A new wave of research universities is emerging in China, competing with the country’s traditional top schools via more flexible academic models, promising career and postgraduate study opportunities, and strong government backing.

Compared to traditional universities, these institutions tend to be smaller and more focused, often emphasizing international education, hands-on coursework, and strong research orientation in the sciences.

More such institutions have been founded after Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the development of new research-based universities to cultivate innovative talent in September 2020.

This year, three newly approved research-oriented universities — Fuyao University of Science and Technology in the eastern Fujian province, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo in the eastern Zhejiang province, and Great Bay University in the southern Guangdong province — are admitting their first cohorts of undergraduate students, making for more than 10 such universities in China in total.

Despite being brand new, these institutions are highly competitive, with admission scores rivaling those of top-tier universities. For instance, only 70 students were admitted to the Eastern Institute of Technology this year, and its admission cutoff was just two points lower than that of Zhejiang University — the province’s top institution.

Other new universities show similar trends, with admission scores comparable to prestigious schools such as South China University of Technology and Harbin Institute of Technology.

One widely discussed case involved a high-scoring student from the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing who chose Westlake University — a private institution founded in 2018 in the eastern tech hub of Hangzhou — over established elite institutions Zhejiang University and Fudan University. The student hopes to pursue research in semiconductor materials, his mother told domestic media.

The new institutions include both public and private universities. Many receive government support, and tuition fees are comparable to traditional schools at around 6,000 yuan ($835) per school year. The Eastern Institute of Technology, which includes overseas exchange programs, charges about 96,000 yuan per year but has provided full scholarships to its first batch of undergraduates.

Innovative study models have made these new universities attractive to students. For example, some schools offer a year of general education before students choose their major, allowing them more time to discover their interests and assess their capabilities.

“Honestly, like most students, I’m drawn to popular majors like AI and robotics, but I hadn’t really thought deeply about whether I truly liked them or was suited for them,” a student from Guangdong who enrolled at the province’s Shenzhen Institute of Technology told domestic media outlet The Paper. “Here, I have a whole year to explore different fields, get involved in real work, and evaluate my potential before deciding on a major.”

The student added that they were especially drawn to the university’s research resources, including the option to spend one day per week in labs across a variety of disciplines.

To ensure quality education and access to resources, most of these new-style universities keep enrollment numbers low, with students supported by leading scientists and academicians from around the world and advanced laboratory facilities. At Westlake University, for example, each undergraduate student is paired with a professor to provide academic mentorship.

Promising career pathways are another major source of the schools’ appeal. Some universities pair students with job mentors and offer internship programs, while others collaborate with top international institutions, offering overseas study opportunities and direct access to graduate programs. In some cases, partner companies provide preferential employment opportunities to graduates.

Curricula typically focus on cutting-edge science and engineering fields, offering interdisciplinary programs in artificial intelligence, intelligent vehicles, biomedicine, and new energy — areas that China has highlighted as foundational to its development in the near future.

Facing a competitive job market, students and parents are increasingly focused on job prospects when choosing universities and majors, experts say. According to Liu Hong, associate researcher at the Fudan Development Institute in Shanghai, these universities often align their programs with industry needs, attracting greater government funding and research support, which enables rapid development.

A survey of 20,000 urban households across 50 cities conducted by the People’s Bank of China found just 6.4% of residents held a favorable view of the country’s employment situation in Q2 2025, while over 53% of respondents called the employment situation “severe and challenging.”

While traditional top universities once dominated admissions, new research-based universities are now gaining ground with refined academic management and clearer career pathways.

“Universities can no longer rest on their past laurels,” Liu told domestic media. “Looking ahead, we can expect a more diverse and differentiated structure within China’s higher education system, moving away from a traditional pyramid model.”

Editor: Tom Arnstein.

(Header image: Visitors take photos at the entrance of Westlake University in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, 2021. VCG)