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Last modified: 2026-09-30

# Beihang University (BUAA): Admission, Fees and Scholarships

Beihang University (北京航空航天大学, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics) is China's leading university for aerospace engineering, a 211, 985 and "Double First-Class" institution ranked joint 185th in the THE World University Rankings 2027. International students can choose from more than 50 Chinese-taught bachelor's majors, 11 English-taught and 8 French-taught ones. Bachelor's tuition is $3,730 (CNY 25,000) a year in Chinese and $4,480 (CNY 30,000) in English; master's tuition is $5,220 (CNY 35,000). The key limits: bachelor's applicants must be 18–22, the CSCA score must be uploaded by 30 May and the application completed by 30 June.

The new main building of Beihang University in Beijing. Photo: brianchenming / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_Main_Build.jpg), [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0).

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Campuses | Beijing: Xueyuan Road (Haidian District) and Shahe; Hangzhou International Campus |
| Founded | 1952, as the first aeronautics and astronautics university of the People's Republic |
| Status | one of China's first 16 key universities; 211, 985, Double First-Class |
| Size | more than 48,000 students and 6,200 staff |
| Ranking | THE World University Rankings 2027: joint 185th |
| Bachelor's tuition | $3,730 (CNY 25,000) in Chinese; $4,480 (CNY 30,000) in English and for biomedical engineering, design and painting |
| Master's tuition | $5,220 (CNY 35,000) a year |
| Language | HSK 5 (180+) for Chinese-taught programmes; TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.0 for English-taught |
| Bachelor's age limit | 18–22 |
| Housing | Beijing: $4 (CNY 30) per night for a twin-room bed; Hangzhou: $300–370 (CNY 2,000–2,500) a year |

## Who Beihang suits {#section-1}

Beihang was founded in 1952 as the People's Republic's first aeronautics and astronautics university and remains tied to the country's major aerospace projects: the C919 airliner, Long March rockets, the Tiangong space station, the BeiDou navigation system and the Chang'e lunar programme. Its core subjects follow from that: aircraft and spacecraft design, propulsion, control and navigation, reliability engineering, materials, electronics, computing and artificial intelligence.

Beihang is a good fit if you:

- are strong in mathematics and physics and want aerospace, robotics or computing specifically;
- can study in Chinese at HSK 5 level or reach IELTS 6.0 for an English-taught programme;
- value Beijing's research environment and internship market.

Look elsewhere if you are over 22 and want a bachelor's degree, since Beihang's age limit is stricter than many universities', or if your Chinese is at HSK 3–4. In that case a language year or the Hangzhou "Foundation + Bachelor" programme (below) is more realistic. For other technical options in the capital, compare [Tsinghua University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tsinghua) and our guide to [universities in Beijing](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-beijing); for marine and nuclear engineering, see [Harbin Engineering University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-harbin-engineering).

## Bachelor's programmes in Chinese, English and French {#section-2}

In the first year international students take foundation courses in mathematics, physics and language at the International School, then move to their major school from year two. The standard length is four years and the maximum six; graduation requires all compulsory credits and a defended thesis or project.

### English-taught (11 programmes)

| School | Programme | CSCA papers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Information Engineering | communication engineering | mathematics, physics |
| Aeronautic Science and Engineering | flight vehicle design and engineering; low-altitude technology and engineering | mathematics, physics |
| Computer Science and Engineering | computer science and technology | mathematics, physics |
| Mechanical Engineering and Automation | mechanical engineering; robotics engineering | mathematics, physics |
| Reliability and Systems Engineering | safety engineering; quality and reliability engineering | mathematics, physics |
| Artificial Intelligence | artificial intelligence | mathematics, physics |
| Biological Science and Medical Engineering | biomedical engineering | mathematics, physics, chemistry |
| Economics and Management | international economics and trade | mathematics |

English-taught applicants take the English version of the CSCA and do not sit Professional Chinese.

### Chinese-taught

The 2026 list includes more than 50 majors. Science and engineering majors (materials, electronics, automation, energy, aeronautics and astronautics, computing, software, microelectronics, physics, transport, AI) require Science Chinese, mathematics and physics; materials science and applied chemistry take chemistry instead of physics, and biomedical engineering both. Economics and management, law, English, public administration, visual communication design and painting require Humanities Chinese and mathematics, and art majors also need a portfolio. Our [HSK exam guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-hsk-exam-guide) explains what level you realistically need.

