Harbin Engineering University
哈尔滨工程大学
A ship, ocean and nuclear engineering university that grew out of China's 1953 military engineering academy.
- Students
- 35,600
- 16,900 undergraduates
- International
- 2%
- of students
- Tuition
- CN¥16,000
- From · 2026 entry (brochure posted 22 October 2025)
- Founded
- 1953
About HEU
Harbin Engineering University (HEU) traces its origins to the People's Liberation Army Military Engineering Institute founded in Harbin in 1953, known as Harbin Military Engineering Institute. It left the military system in 1966, was refounded in 1970 around its naval engineering department as the Harbin Shipbuilding Engineering Institute, and took its present name in 1994. Today it is supervised by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and co-built with the Ministry of Education and the Heilongjiang and Harbin governments.
The university describes its focus as shipbuilding, naval equipment, ocean development and nuclear applications. Its own profile counts more than 35,600 students (over 16,900 undergraduates and over 700 international students), 43 undergraduate programmes of which 33 are national first-class programmes, and 27 teaching and research units. Engineering is among the top 1 per mille of ESI subjects worldwide according to the university, and its research includes the Wukong deep-sea vehicle, which reached 10,896 metres.
International undergraduates can study most programmes in Chinese, and five programmes are also listed as English-taught: artificial intelligence, robotics engineering, computer science and technology, electronic information engineering and a civil engineering double degree with the University of Aberdeen. HEU suits applicants with a clear interest in marine, power, underwater acoustics, automation or computing, and students who are comfortable in a cold northern city. It also has close defence-industry ties: the US Bureau of Industry and Security added it to the Entity List in a rule published in the Federal Register on 5 June 2020, citing acquisition of US-origin items in support of programs for the People's Liberation Army. Applicants who plan US study, travel or collaboration should check what that listing means for them.
大工至善，大学至真
University motto
Why students choose HEU
The university has specialised strength in shipbuilding, ocean engineering, underwater acoustics and nuclear engineering, backed by 6 national key laboratories.
Five undergraduate programmes are also offered in English: artificial intelligence, robotics engineering, computer science and technology, electronic information engineering and a civil engineering double degree with the University of Aberdeen, which includes the fourth year in the UK.
It reports first-destination placement above 93 percent for graduates, with more than 60 percent of undergraduates going on to further study.
It is an authorised host for the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A) and lists separate Marine, Atomic Energy and Eurasian-countries scholarship programmes on its international student site.
Admissions
2026 entry for international students (undergraduate brochure posted 22 October 2025; general notice 15 October 2025); 2027 brochure not yet published
Selectivity
HEU does not publish an admission rate for international students. Applications are checked for qualification and followed by an interview assessment.
Typical entry requirements
| High-school graduation | Non-Chinese citizen aged 18 to 25 with a high-school graduation certificate and an average grade of at least 75 out of 100; applicants under 18 need guardian documents in Harbin |
|---|---|
| Chinese-taught programmes | HSK level 4 or above (HSK level 3 for the Chinese Language and Literature programme) |
| English-taught programmes | TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.0 or above |
| CSCA | Score report in Mathematics and Physics for engineering programmes; Chinese and Mathematics for arts and management |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 90 For English-taught programmes, from the 2026 international undergraduate brochure. |
Deadlines
- Batch 1 (2026 entry, previous cycle) Non-binding Passed15 January 2026
Applications from 1 November 2025.
- Batch 2 (2026 entry, previous cycle) Non-binding Passed15 February 2026
Applications from 16 January 2026.
- Batch 3 (2026 entry, previous cycle) Non-binding Passed15 March 2026
Applications from 16 February 2026.
- Batch 4 (2026 entry, previous cycle) Non-binding Passed15 May 2026
Applications from 16 March 2026.
- CSCA sittings 2026-27 Non-binding Next deadline · In 15 days14-15 November 2026 (registration 15-21 October 2026); 19-20 December 2026; 23-24 January 2027
National exam dates from csca.cn, not HEU deadlines.
These are the four 2026-entry application batches from the undergraduate brochure posted 22 October 2025. HEU had not published 2027 batches when checked, so expect the same pattern (applications opening around 1 November 2026) and confirm at studyheu.hrbeu.edu.cn. The brochure's own description of the CSCA calendar (January, March, April, June, December) differs from the 2026-27 sittings listed on csca.cn, so use csca.cn for exam dates.
How to apply
Register and apply at hrbeu.at0086.cn/student with the online form, passport page, CSCA score report, notarised high-school certificate and transcript, language certificate, study plan of 800 words or more, physical examination form, financial support document, non-criminal record report and guardian documents if under 18. HEU then reviews qualifications, interviews the applicant, issues an admission notice and registers the student on arrival. Chinese government scholarship applicants also register on studyinchina.csc.edu.cn.
What admissions looks for
- A high-school record with an average of 75 out of 100 or higher, and good conduct.
- CSCA results in the subjects that match your chosen programme: Mathematics and Physics for engineering.
- Chinese (HSK 4) or English (TOEFL 90 / IELTS 6.0) ability for the language of instruction.
- A study plan of at least 800 words and a positive result in the interview assessment.
Tips for applying to HEU
- 1 Take the CSCA early: HEU requires the score report with the application, and the Mathematics and Physics papers can be taken in English.
