Tsinghua University and Peking University are China's two most prestigious institutions and are consistently ranked as Asia's top universities alongside a small handful of others. Both sit in Beijing, both are extraordinarily competitive for domestic Chinese students, and both offer a growing but still limited set of English-taught programmes for international applicants. This guide compares the two directly and explains what international students need to know before applying, including the fact that most programmes remain taught in Mandarin.
Quick Facts - Tsinghua vs Peking
| Detail | Tsinghua University | Peking University |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Beijing, China | Beijing, China |
| Founded | 1911 | 1898, generally regarded as China's first modern national university |
| Known for | Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, strong STEM research | Humanities, Law, Social Sciences, Medicine, broad academic breadth |
| Medium of instruction | Primarily Mandarin; a limited number of English-taught programmes | Primarily Mandarin; a limited number of English-taught programmes |
| Global ranking (QS 2026) | Consistently Asia's top or near-top ranked university, generally top 20-30 worldwide | Consistently among Asia's top-ranked universities, generally top 20-40 worldwide |
Both universities are often described as China's "Ivy League equivalents," and admission for domestic students is exceptionally competitive, based heavily on the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao).
Acceptance Rates
| Applicant Type | Tsinghua | Peking University |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic (Gaokao-based) undergraduate | Extremely low, among the most selective outcomes in Chinese higher education | Extremely low, comparably selective to Tsinghua |
| International undergraduate (application-based, not Gaokao) | Competitive but generally less numerically extreme than the domestic Gaokao pathway; strong academic record and, often, Chinese proficiency or a relevant test score required | Similarly competitive; varies by programme and nationality quota |
| International Master's/PhD | Competitive; varies significantly by department, with STEM fields at Tsinghua and Humanities/Social Sciences at Peking especially sought after | Competitive; varies significantly by department |
Key point: Domestic admission to either university functions on an entirely different, Gaokao-based system that is separate from and generally far more competitive than the international applicant pathway. International students apply through a distinct process and should not benchmark their chances against domestic acceptance figures.
Tuition Fees for International Students (2026)
| Programme Level | Approx. Annual Tuition (RMB) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate (Humanities/Social Sciences) | RMB 26,000 - 35,000 |
| Undergraduate (Science/Engineering) | RMB 30,000 - 40,000 |
| Undergraduate (Medicine) | RMB 35,000 - 45,000+ |
| Master's (taught programmes) | RMB 30,000 - 50,000 |
| MBA / professional master's | RMB 100,000 - 300,000+ |
Tuition at both universities is broadly comparable and considerably lower than equivalent programmes in the US, UK, or Hong Kong, a key part of their appeal for international students, especially before scholarship support is factored in.
English-Taught Programme Availability
| Track | Tsinghua | Peking University |
|---|---|---|
| English-taught undergraduate programmes | A small number of dedicated international/English-medium tracks (e.g. Schwarzman College's global affairs master's is the most famous English-taught programme, though at graduate level) | A limited set of English-taught undergraduate options, generally smaller in number than Chinese-medium offerings |
| English-taught graduate programmes | Growing set of English-taught Master's/PhD options, particularly in Engineering, Economics, and Public Policy | Growing set of English-taught options, particularly in International Relations, Economics, and select Sciences |
| Overall balance | Majority of programmes remain Mandarin-medium | Majority of programmes remain Mandarin-medium |
Important: Despite growing English-taught offerings, most undergraduate and many graduate programmes at both Tsinghua and Peking University are still taught primarily in Mandarin. International applicants should not assume broad English-medium access, always verify the language of instruction for the specific programme before applying.
HSK (Chinese Proficiency) vs English-Taught Tracks
| Requirement | Applies To |
|---|---|
| HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi), Chinese proficiency test | Required for most Mandarin-medium programmes; typically HSK Level 4-5 or higher depending on the programme |
| TOEFL/IELTS | Required for English-taught programmes; not typically required if you're already meeting a Chinese-medium track's HSK requirement |
| Programmes with no language test required | Rare, nearly all programmes require either HSK (Chinese-medium) or an English proficiency test (English-taught), depending on the track |
If you don't yet speak Mandarin, your realistic path is to target specifically labelled English-taught programmes rather than the general (Mandarin-medium) undergraduate application, and to budget time for intensive Chinese study if you plan to stay in China long-term.
TOEFL/IELTS Requirements (English-Taught Tracks)
| Programme | Typical TOEFL iBT Range | Typical IELTS Range |
|---|---|---|
| English-taught undergraduate | Roughly 80-100 | Roughly 6.0-7.0 |
| English-taught Master's/PhD | Roughly 90-100+ | Roughly 6.5-7.5 |
Exact minimums vary by department and change between admissions cycles, always confirm current requirements on the specific programme's official page.
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), administered by the China Scholarship Council, is the primary government-funded scholarship route for international students at Tsinghua, Peking University, and other top Chinese institutions.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Typically tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance |
| Application routes | Directly through the university, through Chinese embassies/consulates abroad, or via bilateral government programme agreements |
| Levels covered | Undergraduate, Master's, PhD, and general/senior scholar tracks |
| Competitiveness | Highly competitive, especially for Tsinghua and Peking University given their prestige |
| Language track | Available for both Chinese-medium and, increasingly, English-taught programmes, depending on the specific scholarship category |
Many international students at both universities are CSC scholars, particularly at the graduate level, it's worth exploring as a primary funding strategy well before your application deadline.
Application Tips
- Decide your language track first: whether you're targeting a Mandarin-medium or English-taught programme fundamentally changes your required test scores, timeline, and preparation strategy.
- Apply for CSC scholarship deadlines separately and early: CSC application windows typically close several months before the academic year begins and often require additional documentation beyond the standard university application.
- For Mandarin-medium tracks, start HSK preparation well in advance: reaching HSK 4-5 level proficiency is a multi-year undertaking for most non-native speakers; don't leave this until the application year.
- Research specific English-taught programmes carefully: because English-medium offerings are a minority of total programmes, confirm exact language of instruction, faculty, and course structure directly with the department rather than assuming based on the university's general reputation.
- Highlight genuine interest in China: both universities value applicants who demonstrate real engagement with Chinese language, culture, or the region's academic and economic landscape, even in English-taught programmes.
Tsinghua vs Peking - Quick Take
| Factor | Tsinghua University | Peking University |
|---|---|---|
| Strongest fields | Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture | Humanities, Law, Social Sciences, Medicine |
| Often compared to | MIT of China | Ivy League breadth institution of China |
| English-taught graduate options | Growing, notably in STEM and Public Policy | Growing, notably in International Relations and Economics |
| Campus location | Northwest Beijing, adjacent to Peking University | Northwest Beijing, adjacent to Tsinghua University |
Prepare for TOEFL/IELTS with Gabble: Tsinghua and Peking University's English-taught tracks typically expect TOEFL iBT 80-100+ or IELTS 6.0-7.5 depending on the programme. AI-powered speaking and writing feedback with instant score estimates helps you build the score these competitive programmes expect.