Tsinghua University

Overview

Tsinghua University in Beijing is a global leader in engineering and computer science education, consistently ranked among the best worldwide for these disciplines since 2015.

Established in 1911, Tsinghua University has its roots in the aftermath of the anti-colonial Boxer Rebellion. Following this event, the U.S. imposed a $30 million indemnity on China, part of which President Theodore Roosevelt later redirected to fund scholarships for Chinese students to study in the U.S. Tsinghua was initially founded as a preparatory school for these scholarship recipients.

Guided by its motto, “self-discipline and excellence,” Tsinghua has become one of China’s most prestigious institutions. It boasts prominent alumni, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, who earned a degree in chemical engineering in 1979. The university has also hosted distinguished speakers like Tony Blair, Henry Kissinger, and Bill Clinton.

Academically, Tsinghua encompasses 20 schools and 57 departments across diverse fields, from engineering and sciences to arts, medicine, and social sciences. Xinya College, its residential liberal arts program launched in 2014, offers students a flexible curriculum, allowing them to declare majors at the end of their first year.

The university’s campus in Beijing’s Haidian district is steeped in history, occupying the site of former Qing Dynasty royal gardens. Blending traditional Chinese landscaping with Western architectural influences, the campus is celebrated for its beauty and cultural heritage, rivaling that of Peking University.