scholarships for 2027. Scholarships are not guaranteed.
Tsinghua for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants follow the same process as other international applicants. Practical points:
- Chinese Government Scholarship: apply through the CSC portal, HEC Pakistan, or the university, and check the deadline, which varies by university
- Language: some programmes are taught in English, but many are in Chinese, so check your major
- Entry qualifications: Tsinghua accepts school qualifications supported by standardized tests such as SAT, ACT, A-level, AP, or IB
- Visa: international students need a Chinese student visa, issued by the Chinese authorities. No outcome is guaranteed.
- Agents: you can apply directly, so a paid agent is not required
See also our Top 10 Universities in Pakistan (2026) for home-country options.
Campus & Student Life
- The campus in Beijing’s Haidian district is large and green, with historic buildings and modern laboratories
- Students live in on-campus dormitories in many cases; check availability for international students
- Beijing offers a major technology, cultural, and government environment
- Student societies, sports, and cultural events are a large part of life
Research & Career Opportunities
- Tsinghua has a very large research output in engineering, computing, and the sciences
- Beijing has major technology, finance, and manufacturing employers close to campus
- Chinese language ability strongly affects job options in China
- Tsinghua does not guarantee employment, salary, or visa outcomes
Notable Alumni
- Xi Jinping — studied chemical engineering at Tsinghua (graduated 1979) and later served as President of China
- Hu Jintao — studied hydraulic engineering at Tsinghua (graduated 1965) and later served as President of China
- Many leading Chinese engineers, scientists, and technology leaders
Contact & Location
Tsinghua University
Haidian District, Beijing 100084, China
Admissions email: admissions@tsinghua.edu.cn
Official website: tsinghua.edu.cn
Frequently Asked Questions
Tsinghua University is ranked 14th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, announced in June 2026, up three places from 17th in the previous edition.
Yes. Tsinghua is a member of China’s C9 League, an alliance of nine leading research universities that also includes Peking University.
Yes. Both Xi Jinping and Hu Jintao studied at Tsinghua and later served as President of China.
For 2026/27 entry, round 1 runs from 30 September to 20 November 2026 and round 2 from 21 November 2026 to 28 February 2027.
It depends on the programme. For the Global Talents in Science and Engineering programme, annual tuition was RMB 100,000 for the 2025 intake. Check the official Fees page for your programme.
Most programmes are taught in both Chinese and English, and selected programmes are taught in English. Check your major before applying.
Yes. International students can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship and Tsinghua freshman scholarships, and Schwarzman Scholars supports master’s students. Awards are competitive and not guaranteed.
Yes. Pakistani applicants can apply for undergraduate and graduate programmes, and many use the Chinese Government Scholarship, including through HEC Pakistan as the nominating agency.
Tsinghua does not publish an official acceptance rate for international applicants. Competition varies by programme, and online percentages are unverified estimates.
Check Tsinghua’s official website, tsinghua.edu.cn, and international.join-tsinghua.edu.cn. Deadlines, fees, and rules are set by Tsinghua and can change.
Compare Tsinghua With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, Tsinghua University’s official international admissions pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Some details (scholarship coverage, stipends) come from secondary reports and are marked as such. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with Tsinghua University before applying.