Beijing, China

Renmin University of China

中国人民大学 · RUC

A leading Beijing university for humanities, social sciences, law, economics and business

Everything you need to know before applying to Renmin University of China — from entry requirements and language requirements to CSCA, degree choices, costs, scholarships and student life.

Check language fit Compare admission routes

✓ Verified against official RUC admissions sourcesLast updated 7 August 2026

QS ranking#=5212027 World University Rankings

LocationBeijingHaidian and Tongzhou

Main languageChinese and EnglishGlobal BBA is in English

Degree length4 yearsUndergraduate study

Tuition guideRMB 24k–36kPer academic year

Application status2026 closedAll published deadlines passed

About Renmin University of China

Overview

RUC traces its origins to Shaanbei Public School, founded in Yan'an in 1937. Renmin University of China formally opened in Beijing in 1950, initially with departments including economics, finance, trade, law and diplomacy, and held a formal reopening assembly in 1978.

That history still shapes the university's identity. RUC has become one of China's leading centres for humanities and social sciences, with particular depth in economics, law, journalism, international relations, sociology, public administration and business. Most international undergraduates study in Chinese alongside domestic students; Global BBA is the principal English-taught option.

Why choose RUC

Exceptional access to Chinese humanities and social sciences in Beijing, plus an English-taught Global BBA with a built-in overseas study year.

What to watch

Chinese-taught degrees usually require advanced HSK scores. Every route requires CSCA, and published minimum grades are limited.

Best-fit student

You have strong academic results and want serious study in economics, law, business, politics, society, media or Chinese culture.

Not ideal for

You need many English-taught subject choices, do not want to take CSCA or prefer a science- and engineering-led university.

Study language

Language requirements

Chinese language

HSK 4, 5 or 6 depending on subject

Chinese Language requires HSK 4 with 180; other humanities and social-science degrees require HSK 6 with 180; science and technology degrees require HSK 5 with 210. Native Chinese speakers and applicants educated in Chinese may request an exemption. Meeting the minimum makes you eligible, but it does not necessarily mean you are ready for full-time Chinese-medium study.

English language

IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 90 for Global BBA

Global BBA accepts IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 90 or equivalent English proficiency. Native English speakers and applicants with at least three years of full-time education in English may be exempt when they provide supporting documents. Chinese-taught degrees do not publish a general IELTS or TOEFL requirement.

Important for planning Choose your route before booking a test. The Chinese requirement changes by subject, while Global BBA uses English evidence and does not require HSK.

Academic fit

Entry requirements

Qualification	Official RUC guidance	ChinaStudyGuide estimate
A-Level	No general minimum score published	*AAB-AAA; aim AAA or AAA for the most selective social-science and business choices**
IB	No general minimum score published	34-38+; aim 36-39+ for the most selective choices
SAT / AP	No general minimum score published	SAT 1350+; aim 1450+ with strong relevant AP results
UEC	No general minimum score published	Strong results in five or more relevant subjects
Other	Full-time high-school diploma or equivalent required	Strong results in your national curriculum

RUC requires a full-time high-school qualification but does not publish general minimum scores for these curricula. The competitive targets above are ChinaStudyGuide planning guidance only and are not official admission requirements.

Admissions assessment

CSCA

CSCA is required for all published RUC international undergraduate routes, including Global BBA.

Do I need CSCA?

General undergraduate admissionYes

Chinese Government ScholarshipYes

Required subjects by RUC degree

Most Chinese-taught degrees: Professional Chinese (Humanities) + Mathematics
Big Data Management and Applications or Applied Psychology: Professional Chinese (STEM) + Mathematics
Global BBA: Mathematics in English

What the Chinese papers mean: CSCA calls these two papers Professional Chinese (Humanities) and Professional Chinese (STEM). They assess the academic Chinese used in humanities and social-science study, or in mathematics, science and technology study. Both are taken in Chinese. Chinese Language applicants with a valid HSK 4 result may be exempt from Professional Chinese (Humanities), but Mathematics remains required.

