Peking University

Peking University, known as Beida, is a public research university in the Haidian district of Beijing, China, and the first national comprehensive university founded in modern China.北京大学（Peking University），简称北大，是一所位于中国北京市海淀区的公立研究型大学，也是中国近代第一所国立综合性大学。

It was founded in 1898 as the Imperial University of Peking, is directly under the Ministry of Education, and is one of the two most selective universities in the country, ranking 13th in the 2027 QS World University Rankings.学校创办于 1898 年，初名京师大学堂，直属中华人民共和国教育部，是中国最具选拔性的两所高校之一，在 2027 年 QS 世界大学排名中位列全球第 13。

As of 2025 it had 50,481 students, of whom 16,921 were undergraduates, 16,968 postgraduates and 16,592 doctoral students, taught by some 12,683 academic staff across six campuses.截至 2025 年，学校有学生 50481 人，其中本科生 16921 人、硕士研究生 16968 人、博士研究生 16592 人，由约 12683 名教学科研人员授课，共设六个校区。

History

• On 11 June 1898, during the Hundred Days' Reform, the Guangxu Emperor issued a decree calling for the creation of an imperial university, and the charter drafted by Liang Qichao was approved on 3 July.1898 年 6 月 11 日，光绪帝在戊戌变法中颁布诏书，提出创办京师大学堂；梁启超草拟的学堂章程于 7 月 3 日获批准。

• The charter was the earliest outline of a higher education system in modern China, and the Imperial University of Peking combined the roles of the country's highest seat of learning and its central education authority.该章程是中国近代最早的高等教育学制纲要；京师大学堂既是中国最高学府，又行使国家最高教育行政机构的职能。

• Sun Jianai was appointed to oversee the university, Xu Jingcheng became chief Chinese instructor and the American missionary W. A. P. Martin chief instructor for Western learning.孙家鼐受命管理大学堂事务，许景澄任中学总教习，美国传教士丁韪良任西学总教习。

• The Hundred Days' Reform failed in September 1898, but the university survived. In 1900 the Boxer rising and the occupation of its buildings by foreign troops forced it to close for nearly two years.戊戌变法于 1898 年 9 月失败，但京师大学堂得以保留；1900 年义和团运动爆发、校舍被外国军队占用，学校停办近两年。

• In 1902 the court ordered the university restored under Zhang Baixi, with Wu Rulun and Gu Hongming as chief instructors, and the Tongwen Guan founded in 1862 was merged into it.1902 年清廷命张百熙主持恢复京师大学堂，吴汝纶与辜鸿铭分任正副总教习，1862 年创办的同文馆也并入其中。

• In 1904 the university sent 47 students abroad, the first such state-sponsored group from a Chinese university, and in 1910 it opened faculties of classics, law, letters, science, agriculture, engineering and commerce.1904 年学校派出 47 名学生出国留学，开中国高校公派留学之先；1910 年开办分科大学，设经科、法政科、文科、格致科、农科、工科与商科。

• After the establishment of the republic, the government approved the change of name to Peking University in May 1912 and appointed Yan Fu as its head. Yan Fu argued successfully against a proposal to close it.民国成立后，政府于 1912 年 5 月批准改名为北京大学校，并任命严复为校长；严复撰文力争，使学校免于停办。

• Cai Yuanpei became president in December 1916 and led the university for a decade on the principles of freedom of thought and inclusiveness.蔡元培于 1916 年 12 月出任校长，以「思想自由、兼容并包」为原则主持校务约十年。

• Cai dismissed unqualified teachers and recruited Chen Duxiu, Hu Shi, Li Dazhao, Lu Xun, Li Siguang and Ma Yinchu, and he introduced a system of faculty governance modelled on German universities.蔡元培辞退不称职的教师，聘来陈独秀、胡适、李大钊、鲁迅、李四光与马寅初等人，并仿效德国大学推行教授治校与民主管理。

• He reorganised Peking University around the arts and sciences, abolished the class-year system in favour of elective courses, and established research institutes in 1917, the first in a Chinese university.他围绕文理两科重组北大，废除年级制而改行选科制，并于 1917 年设立文、理、法三科研究所，为中国高校最早的研究所。

• In 1920 the university admitted women students, the first public university in China to do so, after permitting three women to attend lectures earlier that year.1920 年，学校在年初允许三名女生旁听之后正式招收女学生，开中国公立大学男女同校之先。

