China is home to universities with wide-ranging engineering schools, departments, and research units. This guide to studying in China provides additional background for international students considering engineering programs.
If you are interested in civil, mechanical, electrical, energy, materials, or computer-related fields, compare the official program pages below before applying. Program availability, degree levels, language of instruction, tuition, and scholarship terms can change. Let’s take a look at the top universities for engineering in China.
Top Schools Offering Engineering Programs in China
1. Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University is located in Beijing and was established in 1911. Its official schools and departments page lists engineering-related units including the School of Civil Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Aerospace Engineering, School of Environment, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, and Department of Chemical Engineering.
Because engineering offerings are distributed across multiple academic units, prospective students should use the official department and admissions pages to confirm current majors, degree levels, and language-of-instruction options.
2. Peking University
Peking University offers engineering-related study through academic units listed by its official course pages. These include the School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering, and College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering.
3. Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Founded in 1896, Shanghai Jiao Tong University offers engineering-related study through multiple schools and colleges. Its official international portal provides current degree-program, scholarship, and application information for prospective international students.
4. Nanjing University
Nanjing University offers engineering-related study through several academic units. Its official schools and departments page lists the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, with departments in materials science and engineering, quantum electronics and optical engineering, biomedical engineering, and energy science and engineering.
The university also lists engineering-related units in areas such as chemical engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, electronic science, environmental engineering, and geological engineering. Students should consult the official admissions pages for current program-specific details.
5. Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University (ZJU) lists nine units in its Engineering grouping: the School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Energy Engineering, College of Electrical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Ocean College, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Department of Polymer Science and Engineering.
ZJU also lists information-technology-related academic units, including colleges and schools focused on optical science, electronic engineering, control science, computer science, and software technology. Applicants should review the relevant unit’s official page for current program details.
6. Harbin Institute of Technology
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) was founded in 1920 in Harbin. According to its official introduction, HIT is overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and maintains campuses in Harbin, Weihai, and Shenzhen.
HIT describes itself as a multidisciplinary, research-oriented national university. Students interested in engineering should consult its official academic and admissions pages to confirm the current programs offered at each campus.
7. University of Science and Technology of China
The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) was established by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing in 1958 and relocated to Hefei in 1970.
USTC’s School of Engineering Science includes the Department of Safety Science and Engineering, Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instruments, and Department of Modern Mechanics. Applicants should review the relevant department pages for current degree options and admissions information.
8. Fudan University
Fudan University was established in 1905 as Fudan Public School. According to the university’s official profile, Fudan has 11 faculties, including engineering, and was selected for the Double First-Class University Plan in 2017.
Fudan’s admissions pages provide current information about its degree programs. Prospective engineering students should confirm the available majors, language of instruction, and admissions requirements on the relevant official program pages.
9. Tianjin University
Established in 1895 as Peiyang University, Tianjin University traces its history to China’s first modern university. The institution was renamed Tianjin University in 1951.
Engineering offerings vary by school and degree level. Applicants should use the official program and admissions pages to confirm current majors, language-of-instruction options, and scholarship terms.
In a Global Scholarships profile, Gulzeb Rajput, a QHSE professional from Pakistan who completed a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering at Tianjin University, explained that his studies “helped me deepen my technical knowledge and research skills, enabling me to contribute effectively to sustainable development and decarbonization initiatives.” He also emphasized the academic quality behind that growth, noting, “I rate the institution highly because of its experienced faculty, strong research opportunities, and supportive learning environment,” and adding that it “effectively combines theory and practical skills.” These comments reflect one graduate’s experience of the program.
Gulzeb also described his time at the university as “enriching and rewarding,” highlighting “helpful professors and a welcoming international student community.” He said Tianjin University gave him “the valuable opportunity to present my research work at an international conference,” which “greatly boosted my confidence and professional development.” His comments illustrate the campus and professional-development support he experienced as an international student.
10. Chongqing University
Chongqing University (CQU) is included in China’s Double First-Class initiative. A March 2024 article on the university’s official website states that mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and civil engineering are supported disciplines under the initiative and discusses CQU’s wider engineering portfolio.
The university offers engineering-related study in areas including mechanics, electrical engineering, civil engineering, energy science and engineering, automation, resources and safety engineering, optoelectronic engineering, environmental engineering, computer science, and communications engineering. Applicants should consult the official program pages for current degree and admissions details.
In a Global Scholarships profile, Ph.D. scholar Anees Ahmad from Pakistan describes his academic journey at CQU as “immensely rewarding.” He emphasizes access to laboratories and computational resources, as well as the focus on renewable energy and sustainability in his area of study. His comments provide one student’s perspective on CQU’s research environment.
He also highlights the international-student support he experienced, including a dedicated International Student Office, Mandarin courses, and a student community. His experience illustrates the type of support one student received; applicants should confirm currently available services directly with the university.
The universities above offer a variety of engineering-study options. Because majors, admissions rules, tuition, and scholarship terms can change, confirm the details on each university’s official pages before applying. You can also review this guide to China’s education system and these scholarship opportunities.
We hope this article helps you compare universities. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs around the world and Study in China pages, where you will find academic opportunities, practical tips, and additional articles.
