101 Foreign Languages Taught
More languages than any other Chinese university, covering every country with which China holds diplomatic relations.
Beijing, China
Beijing Foreign Studies University
The Cradle of Diplomats — 101 languages, one gateway between China and the world
Founded in 1941 as the Russian department of the Yan’an Anti-Japanese Military and Political University, Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is the oldest and most prestigious foreign-language university in China and is directly affiliated with the Ministry of Education. It teaches 101 foreign languages — more than any other university in the country — and covers every language of the nations with which China maintains diplomatic relations. Over 400 BFSU alumni have served as ambassadors and more than 1,000 as counsellors, earning the university its reputation as the “Cradle of Diplomats”. Its East and West campuses on North Xisanhuan Road in Haidian District hold Double First Class status in Foreign Languages and Literatures, host the national headquarters for Confucius Institute teacher training and operate the high-level China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UN interpreter training pipelines. For international students, BFSU offers English-taught bachelor’s degrees in business, finance and translation, elite Chinese language training, and a graduate route into diplomacy, translation and international communication careers.
Project 211Double First-Class
- Location
- Beijing, China
- Founded
- 1941
- International Students
- 1,200+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 26,000 - 39,900 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- June 30
Why Choose
Why Choose Beijing Foreign Studies University
Key reasons international students choose Beijing Foreign Studies University for their studies in China.
Cradle Of Chinese Diplomats
Over 400 alumni have served as ambassadors and more than 1,000 as diplomatic counsellors worldwide.
Double First Class Languages
Foreign Languages and Literatures holds national Double First Class status and ranks first in China.
Confucius Institute Headquarters
Hosts national Chinese-teacher training bases and runs Confucius Institutes across more than 20 countries.
Elite Interpreter Training
Conference interpreting programs feed China’s foreign ministry, UN agencies and international organisations.
English-Taught Business Degrees
International Business School offers full English bachelor’s degrees in finance, trade and marketing.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
China National Ranking#79
National Designations
Project 211Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
International Business
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 39,900 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Beijing Government Scholarship eligible
Finance (International Finance)
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 39,900 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Beijing Government Scholarship eligible
International Economics & Trade
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 39,900 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Beijing Government Scholarship eligible
Translation & Interpreting
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 26,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: BFSU Scholarship for Self-Funded Students eligible
Chinese Language & Literature
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 26,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Beijing Government Scholarship eligible
International Chinese Language Education
MasterLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Beijing Foreign Studies University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsHigh school graduation with strong results in language and humanities subjects for bachelor’s; a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree for graduate programs.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80, or proof of prior education in English. Chinese-taught bachelor’s: HSK Level 4 or above, with HSK 5 required for Chinese language and literature.
- Entrance AssessmentApplicants are assessed on documents plus a written test and interview in the language of the program, held online or on the Beijing campus.
- Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, graduation certificate, personal statement, language certificate, two recommendation letters, financial proof and a non-criminal record affirmation.
- Application DeadlineScholarship applicants: April 30. Self-funded applicants: June 30.
- Application FeeCNY 800, non-refundable, paid through the online application system at study.bfsu.edu.cn.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required after admission and re-checked in Beijing after arrival.
- Visa DocumentsBFSU issues the JW202 form and Admission Notice so you can apply for an X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy.
Tuition & Scholarships
Costs & Funding
Transparent tuition, living costs and scholarship options for international students.
Cost Breakdown
- Annual Tuition
- CNY 26,000 - 39,900 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 1,000 – 2,400 / monthOn-campus international student dormitory
- Application Fee
- CNY 800 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearCompulsory comprehensive insurance for international students
- Estimated Living Cost
- CNY 2,500 – 4,000 / monthMeals, transport & personal expenses
Estimated First-Year CostCNY 65,000 – 105,000
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Coverage: Full tuition, on-campus accommodation, monthly stipend and comprehensive insurance.
Eligibility: Outstanding non-Chinese applicants for master’s or doctoral degrees, applied through an embassy or directly to BFSU.
Deadline: April 30
Beijing Government Scholarship
Coverage: Partial tuition award for degree-seeking international students studying in Beijing.
Eligibility: Admitted or enrolled degree students with strong academic records; the BFSU application form is issued each autumn.