• Chen Duxiu brought the journal New Youth to Beijing in 1917, and with Hu Shi, Qian Xuantong and Li Dazhao he made the university the centre of the New Culture Movement.1917 年陈独秀把《新青年》迁至北京，与胡适、钱玄同、李大钊等人一道，使北大成为新文化运动的中心。

• The May Fourth Movement of 1919 began with a student gathering at the university, whose students led the march on Tiananmen on 4 May.1919 年的五四运动始于北大的学生集会，北大学生在 5 月 4 日天安门游行中担任指挥。

• Jiang Menglin became president in December 1930 and reorganised the university into faculties of arts, science and law in 1932, introducing a credit system and a graduate school.蒋梦麟于 1930 年 12 月出任校长，并于 1932 年把学校改组为文、理、法三学院，推行学分制并设立研究院。

• After the fall of Beiping in 1937, Peking University, Tsinghua and Nankai moved first to Changsha and then to Kunming, where they formed the National Southwestern Associated University from 1938 to 1946.1937 年北平失守后，北京大学与清华大学、南开大学先迁长沙、再迁昆明，于 1938 至 1946 年间组成国立西南联合大学。

• Hu Shi was appointed president in 1945 and took office in 1946, when the university returned to Beiping and added faculties of medicine, engineering and agriculture.胡适于 1945 年被任命为校长、1946 年到任，学校同年回迁北平，并增设医、工、农三个学院。

• In the nationwide reorganisation of 1952 the university lost its engineering and medical faculties but absorbed the arts and science departments of Tsinghua and Yenching universities and moved to the former Yenching campus, the Yan Yuan.1952 年全国院系调整中，学校分出工科与医科，同时并入清华大学与燕京大学的文理院系，并迁入原燕京大学校址燕园。

• That reorganisation concentrated scholars in the natural sciences and humanities at Peking University and established its long-standing strength in those fields.这次调整使自然科学与人文学科的学者云集北大，奠定了北大在这些领域长期领先的地位。

• The university created China's first department of atomic energy in 1958 and later rebuilt its departments of law, library science and political science.1958 年学校创建中国第一个原子能学系，其后又重建法律系、图书馆学系与政治学系。

• From 1986 Peking University set itself the goal of becoming a world-class university, and the state funded it through the 211 Project from 1996 and the 985 Project from 1998.自 1986 年起，北大提出创建世界一流大学的目标；国家先后于 1996 年与 1998 年通过「211 工程」与「985 工程」予以重点资助。

• In April 2000 Peking University merged with Beijing Medical University, which became its health science centre, and it later added schools of engineering and of arts.2000 年 4 月，北京大学与北京医科大学合并，后者成为北大医学部；此后学校又增设工学院与艺术学院等。

• The Yuanpei Programme launched in 2001 pioneered credit-based study, tutorial supervision and flexible degree length before these were extended across the university.2001 年启动的元培计划率先试行学分制、导师制与弹性学制，其后这些做法推广至全校。

• In 1955, twenty-eight of the first 223 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences were serving teachers at Peking University, the largest number of any university in the country.1955 年中国科学院首批 223 名学部委员中，有 28 人是北大的在任教师，人数居全国高校之首。

Academics

• Peking University covers ten branches of learning, including philosophy, economics, law, education, literature, history, science, engineering, medicine and management.北京大学涵盖哲学、经济学、法学、教育学、文学、历史学、理学、工学、医学与管理学等十个学科门类。

• Its strongest areas are the natural sciences, the humanities, the social sciences and medicine, and it has built new programmes in engineering and interdisciplinary studies.其最强领域为自然科学、人文学科、社会科学与医学，近年又发展新型工科与交叉学科。

• As of 2021 it had 12,683 teaching and research staff, among them a substantial number of members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.2021 年学校有教学科研人员 12683 人，其中中国科学院与中国工程院院士占有相当数量。

• It enrols 50,481 students, made up of 16,921 undergraduates, 16,968 master's students and 16,592 doctoral candidates, giving it an unusually high proportion of research students.学校在校学生 50481 人，其中本科生 16921 人、硕士生 16968 人、博士生 16592 人，研究生比例异常之高。

• Undergraduates are admitted by broad faculty rather than by narrow specialism except in a few fields, and general education is required before specialist study.除少数专业外，本科生按院系与学科大类招生，先接受通识教育再进入专业化学习。

• The university operates a large system of general-education courses, a credit system and a tutorial arrangement for first and second year students.学校设有规模庞大的通选课体系、学分制，以及面向低年级学生的导师安排。

