Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University (THU) is a public university in Haidian, Beijing, China. It is supported by the Ministry of Education of China and is part of important national projects like the Double First-Class Construction, Project 211, and Project 985. Tsinghua University is also a member of the C9 League, a group of leading universities in China.

The university's campus is located in northwestern Beijing, where beautiful gardens from the old Qing dynasty used to be. Tsinghua has 21 schools and 59 departments, teaching many subjects such as science, engineering, humanities, law, medicine, history, philosophy, economics, management, education, and art.

Since it opened its doors in 1911, Tsinghua University has helped many important people become leaders in science, engineering, politics, business, and teaching.

History

Main article: History of Tsinghua University

Further information: Boxer Indemnity Scholarship Program

Early 20th century (1911–1949)

Tsinghua University started in Beijing during a time of big changes and conflicts. After a big uprising called the Boxer Rebellion against foreign influence, the ruling Qing dynasty had to pay money to countries that helped stop the rebellion. The United States suggested that part of this money, US$30 million, was too much. After talks, the US reduced the amount by US$10.8 million in 1909, and this money was used to help Chinese students study in the United States.

With this fund, Tsinghua College was created on April 29, 1911, on the site of a former royal garden. It was meant to prepare students to study in the United States. Teachers for science subjects were brought from the United States by the YMCA, and graduates could move directly to American schools as junior students. The school’s motto, “Self-Discipline and Social Commitment,” came from a speech in 1914 by a famous teacher, Liang Qichao.

In 1925, the school started its own four-year undergraduate program and a research institute on Chinese studies. In 1928, it changed its name to National Tsinghua University.

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, many Chinese universities had to move to avoid the fighting. In 1937, Tsinghua University joined with Peking University and Nankai University to form a new university in Changsha, Hunan. Later, it moved to Kunming, Yunnan, and became the National Southwestern Associated University. After World War II, the Tsinghua part returned to Beijing.

Later 20th century (post-1949)

After the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949, China went through a big change led by the communist revolution. Tsinghua’s president and many teachers moved to Taiwan and started a new university there, which is separate from Tsinghua.

In 1952, China reorganized its universities to focus on specific areas of study. Tsinghua became a school focused on engineering and natural sciences.

In 1953, Tsinghua started a program where new graduates who were members of the Communist Party helped manage students and student groups. This program was later used in other universities.

During a big political movement called the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976, many universities, including Tsinghua, stopped working for a while because of unrest. It wasn’t until 1978 that Tsinghua started taking students again and became important in Chinese society.

In the 1980s, Tsinghua grew to include many different areas of study, like law, economics, and the arts.

In 1996, Tsinghua’s School of Economics and Management started working with the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They began an MBA program called the Tsinghua-MIT Global MBA in 1997.

In 1998, Tsinghua became the first Chinese university to offer a Master of Laws program in American law, working with Temple University Beasley School of Law.

21st century

Tsinghua has many famous alumni, including Xi Jinping, the current leader of China, who studied chemical engineering, and Hu Jintao, a former leader, who studied hydraulic engineering.

As of 2018, Tsinghua University has 20 schools, 58 departments, 41 research institutes, 35 research centers, and 167 laboratories, including 15 national key laboratories. In 2006, Peking Union Medical College became “Peking Union Medical College, Tsinghua University,” though they remain separate institutions. Tsinghua also runs its own press, publishing academic journals and textbooks.

In 2014, Tsinghua created Xinya College, a special college modeled after universities in the United States and Europe. Xinya lets students choose their major at the end of their first year instead of when they start.

In 2016, the Schwarzman Scholars program was started with a large donation. It brings 100–200 students from around the world to study leadership for one year at Schwarzman College on Tsinghua’s campus.

In 2024, Tsinghua changed its leadership so that the university is now directly managed by its Chinese Communist Party committee.

Academics

Tsinghua University offers many programs in subjects like science, engineering, arts, social sciences, law, and medicine. It has 20 colleges and 57 departments. The university is part of important academic groups and works on research projects supported by the government.

Getting into Tsinghua University is very hard. Students in China take a big national exam called the gaokao to apply. For graduate schools, only about 16% of MBA applicants get in each year. The university does a lot of research, getting money from government programs. It also works on special projects and hosts summer institutes with other universities around the world.

Tsinghua University is known as one of the best universities in China and Asia. It ranks high in many international lists for teaching, research, and how well students can get jobs after they finish their studies. The university is especially strong in subjects like engineering, computer science, and business.

Campus

The campus of Tsinghua University is located in northwest Beijing, in the Haidian district. In 2010, the campus was named one of the most beautiful college campuses in the world by a group of architects and designers from Forbes, and it was the only university in Asia to receive this honor.

Many talented architects helped design the buildings on the campus. American architect Henry Killam Murphy designed important buildings such as the Grand Auditorium and the Roosevelt Memorial Gymnasium. Other architects like Yang Tingbao and Shen Liyuan also contributed to designing many buildings, including student dorms and libraries. The campus includes a special area for the university's Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, located in a suburb north of Beijing.

The Tsinghua History Museum shows visitors the university's past through old documents, pictures, artworks, and more. The university also has its own art museum, the Tsinghua University Art Museum, which began with the Academy of Arts & Design in 1956. The campus features many beautiful and historic buildings and gardens, such as the Old Library and a Qing dynasty garden.

Notable people

Main article: People associated with Tsinghua University

Tsinghua University has many famous graduates who have become leaders in politics, science, and business. Some of China’s most important leaders went to this university, including current and past presidents like Xi Jinping and Hu Jintao.

The university also helped shape many scientists and thinkers. One graduate won a Nobel Prize in Physics, and others have made big discoveries in math, biology, and space science. Many wealthy business leaders also studied at Tsinghua.

Tsinghua clique

Main article: Tsinghua clique

Some of the university’s graduates have become important leaders in China’s government. They started gaining power around 2008 and are known for having new ideas about how the country should change.

Canteens

Tsinghua University has many places where students and staff can eat. The Zijingyuan Canteen is in the Zijing Student Apartments and can seat over 3,500 people at once. The Taoliyuan Canteen started serving food in 2004 and covers a large area. Qingfenyuan Canteen opened in 2015 and is placed where many students walk between classes.

There are also smaller canteens like Tīngtaoyuan, which was renamed in 2006, and Rongyuan, located in the School of Finance. The Guanchouyuan Canteen is a big dining area for staff and students, reminding everyone of the hard work of farmers. There are special dining halls like Qingqing Fast Food, which offers quick meals, and Qingqing Leisure Dining, a casual spot for students to relax.