Top 10 Chinese Universities for International Students 2026
Published on February 22, 2026 | By Foorsa Team
China is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities, combining academic excellence with cutting-edge research and international diversity. For Moroccan students seeking quality education abroad, Chinese universities offer exceptional programs, affordable tuition, and generous scholarships.
Here are the top 10 Chinese universities for international students in 2026, based on QS World Rankings, academic reputation, scholarship availability, and student support services.
1. Tsinghua University (清华大学)
Location: Beijing
QS World Ranking 2026: #20
International Students: 3,700+
Language of Instruction: Chinese & English
Often called the "MIT of China," Tsinghua University is China's top-ranked institution, renowned for engineering, computer science, and business programs.
Strengths
- Engineering & Technology
- Computer Science & AI
- Architecture
- Business Administration (Tsinghua SEM)
- Natural Sciences
Scholarships Available
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
- Beijing Government Scholarship
- Tsinghua University Scholarship
- Coverage: 50-100% tuition + living stipend
Why Choose Tsinghua: Best choice for students aiming for careers in technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship. Strong alumni network and global partnerships.
2. Peking University (北京大学)
Location: Beijing
QS World Ranking 2026: #24
International Students: 4,000+
Language of Instruction: Chinese & English
Peking University (PKU) is China's oldest and most prestigious comprehensive university, excelling in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and medicine.
Strengths
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- Chinese Language & Literature
- Economics & Business
- Medicine (PKUHSC)
- Law & Political Science
Scholarships Available
- CSC Scholarship
- Beijing Government Scholarship
- PKU President's Scholarship for International Students
Why Choose PKU: Ideal for students interested in Chinese studies, liberal arts, medicine, or business. Beautiful campus with rich history.
3. Zhejiang University (浙江大学)
Location: Hangzhou
QS World Ranking 2026: #47
International Students: 8,000+
Language of Instruction: Chinese & English
Zhejiang University is one of China's oldest and most comprehensive research universities, with seven campuses and world-class facilities.
Strengths
- Engineering & Technology
- Computer Science
- Medicine
- Agricultural Sciences
- Management
Scholarships Available
- CSC Scholarship
- Zhejiang Provincial Government Scholarship
- ZJU International Student Scholarship
Why Choose Zhejiang: Located in beautiful Hangzhou (home of Alibaba), excellent for tech and business students. Lower cost of living than Beijing/Shanghai.
4. Fudan University (复旦大学)
Location: Shanghai
QS World Ranking 2026: #50
International Students: 6,000+
Language of Instruction: Chinese & English
Fudan University is one of China's most prestigious universities, especially strong in humanities, social sciences, and medicine.
Strengths
- International Relations
- Journalism & Communication
- Economics & Finance
- Medicine
- Philosophy & History
Scholarships Available
- CSC Scholarship
- Shanghai Government Scholarship
- Fudan University Scholarship
Why Choose Fudan: Perfect for students wanting to study in Shanghai, China's financial capital. Excellent business and international relations programs.
5. Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学)
Location: Shanghai
QS World Ranking 2026: #51
International Students: 5,000+
Language of Instruction: Chinese & English
SJTU is renowned for engineering, technology, and medicine, with strong industry connections.
Strengths
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval Architecture
- Business Administration (Antai College)
- Medicine
- Electrical Engineering
Scholarships Available
- CSC Scholarship
- Shanghai Government Scholarship
- SJTU International Student Scholarship
Why Choose SJTU: Best for engineering students. Strong internship opportunities in Shanghai's tech industry.
6. Wuhan University (武汉大学)
Location: Wuhan, Hubei
QS World Ranking 2026: #194
International Students: 3,500+
Language of Instruction: Chinese & English
Wuhan University has one of China's most beautiful campuses and offers strong programs across multiple disciplines.
Strengths
- International Relations
- Law
- Economics
- Medicine
- Geomatics & Remote Sensing
Scholarships Available
- CSC Scholarship
- Hubei Provincial Government Scholarship
- WHU International Student Scholarship
Why Choose Wuhan: Affordable city with excellent education quality. Beautiful cherry blossom campus in spring.
7. Harbin Institute of Technology (哈尔滨工业大学)
Location: Harbin, Heilongjiang
QS World Ranking 2026: #159
International Students: 2,000+
Language of Instruction: Chinese & English
HIT is China's premier aerospace and engineering university, affiliated with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
Strengths
- Aerospace Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Robotics & Automation
Scholarships Available
- CSC Scholarship
- Heilongjiang Provincial Government Scholarship
- HIT International Student Scholarship
Why Choose HIT: Perfect for aerospace and mechanical engineering students. Lower cost of living in northeastern China.