• Its medical centre, the former Beijing Medical University, runs several teaching hospitals in Beijing and trains doctors and medical researchers.其医学部即原北京医科大学，在北京拥有多家教学医院，培养医生与医学研究人员。

• Peking University Press, founded in 1979, is among the best-known academic publishers in China.创建于 1979 年的北京大学出版社是中国最知名的学术出版机构之一。

• The university library holds more than eight million volumes and is one of the largest academic libraries in Asia.学校图书馆藏书逾八百万册，是亚洲规模最大的高校图书馆之一。

• Its research base includes State Key Laboratories, national research centres and key research institutes in the humanities and social sciences.其科研平台包括国家重点实验室、国家研究中心以及人文社会科学重点研究基地。

• The university has been a member of the C9 League since that group was formed, and belongs to the International Alliance of Research Universities and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities.学校自中国九校联盟成立起即为成员，并属于国际研究型大学联盟与环太平洋大学联盟。

• It takes part in the Double First-Class scheme in the Class A category and was formerly a key institution under the 211 and 985 projects.学校入选「双一流」A 类建设高校，并曾是「211 工程」与「985 工程」重点建设院校。

• Peking University admits students through the national college entrance examination and through recommendation, and the competition for places is among the most intense in China.学校通过全国统一高考与保送等方式招生，入学竞争在中国最为激烈之列。

• It has partnerships with universities in Asia, Europe and North America and runs joint degree and exchange programmes for both undergraduates and research students.学校与亚洲、欧洲及北美多所高校建立合作，为本科生与研究生开设联合学位与交换项目。

• As of 2026, three Nobel laureates and two Fields medallists had studied, worked or held visiting fellowships at Peking University.截至 2026 年，已有 3 位诺贝尔奖得主与 2 位菲尔兹奖得主在北大就读、工作或担任访问研究员。

• Peking University was among the first universities in China to train specialists in semiconductors, and it ran classes in computing at the very beginning of Chinese computer research.北大是中国最早培养半导体专业人才的高校之一，并在中国计算机研究起步阶段就开办了计算机学习班。

Campus

• The university has six campuses, of which the main one is the Yan Yuan in the Haidian district at 5 Yiheyuan Road, on the site of the former Yenching University.学校共有六个校区，主校区燕园位于海淀区颐和园路 5 号，即原燕京大学的校址。

• Its other sites include the health science campus on Xueyuan Road, a new campus at Changping, a campus at Daxing and the graduate school in Shenzhen.其他校区包括学院路上的医学部校区、昌平新校区、大兴校区，以及在深圳的研究生院。

• The main campus covers about 2,960 mu, and the university's various sites together extend to roughly 4,488 mu.主校区占地约 2960 亩，学校各校区合计约 4488 亩。

• The Yan Yuan is known for its garden layout, and its landmarks include the West Gate, the office building and the ornamental columns beside it.燕园以园林式布局著称，其地标包括西门、办公楼以及楼前的华表。

• Weiming Lake and the Boya Pagoda form the best-known view on the campus, and the lake is surrounded by stone inscriptions and historic buildings.未名湖与博雅塔构成校园中最著名的景观，湖畔散布着石刻与历史建筑。

• The university's centenary hall, library extensions, science buildings and humanities complex were added during the campaigns to build a world-class university.在创建世界一流大学期间，学校新建了百周年纪念讲堂、图书馆新馆、理科楼群与人文学苑等设施。

• The buildings originally occupied by the Imperial University of Peking, including the He Shen residence halls and the Red Building, remain part of the university's history.京师大学堂时期使用的建筑，包括和嘉公主府与沙滩红楼，至今仍是学校历史的一部分。

• The university's colour is a deep red known as Peking University red, used on its seal and ceremonial banners.学校的代表色是被称为北大红的深红色，用于校徽与典礼旗帜。

• The campuses are served by the Beijing subway and bus networks, and the Haidian site is close to the city's research institutes and technology firms.各校区由北京地铁与公交网络连接，海淀校区紧邻城市的科研院所与科技企业。

• Student housing, dining halls and sports facilities are distributed across the campuses, with the Yan Yuan the centre of undergraduate life.学生宿舍、食堂与体育设施分布于各校区，燕园则是本科生生活的中心。

• The Yan Yuan had been laid out as a garden by its earlier owners, so the university inherited lakes, artificial hills and historic buildings when it moved there in 1952.燕园原由其旧主营造为园林，学校 1952 年迁入时继承了其中的湖泊、假山与历史建筑。

