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Beijing Jiaotong University campus
Beijing Jiaotong University logo
Beijing, ChinaQS #771

Beijing Jiaotong University

China’s railway university — engineering the world’s largest high-speed rail network

Founded in 1896 as the Imperial Chinese Railway College, Beijing Jiaotong University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in China and the birthplace of the country’s railway, telecommunications and modern management education. Located on Xizhimen’s Main Campus in Haidian District, with the Weihai Campus in Shandong, BJTU is a 211 Project and Double First Class university whose designated first-class disciplines — Systems Science and Transportation Engineering — rank first in China. Its State Key Laboratory of Rail Traffic Control and Safety underpins the signalling, dispatching and safety systems used across China’s 45,000-kilometre high-speed rail network. For international students, BJTU offers English-taught degrees in computer science, software engineering, transportation and civil engineering, alongside Chinese-taught tracks and a preparatory Chinese program, hosting more than 1,700 international students from over 100 countries.

Project 211Double First-Class
QS World Ranking
#771
Location
Beijing, China
Founded
1896
International Students
1,700+
Teaching Language
English / Chinese
Tuition
CNY 29,000 - 40,000 / year
Intake
September
Application Deadline
June 30
Why Choose

Why Choose Beijing Jiaotong University

Key reasons international students choose Beijing Jiaotong University for their studies in China.

China’s Top Transportation Discipline

Transportation Engineering and Systems Science are Double First Class disciplines ranked first nationally in China.

Rail Traffic Control Laboratory

Hosts the State Key Laboratory of Rail Traffic Control and Safety, China’s only national lab in this field.

Founded In 1896

One of China’s oldest universities and the origin of its railway, telecommunications and management education.

High-Speed Rail Industry Pipeline

Direct partnerships with China State Railway Group, CRRC and metro operators create internships and graduate roles.

Belt And Road Rail Training

Trains railway engineers and managers for partner countries building new rail corridors across Asia and Africa.

Information Engineering Strength

Strong communication, computer science and intelligent transport systems programs inside Beijing’s technology corridor.

Rankings & Recognition

Academic Reputation

National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.

QS World University Ranking#771
China National Ranking#41
National Designations
Project 211Double First-Class
Programs

Programs for International Students

Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Beijing Jiaotong University.

Computer Science & Technology

Bachelor
Language: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 33,800 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: BJTU Freshman Scholarship eligible
Check Eligibility

Software Engineering

Bachelor
Language: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 33,800 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: BJTU Freshman Scholarship eligible
Check Eligibility

Transportation Engineering

Bachelor
Language: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 29,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Beijing Government Scholarship eligible
Check Eligibility

Civil Engineering

Bachelor
Language: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 29,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Beijing Government Scholarship eligible
Check Eligibility

Transportation Planning & Management

Master
Language: English
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 35,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Check Eligibility

Information & Communication Engineering

Doctor
Language: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Check Eligibility
Admission

Admission Requirements

What you need to apply to Beijing Jiaotong University as an international student.

  • Academic RequirementsHigh school diploma with solid mathematics and physics results for bachelor’s; a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree for graduate programs.
  • Language RequirementsEnglish-taught: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80, or prior education in English. Chinese-taught: HSK Level 4 or above, with Level 5 required for most engineering majors.
  • Entrance AssessmentFrom the 2026 intake all undergraduate applicants must submit a China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA) score report.
  • Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, graduation certificate, study plan, language certificate, recommendation letters and a non-criminal record certificate.
  • Application DeadlineScholarship applicants: April 30. Self-funded applicants: June 30.
  • Application FeeCNY 500, non-refundable, paid through the BJTU International Student Service System.
  • Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required after admission and re-checked in Beijing after arrival.
  • Visa DocumentsBJTU 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 29,000 - 40,000 / year
Accommodation
CNY 1,200 – 1,800 / monthOn-campus international dormitory
Application Fee
CNY 500 (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 70,000 – 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 at BJTU.
Deadline: April 30

Beijing Government Scholarship

Coverage: Partial tuition award for degree-seeking international students studying in Beijing.
Eligibility: Admitted or enrolled international students with strong academic records.
Deadline: April 30

BJTU Freshman Scholarship

Coverage: Full or partial tuition award for outstanding incoming international freshmen.
Eligibility: Undergraduate applicants with excellent high school transcripts, language results and CSCA scores.
Deadline: April 30

BJTU Outstanding Student Scholarship

Coverage: Partial tuition award renewed annually on academic performance.
Eligibility: Enrolled self-funded degree students maintaining excellent grades and conduct.
Deadline: April 30
Campus Life

Life on Campus

What daily student life looks like at Beijing Jiaotong University.

