Chinese Agricultural Universities 2026
Chinese Agricultural Universities are among the world’s best schools for agriculture. China Agricultural University (CAU) leads the specialist universities in this guide. It ranks #5 worldwide in QS Agriculture & Forestry 2026.
Other leading agricultural universities in China include Northwest A&F University, Nanjing Agricultural University, South China Agricultural University, and Huazhong Agricultural University.
For international students who want to study in China, these schools offer much more than farming. You can study crop science, animal science, food science and technology, engineering, environmental sciences, and smart agriculture.
This guide compares the best agricultural universities in China for international students who want to study agriculture in China.
Quick Answer: Which Chinese Agricultural University Should You Choose
China Agricultural University is the strongest overall choice in this guide. Northwest A&F University is strong in research and water resources. Nanjing Agricultural University is strong in veterinary medicine and crop science.
Choose South China Agricultural University if you prefer Guangzhou. Choose Huazhong Agricultural University for food and life sciences. Shandong and Sichuan Agricultural Universities offer more options outside China’s largest cities.
- Quick Answer: Which Chinese Agricultural University Should You Choose
- Top 7 Chinese Agricultural Universities
- Other Top Chinese Universities With Agriculture-Related Study
- How Do Chinese Agricultural Universities Compare Internationally?
- What Can You Study at Chinese Agricultural Universities?
- Can International Students Study Agriculture in China in English?
- How to Apply to an Agricultural University in China
- Scholarships for Chinese Agricultural Universities
- Start Your Agricultural Degree in China
- FAQs About Chinese Agricultural Universities
Top 7 Chinese Agricultural Universities
University ranking do not tell the full story. For this subject, agriculture rankings are often more useful.
Many schools below focus on agriculture and life sciences. This means their agriculture rank can be much higher than their overall world rank.
1. China Agricultural University
China Agricultural University is in Beijing. It is a national key university under the Ministry of Education.
CAU ranks #5 worldwide in QS Agriculture & Forestry 2026.
ShanghaiRanking 2025 also ranks CAU:
- #1 in Agricultural Sciences
- #2 in Food Science & Technology
- #2 in Veterinary Sciences
- #17 in Water Resources
- #28 in Biotechnology
Its strong fields include agriculture, food science, veterinary medicine, crop science, and engineering.
2. Northwest A&F University
Northwest A&F University is in Yangling, Shaanxi.
ShanghaiRanking 2025 ranks it:
- #2 in Agricultural Sciences
- #4 in Water Resources
- #6 in Food Science & Technology
- #7 in Veterinary Sciences
The university is also strong in dry-land farming, irrigation, soil care, and plant and animal breeding.
3. Nanjing Agricultural University
Nanjing Agricultural University ranks #20 in QS Agriculture & Forestry 2026.
ShanghaiRanking 2025 ranks it:
- #3 in Veterinary Sciences
- #4 in Agricultural Sciences
- #10 in Food Science & Technology
The university is also a national key university under the Ministry of Education. It was part of China’s 211 Project.
Strong fields include veterinary medicine, crop science, plant protection, food science, and agricultural economics.
4. South China Agricultural University
South China Agricultural University is in Guangzhou. It ranks #28 in QS Agriculture & Forestry 2026.
ShanghaiRanking 2025 ranks it:
- #8 in Veterinary Sciences
- #9 in Agricultural Sciences
- #19 in Food Science & Technology
Its location in southern China is also useful for tropical and subtropical agriculture research.
5. Huazhong Agricultural University
Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) is in Wuhan. It ranks #=60 in QS Agriculture & Forestry 2026.
ShanghaiRanking 2025 ranks it:
- #10 in Agricultural Sciences
- #13 in Food Science & Technology
- #13 in Biotechnology
- #14 in Veterinary Sciences
It is a strong choice for agriculture, food science, and life sciences.
6. Shandong Agricultural University
Shandong Agricultural University is in Tai’an. It ranks #101–150 in QS Agriculture & Forestry 2026.
ShanghaiRanking 2025 also ranks it:
- #42 in Veterinary Sciences
- #51–75 in Agricultural Sciences
- #51–75 in Food Science & Technology
It can suit students who want to live outside China’s biggest cities.
7. Sichuan Agricultural University
Sichuan Agricultural University ranks #201–250 in QS Agriculture & Forestry 2026.
Its main fields include agriculture, animal science, veterinary medicine, engineering, economics, and life sciences.
