Beijing Jiaotong University
北京交通大学
China's railway university in Haidian, Beijing, and a perennial top-two school for transportation in ShanghaiRanking's subject tables.
- Students
- 33,227
- 17,278 undergraduates
- International
- 6%
- of students
- Tuition
- CN¥24,800
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1896
About BJTU
Beijing Jiaotong University traces its roots to 1896, when the Qing government set up a school to train railway managers. It was one of the three founding branches of Jiaotong University in 1921, became Northern Jiaotong University in 1950 with Mao Yisheng, the bridge engineer, as president, and took its current name in 2003. It reports to the Ministry of Education and is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Transport, the Beijing government and China State Railway Group, and it is a Project 211 and Double First-Class university with 'Smart Transportation' as its flagship field.
Transport is the specialism, backed by strong information and management disciplines. ShanghaiRanking's subject tables have placed BJTU first in the world for transportation six times (most recently in 2024) and second in 2025 and 2026, and the university says Engineering and Computer Science are in the top 0.1% of the ESI citation rankings. It has 23 schools, including the Zhan Tianyou College for future transport technology, and at the end of 2025 enrolled 17,278 undergraduates, 12,002 master's and 3,947 doctoral students, with more than 2,000 international students.
The main campus is in Haidian, Beijing's university district, and a Weihai campus on the Shandong coast runs English-taught and Sino-foreign programmes. BJTU suits students who want to work on railways, logistics, signalling or transport-linked computing and management, and it reports that about 95% of students find jobs and nearly 70% of undergraduates go on to further study.
知行
“Knowing and Doing” — university motto
Why students choose BJTU
ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026 places BJTU 2nd in the world for transportation science and technology, after six first places between 2018 and 2024.
Majors such as Rail Traffic Signaling and Control, Railway Engineering, and Traffic and Transportation (High-speed Railway, Urban Rail Transit or Civil Aviation) are open to international students.
Seven bachelor's programmes are taught in English at Weihai International College, including Computer Science and Technology and Communication Engineering.
BJTU holds an A-grade Study in China quality certification and had nearly 2,000 international students in 2025.
Admissions
September 2027 intake (the latest published brochure is for 2026 entry)
Selectivity
BJTU does not publish an admission rate for international students. Decisions are based on the application materials and other assessments such as interviews. Chinese students are admitted through the gaokao.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | Non-Chinese citizen with an ordinary foreign passport and a high school diploma; applicants under 18 need guardian documents in China |
|---|---|
| HSK | HSK 5 with a total score over 180 within the last two years, for Chinese-taught programmes (or a previous degree taught in Chinese) |
| CSCA | Professional Chinese, Mathematics and Physics for engineering and science majors; Professional Chinese and Mathematics for management, economics, literature, law and art majors |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 For English-taught programmes: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 within two years, or a previous degree taught in English. Category A of the Beijing Government Scholarship requires IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 85. |
Deadlines
- Degree programmes (self-funded and most scholarships) - PAST CYCLE, for reference Non-binding PassedNovember 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 (closed)
Application window in the 2026 International Students Admission Brochure.
- CSCA test sessions Non-bindingSessions in January, March, April, June and December
The first CSCA was held on December 21, 2025. The test must be taken before you submit your application.
- Chinese Government Scholarship (Bilateral Program) Non-bindingSet by the Chinese embassy or other dispatching authority in your home country
Full scholarship including a CNY 2,500 monthly stipend for undergraduates.
BJTU had not published its 2027 admission brochure as of September 30, 2026. For 2026 entry the application window ran from November 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, so expect applications for September 2027 to open around November 2026. Book a CSCA session early, since the score report is part of the application.
How to apply
Register on the BJTU International Student Service System (bjtu.17gz.org), choose a programme, upload your passport, notarised diploma and transcripts, CSCA score report, HSK or IELTS/TOEFL report, a study plan of at least 1,000 words, CV, Foreigner Physical Examination Form, certificate of no criminal record and a bank statement showing at least USD 10,000, then pay the non-refundable CNY 500 application fee. Applicants to arts or design programmes also submit a portfolio.
What admissions looks for
- A completed high school education with notarised transcripts.
- CSCA scores in Professional Chinese and Mathematics, plus Physics for science and engineering majors.
- HSK 5 (180+) for Chinese-taught degrees, or IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 80 for English-taught ones.
- A study plan of at least 1,000 words setting out your academic background and what you plan to study at BJTU; interviews may also be used.
Tips for applying to BJTU
- 1 The Chinese requirement is higher than at many universities: plan for HSK 5 with at least 180 points, or start with BJTU's one-year preparatory programme (CNY 22,000).
- 2 If you want to study in English, look at Weihai International College, where the seven English-taught bachelor's programmes are based, rather than the Beijing campus.
- 3 Take CSCA Physics if you are aiming at any engineering or science major, including the railway, signalling and computing programmes.
- 4 Apply for the Beijing Government Scholarship at the same time: it covers all BJTU bachelor's programmes open to international students, with Category A paying tuition, housing, a living allowance and insurance.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
International students can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (Bilateral and Silk Road programmes), the Beijing Government Scholarship, the International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship and BJTU's own scholarship for international students. The Beijing Government Scholarship has three categories: A (tuition, accommodation, living allowance and insurance), B (tuition, accommodation and insurance) and C (tuition and insurance); undergraduate applicants must be 25 or under.
