Painted interpretation inspired by BFSU’s multilingual library and leafy Beijing campus
Beijing Foreign Studies University official seal

BFSUBeijing, China

International undergraduate study

Beijing Foreign Studies University

北京外国语大学

Languages and global connections in Beijing

  • Founded 1941
  • Project 211
  • Double First-Class
Verified official sourcesUpdated 9 October 2026
QS ranking#1201–1400
LocationBeijing
Teaching languageChinese and English
Degree length4 years
Tuition guideRMB 26k–39.9k
Application statusSpring 2027 open

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

Founded in 1941. A specialist university for languages and international affairs, with business, media and computing options in Beijing.

Explore BFSU’s story and strengths

A specialist with international roots

BFSU began in 1941 and is a public university directly under China’s Ministry of Education. It belongs to Project 211 and the Double First-Class initiative; its 985 Innovation Platform participation is separate from Project 985 university membership.

Language expertise across professions

Languages, literature, translation and regional studies shape its identity. International undergraduate options connect these strengths with diplomacy, journalism, business and language intelligence.

Two neighbouring Beijing campuses

East and West campuses sit on opposite sides of North Xisanhuan Road in Haidian. The multilingual library, international student community and city setting give BFSU a distinctive everyday character.

  • Build specialist language expertise

    Study Chinese, translation or English in a university shaped by language education and international affairs.

  • An international campus community

    Meet students from around the world through school activities, language exchanges and cultural events.

  • Beijing within reach

    Enjoy Haidian’s neighbourhood life and use weekends to explore the capital’s museums, parks and historic streets.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK 4–6 · by programme Chinese and bilingual degrees: requirements vary by school Scores, alternatives & exam details
ProgrammeRequirement
Chinese / TCSOLHSK 4 · above 180
Chinese–foreign language translationHSK 5 · 180+; matching native language
Chinese-taught businessHSK 5 · 180+; each section above 60
DiplomacyHSK 5 · 180+; English also required
Journalism / CommunicationHSK 5 · above 180; no section below 60
Diplomatic translation & interpretingHSK 6 · above 210 or equivalent

Accepted alternatives

  • Business: HSK 4 at 240+, with each section above 70, can receive a conditional offer
  • Equivalent proficiency is accepted for journalism, computing and diplomatic translation where their school guide allows it.

Pure English studies and English-taught business have no published HSK entry requirement. Other language majors have no common numerical HSK floor in the 2026 catalogue; computing accepts HSK/equivalent without a published score. The table follows linked degree-school guides, including older standing rules.

English language IELTS 6.0–6.5 · English degrees Business and English studies have different score thresholds Scores, alternatives & exam details
ProgrammeRequirement
English-taught businessIELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 79
English studies / diplomatic translationIELTS 6.5 or equivalent
DiplomacyIELTS 6.0 or equivalent
Journalism / CommunicationIELTS 5.5 or equivalent

Accepted alternatives

  • Business also accepts TOEIC 750 or Duolingo 110
  • English studies and diplomatic translation waive English evidence for native English speakers; no general business waiver is published.

Chinese-taught does not always mean Chinese-only: diplomacy and media programmes also require English. Diplomatic translation requires both languages despite its English catalogue heading. School language rules apply to degree entry; exchange thresholds are different.

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by BFSU

Competitive estimateChinaStudyGuide target

Our competitive estimate is planning guidance, not an official admission requirement.

04/ 11CSCA

Do you need CSCA?

General admissionRequired
Chinese Government ScholarshipRequired
Which CSCA subjects do you need?
Chinese

Humanities Chinese for Chinese-taught options; STEM Chinese for Language Intelligence. Chinese-related degrees can waive this paper with valid HSK 4.

By programme
Mathematics

Required for all 31 catalogue options, including the programmes under the English heading.

Required
Physics

No listed undergraduate option requires this paper.

Not required
Chemistry

No listed undergraduate option requires this paper.

Not required

The English catalogue group, including diplomatic translation, lists Mathematics only. The Chinese-related exemption covers the three School of Chinese Language and Literature options; Mathematics remains required. No general minimum CSCA score is published. The Silk Road guide allows preparatory study for applicants without results.

