Why CAU matters
China Agricultural University (中国农业大学, Zhōngguó Nóngyè Dàxué, or CAU) is China's top-ranked university for agricultural science and one of the world's leading institutions in this field. Founded in 1905 as the College of Agriculture at the Imperial University of Peking, CAU has been at the forefront of agricultural research in China for over a century. In a country that must feed 1.4 billion people on 9% of the world's arable land, the work done at CAU has implications that extend far beyond academia.
CAU's strengths are in agricultural science, food science and engineering, veterinary medicine, crop science, agricultural resources and environment, and biology. The university operates national key laboratories in crop genetic improvement, animal nutrition, and agricultural biomass engineering. Its research on hybrid rice, drought-resistant wheat, and precision agriculture has contributed directly to China's food security strategy.
For international students, CAU offers something genuinely unique: the opportunity to study the world's largest and most complex agricultural system from the inside. Whether your interest is food security, sustainable agriculture, animal health, agricultural economics, or rural development, China's scale makes it an unparalleled laboratory. CAU is the best vantage point from which to engage with these questions.
Programs for international students
CAU offers English-taught master's programs in Agricultural Science, Food Science and Engineering, Biological Science, Agricultural Economics, and Veterinary Medicine. The programs combine coursework with significant research time in CAU's laboratories and experimental farms. The agricultural economics program is particularly relevant for students interested in China's rural development, food trade policy, or agricultural supply chains.
The veterinary medicine program is one of the few English-taught veterinary programs in China and is accredited by several international veterinary education authorities. Students gain clinical experience at CAU's teaching hospital, which treats both companion animals and livestock. This program attracts students primarily from Asia and Africa.
Chinese-taught programs cover the full range of agricultural disciplines. HSK 5 is required for Chinese-taught undergraduate programs; HSK 5 (score 210+) for graduate programs. English-taught programs require IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80+. The application period runs from November through April.
Campus and Beijing life
CAU has two campuses in Beijing. The East Campus (东校区) is in the Haidian district near the Olympic Forest Park, and the West Campus (西校区) is in the same general area. Both campuses are well-equipped with specialized facilities including experimental farms, greenhouses, animal husbandry facilities, and food processing laboratories. The university also operates research stations across China, providing opportunities for fieldwork in diverse agricultural environments.
International student dormitories cost 600-1,200 RMB per month. The location near the Olympic Park area means greener surroundings and cleaner air than central Beijing, though the distance from the city center requires metro travel (approximately 30-40 minutes to central business districts). The campus area has good amenities including restaurants, shops, and sports facilities.
Living costs follow Beijing standards. Budget 2,500-3,500 RMB per month. The CSC scholarship is available, and CAU's allocation reflects the strategic importance of agricultural education in China. Self-funded study is affordable, and the specialized nature of the programs means less competition for scholarship positions than at generalist universities.
Admissions and costs
Tuition for Chinese-taught undergraduate programs is approximately 20,000 RMB per year. English-taught master's programs cost 30,000-45,000 RMB per year. Doctoral programs cost 28,000-38,000 RMB per year. The veterinary medicine program has slightly higher tuition due to clinical training costs.
CAU values applicants with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, environmental science, economics, or veterinary science, depending on the program. Research experience in agricultural or life sciences strengthens applications. The university is less selective than C9 institutions but maintains rigorous standards in its core disciplines.
CAU is the clear first choice for international students whose primary interest is agriculture, food science, or veterinary medicine in the Chinese context. For students with broader academic interests, a comprehensive university may be more suitable. But within its domain, CAU's expertise and resources are unmatched in China.