Xizhimen City Campus

The Main Campus sits beside Xizhimen inside the Second Ring Road, minutes from three subway lines and central Beijing.

International Dormitories

On-campus residences with single and double rooms, private bathrooms, air conditioning and campus internet.

Engineering Library Collections

A library with China’s most complete railway and transportation literature plus major international databases.

Complete Sports Facilities

Running track, football pitch, indoor gymnasium, swimming pool and courts open to all enrolled students.

Rail And Robotics Societies

Student teams build intelligent transport, model railway and robotics projects for national engineering competitions.

Affordable Campus Canteens

Several canteens including halal and international counters, with typical meals costing CNY 12 to 25.

Research & Innovation

Research Strengths

Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Beijing Jiaotong University.

Rail Traffic Control And Safety

A State Key Laboratory developing the signalling, dispatching and safety systems used on China’s rail network.

High-Speed Rail Systems

Research on train control, track dynamics, energy efficiency and operations planning for high-speed lines.

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Work on urban traffic modelling, autonomous rail operation, sensing networks and transport big data.

Systems Science Research

China’s first-ranked systems science discipline, applied to logistics, network optimisation and safety modelling.

Tunnel And Bridge Engineering

Civil engineering research on underground structures, bridges and geotechnics for major rail and metro projects.

International Rail Collaboration

Joint research and training programs with railway universities and operators across Europe, Asia and Africa.

Career Outcomes

Graduate Outcomes

Where a degree from Beijing Jiaotong University can take you after graduation.

Railway And Metro Employers

Graduates join China State Railway Group, CRRC, metro operators and international rail contractors.

Infrastructure And Construction

Strong outcomes with China Railway Group, CRCC and engineering consultancies delivering global rail projects.

Technology Sector Recruitment

Computer science and software graduates recruited by internet, telecoms and intelligent transport companies.

Logistics And Supply Chain

Transportation and management graduates enter logistics, freight, aviation and supply chain operations.

Research And Doctoral Pathways

Many graduates continue to doctoral study at BJTU or leading transportation universities worldwide.

Global Railway Alumni Network

Alumni hold senior roles in national railway administrations and rail companies across Asia and Africa.

Student Support

International Student Support

How Beijing Jiaotong 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 laboratory placement.

Chinese Language Support

Mandarin courses for English-track students, plus a one-year preparatory Chinese program for degree entry.

Health Services

Campus clinic access, compulsory insurance enrolment and help with referrals to Beijing hospitals.

Emergency Assistance

Round-the-clock campus security and international 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 cultural festivals across 100+ countries.

Timeline

Application Timeline

Key dates and milestones for applying to Beijing Jiaotong University.

  1. December – January

    Applications Open

    The BJTU International Student Service System opens for the September intake.

  2. January – April

    Sit The CSCA Assessment

    Undergraduate applicants register for and complete the China Scholastic Competency Assessment.

  3. By April 30

    Scholarship Deadline

    Submit your application and CSCA score report to be considered for scholarship awards.

  4. By June 30

    Self-Funded Deadline

    Final date for self-funded applicants to complete their application and upload documents.

  5. June – July

    Admission Results

    Schools review applications and successful candidates receive Admission Notices and scholarship decisions.

  6. July

    JW202 & Visa Documents Issued

    BJTU sends your Admission Notice and JW202 form so you can begin your visa application.

  7. July – August

    Apply For X1 Visa

    Apply for your X1 student visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.

  8. 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 Jiaotong University.

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