China’s Top Education Faculty
Ranked first nationally in education, shaping the country’s curriculum, teacher standards and education policy for over a century.
Beijing, ChinaQS #237
Beijing Normal University
China’s leading university for education, psychology and Chinese studies since 1902
Founded in 1902 as the Education Department of the Imperial University of Peking, Beijing Normal University (BNU) is the oldest and most influential teacher-education institution in China and a 985, 211 and Double First Class university. Its main campus sits on Xinjiekouwai Street in Haidian District, minutes from central Beijing, with a second campus in Zhuhai. BNU holds China’s number one national rankings in education and psychology, and its Chinese language and literature, geography, and drama and film disciplines are equally distinguished. For international students, BNU is the natural destination for education, psychology, Chinese language, international relations and China studies — combining English-taught master’s and doctoral degrees, one of the country’s oldest Chinese-teaching traditions and a community of more than 2,000 international students from over 100 countries.
Project 985Project 211Double First-Class
- QS World Ranking
- #237
- Location
- Beijing, China
- Founded
- 1902
- International Students
- 2,000+
- Teaching Language
- English / Chinese
- Tuition
- CNY 24,000 - 40,000 / year
- Intake
- September
- Application Deadline
- March 10
Why Choose
Why Choose Beijing Normal University
Key reasons international students choose Beijing Normal University for their studies in China.
Leading Psychology And Neuroscience
China’s number one psychology discipline, home to the State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning.
Pioneer Of Teaching Chinese
One of the earliest and most respected centres for teaching Chinese as a foreign language and training Mandarin teachers.
Elite Humanities Disciplines
Top-tier Chinese language and literature, history, philosophy and folklore studies with nationally renowned scholars.
Geography And Disaster Science
National key laboratories in surface processes, remote sensing and disaster risk reduction advising UN and government bodies.
Central Beijing Location
Main campus inside the Second Ring Road area, walking distance to subway lines, museums and cultural institutions.
Rankings & Recognition
Academic Reputation
National designations and world rankings that signal academic strength and prestige.
QS World University Ranking#237
China National Ranking#19
National Designations
Project 985Project 211Double First-Class
Programs
Programs for International Students
Explore the degree programs and academic strengths available to international students at Beijing Normal University.
Chinese Language & Literature
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 24,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: BNU New International Student Scholarship eligible
Chinese Language (Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages)
BachelorLanguage: Chinese
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 24,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Confucius Institute Scholarship eligible
Comparative Education
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 2 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Educational Leadership & Policy
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 2 years
Tuition: CNY 30,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: Beijing Government Scholarship eligible
International Relations & China Studies
MasterLanguage: English
Duration: 2 years
Tuition: CNY 33,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Psychology
DoctorLanguage: English
Duration: 4 years
Tuition: CNY 40,000 / year
Intake: September
Scholarship: CSC full scholarship eligible
Admission
Admission Requirements
What you need to apply to Beijing Normal University as an international student.
- Academic RequirementsHigh school diploma with solid academic results for bachelor’s; a relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s and a master’s degree for doctoral programs.
- Language RequirementsChinese-taught: HSK Level 5 with a score of 180 or above. English-taught: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90, or proof that your previous degree was taught in English.
- Academic DocumentsNotarised transcripts and degree certificates, a study plan or research proposal, and two academic recommendation letters for graduate applicants.
- Required DocumentsPassport, transcripts, graduation certificate, study plan, language certificate, recommendation letters and a non-criminal record certificate.
- Application DeadlineChinese Government Scholarship applicants: January 25. General and self-funded applicants: March 10.
- Application FeeCNY 600, non-refundable, paid through the BNU online application system.
- Medical ExaminationA Foreigner Physical Examination Form is required after admission and re-checked in Beijing after arrival.
- Visa DocumentsBNU issues the JW201 or 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 24,000 - 40,000 / year
- Accommodation
- CNY 1,800 – 2,900 / monthOn-campus international student apartment
- 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 60,000 – 95,000
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 both the CSC and BNU systems.
