CHINA · HARBIN
Harbin Institute of Technology
public · Founded 1920 · Languages: en, zh, ru
In short
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) is a C9 League member renowned for science and engineering, offering competitive tuition and scholarships for international students in China.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1920
- Students
- 48,000
- International students
- 4,000
- Acceptance rate
- 35%
- Tuition (intl)
- €3–6k/yr
- Languages
- EN, ZH, RU
- Location
- Harbin, China
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) is one of China's most prestigious science and engineering universities, founded in 1920 and a member of the elite C9 League. Under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, HIT consistently ranks top 10 in China and around 256th globally (QS). The university has three campuses — Harbin, Weihai, and Shenzhen — and is internationally recognised for excellence in aerospace, mechanical engineering, materials science, and computer science. HIT contributes substantially to China's space programme and national defence research through over 40 national key laboratories.
Why study here
- C9 League member — China's most prestigious university alliance, equivalent to the Ivy League.
- World-class strength in aerospace, mechanical engineering, materials science and computer science.
- Access to over 40 national key laboratories and major contributions to China's space programme.
- Growing number of English-medium programmes for international students.
- Competitive tuition fees and generous Chinese Government Scholarship opportunities.
Student life
Student life at HIT is vibrant across all three campuses. The Harbin main campus offers extensive sports facilities, student clubs, and cultural activities reflecting both Chinese and Russian heritage. International students are supported by a dedicated International Student Office. Harbin's famous Ice and Snow Festival (January-February) is a unique cultural highlight. The city is safe, affordable, and offers excellent local cuisine. The Shenzhen campus provides a modern tech-hub experience in China's most innovative city.
Fees
InternationalInternational student tuition ranges from approximately CNY 20,000-40,000 per year (EUR 2,800-5,500) depending on programme level and discipline. Engineering and science programmes typically fall in the mid-range.
HomeChinese domestic students pay approximately CNY 5,000-8,000 per year depending on programme.
LivingLiving costs in Harbin are low by international standards — approximately CNY 2,500-4,000 per month (EUR 320-520) covering accommodation, food, and personal expenses.
The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) can fully cover tuition, accommodation, and provide a monthly stipend for eligible international students. HIT also offers its own merit scholarships.
Admissions
UndergraduateHigh school diploma with strong academic results, especially in mathematics and sciences
PostgraduateBachelor's degree in a relevant field; research proposal for doctoral programmes
IELTS AcademicTypically 6.0 for English-taught programmes
TOEFL iBTTypically 80 for English-taught programmes
HSKHSK Level 4+ required for Chinese-taught programmes
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2025256
China National RankingsTop 6
C9 LeagueMember (China's elite research university alliance)
University scholarships
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)Full tuition, accommodation, and monthly stipend (CNY 2,500-3,500)
HIT President ScholarshipPartial to full tuition for high-achieving international applicants
Heilongjiang Provincial Government ScholarshipCNY 10,000-20,000 per year
Accreditation
HIT is a directly-administered national university under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, a member of the C9 League, and a '985 Project' and '211 Project' institution — the highest tier of Chinese government investment in higher education.
Programs
a selectionHarbin Institute of Technology · China
Master of Finance
The Master of Finance program at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) is offered by the Department of Finance, established in 1993. The department gained approval for its master's program in 2003 and specifically achieved qualifications for a Finance Master's degree in 2011. The department boasts a dedicated faculty of 13 staff, all holding PhD degrees. Among them, 3 are professors, 9 are associate professors, and 1 is a lecturer. Five staff members are qualified to supervise PhD students, and one professor has been recognized as an excellent talent by the Chinese Ministry of Education. Three faculty members have earned degrees from renowned overseas universities, contributing to a strong academic environment and numerous research achievements. The program aims to cultivate graduates with a comprehensive understanding of economic and financial theories, strong analytical and independent thinking skills, a global perspective, and the practical expertise needed for the financial sector. Through established relationships with banks, securities firms, and insurance institutions, students gain valuable practical experience. The curriculum includes core subjects like financial markets, money and banking, investment, financial engineering, and international finance. The department also facilitates overseas exchange opportunities with prominent universities in the US, Europe, and Australia.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
24 mo
Duration
Harbin Institute of Technology · China
Master of Management and Master of Economics
The School of Management (SoM) at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) offers two distinct Master's programs: Master of Management and Master of Economics. These programs are designed to provide advanced knowledge and research opportunities across various specializations. The Master of Management program includes majors such as Management Science and Engineering, Technology Economics and Management, Business Administration, and Accounting. The Master of Economics program offers specializations in Finance, and International Economics and Business. The discipline of Management Science and Engineering is a National Key Discipline, recognized for its strong academic team and research environment, focusing on areas like Management Information Systems, Construction Economics, and Intelligent Traffic Management. Business Administration is a Provincial Key Discipline, engaging in research on Technological Innovation, Enterprise Operations, and Marketing Strategies. Public Administration, another Provincial Key Discipline, has a strong international focus and collaborates with leading global universities on research in Government Innovation and Public Policy. The Applied Economics discipline is oriented towards global economic trends and China's development, with research areas including Financial Security, International Technology Transfer, and Financial Market Efficiency. HIT's SoM leverages its multi-disciplinary strengths to foster influential research and provide comprehensive training for future leaders and researchers in these fields.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
24 mo
Duration
Scholarships
for China
full fundingTsinghua University
Schwarzman Scholars
Open to applicants of any nationality who hold (or will hold) a bachelor's degree by the programme start and are under ~29 years old at the deadline. English proficiency is required; Chinese is not. Selection seeks demonstrated leadership, academic strength, and the potential to bridge China and the world.
