About
About China Agricultural University
China Agricultural University (中国农业大学, CAU) traces its history to the agricultural college of the Imperial University of Peking (京师大学堂农科大学), founded in 1905. In September 1949 the agricultural colleges of Peking University, Tsinghua University and North China University were merged into Beijing Agricultural University, and in 1995 Beijing Agricultural University and Beijing Agricultural Engineering University merged to form today’s China Agricultural University. It entered Project 211 in its first batch in 1995 and Project 985 in 2004, and in the 2021 round of the national Double First-Class initiative the university was selected together with nine disciplines: biology, agricultural engineering, food science and engineering, crop science, agricultural resources and environment, plant protection, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine and grassland science.
The university has two campuses, both in Haidian District in north-west Beijing: the East Campus at 17 Qinghua East Road (清华东路17号), where the International Office is, and the West Campus at 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road (圆明园西路2号). Its official basic-data table (as of 31 December 2025) counts 15,244 full-time undergraduates, 8,693 full-time master’s students, 5,478 full-time doctoral students and 354 international students, with 2,082 full-time teachers, 81 undergraduate majors, 27 first-level doctoral disciplines and 40 first-level master’s disciplines.
Two official pages count the university’s structure slightly differently. The School Introduction page gives 21 colleges and 2,112 full-time teachers (791 professors and 1,100 associate professors), while the Basic Data table gives 19 colleges plus one teaching unit and one department, and 2,082 full-time teachers (801 in senior and 1,060 in associate-senior posts). Neither page says which figure supersedes the other; both are cited below.
QS lists CAU at =477 in the 2027 edition
Selected in the 2021 round, per the School Introduction page
Two of them in the top 0.01%, per the School Introduction page
China’s flagship agricultural university
Selected with nine disciplines in the Double First-Class initiative — more than most Chinese universities in the life sciences — spanning crops, plant protection, soils, animal science, veterinary medicine, grassland science, food science, agricultural engineering and biology.
A5 alliance founder
CAU founded the A5 alliance of leading agricultural universities with Cornell University, Wageningen University, the University of California, Davis and the University of São Paulo.
Two Haidian campuses
The East Campus on Qinghua East Road and the West Campus on Yuanmingyuan West Road, both in Beijing’s university district.
Seventy years of international students
CAU’s international student page states it has hosted over 6,000 international students from more than 100 countries since 1954, and that 80% of its international students are on degree programs.
Admission
Admission, programs & tuition
CAU admits international students to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and to non-degree advanced study. The 2027 guides for undergraduate and graduate admission were published on 3 September 2026, and all applications go through the online system at apply.cau.edu.cn with a RMB 400 non-refundable application fee. Two things changed from the 2026 cycle and are worth noticing if you read an older guide. First, the Chinese requirement rose: the 2026 guides asked for HSK Level 4 at undergraduate and graduate level, while the 2027 guides ask for HSK Level 5 (Veterinary Medicine undergraduates need 250 or more on HSK 5). Second, the undergraduate window moved: 2026 applications ran 1 March – 15 June 2026, while 2027 applications run 1 November 2026 – 31 May 2027. Every undergraduate applicant must also sit the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA, the "Academic Proficiency Test for Undergraduate Students Studying in China") organised by the China Scholarship Council, with a passing score of 50 points per subject. The undergraduate guide sets no upper age limit — only a minimum of 18 — and lists no English-taught bachelor’s programs; the major list is published as a spreadsheet attached to the guide. Master’s applicants must be under 35 and doctoral applicants under 40. Graduate programs are offered in Chinese and in English; English-taught graduate students do not need to submit Chinese scores, but must reach International Chinese Language Level 3 by graduation.
Degree programs
Select a degree level to see tuition, duration and entry requirements.
