University of Science and Technology Beijing
北京科技大学
China's 'cradle of iron and steel', a Haidian engineering university built around metallurgy, materials and mining.
- Students
- 27,987
- 14,038 undergraduates
- International
- 4%
- of students
- Tuition
- CN¥23,300
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1952
About USTB
The University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB) was founded in 1952 as the Beijing Institute of Iron and Steel Technology, formed from the mining and metallurgy departments of Tianjin University (formerly Beiyang University), Tsinghua University and four other universities; it traces its roots to China's first modern mining and metallurgy programme at the Beiyang Western Academy in 1895. It took its current name in 1988, joined Projects 211 and 985, and is a Double First-Class university under the Ministry of Education.
USTB is known as the 'cradle of iron and steel': it says it built China's first electric arc furnace, designed housing materials for China's first satellite, Dong Fang Hong 1, and built the country's first industrial-size robot. Materials science, metallurgy and mining are its core, but it now offers 68 undergraduate majors in engineering, science, management, economics, law and languages. About 28,000 full-time students study on a compact campus of about 80 hectares on Xueyuan Road in Haidian, Beijing's university district.
International undergraduates can take 4-year degrees in Chinese (HSK 4) or in English (Materials Science and Engineering, Environmental Engineering). All need a CSCA transcript from the 2026 intake. USTB suits students who want serious engineering in Beijing at a moderate fee.
求实鼎新
“Seeking truth and promoting innovation” — university motto
Why students choose USTB
USTB is China's best-known university for metallurgy and materials, and it calls itself the 'Cradle of Iron and Steel Engineers' and the 'Cradle of Mayors'.
Materials Science and Engineering and Environmental Engineering are taught in English, with the CSCA Mathematics test also taken in English.
Tuition is a flat 23,300 CNY a year for all undergraduate programmes, in Chinese or English.
The International Economy and Trade (1+3) programme lets students start without an HSK 4 certificate: the first year is Chinese language and foundation courses.
Admissions
International undergraduates, September entry (2026 brochure used; 2027 brochure not yet published)
Selectivity
USTB does not publish an admission rate for international undergraduates. Experts at the International Student Center rank applicants on CSCA scores, academic background and language proficiency, admitting on merit.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | High school graduation certificate recognised by China's Ministry of Education; non-Chinese citizens with a valid foreign passport, aged 35 or under |
|---|---|
| CSCA transcript | Mathematics for all programmes; Professional Chinese for Chinese-taught programmes (Liberal Arts Chinese for languages, law, public administration, social work, business and design, Science Chinese for the rest); Physics or Chemistry for science and engineering |
| HSK (Chinese-taught programmes) | HSK 4; the International Economy and Trade (1+3) programme does not require an HSK 4 certificate but expects HSK 5 by graduation |
| English (English-taught programmes) | IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 70 for applicants from non-English-speaking countries |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 70 For the English-taught Materials Science and Engineering and Environmental Engineering programmes; other official English certificates may be accepted. |
Deadlines
- USTB Chancellor Scholarship (2026 intake, past) Non-binding PassedApril 30, 2026
Applied for in the same online system as the degree application, November 1 to April 30.
- International undergraduate application (2026 intake, past) Non-binding PassedJune 15, 2026
Applications November 1, 2025 to June 15, 2026; admission list at the end of June, admission documents by email in July, enrolment in early September.
These are 2026-intake dates. USTB published its 2026 brochure in November 2025; the 2027 version is expected in autumn 2026 and, if the pattern holds, applications would open on November 1, 2026. Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A) applications go through embassies from November to March, and Type B directly to USTB from November to April.
How to apply
Apply online at onlineapply.ustb.edu.cn (no paper documents): fill in personal information, upload high school diploma and transcripts, passport, HSK or English certificate, CSCA transcript, foreigner physical examination form, USTB's financial guarantee letter (at least 50,000 CNY suggested), and a police clearance certificate, then pay the 600 CNY application fee. Scholarship applications are made through the same system.
What admissions looks for
- Strong CSCA scores in every subject your programme requires; USTB admits by the combined result.
- A good high school academic background, with the original diploma checked again at registration.
- Language proficiency matched to the programme: HSK 4 for Chinese-taught study or IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL 70 for English-taught study.
- Complete, accurate documents, including a financial guarantee and police clearance.
Tips for applying to USTB
- 1 Book the CSCA early: it runs five times a year (January, March, April, June and December), and you need every required subject score before admission is decided.
- 2 Take the Mathematics section in English only if you apply to Materials Science and Engineering or Environmental Engineering; for all other programmes it is taken in Chinese.
- 3 Apply for the USTB Chancellor Scholarship at the same time as your degree application, before the end of April.
- 4 If your Chinese is below HSK 4, consider the International Economy and Trade (1+3) programme, which starts with a year of Chinese.
