Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is a key university directly affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. Founded in 1941, BFSU is the first institution in China to specialize in foreign language studies and has the longest history among universities of its kind. The university offers a complete range of degree and non-degree programs at various levels and provides the largest number of foreign language programs in the country.

BFSU is widely recognized for its strong teaching quality and research in foreign languages and literature. The university is home to a highly qualified faculty of more than 600 members, including over 330 professors and associate professors, and regularly invites international teachers and experts from more than 20 countries. With more than 7,000 registered students, including around 1,000 international students, BFSU maintains extensive academic partnerships with universities and institutions in 65 countries and regions worldwide.

Traditionally known for producing Chinese ambassadors and diplomats, BFSU graduates include more than 400 ambassadors and over 1,000 diplomatic counselors. In addition, BFSU supports students with internships and career advice, working with companies such as ShunFeng, HSBC, Deloitte, PwC, Mercedes-Benz, and JP Morgan Chase. The university also plays an active role in promoting Chinese language and culture globally and has been involved in establishing multiple Confucius Institutes around the world.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid passport
• English language certificate

Postgraduate Admission Requirements

• Requirements vary by program
• Please contact us to learn more

Beijing Foreign Studies University offers programs in:

• Foreign Languages and Literature
• Business Administration (International Marketing)
• International Economics and Trade
• International Relations
• Humanities, Law, Economics, and Management

Global Rankings:

• QS World University Rankings by Subject (Linguistics): #18

Undergraduate Tuition Fees

• Tuition Fee: 39,900 CNY per year
• Total Tuition: 159,600 CNY
• Application Fee: 800 CNY
• Insurance Fee: 600 CNY

Beijing Foreign Studies University offers a variety of scholarships to support international students financially. These include:

• Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
• Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS)
• University Funded Scholarship

Please take note of application deadlines. At Apply For China, you can consult us if you require further assistance.

Dining Services

University canteens and nearby restaurants offer affordable meals. A typical meal costs between RMB 7 and RMB 30.

Student Accommodation

On-campus accommodation at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance. Students are required to register and apply for accommodation after arrival. If you apply late, off-campus accommodation is recommended.

Available on-campus dormitory buildings include White Building, Guojiao Building, Domestic Building, and No. 6 Building.

White Building (West Campus)

The White Building is located on the west campus behind the Domestic Building Dormitory. It is 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)

Guojiao Building is located on the east campus of BFSU, next to the Chinese Academy Building and the East Campus Student Canteen. It is convenient for accessing the library, gymnasium, and gym. Walking time to the West Campus is approximately 10–15 minutes.

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

Domestic Building (West Campus)

The Domestic Building dormitory is newly built and located on the west campus. It is close to the West Campus Canteen, International Building, and office buildings.

Room Type	Price	Notes
Single	RMB 110/day	Private bathroom

No. 6 Building (West Campus)

Building No. 6 is located next to the Domestic Building and close to the school hospital. It is adjacent to the West Campus Canteen and the International Students’ Canteen. Walking time to the International Building for classes is approximately 3–5 minutes.

Room Type	Price	Notes
Double	RMB 40/day/bed	Shared by 2 students, public toilet

Library

The library of Beijing Foreign Studies University holds collections in 74 languages, including Chinese, English, French, Russian, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Arabic. It houses nearly 1.52 million printed volumes, approximately 2.16 million electronic books, 1,123 Chinese and foreign-language newspapers and periodicals, more than 10,000 audio-visual materials, over 38,000 full-text electronic journals, 102 Chinese and foreign-language databases, and nine self-built databases with specialized features. The collection primarily focuses on language studies, literature, and culture, while resources in law, diplomacy, economics, journalism, and management have continued to expand alongside the university’s academic development.

The six-storey library building was completed and opened in 2013. With a total area of 23,000 square meters, it offers more than 2,200 reading seats, 18 study rooms, academic lecture halls, seminar rooms, and training facilities. Cultural and leisure spaces such as exhibition halls and cafés are also available.

The library provides full Wi-Fi coverage and features a 24-hour self-service book return system, along with printers, scanners, electronic newspaper readers, and multimedia learning spaces.

Sports Facilities

The on-campus gymnasium offers a wide range of facilities, including a fitness centre, a swimming pool, table tennis, and badminton courts. Within the campus, the BFSU outdoor sports complex includes well-maintained sports fields such as a soccer field, as well as multiple courts suitable for basketball, volleyball, and tennis.

In addition, the five-storey gymnasium includes an indoor swimming pool, a ball-game hall, a fitness centre, and multi-functional areas, making it a versatile space for a variety of sports and fitness activities.

The gymnasium features two heated swimming pools, 17 badminton courts, 8 table tennis courts, and multi-functional studios for group classes. The fitness centre is equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, and dumbbell sets for cardio and strength training

Research and Academic Support

Beijing Foreign Studies University hosts a wide range of national, ministerial, and municipal research centers. Key platforms include the MoE Key Research Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences, National Research Centre for Foreign Language Education, BFSU Artificial Intelligence and Human Languages Lab, and extensive country and area studies centers.

Research areas include global governance, regional studies, and international organizations such as the United Nations, G20, and APEC, as well as research bases related to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

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)

Beijing is the capital city of China and one of its most important political, cultural, and educational centers. With extensive public transportation and a large international student population, the city offers convenient access to universities, leisure, and cultural institutions.

Living Expenses in Beijing

• Accommodation: Around RMB 1,500 per month (RMB 18,000 per year)
• Food: RMB 1,800–4,000 per month
• Transportation: RMB 4 per trip; student monthly pass around RMB 200
• Extra Costs: Books and study materials RMB 210–350 per month; medical insurance around RMB 400 per six months