Bachelor’s degreeUndergraduate
Chinese-taught undergraduate degrees across CAU’s colleges; the 2027 major list is attached to the guide as a spreadsheet. The guide sets a single tuition rate for all majors. Selection is by "application material review + online interview", with interviews organised once enough applicants have applied, so an early application is interviewed earlier.
- All majors
- RMB 20,000 / year
Application requirements
- Non-Chinese citizen holding a valid foreign passport, at least 18 years old, with senior high-school graduation or above and a good academic record.
- HSK Level 5 or above; Veterinary Medicine requires a score of 250 or higher in HSK Level 5. (The 2026 guide asked for HSK 4 — do not work from it.)
- CSCA (Academic Proficiency Test for Undergraduate Students Studying in China), organised by the China Scholarship Council, with a passing score of 50 points in each subject.
- Two recommendation letters from subject teachers.
- An original financial guarantee letter and a copy of the guarantor’s identification document.
- Applicants who once held Chinese nationality must supply their naturalisation certificate, proof of cancellation of Chinese household registration, passport pages with entry and exit stamps for the past four years, and proof of overseas study in the most recent four years.
Master’s degreeGraduate
Master’s programs taught in Chinese or English across CAU’s colleges, led by its nine Double First-Class disciplines. CAU’s international-education page lists 45 master’s programs open to international students, including 12 taught entirely in English. The 2027 major list is attached to the guide.
- All master’s programs
- RMB 26,000 / year
Application requirements
- Non-Chinese citizen in good physical and mental health, with no disciplinary violations or criminal record.
- A qualification equivalent to or above a Chinese bachelor’s degree, and under the age of 35.
- English-taught programs: TOEFL (iBT) 90 or IELTS 6.0 or above. No Chinese score is needed to apply, but you must reach International Chinese Language Level 3 before graduation.
- Chinese-taught programs: HSK Level 5 (raised from HSK 4 in the 2026 guide).
- Two recommendation letters from associate professors or above, and a study or research plan of at least 1,000 words in Chinese or English.
- Notarised degree certificate and transcripts bearing the university’s seal.
Doctoral degreeGraduate
Research doctorates in Chinese or English; CAU’s international-education page lists 23 doctoral-level disciplines open to international students. Shortlisted applicants sit examinations or interviews, notified one to two weeks in advance.
- All doctoral programs
- RMB 30,000 / year
Application requirements
- Non-Chinese citizen in good physical and mental health, with no disciplinary violations or criminal record.
- A qualification equivalent to or above a Chinese master’s degree, and under the age of 40.
- English-taught programs: TOEFL (iBT) 90 or IELTS 6.0 or above; Chinese Level 3 required by graduation.
- Chinese-taught programs: HSK Level 5.
- Two recommendation letters from associate professors or above, a study or research plan of at least 1,000 words, and a record of study and work experience; published papers or patents may be added.
- Notarised master’s degree certificate and transcripts bearing the university’s seal.
Non-degree programs
International Student Advanced Study Program (general and senior visiting students)
For further study or visiting research at a CAU college without enrolling in a degree. General advanced students are undergraduates and master’s-degree holders; senior advanced students are doctoral candidates and need two recommendation letters from associate professors or above. Applicants submit an HSK 4 certificate for Chinese-taught study or an English proficiency certificate (IELTS, TOEFL or other) for English-taught study, plus a study plan, medical examination form and criminal record certificate. On-campus accommodation is quoted at RMB 1,300 per month and is limited. Application windows: 15 October – 30 December for spring-semester entry and 15 March – 30 May for autumn entry — for the 2027 cycle, 15 October – 30 December 2026 and 15 March – 30 May 2027. The brochure also exists in a Beijing Government Scholarship edition.
Fee · Tuition at the degree rate for your level — RMB 20,000 / year (undergraduate), RMB 26,000 (master’s) or RMB 30,000 (doctoral), prorated for a single semester — plus RMB 400 registration and RMB 800 / year insurance
International Summer School (CSC-funded)
A "High-Level International Summer School" funded by the China Scholarship Council for young scholars and students at undergraduate level or above studying or working outside China, in green and smart agriculture, agricultural machinery, information technology, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, irrigation, rural governance and agricultural economics. Individual summer school calls are released each year from late April to mid-May.