### French-taught

The École Centrale de Pékin and the Sino-French Aviation Institute teach bachelor's programmes mainly in French: mathematics, computing, applied physics, engineering mechanics, transport, aircraft airworthiness, measurement and control, and electronic engineering. It is a niche route for French speakers, so check language and test requirements separately.

## Bachelor's requirements and documents {#section-3}

Eligibility: foreign citizenship with a valid passport, age 18–22 and a secondary-school certificate. Applicants under 18 on 1 September of the entry year need a notarised guardianship letter from an adult with an income who lives in the campus city, Beijing or Hangzhou.

Language: HSK 5 with at least 180 points within two years for Chinese-taught programmes; TOEFL 90, IELTS 6.0 or a school certificate of English-medium study for English-taught programmes.

Documents (scans only; no hard copies at application):

1. a passport valid until at least 1 March of the year after entry;
2. school certificate or expected-graduation certificate, with the original checked at registration;
3. transcripts for all high-school years;
4. CSCA score report;
5. language certificate;
6. the Foreigner Physical Examination Form and a blood test, both within six months;
7. a letter from a financial sponsor and proof of the sponsor's means: savings covering four years of tuition, or annual income of at least $4,480 (CNY 30,000);
8. birth certificate;
9. documents showing both parents' nationality at the time of your birth;
10. a criminal record certificate issued within six months;
11. an integrity commitment letter;
12. optional awards and competition certificates.

Documents not in English or Chinese need notarised translations. The non-refundable $60 (CNY 400) application fee must be paid before document review begins, and neither your email address nor your passport can change until enrolment. See [applying to Chinese universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-chinese-universities) for general rules.

## Admission calendar {#section-4}

| Step | 2026 intake |
| --- | --- |
| admission.buaa.edu.cn opens | 1 November 2025 |
| CSCA score upload deadline | 30 May 2026 |
| Application and document deadline | 30 June 2026 |
| Pre-admission | three rounds: March, April, June |
| Official admission | July |
| Registration | August or September |

Based on the last cycle, the 2027 intake should open in early November 2026. The 2026/27 CSCA cycle has six sessions: 14–15 November and 19–20 December 2026, then 23–24 January, 13–14 March, 24–25 April and 26–27 June 2027, with scores released within 10 working days. For the March pre-admission round, sit the test between November and January. The June session falls after the 30 May score-upload deadline, so April is the last realistic attempt. See our [CSCA exam guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-csca-exam-guide).

## "Foundation + Bachelor" in Hangzhou {#section-5}

For applicants with good English but less academic confidence, Beihang runs a "Foundation + Bachelor" programme at its Hangzhou International Innovation Institute, open to school leavers aged 18–22 with TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.0.

| Item | 2026 intake |
| --- | --- |
| Bachelor's majors | computer science (AI and big data), international economics and trade (digital trade), biomedical engineering |
| Deadline | 10 March |
| Foundation course | April–July, $1,190 (CNY 8,000) including housing, plus $60–75 (CNY 400–500) each for the medical check, insurance and visa extension |
| Bachelor's | four years from August/September, $4,480 (CNY 30,000) a year; housing $300–370 (CNY 2,000–2,500) a year |
| Progression | a CSCA score, passing the foundation exams, at least 95% attendance and an interview |

A Type A Chinese Government Scholarship for this route is open only to that year's school leavers. For comparison, see the [foundation year in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-foundation-year-in-china).

## Master's degrees {#section-6}

Master's applicants need a bachelor's degree and must be under 35. Programmes last two to three years and cost $5,220 (CNY 35,000) a year. Chinese-taught study requires HSK 5 (180+); English-taught study IELTS 6.0, TOEFL 90 or Duolingo 105, with GRE scores optional. Beihang expects, in principle, every master's applicant to provide an acceptance letter from a prospective supervisor, together with a research plan of at least 1,000 words, two recommendations from professors or associate professors, a CV and proof of funds.