Official programme papers ↗ · CSCA registration and test information ↗

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Choose your teaching language and programme.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose your programme

Match your degree, teaching language and available intake. School deadlines can be earlier than the university’s general window.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

Personal statement

All applicants

Write at least 500 words in your programme’s teaching language, explaining your academic background, choice of BFSU and study goals.

Recommendation letters

Selected schools / scholarships

IBS, English studies and media ask for two references; computing asks current school students for two teacher letters. The Chinese Language Teachers scholarship needs a letter from the head of a recommending institution.

Study plan and CV

Media / English studies

Media applicants prepare a Chinese or English CV and a study plan of at least 1,500 characters/words. English studies asks for an English CV; this is additional to the general statement.

All other required documents

  • Graduation certificate and transcripts

    Submit completed high-school records or expected-graduation evidence. Provide your grading-scale explanation and show the original diploma at registration.

  • CSCA score report

    Submit the paper combination for your programme and HSK evidence for any Chinese-paper exemption.

  • Language certificates

    Upload HSK and/or the accepted English test evidence required by your school; scholarship thresholds may be higher.

  • Passport and nationality evidence

    Upload your ordinary foreign passport’s identity page. Applicants in China also upload visa/residence and latest entry pages. Former Chinese nationals or applicants with Chinese parents need the prescribed nationality evidence.

  • Affirmation, guarantee and guardian records

    Sign the university’s admission commitment and sponsor guarantee forms. Include school custody forms and the guardian’s ID where required; applicants under 18 need approval, a birth certificate and notarised guardian documents in China.

  • Photographs and school-specific records

    Supply the school’s requested identity photos; transfers from Chinese universities need study, transfer/withdrawal and relevant academic records.

  • Employment approval

    Working applicants need an employer’s permission to study or evidence of employment termination.

  • Scholarship documents

    Include the scheme’s application form and required health, language or nomination evidence. Silk Road requires a physical examination record valid for six months; Teachers Scholarship adds its commitment and custody forms.

Upload clear colour scans. The general guide requests certified English translations for non-English academic documents; individual schools and scholarship schemes also accept Chinese/English records with certified translations where specified. Special-nationality applicants need four years of foreign nationality and more than two years abroad within the previous four; the 2026 reference date is 30 April.

BFSU application portal Email admissions

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

31 options
Browse all 31 options

BFSU undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorSchool / departmentLanguage
E-commerceInternational Business SchoolEnglish
Business Administration (International Marketing)International Business SchoolEnglish
Business Administration (Chinese Business Studies)International Business SchoolEnglish
International BusinessInternational Business SchoolEnglish
Finance (International Finance)International Business SchoolEnglish
International Economics and TradeInternational Business SchoolEnglish
English (Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, English Literature, Social and Cultural Studies)School of English and International StudiesEnglish
English (Country and Area Studies)School of English and International StudiesEnglish
English (Foreign Language Education)School of English and International StudiesEnglish
Translation & Interpreting (Advanced Translation & Interpreting in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs)School of English and International StudiesChinese / English
DiplomacySchool of International Relations and DiplomacyChinese
Computer Science and Technology (Language Intelligence)School of Information Science and TechnologyChinese
E-commerceInternational Business SchoolChinese
Business Administration (International Marketing)International Business SchoolChinese
Business Administration (Chinese Business Studies)International Business SchoolChinese
International BusinessInternational Business SchoolChinese
AccountingInternational Business SchoolChinese
Information Management and Information System (Big Data and Business Analysis)International Business SchoolChinese
Finance (Financial Technology)International Business SchoolChinese
International Economics and TradeInternational Business SchoolChinese
ArabicSchool of Arabic StudiesChinese
GermanSchool of German StudiesChinese
RussianSchool of Russian StudiesChinese
ZuluSchool of African StudiesChinese
SwahiliSchool of African StudiesChinese
ItalianSchool of European Languages and CulturesChinese
Communication StudiesSchool of International Journalism and CommunicationChinese / English
JournalismSchool of International Journalism and CommunicationChinese / English
Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other LanguagesSchool of Chinese Language and LiteratureChinese
Chinese Language and LiteratureSchool of Chinese Language and LiteratureChinese
Chinese Language and Literature (Chinese-Foreign Language Translation)School of Chinese Language and LiteratureChinese

How you choose your majorChoose your programme and teaching language when applying. Journalism, Communication and diplomatic translation require both Chinese and English. Most options start in autumn; English business and the Chinese-related catalogue group also list spring. The older Chinese-school guide restricts its translation track to autumn, so spring availability for that track is unresolved.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Annual budget

What will one year cost?

