Peking University - Beijing, China

Peking University, the former Jing Shi Da Xue Tang (the Metropolitan University) of the Qing Dynasty, was founded in December 1898. It is considered one of the best and most prestigious universities in mainland China and is the second oldest Chinese university. Peking University’s policy is to use the English name for Beijing in its name but it is still sometimes unofficially called “Beijing University.”

The University consists of 30 colleges and 12 departments, and it has 216 research institutes and research centers, 2 national engineering research centers, 81 key national disciplines, and 12 national key laboratories. Peking University enrolls 46,074 students, of which 2,530 are international students from 80 countries.

Through the years, Peking University has developed into a center for teaching and research, combining various disciplines such as pure and applied sciences, social sciences and the humanities, and sciences of management and education. Its aim is to place itself among the world’s best universities. The campus, known as "Yan Yuan" - the gardens of Yan - is situated at the northeast of the Haidian District in the western suburbs of Beijing. It stands near the Yuan Ming Gardens and the Summer Palace.

Accreditation

Peking University is accredited by the Chinese Ministry of Education. In most academic rankings of Chinese universities, Peking University is generally considered one of the top two universities in China.

Programs Hosted

Beijing study abroad programs

Host City Description

Beijing is China's capital and second largest city, after Shanghai. It is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of the country, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields. Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. Before 1949, the city was known as Peking in the Western world, while after that the city's name returned to Beijing.

It is believed that Beijing was the largest city in the world from 1425 to 1650 and from 1710 to 1825. Now it is the 17th largest city in the world with a population of about 17 million.

Most Beijing residents belong to the Han Chinese majority. Other ethnic minorities include the Manchu, Hui, and Mongol. A sizeable international community exists in Beijing, mostly attracted by the fast growing foreign business and trade sector. Many foreigners live in the densely populated northern and eastern sections.

Overall, Beijing is a remarkable city to study abroad in and will give you insight into China's past, present and future. You will witness thousands of years of art, culture and history that are rooted in Beijing's long-standing place in the center of Chinese society. At the same time, Beijing is the political and cultural hub of present-day China and, as such, is setting the pace of China's current modernization, development and growth.