English-taught fields include aerospace science and technology, mechanics, mechanical engineering, control science, power engineering, computer science and software engineering, materials, transportation, biomedical engineering, safety, cyberspace security, integrated circuits, management science and applied economics. The master's in Russian language and literature is taught in Russian and the German one in German; for a Russian-studies graduate that is a rare option to study in Beijing in their own language, but check the language requirements before applying. Beihang also hosts the UN-affiliated Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific, which runs its own English-taught master's in space technology applications and space project management. The 2026 deadline was 30 June. See [master's degrees in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-china).

## Chinese language courses {#section-7}

| Item | Rule |
| --- | --- |
| Age | 18–55 |
| Levels | Elementary A (from zero) and B, Intermediate A–C, Advanced (HSK 5–6) |
| Workload | 20 class hours a week, groups of at least five |
| Autumn 2026 | 1 September 2026 – 6 January 2027; full year to 6 July 2027 |
| Fees | $1,340 (CNY 9,000) per semester, $2,570 (CNY 17,200) per year; registration fee $60 (CNY 400) |
| Housing | $4 (CNY 30) per night; late applicants arrange their own |
| Deadline | 15 July 2026 for autumn |

There is also an elementary scientific Chinese course for science and engineering students. Graduates receive a transcript and certificate. Compare options in [Chinese language programmes in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-chinese-language-programs-in-china).

## Costs {#section-8}

| Item | Amount, 2026 intake |
| --- | --- |
| Chinese-taught bachelor's: science, engineering, economics, law | $3,730 (CNY 25,000) a year |
| Bachelor's: biomedical engineering, visual design, painting, all English-taught programmes | $4,480 (CNY 30,000) a year |
| Master's | $5,220 (CNY 35,000) a year |
| Application fee | $60 (CNY 400), non-refundable |
| Insurance | bachelor's students pay four years upfront, $480 (CNY 3,200); master's students $120 (CNY 800) a year |
| Beijing housing | $4 (CNY 30) per night: about $130 (CNY 900) a month, $1,630 (CNY 10,950) a year |
| Hangzhou housing | $300–370 (CNY 2,000–2,500) a year |

Rooms must be reserved in advance through a procedure announced after admission, and utilities are extra. Example: a Chinese-taught bachelor's student in Beijing pays the university about $5,540 (CNY 37,150) in the first year for tuition, the application fee, one year's share of insurance and 365 nights of housing. Food and personal costs in Beijing are noticeably higher than in provincial cities; see the [cost of studying in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-china), and for payments from Russia [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).

## Scholarships for new students {#section-9}

| Scholarship | Coverage | Conditions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Chinese Government Scholarship, Type A (bilateral) | full or partial for 4 years | Chinese-taught programmes only; apply through your home country's dispatching authority |
| Beihang Outstanding Talents Scholarship | full tuition, housing and a living allowance | current-year school leavers recommended by their school, with strong grades and entrance test results; priority for award winners and inventors |
| Program and Cooperation Scholarship | 100/80/50/20% of tuition | recommendation by a Beihang partner organisation |
| Beijing Government Scholarship | full tuition and insurance | strong grades and test results; awarded per academic year |
| Beihang Self-Supported Students Scholarship | 100/80/50/20% of tuition | as above; awarded per academic year |

For the 2026 intake, applications for university and Beijing scholarships closed on 30 May and had to be submitted with the admission application in the same system; otherwise no scholarship application is recorded. Master's applicants can compete for Chinese Government, Beijing and Beihang awards; in 2026 the Beijing and Beihang form for new postgraduates was due by 17 June. Decisions rest with the university committee or the China Scholarship Council. See also [scholarships abroad in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026).

## Visa and arrival {#section-10}

With the admission letter and JW202 form you apply for an X1 study visa, then for a residence permit after arrival. For language courses shorter than six months the university issues a JW201 or JW202 form depending on length. See our [China student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-china).

## Common mistakes {#section-11}

- Missing the CSCA upload date. Beihang's application deadline is 30 June, but the CSCA score must be in by 30 May.
- Applying at 23. The bachelor's age limit is 22, and the rules list no exceptions.
- Taking the wrong CSCA version. Chinese-taught programmes accept only the Chinese version, English-taught ones only the English version.
- Forgetting parents' nationality documents. Beihang requires them together with your birth certificate.
- Confusing Beihang with other Beijing technical universities. The application must name Beihang University (BUAA), 北京航空航天大学.