- 2 Check the language track of your programme: Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering is Chinese-taught only, while Artificial Intelligence, Robotics Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Electronic Information Engineering and the Civil Engineering double degree are also offered in English.
- 3 Civil Engineering in English is a double degree with the University of Aberdeen in which the fourth year is spent in the UK, and it has the highest published tuition (45,000 CNY per year).
- 4 If you want a Chinese government scholarship, read the scholarship guide attached to the brochure and apply through the Chinese embassy route where your country has an agreement.
Costs & financial aid
2026 entry (brochure posted 22 October 2025) · figures in CNY
HEU is an authorised host university for the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A) and lists Marine, Atomic Energy and Eurasian-countries programmes, plus university and enterprise scholarships, on its international student site. Type A scholarships are usually applied for through the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country, between November and February.
- 400 CNY for undergraduate programmes (non-refundable)
- Application fee
- 800 CNY per year
- Insurance
- 400-800 CNY and 400 CNY, both paid once on registration
- Resident permit and physical examination
- 450 CNY for one subject, 700 CNY for two or more
- CSCA exam fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Four-year bachelor's programmes; autumn entry
Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
The core of the university's shipbuilding tradition; Chinese-taught for international undergraduates.
Underwater Acoustics Engineering
Offered through the College of Underwater Acoustic Engineering, an area the university highlights as nationally leading.
Nuclear Energy Engineering and Technology
Part of the university's 'ships, oceans and nuclear' focus, taught in the College of Nuclear Science and Technology.
Artificial Intelligence (English or Chinese)
Offered in both languages within the College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering; English-taught tuition 22,000 CNY per year.
Civil Engineering double degree with the University of Aberdeen
English-taught, with the fourth year at Aberdeen in the UK; tuition 45,000 CNY per year.
Research
- The 'Wukong' deep-sea vehicle reached 10,896 metres, the deepest autonomous untethered dive by a Chinese vehicle according to the university.
- Its ultra-short baseline positioning system served the Jiaolong crewed submersible and won a second-class National Technology Invention Award.
- The university reports 6 national key laboratories, 11 national-level and 81 ministry or provincial-level science and technology platforms.
Schools & faculties
- College of Shipbuilding Engineering
- College of Aerospace and Civil Engineering
- College of Power and Energy Engineering
- College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering
- College of Underwater Acoustic Engineering
- College of Computer Science and Technology
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
- College of Information and Communication Engineering
- School of Economics and Management
- College of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering
- College of Nuclear Science and Technology
- College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering
The university reports first-destination placement above 93 percent for graduates for several years, with the further-study rate of undergraduates above 60 percent. It says more than 70 percent of employed graduates work in industrialisation, informatisation and defence modernisation, and nearly half at Chinese or international top-500 companies.
Student life
HEU's student teams are known for technology competitions: its E-Wei underwater robot team won the International Underwater Robot Competition two years running, and the university reports 106 national-level awards in the last five years in competitions such as the Challenge Cup. Its Harbin Military Engineering Institute Memorial Hall is a national patriotic education base. International students can choose dormitory rooms in five price tiers, from 400 to 2,600 CNY per month, and Chinese-language training is offered for students who need it before starting a degree. Harbin itself is a northern city with long, cold winters.
- The E-Wei underwater robot team won the International Underwater Robot Competition in two consecutive years.
- The university reports 106 national-level awards in five years, including Challenge Cup and China International College Students' Innovation Competition prizes.
- The Harbin Military Engineering Institute Memorial Hall is a national patriotic education base.
- Chinese-language training is available at 7,000 CNY per semester.
Housing. Accommodation fees are in five tiers by room type, from 400 to 2,600 CNY per month, according to the 2026 brochure.
Location
HEU is in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province in northeast China. The university's address is on Nantong Street in Nangang district. The university's international site promotes Harbin as the 'Ice City' and lists guides for travel and arrival for new students.
Notable alumni
- YZ Yu ZhengshengFormer chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; graduated from the Harbin Military Engineering Institute (HEU's predecessor)
- QQ Qian QihuMilitary engineer and Chinese Academy of Engineering member; studied at the Harbin Military Engineering Institute (HEU's predecessor) 1954-60
- TT Tang TianbiaoPLA general and former deputy director of the PLA General Political Department; graduated from the Harbin Military Engineering Institute (HEU's predecessor) in 1966
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Harbin Engineering University?
HEU does not publish an admission rate for international students. Applicants are reviewed for qualification and then interviewed.
Does HEU require the CSCA?
Yes, the 2026 brochure requires a valid CSCA score report for bachelor's applicants: Mathematics and Physics for engineering, and Chinese and Mathematics for arts and management programmes.
Which HEU undergraduate programmes are taught in English?
The 2026 brochure marks five: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Electronic Information Engineering and the Civil Engineering double degree with the University of Aberdeen. All others are Chinese-taught.
How much is HEU tuition for international undergraduates?
For 2026 entry, Chinese-taught programmes cost 17,000 CNY per year (16,000 for Chinese Language and Literature), English-taught Artificial Intelligence 22,000 CNY and the Civil Engineering double degree 45,000 CNY.
What are HEU's application deadlines?
For 2026 entry there were four batches, ending on 15 January, 15 February, 15 March and 15 May 2026. HEU had not published 2027 batches when checked.
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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