China’s large economy and its growing number of internationally ranked universities have made it an important destination for international students. As one of the world’s most populous countries, China continues to invest heavily in higher education, and its leading universities compete nationally and globally for students and research talent.
The Chinese government also supports international study through the Chinese Government Scholarship, which is administered by the China Scholarship Council. While many students go to China for comparatively affordable higher education, many also choose it to study Chinese history, language, literature, philosophy, and culture.
Humanities courses, such as Chinese language and literature, history, and philosophy, are especially attractive to students who want to study China while living in the country. Studying these fields in China can also help international students experience Chinese language and culture in everyday life. In this article, we will be looking at some of the best schools for humanities in China!
Top Schools Offering Humanities Programs in China
1. Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University was established in 1911 as Tsing Hua Imperial College, initially as a preparatory school for students selected to study in the United States. Today, Tsinghua University is among the leading humanities schools in China and continues to expand its academic offerings. Its latest facts page lists 63,132 registered students, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students.
Tsinghua’s humanities subjects have deep roots at the university: Chinese history and Western history were already represented in its curriculum shortly after the university’s founding. The undergraduate and postgraduate programs have also been developed with faculty members and departments that welcome local and international students.
The School of Humanities currently recruits undergraduates in three majors: Humanities, English, and Japanese. Its published undergraduate enrollment is about 1,200 students, including about 800 international undergraduates. At the graduate level, the school offers master’s and doctoral programs for international students in fields such as Philosophy, Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese Paleography, History of China, World History, and History of Science and Technology. Students may also apply to a Master of Arts program in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages.
2. Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) was founded in 1896 and is one of China’s oldest and leading universities. Its current facts page lists more than 61,100 students, including more than 2,800 international students. It is an excellent university for humanities in China and offers a wide range of programs across its schools.
SJTU’s School of Humanities includes the Departments of Chinese Language and Literature, History, and Philosophy, as well as the Center for International Chinese Education, the Center for Art Education, and the Institute of Arts and Humanities. Its programs give students the opportunity to study these aspects of Chinese culture and humanistic scholarship with researchers and professors in the field.
The school’s published figures list 164 faculty members and 1,921 current students, including undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and language students. For graduate study, the school lists Chinese-taught programs in Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History, Philosophy, and International Chinese Language Education, as well as an English-taught Master of Modern Chinese and Area Studies.
3. Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University (ZJU) in Hangzhou was founded in 1897, making it one of China’s oldest higher education institutions and a leading university for humanities in China. ZJU’s latest facts page lists more than 28,000 full-time undergraduate students, more than 41,000 full-time graduate students, and more than 4,700 degree-seeking international students from over 150 countries. ZJU is also highly ranked: it is listed at #39 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, #47 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and #3 in ShanghaiRanking’s 2026 Best Chinese Universities Ranking.
ZJU acknowledges national and local government scholarships that offer tuition waivers and financial assistance to qualified local and international students. It also gives students opportunities to participate in overseas mobility programs with many partner universities abroad.
The university has a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs under its Faculty of Arts and Humanities. Undergraduate programs generally are taught in Chinese, while some English-taught programs are also available. Graduate programs include many humanities fields at the master’s and doctoral levels, allowing students to choose the program that best suits their interests.
4. Nanjing University
Nanjing University (NJU) traces its history back to Sanjiang Normal School, established in 1902, and acquired its current name in 1950 after several changes. It is a nationally important university and a C9 League member. NJU’s By the Numbers page lists 14,714 undergraduates, 18,103 master’s students, 9,430 doctoral students, and 1,396 international students.
Since its earliest stages of development, NJU has maintained an international outlook, building academic links with universities and institutions worldwide. Its predecessors specialized in science and research, and the current university continues to excel in these fields, with alumni making significant academic contributions locally and globally.
The university hosts four key bases of the Ministry of Education for Humanities and Social Science research. It offers humanities-related programs through schools and departments such as Liberal Arts, History, Philosophy, Journalism and Communication, Foreign Studies, and Arts. For self-funded international undergraduates, NJU’s 2025 application guide lists tuition fees for liberal arts programs at CNY 21,000 per year.
5. Fudan University
Fudan University was established in 1905 as Fudan Public School and was the first institution of higher education founded by a Chinese person. Its growth and expansion were significantly influenced by the historical transitions of power in the country, and it has weathered numerous territorial and national disputes. Currently, Fudan University is known for its strong humanities programs in China. Its official profile lists 13,623 undergraduates and associate degree candidates, 22,610 graduate students, and 3,672 international students.
The Faculty of Chinese Language and Literature (FCLL) at Fudan University provides an excellent venue for learning the various aspects of the discipline, ranging from ancient to contemporary Chinese literature and culture. The faculty offers undergraduate education, master’s and doctoral programs, and an English-instructed Master of Arts program in Chinese Language and Culture.
Many research projects at FCLL are of national importance, and the university welcomes numerous international students to conduct their studies and research for a short term. FCLL has established relations and contacts with more than 60 universities in different countries and regions, and faculty members also visit partner universities abroad to conduct further research.
We hope that this article on the Best Universities to Study Humanities in China was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
