Painted illustration inspired by Renmin University of China’s red-brick Mingde Building and leafy Zhongguancun campus
Renmin University of China official seal

RUCBeijing, China

International undergraduate study

Renmin University of China

中国人民大学

Humanities and social sciences in Beijing

  • Roots in 1937
  • Project 985
  • Project 211
Verified official RUC sourcesUpdated 8 October 2026
QS ranking#=521
LocationBeijing
Teaching languageChinese and English
Degree length4 years
Tuition guideRMB 24k–36k
Application status2026 closed

01/ 11Overview

A remarkable place to begin.

With roots in 1937, RUC has helped shape modern Chinese higher education. Its Beijing campuses bring a distinctive humanities and social-science tradition into student life.

Explore RUC’s story and strengths

History & identity

RUC traces its origins to Shaanbei Public School, founded in Yan’an in 1937. Renmin University of China opened in Beijing in 1950 with departments including economics, law and diplomacy, and marked its reopening in 1978. Today it is a public research university within China’s Double First-Class initiative.

Academic strengths

Humanities and social sciences define RUC’s academic identity, particularly economics, law, journalism, politics, sociology and business. Most international undergraduate options are taught in Chinese; Global BBA provides an English-taught business route.

  • Social-science depth

    Study economics, law, politics or society in a specialist academic environment.

  • A year abroad in Global BBA

    Spend two semesters at overseas partner universities as part of the Global BBA’s international study pathway.

  • Beijing beyond the classroom

    Explore the capital’s museums, cultural life and university neighbourhoods.

02/ 11Language requirements

What language do you need?

Chinese language HSK 4, 5 or 6 by subject Chinese-taught degrees; threshold varies by subject Scores, alternatives & exam details

Chinese Language: HSK 4 at 180+. Other humanities and social sciences: HSK 6 at 180+. Science and technology: HSK 5 at 210+.

Accepted alternatives

  • Native Chinese speakers may request an exemption
  • Prior or current Chinese-medium study, with supporting evidence

HSK reports are valid for two years. Arrange direct delivery to RUC through ChineseTest; applicant-submitted originals are not accepted.

English language IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 90 Global BBA only; no HSK requirement Scores, alternatives & exam details

Global BBA requires a valid IELTS Academic overall 6.0+ or TOEFL iBT 90+. Chinese-taught degrees have no general IELTS or TOEFL threshold.

Accepted alternatives

  • Equivalent proficiency accepted by RUC
  • Native English speakers
  • At least three years of full-time English-medium education, with evidence

English evidence applies to Global BBA. It does not replace Chinese-language eligibility for a Chinese-taught degree.

03/ 11Entry requirements

Your grades. Your starting point.

Compare the published requirement with a competitive target.

Official requirementPublished by RUC

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

Professional Chinese (Humanities) for most Chinese-taught options; Professional Chinese (STEM) for Big Data Management and Applications and Applied Psychology. Global BBA is exempt.

By programme
Mathematics

Required for every published undergraduate route, including Chinese Language and Global BBA.

Required
Physics

Not required by RUC’s published undergraduate catalogue or Global BBA guide.

Not required
Chemistry

Not required by RUC’s published undergraduate catalogue or Global BBA guide.

Not required

Professional Chinese assesses academic Chinese for Humanities or STEM study. Chinese Language applicants with valid HSK 4 may waive the Chinese paper; Mathematics remains required.

Chinese-taught routes take their papers in Chinese; Global BBA takes Mathematics in English. Official exam details

05/ 11Admission routes

Find your way in.

Choose Chinese-taught undergraduate study or the English-taught Global BBA.

Application dates & eligibility
Official route details

06/ 11Application process

From application to arrival.

Step 01

Choose your route

Select a Chinese-taught subject or Global BBA. Match your school preparation to the route’s teaching language, CSCA papers and tuition.

Documents that deserve an early start

Application materials

Personal statement

Both routes

Chinese-taught applicants write at least 1,000 Chinese characters on their background, experiences and university plans. Global BBA applicants write in English about their preparation, achievements and future goals.

Recommendation letter

Both routes · one letter

Ask a school teacher, school leader or authorised referee who knows your work. Include their signature, name, position, institution and email.

