Peking University

Overview

Peking University, founded in 1898 (as the Imperial University of Peking), is widely recognized as one of China’s most historic and academically demanding universities. Located in Beijing’s Haidian District, it combines a long-standing research tradition with competitive admissions and a vibrant student community. Today, Peking University is part of both the C9 League and China’s Project 211 and Project 985 initiatives, and it continues to play a central role in national higher education.

1. General Information

Established	1898 (originally as the Imperial University of Peking)
Location	Haidian District, Beijing, China
Affiliation	Ministry of Education of China
Memberships	C9 League, Project 211, Project 985, Double First-Class Initiative
Campus	Situated on the former site of the Qing Dynasty imperial gardens
Total Enrollment	Approximately 52,326 students, including 3,269 international students

2. Academic Structure Peking University

Programs Offered

130 undergraduate programs
284 master’s programs
261 doctoral programs

Alongside a broad range of disciplines, Peking University emphasizes research training at the graduate level, with many departments offering lab-based, thesis-focused study. If you are comparing study options within Beijing’s top research universities, you may also want to review programs at Tsinghua University, another major destination for students pursuing advanced degrees and research careers.

3. International Students

Enrollment: Over 3,000 international students from more than 100 countries
Programs: Offers a variety of English-taught programs across disciplines
Support Services: Dedicated International Student Division providing assistance with admissions, visas, and campus life

For international applicants, it is helpful to check the latest program language requirements and application documents directly with Peking University’s international admissions office. Similar campus experiences and application processes can also be found when exploring other well-known universities such as Wuhan University and Renmin University, both of which attract students from abroad and offer a wide selection of academic tracks.

4. History and Legacy Peking University

Renamed from Imperial University of Peking to Peking University in 1912.
Merged with Yenching University in 1952.
Merged with Beijing Medical University in 2000.
Played a critical role in China’s modern education and scientific development.

Much of the university’s contemporary identity reflects these institutional changes: a continued focus on academic breadth, strong graduate research capacity, and a culture that encourages students to engage with both national development needs and global scholarship.

5. Colleges and Schools

School of Mathematical Sciences
School of Physics
School of Life Sciences
School of Medicine (Beijing Medical College)
School of Economics
School of International Studies
Law School
School of Journalism and Communication
School of Software and Microelectronics
School of Environment and Energy

If you are looking at non-Beijing alternatives while keeping the same level of academic reputation, you can compare institutions such as Chongqing University, which is also known for strong engineering and research programs.

6. Fee Structure Peking University

Undergraduate Programs	26,000 – 30,000	3,600 – 4,200
Graduate Programs	29,000 – 95,000	4,000 – 13,400
MBA and Specialized Programs	188,000 – 258,000	(Higher, varies by program)

Tuition varies by program, department, and degree level. Before applying, verify the most current fee schedule on the official international or program page, and also consider additional costs such as registration, administrative fees, and health-related requirements where applicable.

7. Contact Information

Phone: +86-10-6275-1230
Email: iso@pku.edu.cn
Website: https://english.pku.edu.cn/

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