full
Funding
€65k
Max
Oct 15, 2026
Deadline
full fundingTsinghua University (sponsored by Siemens Ltd., China)
Siemens China Scholarship at Tsinghua University
International students who meet Tsinghua University's PhD admission requirements, hold a strong academic background in computer science, engineering or AI, apply to one of the approved Siemens research fields, and do not hold another major PhD scholarship at Tsinghua. Applicants should be willing to collaborate on industry-focused research with Siemens.
full
Funding
€22k
Max
Feb 28, 2027
Deadline
full fundingChina Scholarship Council (CSC), Ministry of Education, People's Republic of China
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Open to non-Chinese citizens in good health who meet the academic and age requirements for their level (under ~25 for bachelor's, ~35 for master's, ~40 for doctoral, as a guideline). Applicants apply via a Chinese university, a Chinese embassy, or another dispatching authority, depending on the programme.
full
Funding
€20k
Max
Apr 30, 2027
Deadline
full fundingTsinghua University / China Scholarship Council (CSC)
Tsinghua University Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS)
For non-Chinese citizens in good health who apply for a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree at Tsinghua University in Beijing. The Chinese Government Scholarship is administered by Tsinghua as a designated host university; applicants apply both to the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and for Tsinghua admission, and must meet the relevant age and academic requirements.
full
Funding
€15k
Max
Mar 1, 2027
Deadline
full fundingShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SHSMU)
SJTU School of Medicine Chinese Government Scholarship
Open to non-Chinese citizens in good health who are not currently studying in China. Master's applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and be under 35; doctoral applicants must hold a master's degree and be under 40. Applicants must show excellent academic records and must not hold any other Chinese government or organisation scholarship.
full
Funding
€15k
Max
Apr 14, 2027
Deadline
full fundingSoochow University
Soochow University Chinese Government Scholarship
Open to non-Chinese citizens in good health with a valid passport. Master's applicants need a bachelor's degree with good grades and should preferably be under 35; doctoral applicants need a master's degree with strong academic results and should preferably be under 40. Applicants must not already hold another Chinese government or university scholarship.
full
Funding
€14k
Max
Feb 28, 2027
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What are the tuition fees for international students at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT)?
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International student tuition at HIT ranges from approximately CNY 20,000 to CNY 40,000 per year, depending on the program level and discipline. Engineering and science programs usually fall in the mid-range of this scale.
What are the living costs for students in Harbin?
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Living costs in Harbin are considered low by international standards, estimated at around CNY 2,500 to CNY 4,000 per month. This estimate covers accommodation, food, and personal expenses.
Are there scholarship opportunities for international students at HIT?
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Yes, HIT offers scholarship opportunities for international students. The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) can cover full tuition, accommodation, and provide a monthly stipend, while HIT also provides its own merit scholarships.
What are the language requirements for international students?
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For English-taught programs, students typically need an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 or a TOEFL iBT score of 80. For Chinese-taught programs, an HSK Level 4 or higher is required.
What are HIT's strengths in academic disciplines?
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HIT is internationally recognized for its excellence in aerospace, mechanical engineering, materials science, and computer science. It is a major contributor to China's space program and national defense research.
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