Top 10 Chinese Universities Favored by Foreign Students

China, a country with its fantabulous culture and history, has attracted more and more expats to stay for further studies. Records show that more than one million international students have come to China since its reform and opening up in 1978. In 2010 alone, there were over 260,000 international students from more than 180 countries and regions going to schools in China.

China National Radio (CNR) education channel, based on votes from Internet users and reviews by experts, have listed, in no particular order, the top ten Chinese universities most favored by foreign students in 2011.

   University of International Business and Economics  对外经贸大学

 

Located in Beijing, University of International Business (UIBE) was first founded in 1951 as the Beijing Institute of Foreign Trade. UIBE is one of the most sought-after academic institutions in China, offering an array of courses on international business, international economic laws, business administration and business foreign languages. The university is dubbed "the Switzerland of Chinese universities" for its compact campus layout and pleasant landscape.

The university has established cooperation and exchange ties with more than 100 prestigious universities and research institutions in over 40 countries and regions in the world, including the U.S., U.K., France and Germany. Presently, it has more than 13,500 students, about 2,500 of whom are international students from more than 100 countries and regions.

   Nankai University  南开大学

 

Nankai University

Located in Tianjin, Nankai University (NKU) is a highly-reputed multi-disciplinary university in China. It was founded in 1919 by two patriotic educationists, Zhang Boling and Yan Fansun. NKU is often ranked among the top twenty universities in the country. NKU is most famous for its programs in mathematics, chemistry, history, business and economics, which are among the best in China.

The university has established exchange and collaboration relations with more than 100 universities and academic institutions in over 22 countries and regions. Presently, NKU has a total enrollment of 23,595 students, 1,845 of whom are from other countries and regions, most often South Korea, Japan, Africa and Europe.

   Guangzhou University  广州大学

 

Guangzhou University

Residing by the Pearl River in Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou University (GU) is a local comprehensive university administered jointly by the municipal government and the provincial government. With a history of more than 80 years, the new GU was formed in 2000 through a merger of the following five tertiary institutions: Guangzhou Normal University, South China Institute of Construction, former Guangzhou University, Guangzhou Junior Teachers' College, and Guangzhou Institute of Education. The university has established exchange and collaboration relations with more than 100 international universities and academic institutions in over 22 countries and regions.

   Central University of Finance and Economics 中央财经大学

 

Central University of Finance and Economics

 
Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) is located in Beijing. Originally established in 1949 as the Central Institute of Taxation, CUFE is the first university of finance and economics developed after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Dubbed "cradle of financial and economic management experts in China," CUFE is best noted for its distinctive programs in finance, economics, management, and law.

The university has established exchange and collaboration relations with about 120 universities, academic institutions and multinational companies in other countries and regions. Presently, CUFE has a total enrollment of 13,624 students, 387 of whom are international students.

   Harbin Institute of Technology  哈尔滨工业大学

 

Harbin Institute of Technology

Located in the icy city of Harbin in Heilongjiang Province, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) was formerly founded in 1920 as Harbin Sino-Russian School for Industry. The university, a member of the C9 League (an association of nine top Chinese universities), is generally recognized as one of China's top universities with distinct and unparalleled programs in the field of astronautics. With great strength in high-tech research, HIT has always taken a lead in large-scale and highly sophisticated national projects. The university has established exchange and collaboration relations with about 90 universities and academic institutions in 22 countries and regions. Presently, it has a total enrollment of 29,298 students, 957 of whom are international students.

   Nanjing Forestry University  南京林业大学

 

Nanjing Forestry University

 
Nanjing Forestry University (NFU) lies by the picturesque Xuanwu Lake at the foot of Purple Mountain in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. It's a multi-disciplinary university jointly managed by the central government and the provincial government. NFU's history can be traced back to 1902, when it was set up as the Sanjiang Normal College. Since then, it underwent a series of mergers and restructuring involving a number of departments at different universities. The mergers completed in 1985, and the university was given its current name. The university features programs on forestry, resources, ecology and environment. NFU has established exchange and collaboration relations with more than 50 universities and academic institutions in over 20 countries and regions, including the U.S., Germany, Canada, Japan and Vietnam.

   Hunan Normal University  湖南师范大学

 

Hunan Normal University

Hunan Normal University (HNU) is one of the top teachers' universities with a long history in China. It's also among the top elites in Hunan in terms of faculty strength and management capabilities. A Mecca for training teachers as well as offering multi-disciplinary programs, HNU's major campus is located at the foot of the gorgeous Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province. It was originally founded in 1938 as the Hunan Lantian National Normal College. The university has established cooperative ties with nearly 100 universities and academic institutions in more than 20 countries and regions. Presently, more than 30,000 students, including 300 international students, are studying there.

   Peking University  北京大学

 

Peking University

Founded as the Imperial University of Peking in 1898 to replace the Imperial College (Guozijian), Peking University (PKU) is distinguished for excellence in social sciences. PKU and Tsinghua University are regarded as the two most prestigious universities in China. Throughout its history, the university has made irreplaceable contributions to the nation's emancipation, development and the social progress.

 PKU is highly reputed for its beautiful campus environment, comprehensive teaching facilities, competitive faculty and vibrant campus life. It boasts the largest library among all Asian universities, housing more than 10 million books. PKU has established exchange and cooperation relations with more than 220 universities and research institutions in over 50 countries and regions. Presently, it houses about 30,000 students, including more than 1,000 international students.

   Beijing Language and Culture University  北京语言大学

 

Beijing Language and Culture University

Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) is located in Beijing. It was originally founded in 1962 as the Higher Preparatory School for Foreign Students. BLCU, dubbed "Little United Nations," is the only university of its category in China that mainly focuses on promoting Chinese language in the world and teaches Chinese language and culture to foreign students. The university is highly acclaimed for its longest history, largest size and strongest faculty in this area in China.

Since its establishment, it has produced more than 120,000 foreign students who are both skilled in Chinese language and familiar with Chinese culture from 176 countries and regions. BLCU has established exchange and cooperation relations with more than 280 universities and research institutions in about 50 countries and regions. Presently, it houses more than 35,000 Chinese students and 8,627 international students.

   Qinghai University for Nationalities  青海民族大学

 

Qinghai University for Nationalities

Qinghai University for Nationalities is located in Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province. Founded in 1949, the university is the earliest institution of higher learning in Qinghai, as well as one of the earliest universities for ethnic minorities established after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Studying there allows students to get closer looks at the colorful ethnic cultures in this dreamed-of wonderland with fantastic natural scenery. Presently, it houses more than 12,000 Chinese students of 39 ethnic minority groups, including the Han, the Tibetan, the Hui, and the Tu, as well 187 international students.