8. Nanjing University (南京大学)
Location: Nanjing, Jiangsu
QS World Ranking 2026: #122
International Students: 3,000+
Language of Instruction: Chinese & English
Nanjing University is one of China's oldest universities, renowned for research in physics, chemistry, and astronomy.
Strengths
- Physics & Astronomy
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Business Administration
- Chinese Language
Scholarships Available
- CSC Scholarship
- Jiangsu Jasmine Scholarship
- Nanjing University International Student Scholarship
Why Choose Nanjing: Historic city with rich cultural heritage. Excellent for science students. Affordable living costs.
9. Beihang University (北京航空航天大学)
Location: Beijing
QS World Ranking 2026: #285
International Students: 1,800+
Language of Instruction: Chinese & English
Beihang (Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics) specializes in aerospace, aviation, and advanced engineering.
Strengths
- Aeronautics & Astronautics
- Aviation Engineering
- Instrumentation Science
- Computer Science
- Materials Engineering
Scholarships Available
- CSC Scholarship
- Beijing Government Scholarship
- Beihang University Scholarship
Why Choose Beihang: Best choice for aviation and aerospace engineering. Strong research partnerships with China's aerospace industry.
10. Xiamen University (厦门大学)
Location: Xiamen, Fujian
QS World Ranking 2026: #332
International Students: 2,500+
Language of Instruction: Chinese & English
Xiamen University is known as China's most beautiful university, located by the sea with stunning campus views.
Strengths
- Economics & Finance
- Marine Sciences
- Chemistry
- Chinese Language
- Business Administration
Scholarships Available
- CSC Scholarship
- Fujian Provincial Government Scholarship
- Xiamen University Tan Kah Kee Scholarship
Why Choose Xiamen: Beautiful coastal city with pleasant climate. Excellent for business and marine science students. More relaxed lifestyle.
How to Choose the Right University
1. Consider Your Major
Each university has specific strengths. Engineering students should prioritize Tsinghua, SJTU, or HIT, while humanities students may prefer PKU or Fudan.
2. Location Matters
- Beijing: Political capital, cultural center, cold winters
- Shanghai: Financial hub, international city, higher cost of living
- Hangzhou/Nanjing: Balance of development and affordability
- Wuhan/Harbin: Lower costs, authentic Chinese experience
- Xiamen: Coastal city, mild climate, relaxed pace
3. Scholarship Availability
All top universities offer the CSC Scholarship. Competition is fierce for Tsinghua and PKU, so also apply to universities with slightly lower rankings but excellent programs in your field.
4. Language of Instruction
Most top universities offer English-taught programs at the graduate level. Bachelor's programs may require Chinese language proficiency or include a 1-year preparatory Chinese course.
5. Budget
Even with scholarships, living costs vary significantly:
- Beijing/Shanghai: 3,000-4,000 RMB/month
- Hangzhou/Nanjing: 2,500-3,500 RMB/month
- Wuhan/Harbin/Xiamen: 2,000-3,000 RMB/month
Learn more about costs on our fees page or check out our detailed cost breakdown guide.
Application Tips
- Apply to 2-3 universities: One reach, one match, one safety
- Start early: Top universities have earlier deadlines (March-April)
- Prepare strong documents: Study plan, recommendation letters, transcripts
- Contact professors: For graduate programs, reaching out to potential supervisors helps
- Apply for scholarships: CSC and university scholarships have separate applications—complete both
Need help with your application? Check our documents guide or explore our step-by-step process.
How Foorsa Can Help
Choosing the right university and navigating the application process can be overwhelming. At Foorsa, we:
- Match you with the best universities based on your profile and goals
- Review and improve your application documents
- Guide you through the scholarship application process
- Help with university pre-admission procedures
- Provide visa application support
- Offer pre-departure orientation
- Support you even after arrival in China
We've helped hundreds of Moroccan students gain admission to top Chinese universities. Let us help you too.
Conclusion
China's top universities offer world-class education, cutting-edge research facilities, and generous scholarships for international students. Whether you're interested in engineering, medicine, business, or humanities, there's a perfect Chinese university for you.
The key is to start early, prepare thoroughly, and apply strategically. With the right guidance, you can secure admission and scholarships to these prestigious institutions.
Your journey to studying at a top Chinese university starts here. Let Foorsa be your trusted partner every step of the way.
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