Art portfolio

Art applicants only

Prepare work relevant to Painting or Design. RUC issues the specific submission requirements separately.

All other required documents

  • Ordinary passport and China visa pages

    The 2026 guides require validity beyond 31 March 2027. Add current China visa or residence documents where applicable; passport changes require RUC approval.

  • High-school diploma and complete transcript

    Provide notarised or verified graduation evidence and an explanation of the grading scale. Final-year students submit expected-graduation proof and provide the final diploma before registration.

  • CSCA score report

    Include the exact papers and test language for your selected route.

  • Language certificate or exemption evidence

    Chinese-taught applicants arrange official HSK delivery. Global BBA applicants provide English results or evidence supporting an accepted alternative.

  • Guarantee and financial evidence

    Submit the signed Statement of Guarantee and income or financial evidence. The bank-deposit option requires at least RMB 30,000 or the foreign-currency equivalent.

  • No-criminal-record certificate

    Obtain the certificate from the appropriate public-security authority; applicants resident in China use the specified Chinese entry-exit authority.

  • Foreigner Physical Examination Form

    Valid for six months; include every required examination, photo, doctor’s signature and hospital seals.

  • Nationality and guardian documents

    Additional nationality evidence applies to relevant parentage or previous nationality. Under-18 applicants whose parents do not reside in China need a notarised China guardian document.

  • Additional achievement evidence

    Include relevant awards, volunteering, standardised examinations or published work where applicable.

Submit Chinese or English documents; other languages require notarised Chinese or English translations.

RUC application portal Email admissions

07/ 11Subjects

What will you study?

28 options
Browse all 28 options

RUC undergraduate admission catalogue

MajorSchool / departmentLanguage
History of the Communist Party of ChinaSchool of CPC History and Party BuildingChinese
PhilosophySchool of PhilosophyChinese
Chinese Classical StudiesSchool of Chinese ClassicsChinese
Chinese Language and LiteratureSchool of Liberal ArtsChinese
PaintingSchool of ArtsChinese
DesignSchool of ArtsChinese
Chinese LanguageSchool of International Cultural ExchangeChinese
FinanceSchool of FinanceChinese
Public FinanceSchool of FinanceChinese
EconomicsSchool of EconomicsChinese
International Economics and TradeSchool of EconomicsChinese
Economics categorySchool of Applied EconomicsChinese
LawLaw SchoolChinese
Journalism and Communication categorySchool of Journalism and CommunicationChinese
International PoliticsSchool of International StudiesChinese
DiplomacySchool of International StudiesChinese
Social WorkSchool of SociologyChinese
SociologySchool of SociologyChinese
Business Administration categoryRenmin Business SchoolChinese
Public AdministrationSchool of Public Administration and PolicyChinese
Land ManagementSchool of Public Administration and PolicyChinese
Urban Planning and ManagementSchool of Public Administration and PolicyChinese
Information Resources ManagementSchool of Information Resource ManagementChinese
Archival StudiesSchool of Information Resource ManagementChinese
Big Data Management and ApplicationsSchool of Information Resource ManagementChinese
Agricultural Economics and Management categorySchool of Agricultural Economics and Rural DevelopmentChinese
Applied PsychologyDepartment of PsychologyChinese
Global BBA / Business AdministrationRenmin Business SchoolEnglish

How you choose your majorThe catalogue contains 27 Chinese-taught admission options, including broad categories with named teaching destinations, plus Global BBA in English. Broad-category destinations are searchable; they are not separate application routes. All listed options normally last four years.

Official admission catalogue

08/ 11Annual budget

What will one year cost?

Estimated annual total · RMB84,000

Tuition

RMB / year24,000Published tuition reference

Accommodation

RMB / year20,000Living-cost estimate

Food

RMB / year30,000Living-cost estimate

Transport

RMB / year3,000Living-cost estimate

Other costs

RMB / year7,000Living-cost estimate
What’s included in the estimate?

Tuition

Annual tuition for the selected subject group.

Accommodation

Housing allowance; private rental may cost more.

About RMB 1,667/month over 12 months.

Food

Meals and everyday food spending.

RMB 2,500/month over 12 months.

Transport

Local public transport and occasional additional journeys.

