Beihang University
北京航空航天大学
China's first aeronautics and astronautics university, with Chinese- and English-taught bachelor's degrees for international students.
- Students
- 45,921
- 17,632 undergraduates
- International
- 5%
- of students
- Tuition
- CN¥25,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1952
About BUAA
Beihang University was founded on 25 October 1952 as the Beijing Institute of Aeronautics, the first university in aeronautics and astronautics set up after 1949, by merging the aviation departments of several leading universities. It is one of China's first 16 national key universities and part of Project 211, Project 985 and the Double First-Class initiative. In September 2026 it reported 17,632 undergraduates, 28,289 graduate students, 2,237 international students and 6,282 faculty and staff.
Aerospace is still the core. Beihang's early teams built China's first light passenger aircraft, its first drone and Asia's first sounding rocket, and the university contributes technology to the C919 airliner, Long March rockets, the Tiangong space station, BeiDou, the Chang'e lunar program and the Zhurong Mars rover. Today it also teaches computing, electronics, automation, materials, mathematics and physics, economics and management, law, foreign languages and design across ten disciplinary areas.
Beihang has three campuses: Xueyuan Road in Haidian District, the larger Shahe Campus in Changping, and the Hangzhou International Campus. International undergraduates spend the first year on foundation courses at the International School, then join their major school. Both Chinese-taught (HSK 5) and English-taught (TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6) programs are offered, making it a good fit for engineering-minded students who want to study at the centre of China's aerospace industry.
德才兼备、知行合一
“Integrate virtue with brilliance and combine knowledge with practice” — university motto
Why students choose BUAA
More than 60 undergraduate specialisations are open to international students each year, including English-taught programs at 30,000 RMB a year.
Beihang researchers contribute to national projects such as the C919 airliner, Tiangong space station, BeiDou navigation and the Zhurong Mars rover.
The Outstanding Talents Scholarship for freshmen covers full tuition for four years, a campus dormitory subsidy and a monthly living allowance of 2,500 RMB, subject to annual review.
The Hangzhou International Campus hosts Chinese-foreign cooperative programs and joint research institutes, alongside the two Beijing campuses.
Admissions
Autumn 2026 intake (the latest published guide); the 2027 guide had not been published as of 29 September 2026
Selectivity
Beihang does not publish an admission rate for international undergraduates. Admission is based on the CSCA transcript, high school record and language proficiency, with pre-admission decided in batches (March, April and June for the 2026 intake).
Typical entry requirements
| Senior high school diploma | Required (expected graduation certificates accepted); applicants must be non-Chinese citizens meeting the Ministry of Education's 2020 Document No. 12, and the 2026 guide gives an age range of 18 to 22 |
|---|---|
| CSCA | Required for all applicants, in the subjects Beihang specifies for the chosen major |
| Chinese-taught programs | HSK Level 5 or above with a score of at least 180, taken within the last two years |
| English-taught programs | TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.0 within the last two years, or proof that all high school courses were taught in English |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 90 For English-taught programs only, for applicants whose native language is not English; proof of English-medium high school teaching is also accepted. |
Deadlines
- CSCA transcript deadline, 2026 intake (past, for reference) Non-binding Passed30 May 2026
Also the deadline for the Outstanding Talents Scholarship and the Program and Cooperation Scholarship.
- Undergraduate application deadline, 2026 intake (past, for reference) Non-binding Passed30 June 2026
Applications opened 1 November 2025. Pre-admission in three batches (March, April, June 2026); official admission in July; registration in August or September.
Beihang had not published its 2027 undergraduate guide as of 29 September 2026. For the 2026 intake the online system opened on 1 November 2025, so the 2027 cycle is likely to open in late 2026; applying early gives you a chance at the earlier pre-admission batches.
How to apply
Take the CSCA, then register on the Beihang International Student Online Application System (admission.buaa.edu.cn) and upload scans of your passport, high school diploma and full transcripts, CSCA transcript, language certificate, foreigner physical examination form, financial guarantee (bank deposit covering four years of tuition or annual income of at least 30,000 RMB), birth certificate, parents' nationality documents, a non-criminal record and an integrity commitment letter. Art applicants add a portfolio. Pay the 400 RMB application fee online to submit.
What admissions looks for
- A completed senior high school education with strong results across all subjects.
- CSCA scores in the subjects required for your chosen major.
- Language proficiency matching the program: HSK 5 (180+) for Chinese-taught majors, or TOEFL 90 / IELTS 6 for English-taught majors.
- For the Outstanding Talents Scholarship: excellent grades, outstanding performance in the entrance test, a high school recommendation and, ideally, relevant honours, patents or provincial-level awards.
Tips for applying to BUAA
- 1 Check Beihang's CSCA subject list for your major before booking the test, and upload the CSCA transcript by the late-May deadline.
- 2 Apply early: pre-admission runs in batches from March, so a complete file in the first months gives you more chances.
- 3 Your email address and passport cannot be changed after you submit, so use ones you will keep until enrollment.
- 4 For the Outstanding Talents Scholarship, submit the scholarship form and a recommendation letter from your principal or supervisor with your application.
