Harbin Institute of Technology
哈尔滨工业大学
China's 'Cradle of Engineers': an aerospace-heavy university in Harbin, with campuses in Weihai and Shenzhen.
- Students
- 32,375
- International
- 4%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 11:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- CN¥20,000
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1920
About HIT
Harbin Institute of Technology was founded in 1920 in Harbin, in China's far northeast, and is overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. In 1951 it was designated one of two national model universities for adopting advanced international higher-education practice, and in 1954 it was among the first six institutions picked for key national development. It joined Project 211 in 1996, was one of the nine founding members of Project 985 in 1999, merged with Harbin University of Architecture in 2000, and today also runs campuses in Weihai and Shenzhen.
HIT calls itself the Cradle of Engineers, and its strength is engineering, especially aerospace. It was the first Chinese university to set up a School of Astronautics, launched China's first university-built satellite, and has supplied technology to the Chang'e lunar missions, the Zhurong Mars rover and the FAST radio telescope. It has 24 schools, from astronautics, computing and mechatronics to management, architecture and life sciences, and says it has educated nearly 400,000 professionals, including more than 1,000 aerospace and defence chief designers.
All bachelor's programs are taught in Chinese, but a number of engineering and computing majors can also be taught in English. HIT suits technically strong students who want a demanding, research-driven engineering education far from China's coastal megacities.
规格严格，功夫到家
“Being strict in qualifications for graduates; making every endeavor in educating students” — university motto
Why students choose HIT
Engineering and aerospace depth: HIT technology supported Chang'e-5's sample return, Chang'e-6's far-side lunar samples and the Zhurong rover's mobility system.
English-taught options exist in majors such as Computer Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Electrical Engineering, Robot Engineering and Civil Engineering.
The HIT International Students Scholarship offers undergraduate tuition waivers of 100%, 50%, 30% or 20% for four years.
Undergraduate tuition is 20,000 yuan a year for Chinese-taught and 26,000 yuan for English-taught programs.
Admissions
September 2027 entry (HIT's bachelor's admission page still showed the past September 2026 cycle as of September 29, 2026)
Selectivity
HIT does not publish an admission rate for international undergraduates. Applications are reviewed on documents, including high school transcripts, CSCA results and language certificates; English-taught programs only run with at least 20 students.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma and transcripts | High school diploma or above (expected graduation certificate accepted); under 30 years old, or under 25 for HIT Scholarship applicants |
|---|---|
| CSCA (China Scholastic Competency Assessment) | Required for all undergraduate applicants; subjects set by major in HIT's major list |
| HSK (Chinese-taught programs) | HSK 4 with 210 or more points (valid two years) |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 English-taught programs: IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 80, or an authorized equivalent. No Chinese requirement for English-taught programs. |
Deadlines
- September 2026 intake, self-financed and HIT Scholarship - PAST CYCLE, for reference only Non-binding PassedJuly 15, 2026 (closed)
Previous cycle: self-financed applications were accepted throughout the year up to July 15, 2026, and the HIT Scholarship window ran October 1, 2025 to July 15, 2026. Dates for the September 2027 intake had not been published as of September 29, 2026; similar timing would be expected, but confirm on the College of International Education site.
- Chinese Government Scholarship Type A (Bilateral Program) Non-bindingSet by the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country
Apply through a Chinese embassy or consulate and list HIT as your first-choice institution.
HIT's published bachelor's guide is still for the past September 2026 intake (deadline July 15, 2026, now closed). The September 2027 guide had not been published as of September 29, 2026; expect similar timing, but confirm on the College of International Education site.
How to apply
Take the CSCA, then apply online through HIT's application system (hit.at0086.cn), pay the application fee (400 yuan, or 600 yuan if applying for the HIT Scholarship) by bank transfer, and upload your passport, high school diploma and transcripts, CSCA score report, HSK or English certificate, physical examination record, non-criminal record, CV and a deposit certificate of at least 20,000 yuan. Paper applications are not accepted.
What admissions looks for
- A completed high school education with strong transcripts.
- CSCA scores in the subjects required for your chosen major.
- Language proficiency matched to the language of instruction: HSK 4 (210+) for Chinese-taught, IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 for English-taught.
- Optional evidence of outstanding academic, sports, arts, cultural or community achievements.
Tips for applying to HIT
- 1 Check the major list for your CSCA subjects before booking the test; engineering majors usually need Mathematics and Physics.
- 2 Do not apply for a Chinese Government Scholarship and the HIT Scholarship at the same time: HIT says it will reject the application if it finds out.
- 3 Have a backup choice if you pick an English-taught major: classes are cancelled if fewer than 20 students enrol.
- 4 Write your passport name on the bank transfer for the application fee; WeChat Pay and Alipay are not accepted.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
The HIT International Students Scholarship covers undergraduate tuition at four levels: Elite (100% waiver), First (50%), Second (30%) and Third (20%), for applicants under 25 with excellent academic records. Chinese Government Scholarship Type A (Bilateral Program), applied for through a Chinese embassy or consulate, covers tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend and medical insurance. Students cannot hold two scholarships.