RMB 250/month over 12 months.

Other costs

Insurance, residence permit, books, phone and initial essentials.

Annual planning allowance.

Tuition follows the 2026 catalogue and Global BBA guide. Living costs are 12-month planning estimates. Excludes the application fee, flights and rental deposits; overseas-year living costs vary.

09/ 11Scholarships

Big ambitions. Extra support.

National scholarship

Chinese Government Scholarship

FundingFull or partial funding
Competition*Very high

Coverage

  • Tuition support
  • Accommodation or housing subsidy
  • Medical insurance
  • Full-award undergraduate stipend: RMB 2,500/month

Full-award benefits shown; partial awards cover the items specified in the award.

Application
For Chinese-taught study, apply through your country’s dispatching authority and list RUC first, or use RUC’s Silk Road channel where offered (CSC agency 10002). Complete the applicable CSC and RUC applications.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate admission; use your programme’s paper combination.
Selection
High-school graduates under 25 who meet country or programme eligibility; academic review and CSC approval. Funding does not replace RUC’s admission assessment.
Official scholarship details
Municipal scholarship

Beijing Government Scholarship

FundingTuition to full support
Competition*High

Coverage

  • Category A: tuition, housing, living allowance and medical insurance
  • Category B: tuition, housing and medical insurance
  • Category C: tuition and medical insurance

RUC determines your award category and duration, up to the normal degree length. Category A English applicants who are not native speakers need IELTS 6.5+ or accepted equivalent; RUC’s TOEFL 90 admission threshold still applies.

Application
Apply through RUC using its separate Beijing scholarship instructions.
CSCA
Required for undergraduate admission; use your programme’s paper combination.
Selection
Age 25 or below at enrolment and normally a key high-school background. Category A: average 85+ or GPA 3.6+; B/C: average 80+ or GPA 3.0+. Annual review applies; other ongoing scholarships cannot be held concurrently.
Official scholarship details

* Competition levels are ChinaStudyGuide planning estimates, not published acceptance rates. These are the awards named in the 2026 guides; 2027 funding notices are not yet published.

Explore the scholarship guide

10/ 11Accommodation

Find your Beijing base.

On campus

International student dormitories

Single and double rooms offered for new-student booking.

Booking requiredLocations & practical details
Locations
RUC’s assigned campus residence; your pre-arrival reservation form gives the location and room options.
Best for
Students who want a simpler arrival and convenient access to campus life.
Plan for
Room type, booking date and the rate in your reservation form. Housing office: LGIA@ruc.edu.cn.
Off campus

Private rental in Beijing

More independence, with responsibility for rent and commuting.

More flexibilityLocations & practical details
Locations
Neighbourhoods with a practical commute to your assigned campus; Zhongguancun and Tongzhou are far apart.
Best for
Students without a confirmed dormitory place or those who prefer independent living.
Plan for
Deposit, utilities, lease and commute. Complete the required police accommodation registration within 24 hours.

Have a housing backup. Keep an off-campus option until your room reservation is confirmed.

11/ 11Student life

A campus to call home. A city to discover.

Painted interpretation of Renmin University of China’s museum and its tree-lined plaza
A leafy RUC museum plaza
Painted city illustration combining traditional and modern Beijing
Beyond the campus gates

Beijing after class

Beijing offers imperial landmarks, museums, contemporary art and lively food streets. Explore the university neighbourhoods of Haidian, walk through historic hutongs or spend a weekend in the city’s parks and cultural districts.

Campus routine

Balance lectures, library time and student activities with regular Mandarin practice. Even on Global BBA, practical Chinese helps with everyday life outside class.

Around your campus

Zhongguancun sits in Haidian’s university district; Tongzhou offers a different base farther east. Choose housing and everyday routines around the campus assigned to your programme.

Weekends in Beijing

Explore hutongs, museums, parks and local food. Plan longer visits to imperial sites or the Great Wall around your academic schedule.

Keep exploring

More universities. More possibilities.

Official sources & latest updates

Undergraduate study only. Official 2026 admissions guides and the major/CSCA catalogue were rechecked on 8 October 2026. QS ranking: 2027 edition.

The 2026 application windows are closed. RUC has not yet published its 2027 undergraduate guides.