Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is a key public university in Beijing, China. It is directly linked to China’s Ministry of Education and holds status as a Project 211, Double First-Class university.

Founded in 1941, BFSU is China’s oldest foreign language Chinese university. BFSU has two campuses in Haidian District, Beijing, covering 310,000 square meters.

BFSU has produced more than 400 ambassadors and over 1,000 diplomatic counsellors — earning it the title “cradle of PRC diplomats.”BFSU has 600+ faculty members, including 330 professors, plus 120 visiting international experts each year. It enrolls over 7,000 students — including around 1,000 international students from 65 countries.

Why Choose Beijing Foreign Studies University?

Here is why BFSU stands out among universities in China for international students:

•  #1 in China for language studies (Best Chinese Universities Ranking).
•  #18 globally in Linguistics (QS World University Rankings by Subject). Also ranked in the global top 100 for Arts & Humanities, Modern Languages, and Education.
•  101 foreign languages taught — European, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern.
• AACSB-accredited International Business School (IBS) — top 5% of business schools worldwide.
• Career-linked — internship and employment links to HSBC, Deloitte, PwC, Mercedes-Benz, and JP Morgan Chase.
• 15 Confucius Institutes and partnerships with 320 universities in 65 countries.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid passport
• English proficiency certificate (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL) — requirements vary by program
• HSK Level 4 or above for Chinese-taught programs.
• Academic transcripts and health certificate

Postgraduate Admission Requirements

• Requirements vary by program
• Requirements vary by program. Contact us to learn more

English-Taught Programs

BFSU offers English-taught programs at undergraduate and graduate level. No prior Chinese language knowledge is needed.

Undergraduate (English-taught):

• International Business · International Finance · International Marketing
• Chinese Business Studies · English and Intercultural Studies · Diplomacy
•  International Journalism and Communications · Translation (English and Chinese)
•  Law · International Economics and Trade · Finance · Accounting
• Business Administration · E-Commerce · Information Management and Systems

Graduate (English-taught):

• Global Communication · International Business · English Language and Literature
• Linguistics · Translation Studies · American Studies · European Studies
• Intercultural Communication · Comparative Literature and Cross-Cultural Studies

Chinese-Taught Programs

Chinese-taught programs are available across all disciplines — language studies, law, economics, management, and humanities. You need HSK Level 4 or above to enrol.Browse all available degree programs or contact Apply For China to find the right fit.

Undergraduate Program Fees

Fee Type	Amount
School of Chinese Language and Literature (Chinese Language)	26,000 CNY / year
School of Chinese Language and Literature (Translation from & into Chinese)	28,000 CNY / year
International Business School (Majors Taught in Chinese)	31,000 CNY / year
International Business School (Majors Taught in English)	39,900 CNY / year
Other Schools	26,000 CNY / year

Scholarships Available

Beijing Foreign Studies University offers several scholarship options to support international students:

Стипендии	Coverage	Пригодность
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)	Full — tuition, accommodation & monthly stipend	All international students
Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS)	Partial — tuition support	Self-funded students
BFSU University Funded Scholarship	Partial — tuition waiver	Merit-based

Do take note of application deadlines when applying for scholarships. At Apply For China, you can consult us if you require further assistance.

Application Deadlines & Intake

Beijing Foreign Studies University accepts international students for two intakes per year:

Intake	Semester Start	Application Window
Spring Intake	March	October to December
Fall Intake	September	February to June

Note: Exact deadlines vary by year and program. Contact Apply For China to confirm current deadlines.

Food & Dining on Campus

Campus canteens at BFSU offer affordable meals daily. A typical meal costs between RMB 7 and RMB 30. Restaurants and cafes are also available near both campuses in the Haidian District.

Student Accommodation

Student Accommodation: approximately RMB 40–260 per day, depending on room type and building.

You can reserve a room about one month before the semester starts. If you apply late, arrange housing in the Haidian area near campus.

All rooms are equipped with: air conditioner, TV, telephone, desk, chair, bed, and bedding. High-speed internet is available at a nominal charge.

White Building (West Campus)

Close to the West Campus Canteen, Campus Hospital, and International Building.

Room Type	Price	Notes
Double	RMB 40/day/bed	Shared by 2 students, public toilet
Single	RMB 60/day	Public toilet
Single	RMB 70/day	Private bathroom

Guojiao Building (East Campus)

Next to the Chinese Academy Building and East Campus Student Canteen. 10–15 min walk to West Campus.

Room Type	Price	Notes
Single	RMB 110/day	Private bathroom
Single	RMB 90/day	Public toilet
Double	RMB 70/day/bed	Shared by 2 students, private bathroom
Double	RMB 40/day/bed	Shared by 2 students, public toilet

Domestic Building — No.5 & No.6 (West Campus)

Newly built blocks on the west campus. Close to West Campus Canteen, International Building, and office buildings.