Estimated annual total · RMB82,200

Tuition

RMB / year26,000Published tuition reference

Accommodation

RMB / year30,000Living-cost estimate

Food

RMB / year18,000Living-cost estimate

Transport

RMB / year1,800Living-cost estimate

Other costs

RMB / year6,400Living-cost estimate
What’s included in the estimate?

Tuition

Published annual fee for the selected undergraduate option.

Accommodation

Campus room or shared private rental allowance.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 × RMB 2,500

Food

Campus meals, groceries and occasional meals out.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 × RMB 1,500

Transport

Metro, bus and occasional taxi journeys.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: 12 × RMB 150

Other costs

Books, phone and essentials, including medical insurance.

ChinaStudyGuide estimate: RMB 5,600 essentials + RMB 800 insurance

Tuition follows the 2026 catalogue; new-cycle rates are unconfirmed. Living estimates cover 12 months. The RMB 800 application fee, flights, visa costs and housing deposits are excluded.

09/ 11Scholarships

Big ambitions. Extra support.

National scholarship

Chinese Government Scholarship · Type A

FundingFull or partial support
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Tuition support
  • Accommodation and stipend for full awards
  • Medical insurance for full awards

Coverage, award duration and preparatory study depend on the home-country scheme.

Application
Apply through your home-country authority or Chinese embassy, the CSC system and the BFSU portal. The authority sets its deadline.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate entry under the current catalogue.
Selection
Nomination, BFSU’s eligibility and academic review, and CSC approval. Usually high-school graduates under 25; availability depends on your national scheme.
Official scholarship details
National scholarship

CSC Silk Road · Chinese translation

FundingFull scholarship
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Tuition and accommodation
  • RMB 2,500/month stipend
  • Medical insurance

Four-year Chinese–foreign language translation. Approved off-campus study receives RMB 700/month housing support; travel is self-funded.

Application
Apply in both BFSU and CSC Type B systems, agency 10030. The 2026–27 deadline was 1 June 2026 and is closed.
CSCA
Chinese and Mathematics; HSK 4 at 180+ waives Chinese. Applicants without results follow the guide’s preparatory-study provision.
Selection
Under 25, high-school graduation and good results. Restricted to New Zealand, Portugal, Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Russia. HSK 4 at 180+ is preferred.
Official scholarship details
Municipal scholarship

Beijing Government Scholarship · Category C

FundingTuition + insurance
Competition*High

Coverage

  • One academic year of tuition
  • RMB 800 medical insurance

In principle, undergraduates receive Category C only. It does not cover accommodation or living expenses; future-year support is not guaranteed.

Application
Upload the scholarship form in the BFSU application portal. Standing deadlines: 30 November for spring and 5 June for autumn.
CSCA
Undergraduate applicants must submit a CSCA score report.
Selection
High-school graduates under 25; average 80/100 or GPA 3.0. Chinese-taught degree applicants need at least HSK 4 and their programme’s higher threshold where applicable.
Official scholarship details
Business school funding

IBS freshman scholarship

Funding10–100% reference award
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Published scholarship percentages from 10% to 100%
  • Final amount set by the IBS scholarship committee

The GPA table is a reference, not a guaranteed tuition reduction. At GPA 3.2/4 it starts at 10%; GPA 3.6 is the 100% reference point.

Application
Apply through IBS with a ranking certificate, school references and supporting achievements; scholarship assessment includes language and Mathematics exams.
CSCA
CSCA remains required for admission; the school’s scholarship exams are additional.
Selection
Minimum GPA 3.2/4 for scholarship consideration. Academic record, school rank, wider achievements, recommendations and examinations all contribute; no confirmed 2027 award calendar is published.
Official scholarship details
Chinese language education

International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarship

FundingFull scholarship
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Tuition and accommodation
  • RMB 2,500/month stipend
  • Medical insurance

Up to four years for the Chinese teaching bachelor’s degree. Approved off-campus residence can receive RMB 700/month housing support.