- 100%, 50%, 30% or 20% tuition waiver for 4 years
- HIT International Students Scholarship (bachelor's)
- 400 yuan (600 yuan with HIT Scholarship application)
- Application fee
- 800 yuan a year
- Insurance
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters; September intake
Automation (School of Astronautics)
Taught in China's first university School of Astronautics; can be taken in English, with CSCA Mathematics and Physics.
Computer Science and Technology / Artificial Intelligence (Faculty of Computing)
Both can be taught in English; HIT built China's first computer able to play chess and converse with humans.
Robot Engineering (School of Mechatronics Engineering)
English-taught option at a university that developed China's first arc and spot welding robots.
Materials Science and Engineering / Welding Technology and Engineering
English-taught options; HIT achieved the world's first controllable in-orbit deployment of a shape-memory polymer solar array.
Civil Engineering
English-taught option; HIT contributed structural technology to the FAST radio telescope.
Communication Engineering / Electronic Information Engineering
English-taught options at the university that pioneered China's first space-to-ground laser communication.
Research
- HIT technologies supported Chang'e-5's sample return, Chang'e-6's far-side lunar samples and Tianwen-2, and helped design the Zhurong rover's mobility system.
- HIT leads China's first national mega-science facility for space environment ground simulation.
- The university enabled the first on-orbit human-robot collaborative maintenance experiment with a space robotic arm on Tiangong-2.
Schools & faculties
- School of Astronautics
- School of Electronics and Information Engineering
- School of Mechatronics Engineering
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- School of Energy Science and Engineering
- School of Electrical Engineering and Automation
- School of Instrument Science and Engineering
- Faculty of Computing
- School of Civil Engineering
- School of Architecture and Design
- School of Management
- School of Future Technology
Student life
HIT's main campus is in Harbin's Nangang district, and its student life leans technical: HIT says its students have topped China's university student competition rankings for undergraduates six years running, and student teams built the Lilac micro-nano satellites. International students start with an orientation run by the College of International Education, including a tour of the campus and the HIT museum, and a dedicated office handles their day-to-day affairs. Clubs recruit each semester, there is an intercultural Hi-Talk club, and the campus is known for its lilacs in late spring.
- Orientation for new international students, including a campus and HIT museum tour.
- Student-led Lilac Micro-Nano Satellite Team, awarded the China Youth May Fourth Medal.
- Hi-Talk Intercultural Communication Club for Chinese and international students.
- Club recruitment every semester.
Housing. On-campus accommodation costs 800 to 1,000 yuan a month per bed, excluding electricity, water and internet.
Location
Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang province in China's far northeast. HIT's main campus is on West Dazhi Street in the city's Nangang district, and the university also has campuses in Weihai on the Shandong coast and in Shenzhen in the south. The campus is known for its lilacs in late spring, and winters in Harbin are cold.
Nearest airport: Harbin Taiping International Airport (HRB)
Notable alumni
- SY Sun Yun-suanFormer Premier of the Republic of China (Taiwan); BEng in electrical engineering from HIT (1934)
- SJ Song JianAerospace engineer and former president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; studied at HIT
- SJ Sun JiadongRocket and satellite expert and chief designer of China's lunar exploration program; began his studies at HIT
- LY Liu YongtanRadar and signal processing expert and winner of China's highest science and technology award; studied and taught at HIT
- MX Ma XingruiAerospace engineer and politician, chief commander of Chang'e 3; PhD in mechanics from HIT (1985)
- XD Xu DazheAerospace engineer, former head of the China National Space Administration; bachelor's and master's from HIT
- LC Li ChangchunFormer member of the Politburo Standing Committee; electrical engineering graduate (1966)
- FB Fang BinxingComputer scientist and former president of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications; PhD from HIT
Frequently asked questions
Can international students study at HIT in English?
Yes, for some majors. All bachelor's programs are taught in Chinese, but majors such as Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Electrical Engineering and Civil Engineering can be taught in English, provided at least 20 students enrol.
How much is tuition at Harbin Institute of Technology?
20,000 yuan a year for Chinese-taught and 26,000 yuan for English-taught undergraduate programs, plus 800 yuan insurance and 800 to 1,000 yuan a month for a dorm bed.
Does HIT require the CSCA?
Yes. All international undergraduate applicants must take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment, with subjects depending on the major.
What HSK level do I need for HIT?
HSK 4 with at least 210 points for Chinese-taught bachelor's programs. English-taught programs need IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5) or TOEFL iBT 80 instead.
Does HIT offer scholarships to international undergraduates?
Yes. The HIT International Students Scholarship waives 100%, 50%, 30% or 20% of tuition, and the Chinese Government Scholarship Type A is available through Chinese embassies. You cannot apply for both.
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.
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