Understanding the Chinese University Ranking System

When browsing Chinese universities, you'll see terms like "Project 985" or "Double First Class" everywhere. What do they actually mean?

The C9 League

Often called China's "Ivy League," this is a group of the top 9 most prestigious universities, including Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan, and Shanghai Jiao Tong. These schools receive the most funding and produce the most research.

Double First Class (The New Standard)

In 2017, the government replaced the old 985/211 system with the "Double First Class" initiative.

• First Class Universities: Elite institutions targeting global leadership (roughly equivalent to the old 985).
• First Class Disciplines: Universities that may not be elite overall, but have one specific major (like Engineering or Agriculture) that is world-class.

Why does this matter?

Graduating from a "Double First Class" university can significantly help with work visa points if you plan to stay in China after graduation. It also matters for PhD applications abroad.