Application
Apply with a recommending institution through the official scholarship system and BFSU portal. The September 2026 degree deadline was 30 May 2026 and is closed.
CSCA
The degree follows BFSU’s Chinese-related CSCA rules; valid HSK 4 can waive Chinese, while Mathematics remains required.
Selection
Normally ages 18–24, high-school graduation, HSK 4 at 210+ and HSKK Intermediate at 60+, with tests valid for two years. Eligible employed teachers may receive a test-certificate exemption. Annual review applies.
Official scholarship details
After enrolment

BFSU International Student Scholarship

FundingRMB 10,000–15,000
Competition*Merit-based

Coverage

  • First class: RMB 15,000
  • Second class: RMB 12,000
  • Third class: RMB 10,000

One lump-sum award for eligible enrolled self-funded degree students; do not count it as guaranteed first-year funding.

Application
Apply through Digital BFSU’s One-stop Service Platform, usually in mid-May under the annual notice.
CSCA
No additional CSCA requirement for this award; entry rules are separate.
Selection
Academic results, attendance, conduct, school recommendation and university review. Funds are paid to the recipient’s bank account in China.
Official scholarship details

* Competition levels are ChinaStudyGuide estimates. Published 2026 and standing rules are shown; new-cycle awards are unconfirmed. IBS also lists enrolled-student academic, leadership and Dean’s awards, whose individual amounts are unpublished.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Beijing base.

On campus

International student dormitories

Single and twin rooms across East and West campuses.

Reservation requiredLocations & practical details
Locations
East Campus and West Campus residences, including the White Building and Guonei buildings.
Best for
Students wanting a campus base and convenient access to classes and university facilities.
Plan for
Published per-person rates: twin/shared bathroom RMB 40/day; White Building single/shared RMB 60/day; White Building single/private or twin/private RMB 70/day; other singles/private RMB 90–100/day. Reserve through the BFSU portal; availability and assigned building vary.
Off campus

Private rental in Beijing

Choose your location, room type and sharing arrangement.

Independent arrangementLocations & practical details
Locations
Haidian neighbourhoods around North Xisanhuan Road; check the actual journey to your teaching building.
Best for
Students who prefer greater independence or need an alternative to campus housing.
Plan for
The annual budget allows RMB 2,500/month for accommodation. Private rents vary with sharing, location and room quality; allow separately for deposits and utilities. Register your temporary accommodation with the local police within 24 hours of moving in.

Have a housing backup. An admission offer alone does not reserve a particular room. Keep an alternative until your room reservation is confirmed.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted illustration of an imagined entrance inspired by BFSU’s East Campus
A leafy campus welcome
Painted interpretation inspired by Beijing’s historic cityscape
Beyond the campus gates

Beijing after class

Beijing combines historic neighbourhoods, museums and large parks with a busy contemporary capital. A Haidian campus base gives you a student routine, with the wider city available for food, culture and weekends.

Campus routine

Make the multilingual library, study groups and school activities part of your week. Chinese Corner, cultural workshops and language exchanges offer ways to meet people beyond your own programme.

Around Haidian

East and West campuses share an established Beijing neighbourhood along North Xisanhuan Road. Local food, cafés and nearby parks offer everyday breaks from study.

Weekends in Beijing

Explore hutongs, museums, the Summer Palace and city parks. Plan bigger outings around your workload, and prepare for hot summers and cold, dry winters.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Checked 27 October 2026. Fees and programmes follow the 2026 catalogue; the general prospectus gives a spring application window of 15 October–15 December 2026. Fall 2027 dates and fees are unpublished. School guides include standing rules published in 2023–24.

School deadlines can be earlier than the general window. The 2026 catalogue and older Chinese-school guide disagree on spring entry for the Chinese translation track. Diplomatic translation and media require Chinese as well as English under their degree guides; exchange-course requirements are separate. Academic estimates, competition labels and living budgets are ChinaStudyGuide planning guidance.