- 5 Budget for housing off campus if needed: USTB warns that its international dormitories are limited.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in CNY
Undergraduates can apply for the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A through Chinese embassies, Type B directly to USTB), the USTB Chancellor Scholarship (full, covering tuition, housing, living costs and insurance, or partial) and the Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students. Type A applicants can ask USTB for a pre-admission notice first.
- Full (tuition, accommodation, living expenses, insurance) or partial
- USTB Chancellor Scholarship
- 1,500 CNY per bed per month (2-person room) or 750 CNY (4-person room)
- On-campus accommodation
- 800 CNY per year
- Insurance
- 600 CNY, non-refundable
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (September entry)
Materials Science and Engineering (international class, English-taught)
USTB's flagship field, taught in English with over 40 courses from solid state physics to metallic materials science.
Metallurgical Engineering
The discipline USTB was founded on in 1952 as China's first iron and steel institute.
Mining Engineering and Intelligent Mining Engineering
Taught by the School of Resources and Safety Engineering, one of USTB's founding strengths.
Environmental Engineering (English-taught)
Covers water, air and solid waste pollution control and environmental impact assessment, with more than 40 professional courses.
International Economy and Trade (1+3)
A first year of Chinese and foundation courses, then three years of trade and business in Chinese.
Research
- USTB says it built China's first electric arc furnace and its first industrial-size robot, and designed housing materials for the first Chinese satellite, Dong Fang Hong 1.
- It hosts a national science centre, 7 national key laboratories (including co-built ones) and a national new-materials big data centre.
- The university publishes the International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials.
Schools & faculties
- School of Resources and Safety Engineering
- School of Future Urban Studies
- School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering
- School of Materials Science and Engineering
- School of Mechanical Engineering
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering
- School of Automation and Electrical Engineering
- School of Intelligent Science and Technology
- School of Computer and Communication Engineering
- School of Mathematics and Physics
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering
- School of Economics and Management
USTB says it has trained more than 330,000 graduates, 50 of whom became academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences or Chinese Academy of Engineering, and many of whom lead major steel, mining, aerospace and automotive companies. No graduate employment rate is published on the pages checked.
Student life
USTB's single main campus sits on Xueyuan Road in Haidian, surrounded by other universities, with Soviet-style brick buildings, a landmark stone arch and ginkgo avenues that turn gold in autumn. The university has two large multi-storey dining halls serving Chinese and international food. International students can live in the on-campus international dormitory in two- or four-person rooms, though places are limited, and the International Student Center organises activities and student associations. The campus gymnasium was a venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- The stone arch and Soviet-era buildings are campus landmarks.
- Two multi-storey dining halls with Chinese and international dishes.
- The USTB Gymnasium hosted events at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
- An International Student Center that runs student associations and activities.
Housing. On-campus international dormitory rooms cost 1,500 CNY per bed per month in a two-person room or 750 CNY in a four-person room; places are limited, so some students must rent off campus.
Location
USTB is in Haidian district in north-west Beijing, on Xueyuan Road ('Academy Road'), where many of China's leading universities are clustered. Tsinghua and Peking universities, Zhongguancun's tech district and the Olympic Park are all nearby, and the city's metro connects the campus with central Beijing.
Nearest airport: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Notable alumni
- XK Xu KuangdiMayor of Shanghai (1995-2001) and metallurgist; graduated from the Beijing Institute of Iron and Steel Engineering in 1959
- LQ Liu QiBeijing Communist Party Secretary and president of the Beijing 2008 Olympics organising committee; studied iron smelting (1964)
- LG Luo GanSenior Chinese politician who oversaw the security and judicial system until 2007; began engineering studies here in 1953
- HM Huang MengfuMetallurgical engineer, CPPCC vice chairman and chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce; graduated in 1968
- LY Li YiyiMetallurgist, former president of the CAS Institute of Metal Research and CAS academician; graduated in 1957
- LZ Lu Zhengyao (Charles Lu)Businessman and chairman of Luckin Coffee; degree in industrial electric automation (1991)
- SX Star XuFounder and CEO of crypto exchange OKX; bachelor's in applied physics (2006)
Frequently asked questions
Does USTB offer bachelor's degrees in English?
Yes, two: Materials Science and Engineering and Environmental Engineering, which need IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 70. All other programmes are taught in Chinese and need HSK 4.
Do I need the CSCA to apply to USTB?
Yes. All undergraduate applicants must submit CSCA scores: Mathematics for every programme, Professional Chinese for Chinese-taught programmes, and Physics or Chemistry for science and engineering.
How much is tuition at USTB for international students?
23,300 CNY a year for all undergraduate programmes, plus a 600 CNY application fee, 800 CNY a year for insurance and 750 to 1,500 CNY a month for a dormitory bed.
When is the USTB application deadline?
For 2026 entry, applications ran from November 1, 2025 to June 15, 2026. The 2027 dates have not been published yet.
What scholarships can international students get at USTB?
The Chinese Government Scholarship (Type A via embassies, Type B via USTB), the USTB Chancellor Scholarship and the Beijing Government Scholarship.
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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