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If you’re looking to study at one of the top universities in mainland China, it’s almost certain that you’re considering Tsinghua University and Peking University. Both based in capital city Beijing, these two institutions are consistently ranked among the very best in mainland China.
The table below shows how the two universities have performed in the latest QS World University Rankings, compared to other top universities in mainland China.
Read on for more details of how these two top universities in China compare, including how they perform in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Between them, these two top universities in mainland China claim a very impressive presence in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. Tsinghua University is ranked among the world’s best for over 30 subjects, as is Peking University.
Tsinghua’s strongest subjects are predominantly in the fields of engineering & technology, while Peking University excels in some natural sciences and social sciences subjects.
Overall, Peking University appears to be stronger in a wider range of subject areas. A complete breakdown of the QS World University Rankings by Subject, as well as each university’s ranking for each broad subject area, can be seen below.
Tsinghua University
Peking University
Accounting and Finance
16
=14
Agriculture and Forestry
--
65
Anatomy and Physiology
24
14
Anthropology
--
=47
Archaeology
51-100
5
Architecture and Built Environment
=7
22
Art and Design
=14
29
Art History
3
21-50
Arts and Humanities
=33
28
Biological Sciences
20
25
Business and Management Studies
23
25
Chemistry
13
12
Classics and Ancient History
--
2
Communication and Media Studies
=40
=35
Computer Science and Information Systems
11
14
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
--
--
Dentistry
--
=39
Development Studies
--
--
Earth and Marine Sciences
11
14
Economics and Econometrics
=18
20
Education and Training
14
15
Engineering - Chemical
7
15
Engineering - Civil and Structural
5
--
Engineering - Electrical and Electronic
10
20
Engineering - Mechanical
7
20
Engineering - Mineral and Mining
--
--
Engineering - Petroleum
--
--
Engineering and Technology
7
16
English Language and Literature
57
24
Environmental Sciences
2
12
Geography
15
9
Geology
18
13
Geophysics
=18
15
History
51-100
5
Hospitality and Leisure Management
51-100
--
Law and Legal Studies
=22
=22
Library and Information Management
--
13
Life Sciences and Medicine
=51
26
Linguistics
=33
2
Marketing
26
--
Materials Sciences
=6
14
Mathematics
11
=13
Medicine
=59
=29
Modern Languages
=30
7
Music
--
--
Natural Sciences
10
=12
Nursing
--
38
Performing Arts
--
51-100
Pharmacy and Pharmacology
=23
21
Philosophy
51-100
37
Physics and Astronomy
12
13
Politics
19
27
Psychology
=97
35
Social Policy and Administration
16
25
Social Sciences and Management
18
13
Sociology
=43
19
Sports-Related Subjects
51-100
=34
Statistics and Operational Research
9
21
Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies
--
--
Veterinary Science
--
--
Which university is right for you?
Whichever of these two top universities in mainland China you choose, you can expect a high-quality education at a globally renowned institution. The subject rankings provide a fantastic way of assessing which institution is best for your chosen field of study, but even then there are cases where there's not a lot to separate the two universities.
It's worth also looking at each university's website to learn more about the course content for your chosen subject, in case there are significant differences. Also take the time to compare things like cost of tuition, scholarship availability, and graduate employment data.
More information on how the two universities compare can be found in our comparison tool.
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Tsinghua University vs Peking University
Laura Bridgestock
Updated Apr 10, 2025Save
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Table of contents
Table of contents
If you’re looking to study at one of the top universities in mainland China, it’s almost certain that you’re considering Tsinghua University and Peking University. Both based in capital city Beijing, these two institutions are consistently ranked among the very best in mainland China.
The table below shows how the two universities have performed in the latest QS World University Rankings, compared to other top universities in mainland China.
Read on for more details of how these two top universities in China compare, including how they perform in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
QS World University Rank
Subject strengths
Between them, these two top universities in mainland China claim a very impressive presence in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. Tsinghua University is ranked among the world’s best for over 30 subjects, as is Peking University.
Tsinghua’s strongest subjects are predominantly in the fields of engineering & technology, while Peking University excels in some natural sciences and social sciences subjects.
Overall, Peking University appears to be stronger in a wider range of subject areas. A complete breakdown of the QS World University Rankings by Subject, as well as each university’s ranking for each broad subject area, can be seen below.
Which university is right for you?
Whichever of these two top universities in mainland China you choose, you can expect a high-quality education at a globally renowned institution. The subject rankings provide a fantastic way of assessing which institution is best for your chosen field of study, but even then there are cases where there's not a lot to separate the two universities.
It's worth also looking at each university's website to learn more about the course content for your chosen subject, in case there are significant differences. Also take the time to compare things like cost of tuition, scholarship availability, and graduate employment data.
More information on how the two universities compare can be found in our comparison tool.
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The former editor of TopUniversities.com, Laura oversaw the site's editorial content and student forums. She also edited the QS Top Grad School Guide and contributed to market research reports, including 'How Do Students Use Rankings?'
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