First University Of New China
Established in 1949 as the People’s Republic’s first new higher-education institution, created specifically for finance.
Beijing, China
Central University of Finance and Economics
The cradle of Chinese finance — training the nation’s financial leaders since 1949
Founded on 6 November 1949 as the first higher-education institution established by the People’s Republic of China, the Central University of Finance and Economics (CUFE) is directly affiliated with the Ministry of Education and is widely known as the “cradle of Chinese finance managers and financiers”. A 211 Project and Double First Class university, CUFE ranks 2nd among China’s finance and economics universities and 42nd overall on the 2026 ShanghaiRanking, and its Applied Economics discipline — designated a Double First Class construction discipline — earned an A+ rating in the national discipline evaluation. The university operates the Xueyuan South Road campus in Haidian District, close to Beijing’s Financial Street and regulatory institutions, and the larger Shahe campus in Changping District. CUFE offers English-taught and Chinese-taught degrees from bachelor’s to doctoral level across finance, accounting, taxation, insurance, statistics and business, and hosts a deliberately selective international community of over 450 students, giving small cohorts direct access to faculty who advise China’s financial policymakers.
Project 211Double First-Class
- Location
- Beijing, China
- Founded
- 1949
- International Students
- 450+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 30,000 - 45,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- June 25
Why Choose
Why Choose Central University of Finance and Economics
Key reasons international students choose Central University of Finance and Economics for their studies in China.
Top 2 Finance And Economics
Ranked 2nd among Chinese finance and economics universities and 42nd nationally on the 2026 ShanghaiRanking.
A+ Applied Economics Discipline
Applied Economics holds an A+ national rating and Double First Class status — achieved by very few universities.
Financial Regulator Access
Faculty advise the central bank and financial regulators, bringing live policy into finance and taxation classrooms.
Banking Alumni Pipeline
Alumni lead Chinese banks, securities firms, insurers and Big Four practices, opening internships few rivals can match.
Small Selective Cohorts
With roughly 450 international students, classes stay small and faculty contact is direct rather than crowded.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
China National Ranking#42
National Designations
Project 211Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Central University of Finance and Economics.
Finance
BachelorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Beijing Government Scholarship eligible
Accounting
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CUFE International Student Scholarship eligible
International Economics & Trade
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CUFE International Student Scholarship eligible
Business Administration (MBA)
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 2 years
Tuition: CNY 45,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Applied Economics
MasterLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 3 years
Tuition: CNY 35,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Finance & Banking
DoctorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 42,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Central University of Finance and Economics as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsHigh school diploma with strong mathematics results for bachelor’s; a relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s and a master’s degree for doctoral programs.
- Language RequirementsEnglish-taught: IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo scores, or proof that prior education was in English. Chinese-taught: HSK Level 4 to 5 depending on the program.
- Selection ProcessDocument review by the admitting school, followed by an online interview for most graduate and English-taught undergraduate applicants.
- Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, graduation certificate, study plan or research proposal, language certificate, two recommendation letters and a non-criminal record certificate.
- Application DeadlineFirst round closes March 25. Second round runs April 1 to June 25.
- Application FeeCNY 600, non-refundable, paid through the CUFE online application system.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required after admission and re-checked in Beijing after arrival.
- Visa DocumentsCUFE 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 30,000 - 45,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 1,000 – 2,000 / monthOn-campus international dormitory
- Application Fee
- CNY 600 (one-time)
- Medical Insurance
- CNY 800 / yearMandatory 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 CUFE.
Deadline: March 25
Beijing Government Scholarship
Coverage: Partial tuition award for degree-seeking international students studying in Beijing.
Eligibility: Admitted or enrolled international degree students with strong academic records.
Deadline: March 25
CUFE International Student Scholarship
Coverage: Full or partial tuition award renewed annually on academic performance.
Eligibility: Self-funded degree students maintaining excellent grades and conduct.
Deadline: June 25
Chinese Language Preparatory Scholarship
Coverage: Tuition support for one year of intensive Chinese before entering a Chinese-taught degree.
Eligibility: Applicants admitted to Chinese-taught programs who need to reach the required HSK level.
Deadline: June 25
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Central University of Finance and Economics.
Two Campus Structure
Undergraduates begin at the spacious Shahe campus in Changping before moving to Xueyuan South Road in Haidian.
International Dormitories
On-campus residences with single and double rooms, private bathrooms and study desks for international students.
Economics Library Collections
Specialist holdings in finance, taxation and accounting plus Bloomberg, Wind and CSMAR financial databases.
Sports And Fitness
Running tracks, football pitches, basketball courts and indoor gyms across both the Shahe and Haidian campuses.
Finance And Case Competitions
Student societies run investment clubs, accounting case contests and financial modelling competitions each year.
Beijing Subway Connections
Both campuses sit on Beijing subway lines, putting Financial Street, the CBD and the city centre within easy reach.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Central University of Finance and Economics.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Central University of Finance and Economics.
Applied Economics A+ Research
A Double First Class discipline rated A+ nationally, anchoring research in finance, taxation and monetary policy.
Public Finance Policy Research
Institutes advising on Chinese fiscal reform, tax policy and government budgeting at national and provincial level.
Capital Markets And Banking
Research centres studying Chinese securities markets, banking regulation, insurance and systemic financial risk.
FinTech And Financial Data
Work on financial technology, big-data analytics and quantitative risk modelling for Chinese financial institutions.
Accounting And Auditing Standards
Studies on Chinese accounting standards, corporate governance and audit practice used by regulators and firms.
International Economics Partnerships
Joint research and exchange agreements with business schools and economics faculties across Europe, Asia and America.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Central University of Finance and Economics can take you after graduation.
Banking And Securities Careers
Graduates join Chinese commercial banks, securities houses, fund managers and insurance groups across the country.
Big Four And Consulting
Strong accounting and audit recruitment into the Big Four firms and international consultancies based in Beijing.
Regulatory And Public Sector
Alumni work inside financial regulators, tax authorities, state institutions and multilateral development bodies.
Graduate Study Pathways
Many graduates progress to master’s and doctoral study at CUFE or leading economics faculties worldwide.
Finance Employer Recognition
A CUFE degree carries exceptional weight with Chinese financial employers who actively target its graduates.
Financial Alumni Network
Alumni hold senior positions across China’s banks, exchanges, insurers and financial regulatory institutions.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Central University of Finance and Economics 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 thesis supervision.
Chinese Language Support
Mandarin courses for English-track students, plus preparatory Chinese programs for degree entry.
Health Services
Campus clinic access, mandatory 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 in a close-knit cohort.
Timeline
Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for applying to Central University of Finance and Economics.
- December – January
Applications Open
The CUFE international student online application system opens for the September intake.
- January – March
Prepare Documents
Assemble transcripts, language certificates, study plan, recommendation letters and passport scans.
- By March 25
First Round & Scholarship Deadline
Submit in the first round to be considered for CSC and Beijing Government Scholarship awards.
- April – June
Interviews & Assessment
Admitting schools review documents and invite shortlisted applicants to an online interview.
- By June 25
Second Round Deadline
Final date for self-funded applicants to complete their application and upload documents.
- June – July
Admission Results
Successful candidates receive Admission Notices along with any scholarship decisions.
- July – August
JW202 Issued & Apply For X1 Visa
CUFE sends your JW202 form so you can apply for an X1 student visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate.
- 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 Central University of Finance and Economics.
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