Choose your route

Admission routes

AClosed for 2026

Chinese-taught degrees

Suitable if you meet the subject-specific HSK requirement and want RUC's broad humanities and social-science catalogue.

Application window: 1 Jan-31 Mar 2026
CSCA: Professional Chinese (Humanities or STEM) + Mathematics
Language: HSK 4 / 5 / 6 by subject
Assessment: Qualification review and school-level assessment

Official route details ↗

BClosed for 2026

Global BBA in English

Suitable if you want Business Administration taught in English, including one academic year at an overseas partner.

Application window: 1 Jan-31 May 2026
CSCA: Mathematics in English
English: IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 90 or accepted exemption
Assessment: Document review and interview if shortlisted

Official route details ↗

2026 applications are closed: The published dates remain useful for understanding the timing of each route.

From application to arrival

Application process

1
Choose the exact route and subject
Confirm the teaching language, tuition, HSK level and CSCA papers in the current guide and catalogue.
2
Complete CSCA and the language test
Take the required CSCA papers and obtain the relevant HSK or English-language result before applying.
3
Apply online and pay
Upload the required documents in RUC's application system and pay the non-refundable RMB 800 application fee.
4
Complete qualification review
Monitor the system and correct any rejected or incomplete information before the route's review deadline.
5
Complete the academic assessment
Chinese-taught applicants receive separate school-level assessment instructions; Global BBA candidates may be invited to interview.
6
Receive the admission decision
RUC planned to release 2026 decisions from May to June for Chinese-taught degrees and April to July for Global BBA.
7
Prepare for registration
Arrange your X1 visa, insurance and accommodation, then bring original documents for verification in late August or early September.

Documents to preparePassport, academic records, CSCA, language evidence, personal statement, recommendation and supporting documents

Start early

Required documents vary by programme and nationality background. Prepare them early so you have time to check translations and programme-specific requirements.

01Personal statement

Chinese-taught applicants write at least 1,000 Chinese characters. Global BBA applicants write in English about their experience, achievements, plans and career direction.

02CSCA score report

Register for the exact Chinese- or English-language papers required by your route and allow time for the result to be issued.

03Recommendation letter

Use one signed letter from a teacher, class teacher, school leader or other authorised official, with the referee's role and contact details.

04Passport identification page
05High-school diploma or expected-graduation certificate
06Academic transcripts and scoring-system explanation
07Language certificate or approved exemption evidence for the chosen route
08Statement of guarantee and proof of at least RMB 30,000 in financial capacity
09Certificate of no criminal record and Foreigner Physical Examination Form
10Nationality proof where required under Ministry of Education rules
11Guardian document if under 18, plus an art portfolio or other route-specific material where required

Documents not issued in Chinese or English may need a notarised translation.

Before you submit

Your readiness checklist

Application readiness0 / 6 completed

Confirm the application routeChinese-taught degree or Global BBA in English Check the current deadlineAll 2026 routes are now closed Register for the correct CSCA papersChinese route papers differ from Global BBA Mathematics in English Secure language evidenceHSK 4 / 5 / 6 or IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 90 as applicable Budget for the full routeAnnual tuition ranges from RMB 24,000 to 36,000 Prepare for assessmentExpect a school-level assessment or Global BBA interview