Fee · For a 14–21 day program in the 2026 edition: RMB 3,458.50 (general visiting students) or RMB 4,233.50 (senior visiting students with a master’s degree or above), covering tuition, accommodation, living expenses and medical insurance
Documents to prepare
- Passport information page — the 2027 guides require a passport that expires later than December 2027.
- Highest diploma and transcripts: high-school diploma for undergraduates; notarised degree certificate and sealed transcripts for graduate applicants.
- Language certificate: HSK 5 for Chinese-taught study (HSK 5 with 250+ for Veterinary Medicine), or TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 6.0 for English-taught graduate programs.
- CSCA transcript — undergraduate applicants only.
- Two recommendation letters — from subject teachers (undergraduate) or from associate professors or above (graduate).
- Study or research plan of at least 1,000 words and a record of study and work experience — graduate applicants only.
- Foreigner Physical Examination Form.
- Criminal clearance (no criminal record) certificate.
- Current Chinese visa or residence permit page and entry/exit records, if you are already in China.
- Original financial guarantee letter with a copy of the guarantor’s ID — undergraduate applicants.
- All documents must be in Chinese or English; other languages need a notarised translation.
Application timeline
These are the dates China Agricultural University published for the 2027 intake.
- 1
2027 applications open
1 Nov 2026Undergraduate applications and the Chinese Government Scholarship High Level Postgraduate Program window open; the graduate guide gives November 2026 as the opening month for Beijing Government Scholarship and self-funded graduate applications.
- 2
Advanced study: spring 2027 entry
15 Oct – 30 Dec 2026Non-degree advanced study applications for the spring semester.
- 3
CGS High Level Postgraduate Program closes
28 Feb 2027Type B channel for master’s and doctoral applicants, agency number 10019.
- 4
CGS "Silk Road" Program window
Mar – May 2027Type B, for master’s and doctoral applicants from eligible Belt and Road countries.
- 5
Advanced study: autumn 2027 entry
15 Mar – 30 May 2027 - 6
Beijing Government Scholarship closes
May 2027The graduate guide gives the window as November 2026 to May 2027 without a day; the 2026 scholarship notice itself ran to 30 June, so confirm the exact date when the 2027 notice appears.
- 7
Undergraduate application deadline
31 May 2027 - 8
Self-funded and other graduate applications close
June 2027The guide gives the month only; apply earlier to leave time for the interview.
- 9
Admission Notice and JW201/JW202 form
July 2027Graduate admission notices are issued in July; the undergraduate guide does not give a date.
- 10
Registration
By the date on your Admission NoticeEnter China on an X1 visa, register with the International Office before the stated deadline and apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entry. Late registration without a valid reason cancels the admission.
The 2027 guides keep CAU’s tuition at the same flat rates as 2026: RMB 20,000 a year for bachelor’s study, RMB 26,000 for master’s and RMB 30,000 for doctoral study, with no difference between Chinese- and English-taught programs. Add the RMB 400 non-refundable application fee, insurance at RMB 800 a year and on-campus accommodation at RMB 1,000–1,600 a month for a shared room. Non-degree advanced students pay the degree rate for their level, prorated by semester. Always confirm the figure on the current guide before paying.
Planning to study at China Agricultural University?
Ask for turnkey admission to China Agricultural University: a Qiao partner agency gets in touch, prepares the documents and applies with you. Asking is free; the agency names its price before any contract.
