Tsinghua University Ranking, Acceptance Rate, Scholarships & International Students (2026)
Tsinghua University in Beijing is one of Asia's top-ranked universities and a popular choice for international students. This guide covers its latest rankings, what is known about its acceptance rate, the scholarships available and the international student community.
Tsinghua University Ranking
According to Tsinghua's own admissions page, the university holds the following positions in major global rankings:
- 6th in the world (1st in Asia) in the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities 2026-2027
- 14th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (it was 17th in QS 2026)
- 12th in the world (1st in Asia) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
- 18th in the world (1st in Asia) in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ShanghaiRanking)
Rankings differ because each uses a different method, so always check the latest edition before quoting a position.
Tsinghua University Acceptance Rate
Tsinghua does not publish a single university-wide acceptance rate on its official admissions pages. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of academic records, language ability, supporting documents and test or interview results.
Third-party estimates vary widely. One consultancy reported a 2023 international acceptance rate of about 13.6% (2,836 applicants, 380 admitted), with undergraduate admission much tougher than master's or PhD. Treat these numbers as unofficial estimates only. For Chinese students admitted through the Gaokao, selectivity is below 1%.
Key points for 2026 intake, as stated in the official undergraduate FAQ:
- A high school diploma is required. A GED or equivalency certificate is not accepted.
- Applicants under 18 (as of September 1, 2026) must provide a legal guardian in China.
- CSCA exam scores were not required for the 2026 intake.
Scholarships for International Students
Several funding routes exist for foreign students:
- Chinese Government Scholarship: undergraduate applicants apply through the local Chinese Embassy or Consulate and must select Tsinghua as their first-choice university. Application windows differ by country, usually running from November to April.
- Schwarzman Scholars: a highly competitive fully funded master's programme hosted at Tsinghua.
- Full-scholarship graduate programmes: these include the International Master's Program in Nuclear Engineering and Management, the International Master's Program in Public Health and several International Master of Public Administration programmes.
- Asian Future Leaders Scholarship Program (AFLSP): offered for the 2026-2027 academic year to prospective full-time international students from Asia.
- Institutional scholarships: funded by donations from overseas alumni and corporations.
Read the full details on the Tsinghua graduate scholarship page and the undergraduate freshmen scholarships page.
International Students at Tsinghua
As of December 31, 2025, Tsinghua reported 63,132 registered students. Its degree-seeking international students included 784 undergraduates, 1,397 postgraduates and 450 doctoral candidates.
At graduate level, Tsinghua offers Master's and Doctoral programmes to international students across 53 schools and departments. More than 30 of these programmes are taught fully in English, while the rest are in Chinese or bilingual.
How to Apply
Undergraduate applicants should use the Tsinghua Undergraduate Admissions website for programme guides, eligibility, fees and the application schedule. Graduate applicants should visit the Graduate Admissions website for international students. Deadlines change every year, so confirm the dates for the next intake on the official pages before you apply.