Deadline: April 30
Confucius Institute Scholarship
Coverage: Tuition, accommodation, stipend and insurance for Chinese language and teaching-related programs.
Eligibility: Applicants for Chinese language, International Chinese Language Education or Chinese studies programs, usually nominated by a Confucius Institute.
Deadline: May 31
BFSU Scholarship for Self-Funded Students
Coverage: Partial tuition award renewed annually on academic performance.
Eligibility: Self-funded degree students maintaining excellent grades and conduct at BFSU.
Deadline: April 30
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
Multilingual Campus Community
Students studying 101 languages create an environment where dozens of languages are spoken daily across campus.
International Dormitories
Dedicated international student residences on the West Campus with single and double rooms and shared kitchens.
Foreign Language Library
One of China’s richest foreign-language collections, with multilingual periodicals and translation reference resources.
Language & Culture Festivals
Annual language festivals where each department stages performances, food and traditions from its region.
Sports & Fitness Facilities
Gymnasium, running track, football pitch and indoor courts across the East and West campuses.
Central Haidian Location
North Xisanhuan Road sits beside Line 6 and Line 16 subway links to embassies, museums and the city centre.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Beijing Foreign Studies University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
Foreign Language Studies
National-level research base in foreign languages and literatures, the discipline in which BFSU ranks first in China.
Regional & Country Studies
Dozens of national research centres analysing the politics, economies and cultures of individual world regions.
Translation & Lexicography
Leading Chinese–foreign dictionary compilation and translation studies, including major state publishing projects.
International Communication
Research on China’s global communication, public diplomacy and cross-cultural discourse for government partners.
Chinese Teaching Research
National base for training Chinese language teachers and developing international Chinese education standards.
Language Technology & Corpora
Corpus linguistics, computational translation and AI-assisted language learning research and platforms.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Beijing Foreign Studies University can take you after graduation.
Diplomacy & Government Service
Graduates enter foreign ministries, embassies and international organisations — BFSU’s defining career pathway.
Translation & Interpreting Careers
Conference interpreters and translators recruited by UN agencies, ministries and global consultancies.
Multinational Business Roles
Business school graduates join international banks, trading firms and China operations of global companies.
Media & Communication
Strong placement in international broadcasting, publishing, journalism and cross-border communication agencies.
Education & Academia
Alumni teach Chinese and foreign languages at universities, Confucius Institutes and international schools.
Global Alumni Network
A worldwide network spanning embassies, international bodies and multinational firms opens doors after graduation.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Beijing Foreign Studies University helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
Help reserving an on-campus international dormitory room or nearby housing before you arrive in Beijing.
Residence Permit
Guided assistance converting your X1 visa into a residence permit within 30 days of arrival.
Orientation
Orientation week covers registration, campus systems, safety, banking and life in Beijing.
Academic Advising
School-level advisors support course selection, credit planning and language-track placement.
Chinese Language Support
All-level Mandarin courses and HSK preparation for English-track and degree-preparatory students.
Health Services
Campus clinic access, compulsory insurance enrolment and help with referrals to Beijing hospitals.
Emergency Assistance
Round-the-clock campus security and Overseas Students Affairs Office contacts for urgent situations.
Visa Guidance
Support with JW202 forms, visa renewals, exit-entry procedures and travel documentation.
Student Community
International student associations, national societies and language festivals across dozens of countries.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Beijing Foreign Studies University.
- December – January
Applications Open
The BFSU international student online application system opens for the September intake.
- January – April
Prepare Documents & Language Proof
Assemble transcripts, personal statement, recommendation letters and your IELTS, TOEFL or HSK certificate.
- By April 30
Scholarship Deadline
Submit your application to be considered for CSC, Beijing Government and BFSU scholarship awards.
- April – June
Written Test & Interview
Shortlisted applicants sit a language written test and interview in the language of their program.
- By June 30
Self-Funded Deadline
Final date for self-funded applicants to complete their application and upload all documents.
- June – July
Admission Results
Schools review applications and successful candidates receive Admission Notices and scholarship decisions.
- July – August
JW202 Issued & X1 Visa
BFSU sends your Admission Notice and JW202 form so you can apply for an X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy.
- Early September
Arrival & Registration
Arrive in Beijing, move into your dormitory, register, complete the medical check—then classes begin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Beijing Foreign Studies University.
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