Funding
Scholarships
CAU admits scholarship students through Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) channels, the Beijing Government Scholarship and some university and sponsored programs. The 2027 graduate guide sets the windows — CGS High Level Postgraduate Program 1 November 2026 – 28 February 2027, CGS "Silk Road" Program March–May 2027, Beijing Government Scholarship November 2026 – May 2027 — but the detailed 2027 scholarship notices had not yet been published when this guide was checked. The coverage and eligibility below come from the 2026 notices, so confirm them against the 2027 versions. Every scholarship route still starts with an application in CAU’s own system at apply.cau.edu.cn with the RMB 400 fee; the CGS routes also need an application on the CSC system at campuschina.org. The 2027 undergraduate guide does not mention scholarships at all, so undergraduate applicants should ask the International Office which awards are open to them.
Chinese Government Scholarship — High Level Postgraduate Program (Type B)
Tuition, on-campus accommodation in a double room, living allowance and insurance; international travel is self-funded (2026 notice).
Eligibility: Master’s applicants under 35 with a bachelor’s degree and doctoral applicants under 40 with a master’s degree; TOEFL iBT 90 or IELTS 6.0 for English-taught programs. Apply to CAU first, then on campuschina.org choosing Type B with agency number 10019. 2027 window: 1 November 2026 – 28 February 2027.
Chinese Government Scholarship — "Silk Road" Program (Type B)
Tuition, on-campus accommodation in a double room, living allowance and insurance; international travel is self-funded (2026 notice).
Eligibility: Master’s and doctoral applicants from specified Belt and Road countries — in 2026: Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Laos and Nepal — in a restricted list of majors (in 2026: agricultural entomology and pest control, plant pathology, plant quarantine and agricultural ecological health, resource and environmental science, and plant nutrition). The 2027 window is March–May 2027; the country and major lists may change.
Beijing Government Scholarship
Three categories: A covers tuition, accommodation, living allowance and comprehensive medical insurance; B covers tuition, accommodation and insurance; C covers tuition and insurance. It funds the first academic year only (2026 notice).
Eligibility: New undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students (and, in a separate call, outstanding self-funded current students). The 2026 notice asked for an average of at least 80/100 or GPA 3.0 from a key university at home, age under 25 (undergraduate), 35 (master’s) or 40 (doctoral), HSK 4 for Chinese-taught programs and TOEFL 85 or IELTS 6.5 for English-taught programs — note that this IELTS level is higher, and the TOEFL level lower, than the 2027 graduate guide’s general requirement of TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.0, so confirm with the office. 2027 window: November 2026 – May 2027.
Ministry of Commerce Master’s scholarship — Rural Development and Management Studies
Tuition exemption, free accommodation, a living stipend of RMB 36,000 a year, a RMB 3,000 settling-in allowance, comprehensive medical insurance and two international air tickets (2026 edition).
Eligibility: A two-year English-taught Master of Management for mid- and senior-level government officials, managers and senior academic staff from developing countries, under 45, with a bachelor’s degree, a current post, and IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80. The 2026 call closed 6 June 2026; watch the CGS column for a 2027 call.
China Agricultural University scholarships
The 2027 graduate guide says the university provides scholarships of its own, but does not state their coverage.
Eligibility: CAU does not publish the terms of its own awards on the 2027 guides; ask the International Office (cauie@cau.edu.cn) before relying on one.
6 questions · free
What are your scholarship chances at China Agricultural University?
Tell us your country, level, field, grades, HSK, IELTS or TOEFL score and budget. You get universities sorted into strong, possible and hard, each with its scholarships and deadlines. No account needed.
Check my chancesResearch
Research at the university
CAU’s research follows its nine Double First-Class disciplines — the core of China’s agricultural science, from crop genetics and plant protection to animal science, veterinary medicine, soils and food. The School Introduction page counts 21 national research platforms, including 11 national key laboratories, and 137 provincial or ministerial platforms, and gives 15 disciplines in the ESI global top 1%, two of them in the top 0.01%. The Basic Data table (31 December 2025) adds 16 field research stations — 3 national and 13 provincial — and 22 postdoctoral research stations.
