Tsinghua University

Situated in the former royal gardens of the Qing Dynasty in northwest Beijing, Tsinghua University is one of China's most prestigious and influential higher education institutions. Although its 57 departments cover a broad range of subjects, including art, literature, social sciences and medicine, the uni is most famed for its engineering and IT programs.

The university also has a reputation for hosting lectures given by globally distinguished speakers, including Tony Blair, Henry Kissinger and Bill Clinton.

World University Rankings: 16th

Percentage of international students: 13%

Undergraduate programs: Tsinghua University offers 78 undergrad courses in various fields, including science, business, engineering, humanities, and law.

Graduate programs: Choose from more than 100 master's degrees and 80 doctoral programs.

Student societies: There are over 110 clubs and associations and lots of extracurricular activities for international students to get involved with, including New Year's parties, visits to historical landmarks and the annual Ma Yuehan Cup, a sports meet where students compete in races, balls games and chess.

Peking University

The first national university in China, Peking University was founded in 1898 and has been a leading higher education and research institution ever since. Generations of prominent entrepreneurs, politicians and innovators have studied there, and the university's grounds are well-known for their stunning traditional Chinese architecture, featuring gardens, pagodas and historical buildings.

World University Rankings: 16th

Percentage of international students: 19%

Undergraduate programs: PKU has 93 undergraduate courses available, covering a broad range of areas, like computer sciences, sociology, law and foreign languages.

Graduate programs: There are also 199 master degree programs to choose from if you decide to continue your studies.

Student societies: With over 200 student organisations and a range of other year-round activities to participate in, there's more than enough to keep you busy on campus outside of your studies.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Enjoying a long history and world-renowned reputation, notable alumni from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University include Qian Xuesen, father of China's space program and former Chinese president Jiang Zemin.

The university comprises several campuses spread out across Shanghai, the country's largest city by population, and boasts a whole host of facilities, such as sizeable sports arenas, high-tech laboratory facilities, bookstores and restaurants.

World University Rankings: 84th

Percentage of international students: 10%

Undergraduate programs: SJTU has 67 undergraduate courses in nine major disciplines, law, literature, economics, engineering, science, art, management and agriculture.

Graduate programs: It also offers a mix of PhDs and master degrees on topics like ecology, physicals and civil engineering.

Student societies: The university hosts a wide range of clubs, activities, volunteer opportunities, and events. Their most famous celebration is the Chinese New Year Lantern Festival, where thousands of people gather to send lit lanterns floating down the Yangtze.

University of Science and Technology of China

Specialising in science and technology and home to one of China's most important national research centres, this university has five campuses, all located in Hefei, the capital of the Anhui Province, which has seen a dramatic expansion over the past decade.

Surrounded by lush green mountains and packed with dense swathes of skyscrapers, Hefei is an innovative city full of vitality and even has a new high-speed train that can reach both Beijing and Shanghai in only a few hours.

World University Rankings: 88th

Percentage of international students: 5%

Undergraduate and graduate programs: The University of Science and Technology's courses cover software engineering, maths, chemistry, space sciences and more.

Student societies: Throw yourself into campus life by joining one of the USTCs many societies, ranging from robotics to ballroom dancing.

Zhejiang University

Zhejiang University's campuses are located in Hangzhou, a city rich in history and natural beauty and one of China's seven ancient capitals. The institution prides itself on fostering a culture of innovation and has significantly invested in research, helping develop technology for clean energy, treatments for infectious diseases and much more.

World University Rankings: 75th

Percentage of international students: 20%

Undergraduate and graduate programs: The university has 133 undergraduate and 334 postgraduate courses available in a range of disciplines, such as history, education, economics and philosophy.

Student societies: ZJU provides regular exhibitions, conferences, film screening and live performances, has over 130 societies for you to join, and there's even an on-site museum full of archaeology treasures.

Nanjing University

A member of the C9 League, a group of leading higher education institutions similar to the US's Ivy League, Nanjing University possesses a beautiful campus and modern research and teaching facilities.

A great option for history lovers, there is no shortage of ancient landmarks to visit in Nanjing, including a number of palaces and temples, the 600-year-old city wall and the scenic Purple Mountain.

World University Rankings: 105th

Percentage of international students: 9%

Undergraduate and graduate programs: The university runs 74 graduate programs and 186 masters in areas like the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering and management.

Student societies: With more than a hundred student organisations available, there's a community for every interest, from coffee appreciation to helping the stray cats that roam the campus.