## FAQ {#section-12}

### Can I study at Beihang University in English?

Yes. Eleven bachelor's programmes are taught in English, including flight vehicle design, computer science, mechanical engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering and international trade. You need TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.0, and tuition is $4,480 (CNY 30,000) a year. The choice is wider at master's level.

### How much does a bachelor's degree at Beihang cost?

Under the 2026 rules, $3,730 (CNY 25,000) a year for most Chinese-taught programmes and $4,480 (CNY 30,000) for English-taught ones and for biomedical engineering, design and painting. Add the $60 (CNY 400) application fee, $480 (CNY 3,200) of insurance for four years and about $1,630 (CNY 10,950) a year for housing in Beijing.

### What HSK level does Beihang require?

HSK 5 with at least 180 points, taken within the last two years, for Chinese-taught bachelor's and master's programmes. English-taught programmes need no HSK but require TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.0. Chinese language courses accept all levels.

### Are there age limits?

Yes. Bachelor's and "Foundation + Bachelor" applicants must be 18–22, and minors need a guardian in the campus city. Master's applicants must be under 35. Chinese courses are open to people aged 18 to 55.

### Can I get a scholarship for a bachelor's degree at Beihang?

Yes: the Type A Chinese Government Scholarship (Chinese-taught programmes only), the Outstanding Talents Scholarship, the Beijing Government Scholarship and university tuition reductions of 20–100% for self-funded students. The form is submitted with the admission application, and the university committee or scholarship council decides.

### How can StudyU help with a Beihang application?

Choosing the programme and language, checking age and school certificate eligibility, planning CSCA and HSK preparation, collecting financial and parental nationality documents, and submitting the admission and scholarship applications are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission and scholarship decisions rest with Beihang University, and visa decisions with the Chinese consulate.

## Sources {#section-13}

- [Beihang: Undergraduate Program 2026](https://is.buaa.edu.cn/en/lxsq/Undergraduate.htm): eligibility, calendar, documents, fees, housing, scholarships, programme lists
- [Beihang: CSCA Subjects Requirement for International Undergraduate Students 2026](https://is.buaa.edu.cn/en/2026nianbeijinghangkonghangtiandaxueguojixueshengbenkezhuanyeCSCAceshikemuyaoqiu.pdf)
- [Beihang: Foundation + Bachelor Program 2026](https://is.buaa.edu.cn/en/lxsq/fb.htm)
- [Beihang: Master Program](https://is.buaa.edu.cn/en/lxsq/yjs/ssyjs.htm)
- [Beihang: 2026 Chinese Language Program](https://is.buaa.edu.cn/en/lxsq/hyjxs.htm)
- [Beihang: 2026 scholarship notice for new postgraduates](https://is.buaa.edu.cn/en/info/1003/3572.htm)
- [Beihang: Undergraduate Program overview](https://ev.buaa.edu.cn/Admissions/Undergraduate_Program.htm), [Introducing Beihang](https://ev.buaa.edu.cn/About/Introducing_Beihang.htm), [Beihang at a Glance](https://ev.buaa.edu.cn/About/Beihang_at_a_Glance.htm)
- [Times Higher Education: Beihang University](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/beihang-university)

The dollar amounts rely on the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026: one euro was worth USD 1.1355 or CNY 7.6117, so a yuan is about USD 0.1492. Rounding is to the dollar under $100 and to tens above that.

If you want to check your age eligibility and which Beihang programme fits your language level, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply); more profiles are on our [study in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-china) page.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Harbin Engineering University (HEU): Programmes, Fees and Admission](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-harbin-engineering)
- [CSCA Exam Guide: Subjects, 2026/27 Test Dates, Registration and Preparation](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-csca-exam-guide)
- [Studying in China for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-china)
- [Tsinghua University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tsinghua)
- [Universities in Beijing: Where International Students Study, What It Costs and How to Choose](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-beijing)
- [HSK Exam Guide 2026: Levels, the Switch to HSK 3.0 on 13 December, Dates, Fees and Test Centres](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-hsk-exam-guide)

Updated: September 2026