Peking University (PKU), founded in 1898 under the name Imperial University of Peking, stands as China’s first national university and is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the world. Over its more than 120 years of existence, PKU has become a leader in education, research, and innovation in China, contributing to the modernization of the country and the shaping of its future. Known for its rich history, intellectual environment, and commitment to fostering freedom of thought and embracing diversity, Peking University is a symbol of academic excellence.
A Glimpse into History
Peking University’s foundation in 1898 marks a pivotal moment in China’s educational history. Established during the late Qing Dynasty, the university was designed to train a new generation of scholars who could contribute to China’s modernization. At its inception, the university was known as the Imperial University of Peking, and its initial mission was to build a strong intellectual foundation for the country during a time of social and political upheaval. Over the years, PKU evolved and expanded, becoming a hub for academic achievement and a site of intellectual and political change.
Since its establishment, the university has been a bastion for some of China’s brightest minds. Among its alumni are prominent figures in various sectors, including academia, politics, business, and innovation. Notably, many influential Chinese scholars, politicians, entrepreneurs, and innovators were trained at PKU, and they played significant roles in the country’s modernization process. PKU’s contribution to the development of Chinese society and its future trajectory is reflected in the impactful careers of its alumni, who have held leadership roles in government, academia, and industries ranging from technology to finance.
In 2018, Peking University celebrated its 120th anniversary, marking more than a century of academic achievement, social contributions, and intellectual leadership. This milestone underscored its continued influence both in China and around the world. One year later, in 2019, PKU launched its ambitious Global Excellence Strategy, which aims to guide the university into the future with a focus on five core principles: Creativity, Leadership, Openness, Uniqueness, Diversity, and Shaping—an acronym collectively known as CLOUDS. This strategic initiative is designed to ensure that PKU continues to grow its global presence while maintaining its strong commitment to intellectual rigor, creativity, and cultural diversity. The university’s focus on these objectives signals a new phase in its international development, enabling PKU to cultivate future leaders capable of addressing global challenges.
Rankings and Achievements
Peking University’s global reputation has been reinforced through its consistently high rankings in national and international academic assessments. In the 2025 World University Rankings, PKU is ranked 13th globally, a remarkable achievement for any institution. This ranking reflects the university’s dedication to providing quality education, fostering groundbreaking research, and shaping global leaders. Peking University has earned particular recognition in several specialized fields, and it continues to be a leader in both traditional and emerging disciplines.
Here are some of PKU’s notable rankings for 2025:
- World University Ranking: 13th
- Arts and Humanities: 38th
- Business and Economics: 4th
- Clinical Health (Medical and Health): 25th
- Computer Science: 12th
- Education Studies: 8th
- Engineering: 11th
- Law: 14th
- Life Sciences: 11th
- Physical Sciences: 11th
- Psychology: 18th
- Social Sciences: 16th
These rankings are a testament to PKU’s consistent excellence in a wide array of fields. The university’s strong performance in Business and Economics, ranked 4th globally, and its high placement in Computer Science, Engineering, and Medical and Health programs underline its commitment to shaping the future of various industries. Additionally, PKU’s Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences departments continue to make impactful contributions to both academic research and practical applications.
Moreover, Peking University’s performance across a range of key indicators highlights its broad academic strength. In terms of teaching, PKU achieves a score of 94.9, reflecting the university’s commitment to high-quality education. The research environment score of 97.7 further emphasizes PKU’s leadership in scientific and academic inquiry. The research quality score of 88.2 indicates the university’s ongoing contribution to cutting-edge discoveries and advancements, and its industry score of 99.9 showcases PKU’s strong ties to various industries, which foster collaboration and innovation. While PKU is performing exceptionally well on a global scale, the international outlook score of 70.1 suggests that the university is actively working to expand its influence and engagement with the international academic community.
Student Demographics and Faculty
Peking University hosts a diverse student body, with a total of 34,981 students enrolled, of which 15% are international students. This international representation reflects the university’s global reach and appeal, drawing scholars from all over the world. PKU has established itself as an institution where students from diverse cultural backgrounds can come together to engage in intellectual exchange and deepen their academic pursuits. The student-to-staff ratio is 11.5 students per staff, which enables PKU to maintain a highly personalized and interactive academic environment.
The gender ratio at Peking University is fairly balanced, with 46% female and 54% male students, further highlighting the university’s commitment to promoting gender equality in higher education. PKU strives to create an inclusive campus environment where students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed academically and personally.
Related Universities
PKU is part of a larger network of prestigious Chinese universities that contribute significantly to China’s educational system. Some related institutions include:
- Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (Suzhou, China, established in 2006)
- Zhejiang University (Zhejiang, China, founded in 1897)
- Beijing University of Chemical Technology (Founded in 1958)
- Northwestern Polytechnical University (Xi’an, China, established in 1938)
- University of Science and Technology of China (Hefei, China, established in 1958)
These universities, like PKU, play an essential role in advancing higher education in China and globally. Their research, academic programs, and collaborations with industries help drive the continued development and modernization of China’s educational and scientific landscape.
Disciplines and Academic Programs
Peking University offers a wide range of academic disciplines that reflect its commitment to providing a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education. Some of the prominent disciplines taught at PKU include:
- Arts and Humanities: This includes disciplines such as archaeology, art, history, philosophy, languages, literature, and linguistics. PKU’s arts and humanities programs are known for their intellectual rigor and depth, contributing to the preservation and study of Chinese and global culture.
- Business and Economics: Peking University’s business school is renowned for its high-quality education in accounting, business management, and economics, preparing students to become leaders in the global business world.
- Computer Science: As technology continues to shape modern society, PKU’s computer science program is at the forefront of research and innovation in areas like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.
- Engineering: PKU offers programs in electrical, mechanical, aerospace, and general engineering, among other fields. The university’s engineering programs are designed to prepare students to tackle complex global challenges.
- Law: PKU’s law program is one of the most respected in China, producing legal scholars and practitioners who play a crucial role in shaping the country’s legal and political systems.
- Life Sciences: Students in biological sciences at PKU are trained to address pressing global health and environmental issues.
- Medical and Health: PKU’s medical school is known for its excellence in medicine, dentistry, and health-related fields, preparing students to become leaders in healthcare.
- Physical Sciences: PKU’s physical sciences programs cover a wide range of disciplines, including chemistry, geology, environmental science, and physics.
- Psychology: The university’s psychology program is focused on advancing our understanding of human behavior and mental health.
- Social Sciences: PKU offers programs in communication, geography, politics, and sociology, fostering critical thinking and intellectual discourse on societal issues.
Peking University’s comprehensive array of disciplines, from the arts to the sciences, underscores its dedication to providing an intellectually enriching environment for its students. Whether in humanities, engineering, business, or health sciences, PKU’s programs are designed to cultivate creative, forward-thinking leaders ready to address the challenges of tomorrow.
Conclusion
Peking University has earned its place as one of the world’s leading universities, with a legacy of excellence in education, research, and innovation. With its rich history, robust academic programs, and global outlook, PKU continues to play a critical role in shaping the future of China and the world. Through its Global Excellence Strategy, PKU is poised to maintain its leadership position in the international academic community while staying true to its core values of freedom of thought and embracing diversity.