This guide helps international applicants understand how major‑level strengths are identified in China and how to translate rankings into a practical university shortlist. We summarize methodology, give illustrative top programs by major, and explain how to choose based on academic fit, city, budget, and language path.
Planning your application? Start with our Comprehensive Application Guide, compare Application Tips, and explore scholarships at Scholarships. For specific universities, see Universities Explorer.
Methodology: How “major strength” is assessed
- Discipline evaluations: national subject assessments and Double First Class disciplines highlight program‑level strengths.
- Research visibility: high‑impact papers, ESI Top 1% subjects, patents, awards, and research funding.
- Training quality: curriculum depth, labs, accreditation, industry practice, graduate outcomes.
- Internationalization: English‑taught tracks, joint institutes, exchange networks, and supervisor openness.
- City‑industry alignment: programs tied to local sectors (ICT in Shenzhen, finance in Shanghai, aviation in Xi’an).
Education, Psychology, and Sports Science
Education (教育学)
Psychology (心理学)
Sports Science (体育学)
Humanities and Arts
Chinese Language and Literature (中国语言文学)
- Peking University (A+)
- Beijing Normal University (A+)
Foreign Languages and Literatures (外国语言文学)
- Peking University (A+)
- Beijing Foreign Studies University (A+)
- Shanghai International Studies University (A+)
Journalism and Communication (新闻传播学)
Archaeology / Chinese & World History / Art, Music, Film, Design
- Peking University, Northwest University (Archaeology A+)
- Beijing Normal University, Fudan University (Chinese History A+)
- Peking University, ECNU (World History A+)
- Central Academy of Fine Arts, China Academy of Art (Fine Arts A+)
- Central Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Conservatory (Music & Dance A+)
- Renmin, CUC (Drama/Film A+)
- Tsinghua, China Academy of Art (Design A+)
Natural Sciences
- Mathematics (数学 A+): PKU, Fudan, Shandong
- Physics (物理学 A+): PKU, USTC
- Chemistry (化学 A+): PKU, Tsinghua, USTC
- Astronomy (天文学 A+): NJU, USTC
- Geography (地理学 A+): PKU, BNU
- Atmospheric Sciences (大气科学 A+): PKU, NUIST
- Marine Sciences (海洋科学 A+): Xiamen, OUC
- Geophysics / Geology (A+): USTC, Wuhan; NJU, CUG
- Biology (生物学 A+): PKU, Tsinghua, SJTU
- Systems Science / Sci-Tech History / Ecology / Statistics (A+): BJTU/NUDT; USTC/USTB; ZJU/SYSU; PKU/Renmin
Engineering and Technology
China’s engineering strength spans from mechanics and power to EEE/CS/IC and transportation.
- Mechanics / Mechanical: PKU, Tsinghua; HIT, SJTU, HUST (A+)
- Optical / Instrument: ZJU, HUST; Tsinghua, Beihang (A+)
- Materials / Metallurgy: Tsinghua, Beihang; USTB, CSU (A+)
- Power / Electrical: Tsinghua, XJTU (A+)
- Electronics / Info & Comms / Control: UESTC, Xidian; BUPT, UESTC; Tsinghua, HIT, ZJU (A+)
- CS & Tech / Software: PKU, Tsinghua, ZJU, NUDT; Beihang, ZJU, NUDT (A+)
- Civil / Architecture / Urban Planning / Hydraulic: Tongji, SEU; Tsinghua, SEU; Tsinghua, Tongji; Tsinghua, Hohai (A+)
- Surveying & Mapping: Wuhan, PLA Information Engineering University (A+)
- Chem Eng / Geological / Mining / Petroleum: Tianjin, ECUST; CUG, UPC; CUMT, CSU; SWPU, UPC (A+)
- Textile / Light Industry / Transportation / Naval: TJPU, Donghua; Jiangnan, SCUT; SEU, SWJTU; HEU, SJTU (A+)
- Aerospace / Armament / Nuclear / Env / BME / Food: Beihang, NPU; BIT, NJUST; Tsinghua, USTC; Tsinghua, HIT, Tongji; SEU, HUST; CAU, Jiangnan (A+)
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries
- Crop / Horticulture / Resources & Environment / Plant Protection: CAU, Nanjing Agri; ZJU, HZAU; NAU, ZJU; NAU, ZJU (A+)
- Animal Husbandry / Veterinary: CAU; CAU, HZAU (A+)
- Forestry / Forestry Engineering: BJFU, NFU; NEFU, NFU (A+)
- Fisheries / Grassland: SHOU, OUC; CAU, Lanzhou (A+)
Medicine and Health Sciences
- Basic / Clinical / Stomatology: PKU, PUMC; SJTU, ZJU; PKU, Sichuan (A+)
- Public Health / TCM / Integrated Medicine: NJMU, HUST; BUCMS, SHUTCM; BUCMS, SHUTCM (A+)
- Pharmacy / Materia Medica / Nursing: PUMC, CPU; HLJUCM, SHUTCM; CSU, SMMU (A+)
Management
- Management Science & Engineering / Business Administration: Tsinghua, Tongji, NUDT; Renmin, Tsinghua, SJTU, SYSU (A+)
- Agricultural & Forestry Economic Management / Public Administration: NAU, ZJU; Renmin, Tsinghua (A+)
- Library/Information/Archives: NJU, Wuhan (A+)
Computer Science (CS) and AI
- Tsinghua University: systems/AI, strong labs, entrepreneurship support.