- CNY 500 for bachelor's programmes (non-refundable)
- Application fee
- CNY 21,600 a year (triple room) or CNY 16,200 (quadruple room)
- Beijing campus accommodation
- CNY 11,680 a year (double room)
- Weihai campus accommodation
- CNY 2,500 a month for undergraduates (full scholarship)
- Chinese Government Scholarship stipend
Academics
Traffic and Transportation
BJTU's flagship field, with tracks in Railway Transportation, Urban Rail Transit, Intelligent Transportation Engineering, High-speed Railway passenger service and Civil Aviation Transportation.
Rail Traffic Signaling and Control
Taught by the School of Automation and Intelligence, linked to the university's State Key Laboratory for autonomous rail operation and a national engineering research centre for train control.
Railway Engineering
Offered by the School of Civil Engineering; BJTU says it took part in building the Qinghai-Tibet Railway and China's high-speed network.
Computer Science and Technology (Railway Information Technology)
A railway-focused computing track; BJTU's Computer Science is in the top 0.1% of the ESI citation rankings.
Logistics Engineering and Logistics Management
Management degrees built on BJTU's transport specialism; its School of Economics and Management holds EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA accreditation.
English-taught bachelor's at Weihai International College
Seven programmes, including Computer Science and Technology, Communication Engineering and Business Administration, at CNY 33,800 a year.
Research
- Nine national research platforms, including the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Rail Autonomous Operation, the National Engineering Research Center of Rail Transportation Operation and Control System, and the National Research Center of Railway Safety Assessment.
- BJTU reports taking part in China's railway speed-up campaigns, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, heavy-haul transport on the Datong-Qinhuangdao line, maglev, high-speed rail and urban rail transit technology.
- It led the founding of the Global University Alliance for Sustainable Transport and runs high-speed rail research centres with partners in the US, Russia, the UK and Indonesia.
Schools & faculties
- School of Automation and Intelligence
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering
- School of Computer Science and Technology
- School of Economics and Management
- School of Traffic and Transportation
- School of Civil Engineering
- School of Mechanical, Electronic and Control Engineering
- School of Electrical Engineering
- School of Software Engineering
- School of Architecture and Design
- Zhan Tianyou College
- Weihai International College
BJTU reports a graduate employment rate of about 95% and that nearly 70% of undergraduates go on to further study.
Student life
BJTU's Haidian campus is known for its ginkgo avenue, which turns gold each autumn, and for Ming Pool. International students live in on-campus dorms with shared kitchens and laundries and 24-hour staff, and eat in 13 cafeterias that include halal options. The International Students Union runs language exchanges, festival celebrations, an international cultural festival and a New Year party, and there is a full-time counsellor in the 'Listening Room'. Sports facilities include a badminton hall, track, tennis courts and a swimming pool.
- Tian Qing became the first BJTU student to win Olympic gold, in badminton women's doubles at London 2012.
- 13 student cafeterias, including halal meals.
- The International Students Union organises an international cultural festival and New Year party each year.
- BJTU teams won 1 national and 35 Beijing championships in 2025.
Housing. International students live on campus: in Beijing at CNY 21,600 a year for a triple room or CNY 16,200 for a quadruple room, and in Weihai at CNY 11,680 for a double.
Location
The main campus, with East and West sections, is at Xizhimenwai in Haidian District, north-west Beijing, the city's university district. BJTU is also building a large campus in the Xiong'an New Area in Hebei, and runs a campus in Weihai, Shandong province, where its English-taught and Sino-foreign programmes are based. Beijing has cold, dry winters and hot summers, and a dense metro network.
Nearest airport: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK); Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Notable alumni
- ZZ Zheng ZhenduoWriter, literary scholar and archaeologist, later China's vice-minister of culture; graduated from the Beijing Railway Management School in 1921
- LT Liang Tsai-PingGuzheng master, considered one of the 20th century's most important players and scholars of the instrument; applied science graduate
- NB Ning BinTrain control systems engineer, academician and BJTU president 2008-2019; BEng in railway signalling (1982)
- LH Li HejunFounder and chairman of Hanergy; BS in mechanical engineering (1988)
- TQ Tian QingBadminton player, 2012 Olympic women's doubles champion; enrolled at BJTU in 2008
- CY Cai YunBadminton player, 2012 Olympic men's doubles champion; enrolled at the BJTU Law School in 2014
Frequently asked questions
Does Beijing Jiaotong University teach bachelor's degrees in English?
Yes, seven English-taught bachelor's programmes are offered at Weihai International College on the Weihai campus, at CNY 33,800 a year. Programmes on the Beijing campus are taught in Chinese.
How much is BJTU tuition for international students?
CNY 24,800 a year for Chinese-taught bachelor's programmes and CNY 33,800 for English-taught ones (2026 brochure); the dual-degree Digital Media Art programme at Weihai costs CNY 120,000 a year.
What HSK level do I need for BJTU?
HSK 5 with a total score above 180, taken within the last two years, for Chinese-taught programmes. If you are not there yet, BJTU runs a one-year preparatory programme.
Is the CSCA required for BJTU?
Yes. From 2026-27 all international bachelor's applicants must submit CSCA scores in Professional Chinese and Mathematics, plus Physics for science and engineering majors.
When is the BJTU application deadline?
The 2027 brochure was not yet out in September 2026. For 2026 entry, applications ran from November 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (topuniversities.com)
- THE World University Rankings 2026 (ranking table)
- ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
- BJTU: University introduction (Chinese, data to 31 December 2025)
- BJTU: Basic data (Chinese, data to 31 August 2025)
- BJTU College of International Education: 2026 International Students Admission Brochure
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