Beijing, Beijing · Founded 1952 · Project 985 · Project 211 · Double First Class
Beihang University 北京航空航天大学
Beihang University (formerly Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics) is China's top university for aerospace engineering, aeronautics, propulsion and flight control. It designs aircraft, satellites and drones and runs major national wind tunnels.
Overview
Beihang University (formerly Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics) is China's top university for aerospace engineering, aeronautics, propulsion and flight control. It designs aircraft, satellites and drones and runs major national wind tunnels.
Its international programmes are focused on aerospace, mechanical engineering, computer science and management, and it attracts students from countries with emerging aerospace industries.
History
Beihang was founded in 1952 by merging the aeronautical departments of Tsinghua, Beiyang, Xiamen, Sichuan and Yunnan universities, making it the first aeronautical university in China. It was one of the first national key universities designated in 1959.
Renamed Beihang University in 1988, it expanded into computer science, materials, automation and management while retaining its core in flight vehicle design and propulsion. It joined Project 211 (1997), Project 985 (2001) and Double First Class (2017).
The university runs the National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Aero Engines and the National Key Laboratory of Virtual Reality Technology, and its alumni lead much of China's aviation and commercial drone industry.
World rankings, 2017–2026
| Edition | QS | ARWU | THE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 451 | 301–400 | 801–1000 |
| 2018 | 445 | 301–400 | 801–1000 |
| 2019 | 421 | 251–300 | 601–800 |
| 2020 | 425 | 201–300 | 601–800 |
| 2021 | 458 | 201–300 | 501–600 |
| 2022 | 486 | 151–200 | 501–600 |
| 2023 | 521 | 151–200 | 401–500 |
| 2024 | 473 | 151–200 | 351–400 |
| 2025 | 452 | 151–200 | 301–350 |
| 2026 | 441 | 151–200 | 251–300 |
Compilations such as this one can lag a publisher's revisions; verify the current figure at source.
Campuses
| Campus | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Xueyuan Road Campus (Main) | 37 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing | Main campus in Beijing's university district; aerospace and international student services. |
| Shahe Campus | Changping District, Beijing | New base for flight vehicle engineering, flight testing and the Beihang Flight Academy. |
| Beihang Hangzhou Innovation Institute | Hangzhou, Zhejiang | Research and graduate education in aerospace, AI and microelectronics. |
Faculty and research
Beihang University employs around 3,800 academic staff, including about 26 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering. 26 national academy members. Supervisors in the School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering and the School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering accept English-language doctoral students.
Discipline strength
| Discipline | National grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aeronautical & Astronautical Science | A+ | Ranked first in China continuously since the discipline rankings began. |
| Instrument Science & Technology | A+ | Inertial navigation and flight control instruments. |
| Materials Science & Engineering | A+ | High-temperature alloys and composites for aircraft. |
| Control Science & Engineering | A | Guidance and control for flight vehicles. |
| Computer Science & Technology | A | Virtual reality, software reliability and embedded systems. |
| Mechanical Engineering | A | Lightweight structures and precision manufacturing. |
| Management Science & Engineering | A | Operations research with an aerospace focus. |
| Transportation Engineering | A | Air traffic management. |
Grades follow China's national discipline evaluation scheme (A+ is the highest). Consult the university for the most recent evaluation results.
Programmes open to international students
| Programme | Level | Language | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineering | Master / PhD | English | 2–3 / 4 years |
| Mechanical Engineering | Bachelor / Master | English | 4 / 3 years |
| Computer Science and Technology | Bachelor / Master | English | 4 / 3 years |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | MBA | English | 2 years |
| Chinese Language Programme | Language | Chinese | 0.5–1 year |
Admissions, tuition and deadlines
Requirements
Bachelor: high school diploma with strong mathematics and physics, entrance examination, IELTS 6.0 or HSK 5. Graduate: degree, transcripts, two recommendation letters, research proposal.
Deadlines and fees
Deadlines: Bachelor: December – April. Graduate: December – April.. Application fee: CNY 600. Tuition: CNY 24,000–30,000 per year for bachelor's; CNY 30,000–45,000 for master's.
Scholarships
Chinese Government Scholarship, Confucius Institute Scholarship, Beijing Municipal Government Scholarship, Beihang President Scholarship.
Notable alumni
| Alumnus | Field | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Qi Faren | Spacecraft engineer | Chief designer of the Shenzhou spacecraft. |
| Wang Jun | Aerospace engineer | Academician and leader in Chinese aircraft design. |
| Zhang Xiaodong | Entrepreneur | Co-founder of Chinese drone manufacturer Zero Zero Robotics. |
| Li Wei | Engineer | Alumnus and chief designer of China's C919 avionics systems. |
Why students choose this university
- Unmatched aerospace and aviation research access
- 1,600 international students in a focused, engineering-led environment
- Alumni lead COMAC, AVIC and the commercial drone sector