- Peking University: theory, software, interdisciplinary CS + life sciences/math.
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University: AI/robotics/vision; industry links in Shanghai.
- Zhejiang University: systems + e‑commerce ecosystem; Hangzhou digital economy.
- USTC: fundamentals, quantum/AI intersections, research intensity.
Electrical & Electronic Engineering (EEE)
- Tsinghua/HIT: power systems, control, space/robotics; Beijing/Harbin ecosystems.
- ZJU/SEU: microelectronics, communications, IC design; Yangtze River Delta industry.
- UESTC: electronics and information engineering; Chengdu tech scene.
Mechanical Engineering
- Shanghai Jiao Tong, Xi’an Jiaotong: manufacturing, propulsion, design.
- HIT: robotics, aerospace materials; strong research internalization.
- Tongji: automotive & rail; Shanghai OEM ecosystem.
Civil & Transportation
- Tongji/SEU: civil, bridge, rail, urban planning; eastern megacity projects.
- Hunan/HUST: bridges, transport, medical engineering crossovers.
- Chongqing University: mountainous urban engineering challenges.
Materials Science & Engineering
- USTC/Fudan: fundamental materials and condensed matter links.
- SCUT/ZJU: polymers, composites, advanced manufacturing materials.
- HIT/WMU (biomaterials focus): robotics/medical interfaces.
Business & Management
- Fudan/PKU/SJTU: finance, management, marketing; multinational links.
- ZJU: entrepreneurship/innovation with Hangzhou’s digital economy.
- SYSU: management + healthcare/biotech ecosystem in Guangzhou.
Economics
- PKU/Nankai: theory and applied economics; policy interface.
- Fudan: international economics; Shanghai financial center synergies.
- ZJU: e‑commerce economics and digital trade.
Medicine & Clinical
- Fudan/PKU/HUST: clinical ties to top hospitals; translational research.
- ZJU: ophthalmology/optometry (with WMU specialty collaboration).
- DMU/WMU: coastal medical universities with strong hospital networks.
Life Sciences
- USTC/Fudan: molecular biology, biophysics.
- ZJU: agriculture/biotech connections; Hangzhou ecosystem.
- PKU: interdisciplinary life sciences + computation.
Education
- ECNU/Beijing Normal: teacher education, curriculum research, educational technology.
- ZJNU: teacher education strengths and international language programs.
How to choose your major and university
- Start with strengths: shortlist 3–5 universities where your major is explicitly strong (discipline pages, labs, DFC disciplines).
- Language path: decide English‑taught vs Chinese‑taught (plan HSK or IELTS/TOEFL accordingly).
- City fit: align with industry hubs (ICT—Shenzhen; finance—Shanghai; aviation—Xi’an; medicine—Shanghai/Wuhan).
- Budget & funding: compare tuition/living costs; combine scholarships with payment plans (see Payment Guide).
- Supervisor & labs: for PG, map labs and contact potential supervisors with targeted proposals.
Use our detailed university guides (e.g., Tsinghua, Fudan, PKU, XJTU) to refine choices.
Admissions strategy (international)
- Documentation: transcripts, degree proof, language scores, recommendations, CV, personal statement/research plan.
- Timeline: research 12–18 months out; typical submissions Dec–Apr; interviews Mar–Jun.
- Parallel routes: university admissions + CSC/municipal/university scholarships to diversify offers.
FAQs
Are rankings enough to decide?
No. Consider curriculum depth, labs, city‑industry alignment, language path, and funding.
Is an English‑taught program weaker than Chinese‑taught?
Not necessarily. Evaluate faculty, labs, and graduate outcomes. English paths can be rigorous, especially in STEM flagships.
How do I read Double First Class (DFC) disciplines?
DFC indicates government‑recognized discipline strength. Check if your major is listed for that university.
Sources & further reading
- Official discipline pages and faculty labs (each university site)
- National subject evaluations and DFC discipline lists
- ESI Top 1% subjects, patents, awards (university stats pages)
Social Sciences, Law, and Economics
Leaders among social sciences and policy disciplines based on national assessments.
Philosophy (哲学)
Theoretical Economics (理论经济学)
Applied Economics (应用经济学)
Law (法学)
Political Science (政治学)
Sociology (社会学)
Ethnology (民族学)
Marxist Theory (马克思主义理论)