It is another option for students interested in agriculture in western China.
For a wider comparison, see our guide to the top universities in China.
Other Top Chinese Universities With Agriculture-Related Study
You do not have to choose a specialist agricultural university. Some of China’s large universities also offer agriculture-related study and research.
- Zhejiang University has a College of Agriculture and Biotechnology. It covers agronomy, crop science, plant protection, and related fields.
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University has a School of Agriculture and Biology. Its fields include plant science, animal science, food science, and environmental study.
- Peking University has a School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences. Its work includes agriculture, agricultural economics, and rural development.
- Tsinghua University also carries out agriculture-related research. Topics include rural studies, food systems, and digital agriculture. However, it is not a specialist agricultural university.
These schools may suit students who want agriculture within a large university.
How Do Chinese Agricultural Universities Compare Internationally?
The best agricultural universities in China perform especially well in global agriculture subject rankings.
Five schools in this guide are in ShanghaiRanking’s 2025 global top 10 for Agricultural Sciences:
- China Agricultural University — #1
- Northwest A&F University — #2
- Nanjing Agricultural University — #4
- South China Agricultural University — #9
- Huazhong Agricultural University — #10
This is why subject rankings matter.
A Chinese agricultural university may have a lower overall rank but still be one of the world’s best schools for agriculture.
What Can You Study at Chinese Agricultural Universities?
Modern agriculture covers many subjects.
Popular subjects include:
- Agricultural Science
- Agronomy and Crop Science
- Plant Protection
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Medicine
- Food Science and Technology
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Economics
- Environmental Sciences
- Water Resources
- Horticulture
- Smart Agriculture
Some schools also work on precision agriculture, GPS agriculture, digital farming, and modern farm technology.
Other fields include soil science, GIS, remote sensing, and land use planning.
Not sure which field to choose? Read our guide on how to choose the right Chinese university for your major.
Can International Students Study Agriculture in China in English?
Yes. International students can study agriculture in China in English at some universities.
English-taught programs are more common at master’s and PhD level. Possible fields include:
- Agricultural science
- Food science
- Plant science
- Environmental science
- Agricultural economics
- Water management
Chinese-taught programs usually ask for HSK. English-taught programs may ask for IELTS, TOEFL, or other English proof.
Rules are different at each university. Check the university pages above or read our How to Apply to Chinese Universities guide.
How to Apply to an Agricultural University in China
Students who want to study abroad in China can follow these steps:
- Choose your major.
- Compare universities by subject strength.
- Check the teaching language.
- Review the university’s admission rules.
- Prepare the required documents.
- Submit your application.
- Apply for scholarships if available.
- Apply for your student visa after admission.
For more details, read our Study Abroad in China: 2026 Guide for International Students.
Scholarships for Chinese Agricultural Universities
International students may find several scholarship opportunities for studying in China.
Common options include:
- Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC/CGS)
- University scholarships
- Provincial or city scholarships
- Program scholarships
Funding depends on the university, degree, country, and year.
For more options, read How to Get a 100% Scholarship in China.
Start Your Agricultural Degree in China
Chinese Agricultural Universities offer strong programs in agriculture, food science, veterinary medicine, engineering, and environmental fields.
Your best choice depends on your major, city, language, budget, and scholarship needs.
Apply For China can help you compare universities and programs. We can also help with university and scholarship applications.
FAQs About Chinese Agricultural Universities
China Agricultural University is the top specialist school in this guide. QS ranks it #5 worldwide for Agriculture & Forestry in 2026. ShanghaiRanking ranks it #1 for Agricultural Sciences in 2025.
ShanghaiRanking 2025 lists five schools from this guide in the global top 10.
They are for Agricultural Sciences: CAU, Northwest A&F, Nanjing Agricultural, South China Agricultural, and Huazhong Agricultural.
They rank very well in agriculture subjects. Several are world leaders in agricultural science, food science, and veterinary science.
Yes. Some universities offer English-taught programs. These are more common at master’s and PhD level.
Chinese-taught programs normally require HSK. English-taught programs may ask for IELTS, TOEFL, or another form of English proof.
Yes. You may find CSC funding, university scholarships, provincial scholarships, and other awards.
Yes, but their programs are different. Zhejiang and Shanghai Jiao Tong have agriculture schools. Peking has advanced agricultural study and research. Tsinghua also has research related to agriculture and rural development.