Crop science & plant protection
Crop science, plant protection and agricultural resources and environment — the fields offered in 2026 under the CGS Silk Road Program, from plant pathology to plant nutrition.
Animal science & veterinary medicine
Animal husbandry, veterinary medicine and grassland science, all Double First-Class disciplines; Veterinary Medicine is the one undergraduate major with a higher HSK threshold.
Food science & nutrition
Food science and engineering, a Double First-Class discipline, and the base of a China–Thailand talent program in agricultural food science and technology.
Agricultural engineering & biology
Agricultural engineering — the heritage of the former Beijing Agricultural Engineering University — and biology, both on the Double First-Class list.
- Nine disciplines selected in the 2021 Double First-Class round.
- 15 ESI top-1% disciplines, two in the top 0.01% (School Introduction page).
- 11 national key laboratories and 21 national research platforms.
- 718 postdoctoral researchers, per the School Introduction page.
Global engagement
Global engagement
CAU reports partnerships with more than 260 institutions in over 50 countries and founded the A5 alliance of top agricultural universities with Cornell, Wageningen, UC Davis and São Paulo. Its international students come mainly from Thailand, Pakistan, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Ghana, Malaysia, South Korea and the United States. The university lists 59 undergraduate majors, 45 master’s programs and 23 doctoral disciplines open to international students, with 12 master’s programs and about 100 courses taught fully in English.
A5 alliance
A league of leading agricultural universities founded by CAU with Cornell University, Wageningen University, the University of California, Davis and the University of São Paulo.
China–Africa programs
Recent initiatives include the China–Africa Green Agriculture project, the China–Africa Science and Technology Innovation Center and the China–Africa Agricultural Cooperation "1+1" initiative.
China–Thailand food science program
A talent-development program in agricultural food science and technology run by the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering.
Career
Career & alumni
CAU does not publish employment or salary statistics for its international graduates. Its international-education page states that many of its international alumni have become government ministers, university presidents, professors and senior researchers in their home countries, strengthening agricultural, scientific and educational ties with China — which reflects the profile of its graduate and sponsored programs, many of which recruit people already working in agriculture ministries and research institutes. Ask the International Office about internship rules and work-permit questions before arrival.
Career support
- The International Office (Room 412, Main Building, East Campus) handles admission, registration and residence-permit procedures for international students.
Notable alumni
Campus life
Campus life
International students live on campus in shared rooms. The 2027 guides price on-campus accommodation at RMB 1,000–1,600 per month for a shared room, and the advanced-study brochure quotes RMB 1,300 per month and warns that on-campus places are limited. CAU does not publish room layouts, which campus you will live on or how to reserve a room on its admissions pages, so ask the International Office after you receive your admission notice. Both campuses — East on Qinghua East Road and West on Yuanmingyuan West Road — are in Haidian District, Beijing’s main university district.
Accommodation
On-campus international student housing
RMB 1,000–1,600 per month
2027 undergraduate and graduate guides. The non-degree advanced study brochure quotes RMB 1,300 per month and says on-campus places are limited.
Dining
CAU does not publish dining halls or meal prices for international students on its admissions pages; budget for food separately.
Facilities
Two campuses
East Campus, 17 Qinghua East Road, and West Campus, 2 Yuanmingyuan West Road, both in Haidian District, Beijing.
Insurance
Insurance is compulsory and costs RMB 800 per academic year, prorated for single-semester advanced students.
Visa & residence permit
Admitted students enter on an X1 visa using the Admission Notice and JW201/JW202 form, and must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of entry.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at China Agricultural University for international students?+
For the 2027 intake, tuition is RMB 20,000 a year for bachelor’s study, RMB 26,000 for master’s and RMB 30,000 for doctoral study, whatever the language of instruction. Add a RMB 400 non-refundable application fee, RMB 800 a year insurance and RMB 1,000–1,600 a month for a shared on-campus room.