- 5 If you will be under 18 on 1 September, you need a notarised guardian guarantee letter from an adult living in Beijing or Hangzhou.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
The Chinese Government Scholarship (Bilateral Program, Type A, for Chinese-taught programs) is applied for through your home country's dispatching authority and can be full or partial. Beihang's own Outstanding Talents Scholarship for freshmen covers full tuition, a campus dormitory subsidy and a 2,500 RMB monthly living allowance, subject to annual review, and the Program and Cooperation Scholarship is for students recommended by partner organisations.
- 100% tuition for four years, dormitory subsidy and 2,500 RMB per month living allowance
- Outstanding Talents Scholarship (freshmen)
- 400 RMB, non-refundable
- Application fee
- 3,200 RMB for four years, compulsory
- Comprehensive medical insurance
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Aeronautic Science and Engineering
The founding discipline of China's first aeronautics university, whose early teams built China's first light passenger aircraft and first drone.
Astronautics
Beihang contributes to Long March rockets, the Tiangong space station and the Chang'e lunar program; astronaut Gui Haichao earned his degrees here and is on the School of Astronautics faculty.
Computer Science and Engineering
One of several information-technology schools, alongside Software, Cyber Science, Integrated Circuits and Artificial Intelligence.
Reliability and Systems Engineering
A dedicated school within Beihang's aeronautics and astronautics group, focused on making aircraft and spacecraft systems reliable and safe.
Biomedical Engineering
Part of Beihang's medical-engineering integration group, charged at 30,000 RMB a year for international students.
Research
- Contributions to the C919 airliner, Long March rockets, Tiangong space station, BeiDou navigation, the Chang'e lunar program and the Zhurong Mars rover.
- 20 National Key Laboratories and 9 National Sci-Tech Innovation Centers (September 2026).
- Since 2004, 15 first-class national science and technology awards, including nine first prizes of the State Technological Invention Award, the most of any Chinese university.
Schools & faculties
- School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering
- School of Astronautics
- School of Energy and Power Engineering
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering
- School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering
- School of Computer Science and Engineering
- School of Software
- School of Mathematical Sciences
- School of Economics and Management
- School of New Media Art and Design
- International School
Student life
International undergraduates start at the International School, taking foundation courses in mathematics, physics and language with other international students before moving into their major school from the second year. Beihang has more than 2,000 international students from over 140 countries, and the International School supports international student associations, internships and employment information. Dormitory rooms for international students are doubles and must be reserved after admission. Life is split between the older Xueyuan Road Campus in Haidian, Beijing's university district, and the newer, greener Shahe Campus in Changping.
- Foundation year at the International School before entering a major
- More than 2,000 international students from over 140 countries
- International student associations and a winter camp Chinese program
- Three campuses: Xueyuan Road, Shahe and Hangzhou International Campus
Housing. International students live in double rooms: 30 RMB per bed per day on the Beijing campuses, or 2,000 to 2,500 RMB per academic year at the Hangzhou International Campus, reserved after official admission.
Location
The main Xueyuan Road Campus is at No. 37 Xueyuan Road in Haidian District, northwest Beijing, the capital's university and technology district, close to many other major universities. The Shahe Campus is further north in Changping District, and the Hangzhou International Campus is in Yuhang District, Hangzhou, in Zhejiang Province.
Nearest airport: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK); Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Notable alumni
- GH Gui HaichaoAerospace engineer and China's first civilian astronaut, who flew to the Tiangong space station; bachelor's (2009) and PhD (2014) in aerospace engineering, associate professor at Beihang since 2017
- QF Qi FarenChief designer of China's Shenzhou spacecraft; graduated 1957
- YJ Yuan JiajunAerospace engineer and Politburo member, former head of the Shenzhou program; studied aircraft design (1980–1984) and earned a doctorate
- JB Jiang BinBillionaire co-founder and chairman of GoerTek; bachelor's degree
- XY Xue YiweiChinese-Canadian novelist; BSc in computer science
- ZF Zhu FenglianDiplomat and spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office; bachelor's (1996) and master's (2000) in foreign languages
Frequently asked questions
Does Beihang University offer English-taught undergraduate programs?
Yes. Beihang offers both Chinese-taught and English-taught bachelor's programs; English-taught programs cost 30,000 RMB a year and need TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.0 (or proof of English-medium high school) from non-native speakers.
Does Beihang require the CSCA?
Yes. All international undergraduate applicants must take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment in the subjects Beihang sets for their major; for the 2026 intake the transcript was due by 30 May 2026.
What HSK level do I need for Beihang?
HSK Level 5 or above with at least 180 points, taken within two years, for Chinese-taught programs. English-taught programs do not require HSK.
How much is tuition at Beihang for international students?
25,000 RMB a year for most Chinese-taught majors and 30,000 RMB a year for Biomedical Engineering, Visual Communication Design, Painting and all English-taught programs, plus a 400 RMB application fee and 3,200 RMB for four years of insurance.
Are there full scholarships at Beihang for international undergraduates?
Yes. The Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A, via your home country) can be full or partial, and Beihang's Outstanding Talents Scholarship gives top freshmen four years of tuition, a dormitory subsidy and 2,500 RMB a month, subject to annual review.
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.
- Beihang International School: Undergraduate Program of Beihang University 2026
- Beihang International School: Outstanding Talents Scholarship (Freshman)
- Beihang International School: Beihang University Foreign Students Scholarship
- Beihang University: Undergraduate Program
- Beihang University: Beihang at a Glance (updated September 2026)
- Beihang University: Introducing Beihang
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