Deadline: January 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 10
BNU New International Student Scholarship
Coverage: Partial tuition award for outstanding incoming degree students.
Eligibility: First-year self-funded international students with excellent academic and language results.
Deadline: March 10
Confucius Institute Scholarship
Coverage: Tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend and insurance for Chinese language and teaching-focused programs.
Eligibility: Applicants for Chinese language, Chinese literature or Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages programs.
Deadline: May 20
Campus Life
Life on Campus
What daily student life looks like at Beijing Normal University.
On-Campus Apartments
International student apartments on the main campus with single and double rooms booked online after admission.
Humanities Library Collections
One of China’s richest collections in education, psychology, classical Chinese texts and folklore studies.
Museums And Art Galleries
Campus museums of folk culture and art give students direct access to Chinese cultural heritage collections.
Central Sports Facilities
Gymnasium, swimming pool, running track and courts inside a compact campus you can cross in minutes.
Calligraphy And Arts Societies
Strong student traditions in calligraphy, choir, drama and dance reflecting the university’s humanities identity.
Inner-City Subway Access
Jishuitan and Xinjiekou stations put the Forbidden City, Houhai and central Beijing within a short ride.
Gallery
Campus Gallery
A visual tour of Beijing Normal University.
Research & Innovation
Research Strengths
Research capacity and innovation ecosystem at Beijing Normal University.
Cognitive Neuroscience & Learning
State Key Laboratory studying brain development, reading, language and learning disorders in children.
Education Policy Research
National institutes advising the Ministry of Education on curriculum reform, teacher standards and assessment.
Earth Surface Processes
National key laboratory on surface processes and resource ecology, with major remote sensing capacity.
Disaster Risk Reduction
An academy of disaster reduction and emergency management collaborating with United Nations agencies.
Chinese Language Corpora
Long-running research on Chinese linguistics, literature and folklore built on major national text corpora.
International Education Networks
UNESCO-linked teacher education projects and joint research with universities across Asia, Europe and Africa.
Career Outcomes
Graduate Outcomes
Where a degree from Beijing Normal University can take you after graduation.
Education Sector Careers
Graduates lead schools, curriculum bodies, teacher-training colleges and international education organisations.
Chinese Teaching Worldwide
Mandarin teaching and Chinese-language education roles in schools, institutes and universities across the world.
Psychology And Counselling
Careers in educational psychology, counselling, assessment, research institutes and child development services.
Policy And Public Sector
Roles in ministries, embassies, cultural institutions, NGOs and international development organisations.
Education Technology Industry
Beijing’s large education technology and publishing sector recruits BNU graduates for content and research roles.
Global Educator Alumni Network
Alumni include ministers of education, school leaders and prominent scholars across China and abroad.
Student Support
International Student Support
How Beijing Normal University helps international students settle in and succeed.
Accommodation Assistance
Guidance on booking an on-campus international apartment online or finding housing near the campus.
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
Faculty supervisors and program coordinators guide course selection, research design and thesis planning.
Chinese Language Support
Mandarin courses from beginner to advanced, taught by one of China’s most experienced Chinese-teaching faculties.
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 JW201 and 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 Normal University.
- Mid November
Applications Open
The BNU international student online application system opens for the following September intake.
- November – January
Prepare Documents
Assemble transcripts, degree certificates, language certificates, study plan and recommendation letters.
- By January 25
CSC Scholarship Deadline
Chinese Government Scholarship applicants submit through both the CSC portal and the BNU system.
- By March 10
General Application Deadline
Final date for self-funded and other scholarship applicants to complete their online application.
- April – June
Review And Admission Results
Faculties review applications, hold interviews where required and issue Admission Notices and scholarship decisions.
- June – July
JW Form & Visa Documents Issued
BNU sends your Admission Notice and JW201 or JW202 form so you can begin your visa application.
- July – August
Apply For X1 Visa
Apply for your X1 student visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your home country.
- Early September
Arrival & Registration
Arrive in Beijing, move into your apartment, register, complete the medical check—then classes begin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions international students ask most about Beijing Normal University.
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