What Chinese level do I need?+
HSK Level 5 for all bachelor’s applicants and for Chinese-taught master’s and doctoral programs; Veterinary Medicine undergraduates need 250 or more on HSK 5. This is higher than the HSK 4 asked in the 2026 guides. English-taught graduate programs need TOEFL iBT 90 or IELTS 6.0 and no Chinese score, but you must reach International Chinese Language Level 3 before graduating.
When is the application deadline for 2027?+
Undergraduate applications run 1 November 2026 – 31 May 2027. Self-funded graduate applications run November 2026 – June 2027. Scholarship routes close earlier: the CGS High Level Postgraduate Program on 28 February 2027, the CGS Silk Road Program between March and May 2027, and the Beijing Government Scholarship in May 2027. Graduate admission notices are issued in July.
Do I need the CSCA test?+
Yes, if you are applying for a bachelor’s degree: every undergraduate applicant must sit the China Scholastic Competency Assessment run by the China Scholarship Council, with at least 50 points in each subject, and submit the transcript. The graduate guide does not require it.
Are there age limits?+
Undergraduate applicants must be at least 18; the guide sets no upper limit. Master’s applicants must be under 35 and doctoral applicants under 40. The Beijing Government Scholarship adds an upper limit of 25 for undergraduates (2026 notice).
Does CAU offer English-taught programs?+
At graduate level, yes — CAU lists 12 master’s programs taught entirely in English, and English-taught doctoral study is available too. The 2027 undergraduate guide lists no English-taught bachelor’s programs and requires HSK 5 of every applicant.
What scholarships can I apply for?+
Chinese Government Scholarship Type B channels (High Level Postgraduate Program and, for listed Belt and Road countries, the Silk Road Program), which cover tuition, a double room, a living allowance and insurance; the Beijing Government Scholarship in categories A, B or C for the first year only; and occasional sponsored programs such as the Ministry of Commerce master’s in rural development. The detailed 2027 notices were not yet out when this guide was checked, so confirm their terms.
Contact
Contact the admissions offices
Reach the International Office, China Agricultural University for questions about applications, documents, scholarships and arrival. Type university programs and offices are based on campus in Beijing.
- Office
- International Office, China Agricultural University
- Address
- Room 412, Main Building, No. 17 Qinghua East Road (Qinghua Donglu), Haidian District, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
- cauie@cau.edu.cn — International Office, degree admissions (undergraduate and graduate)wangyancai@cau.edu.cn — International Student Advanced Study Program (non-degree)cidgajiaowu@cau.edu.cn — Ministry of Commerce Master’s in Rural Development and Management Studies
- Phone
- +86-10-6273 7815 — International Office, degree admissions+86-10-6273 7704 — Fax, International Office+86-10-6273 7981 — International Student Advanced Study Program+86-10-6273 3257 — College of Plant Protection (CGS Silk Road Program)+86-10-6273 3423 — College of Resources and Environmental Sciences (CGS Silk Road Program)
Verified from official sources · last checked 2026-09-28
Tuition, fees and deadlines change every intake. Always confirm the current figures on the official China Agricultural University pages before applying.
- 2027 Admission Information for Undergraduate
- 2027 Admission Information for Graduate (master’s)
- Graduate admissions list (doctoral column)
- Undergraduate admissions list
- 2026 Admission Information for Undergraduate
- 2026 Admission Information for Graduate
- 2026 CGS High Level Postgraduate Program
- 2026 CGS Silk Road Program
- 2026 Ministry of Commerce Master’s program
- 2026 Beijing Government Scholarship
- Advanced Study Program brochure
- International Summer School 2026
- Non-degree programs list
- International admissions home
- School Introduction (学校简介)
- Basic Data (基本数据)
- International student education (国际学生教育)
- QS: China Agricultural University
- Wikipedia: China Agricultural University