Room Type	Price	Notes
Single	RMB 90/day	Private bathroom
Single (larger space)	RMB 110/day	Private bathroom

No.6 Building (West Campus)

Adjacent to Domestic Building and school hospital. Approximately 3–5 min walk to the International Building.

Room Type	Price	Notes
Double	RMB 40/day/bed	Shared by 2 students, public toilet
Triple	For CSC scholarship students only	Shared by 3 students, public toilet —

Library

The BFSU library holds collections in 74 languages. Library Highlights:

• 1.52 million printed volumes · 2.16 million electronic books
• 1,123 newspapers and periodicals · 38,000+ full-text electronic journals
• 102 databases · 9 self-built specialised databases
•  23,000 sqm · 2,200+ reading seats · 18 study rooms · 24-hour self-service returns
• Exhibition halls, academic lecture halls, seminar rooms, and a cafe

Sports Facilities

The five-storey gymnasium (East Campus) offers:

• 2 heated indoor swimming pools
• 17 badminton courts · 8 table tennis courts
•   Fitness centre: treadmills, ellipticals, weights, and group exercise studios
• Ball-game hall with grandstand and audio facilities

Outdoor: soccer field, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and tennis courts.

World Language Museum

BFSU is home to the World Language Museum — a one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to the world’s languages. It showcases scripts, sounds, and cultural artefacts from the 101 languages taught at BFSU.

Research and Academic Support

BFSU hosts 54+ research bases at national, provincial, and ministerial levels, including:

• MoE Key Research Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences
• National Research Centre for Foreign Language Education
• BFSU Artificial Intelligence and Human Languages Lab (BFSU·AI)
• Country and area studies centres covering the UN, G20, and APEC

BFSU Campus Map

BFSU has two campuses divided by North Xisanhuan Road (西三环北路). Most classes are on the East Campus; most international student dormitories are on the West Campus.

West Campus — key locations:

• Student housing: Building No.6 · Bailou · Guonei Building No.5 · Guonei Building No.6
• West Canteen · Campus Hospital · International Building

East Campus — key locations:

• Library · Gymnasium · Guojiao Building · East Canteen
• Overseas Students Affairs Office · School of English and International Studies

Semester Abroad

From the third academic year, students have the opportunity to participate in a semester exchange or study abroad program with partner universities.

Selected Partner Universities:

Europe

• NUI Maynooth (Ireland)
• Hanze University, Groningen (Netherlands)
• Universidad Europea de Madrid (Spain)
• University of Applied Sciences Northwestern (Switzerland)
• Edinburgh Napier University (UK)
• Lancaster University (UK)
• Salford University (UK)
• University of Kent (UK)
  

Australia

• Edith Cowan University
• La Trobe University
• Queensland University of Technology
• The University of Queensland
• The University of Newcastle
  

America

• Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada)
• Tecnologico de Monterrey (Mexico)
• University of Louisville (USA)
• Virginia Commonwealth University (USA)
  

Asia

• Nagoya University of Foreign Studies (Japan)
• SolBridge International School of Business (Korea)
• Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (Malaysia)

How to Apply to Beijing Foreign Studies University

1. Choose your program — English-taught or Chinese-taught; Spring or Fall intake
2. Prepare your documents — passport, transcripts, language certificate, personal statement, and health report
3. Submit your application 
4. Apply for scholarship — CSC, BGS, or University Scholarship (submit alongside your main application)
5. Receive your admission letter — typically within 4–8 weeks
6. Apply for your student visa (X1 or X2) at your nearest Chinese embassy

For personalised guidance, Book a free consultation with Apply For China — we handle the whole process for you.

Beijing is China’s capital and one of the world’s most important centres for politics, culture, and education. For international students who want to study in China, Beijing offers world-class universities, a rich history, and a large international community.

BFSU is in Haidian District — one of China’s leading university areas. It is next to Tsinghua University and top China universities. BFSU is among the top universities in China for language education. Excellent metro access via Line 4 connects to the rest of the city.

BFSU admits fewer than 2,000 undergraduates each year, making it one of the more selective universities in Beijing. The beijing university campus spans two sites, both in Haidian District.

Living Expenses in Beijing

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost
On-campus accommodation	~RMB 1,500/month (RMB 18,000/year)
Food	RMB 1,800–4,000/month
Transportation	~RMB 200/month (student pass); RMB 4/trip
Books & study materials	RMB 210–350/month
Medical insurance	~RMB 400 per 6 months

Frequently Asked Questions