Open application portal ↗ Email admissions

Academic choice

Subjects

27 Chinese-taught catalogue entries plus the English-taught Global BBA.

Major / option	Admissions category / programme	School / college	Teaching language
History of the Communist Party of China	History & Politics	School of CPC History and Party Building	Chinese
Philosophy	Philosophy & Ethics	School of Philosophy	Chinese
Chinese Classical Studies	Chinese Classics	School of Chinese Classics	Chinese
Chinese Language and Literature	Language & Literature	School of Liberal Arts	Chinese
Painting	Fine Arts	School of Arts	Chinese
Design	Art & Design	School of Arts	Chinese
Chinese Language	Language	School of Chinese Studies and Cultural Exchange	Chinese
Finance	Economics & Finance	School of Finance	Chinese
Public Finance	Economics & Finance	School of Finance	Chinese
Economics	Economics	School of Economics	Chinese
International Economics and Trade	Economics	School of Economics	Chinese
Economics category	National Economic Management / Energy Economics	School of Applied Economics	Chinese
Law	Law	Law School	Chinese
Journalism and Communication category	Journalism / Broadcasting / Advertising / Communication	School of Journalism and Communication	Chinese
International Politics	International Relations	School of International Studies	Chinese
Diplomacy	International Relations	School of International Studies	Chinese
Social Work	Sociology	School of Sociology and Population Studies	Chinese
Sociology	Sociology	School of Sociology and Population Studies	Chinese
Business Administration category	Accounting / Financial Management / Marketing / Trade Economics / Business Data	Renmin Business School	Chinese
Public Administration	Public Management	School of Public Administration and Policy	Chinese
Land Management	Public Management	School of Public Administration and Policy	Chinese
Urban Planning and Management	Public Management	School of Public Administration and Policy	Chinese
Information Resources Management	Information Management	School of Information Resource Management	Chinese
Archival Studies	Information Management	School of Information Resource Management	Chinese
Big Data Management and Application	Information Management	School of Information Resource Management	Chinese
Agricultural Economics and Management category	Rural Regional Development / Agricultural Economics	School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development	Chinese
Applied Psychology	Psychology	Department of Psychology	Chinese
Global BBA / Business Administration	Global BBA	Renmin Business School	English

Fees & funding

TuitionAnnual tuition reference

Degree lengthChoose a planning period

AccommodationRMB 20,000Indicative annual student budget

MealsRMB 30,000Indicative annual student budget

TransportRMB 3,000Indicative annual student budget

MiscellaneousRMB 7,000Insurance, residence permit, books, medical checks and initial setup

Estimated Year 1 BudgetExcludes the RMB 800 application fee, flights and private-rental deposits

RMB 0

Indicative full-degree budgetBefore inflation or tuition changes

RMB 0

Funding your degree

Scholarships

Scholarship	Typical cover	Difficulty	CSCA?	Key note
Chinese Government Scholarship	Full or partial support according to the award	Very high	Yes	Applications may be made through a home-country dispatching authority or an RUC-linked CSC route where available. Follow the current CSC and RUC instructions.
Beijing Government Scholarship	Full or partial tuition support depends on the award	High	Yes	RUC publishes the detailed process separately. This is the only scholarship named in the 2026 Global BBA guide.

Where you may live

Accommodation

On-campus option

International student dormitories

RUC offers single and double rooms for new international students. Enrolled students receive a Room Reservation Form with current room conditions, prices and booking instructions before registration.

Best for: Students who want a simpler campus routine
Plan for: Campus assignment, room type, booking window and annual availability

Off-campus option

Private rental in Beijing

Private rental offers more independence but usually means higher costs, deposits and a longer commute. Check whether your degree is based at Zhongguancun or Tongzhou before choosing an area.

Best for: Students who want independence or do not secure a dormitory
Plan for: Commute, deposit, utilities, contract checks and police registration within 24 hours

RUC does not guarantee a specific room until booking is confirmed. Keep an off-campus backup plan and contact the housing office if the reservation form is delayed.

Life in Beijing

Student life

RUC offers a social-science-led academic environment in Beijing, with access to public institutions, media, finance, culture and a large international student community. Daily life differs between the established Zhongguancun campus and the newer Tongzhou campus.

校

Campus

Zhongguancun places students in Beijing's university district; Tongzhou offers newer facilities farther east. Confirm your teaching location before choosing accommodation.

京

City life

Beijing provides museums, public lectures, cultural institutions and extensive public transport, but budgeting and commute planning matter.

语

Language

Chinese is central to most RUC degrees and everyday administration. Global BBA students still benefit greatly from practical Mandarin outside class.

业

Career exposure

RUC is particularly relevant for students interested in government, law, economics, finance, business, journalism, diplomacy and public policy.

Compare choices

Compare other universities

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