Reputation

• Peking University ranks 13th in the 2027 QS World University Rankings, 13th in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 22nd in the 2026 Academic Ranking of World Universities and 19th in the 2026-2027 U.S. News Best Global Universities.北京大学在 2027 年 QS 世界大学排名中位列全球第 13，2027 年泰晤士高等教育世界大学排名第 13，2026 年软科世界大学学术排名第 22，2026 至 2027 年度 US News 全球最佳大学排名第 19。^[1]

• It is one of the two strongest comprehensive universities in China and is often paired with Tsinghua University as the country's leading pair.学校是中国综合实力最强的两所大学之一，常与清华大学并称为中国最顶尖的一对高校。

• Its strength in the basic sciences, the humanities and medicine gives it a distinctive profile among Chinese universities, most of which are stronger in engineering.其在基础科学、人文与医学方面的实力，使其在工科普遍更强的中国高校中别具特色。

• Three Nobel laureates and two Fields medallists are associated with the university, and its alumni have won the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award.与学校相关的有 3 位诺贝尔奖得主与 2 位菲尔兹奖得主，其校友中还产生了国家最高科学技术奖获得者。

• Its medical centre and affiliated hospitals are among the leading clinical and research institutions in China.其医学部与附属医院是中国领先的临床与研究机构之列。

• The university has been the seat of several national research programmes and its scholars advise on science and education policy.学校承接多项国家级研究计划，其学者也参与科技与教育政策的咨询。

• Peking University is a member of the C9 League, the International Alliance of Research Universities and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities.北京大学是中国九校联盟、国际研究型大学联盟与环太平洋大学联盟的成员。

• Its graduates are prominent in Chinese government, academia, business and the media, and it is a frequent source of senior officials and scholars.其毕业生在中国政府、学术界、商界与媒体中颇具影响，是高级官员与学者的重要来源。

• In national discipline evaluations, a large number of its subjects have been graded in the top category, especially in the basic sciences and the humanities.在全国学科评估中，学校大量学科获评最高等级，尤以基础学科与人文学科为突出。

• The university's global standing rests on research output and reputation, and it is placed in the world's top thirty in every major ranking.学校的全球地位建立在科研产出与学术声誉之上，在各大排名中均位居世界前三十。

Student life

• Peking University has no formal motto, and its tradition is often summarised in the phrases patriotism, progress, democracy and science.北京大学没有正式校训，其传统常被概括为「爱国、进步、民主、科学」四个词。

• The university's anniversary is celebrated on 4 May, the date of the May Fourth Movement of 1919 in which its students played a leading part.学校以 5 月 4 日为校庆日，这一天正是 1919 年五四运动的日子，北大学生在其中起带头作用。

• The campus supports a very large number of student societies, covering the arts, sport, debate, volunteering and academic subjects.校园内有数量非常庞大的学生社团，涵盖艺术、体育、辩论、志愿服务与学术领域。

• Undergraduate life is centred on the Yan Yuan, where dormitories, dining halls and the lake form the setting for much of student activity.本科生生活以燕园为中心，宿舍、食堂与未名湖构成学生活动的主要场所。

• The university runs a residential college system for first-year students and an extensive programme of public lectures and cultural events.学校为一年级学生设有书院，并开设内容丰富的公开讲座与文化活动。

• Its students take part in national academic competitions, sports meets and volunteer programmes, and the university has a strong debating tradition.学生参加全国性学术竞赛、运动会与志愿服务项目，学校也有深厚的辩论传统。

• Music, drama and film societies are active, and the university stages an annual arts festival that draws audiences from across Beijing.音乐、戏剧与电影社团活跃，学校每年举办艺术节，吸引北京各地观众。

• Physical education is compulsory for undergraduates, and the university maintains stadiums, swimming pools and sports grounds on its campuses.本科生须修体育课，学校在各校区设有体育场馆、游泳池与运动场。

• The university's location in Haidian places it among Beijing's universities and research institutes, forming a dense academic district.学校地处海淀，周围高校与科研院所云集，形成学术氛围浓厚的区域。

Notable people

• The Guangxu Emperor and Liang Qichao were responsible for the decree and the charter that created the Imperial University of Peking in 1898.光绪帝与梁启超分别促成了 1898 年京师大学堂的诏书与学堂章程。

• Cai Yuanpei, president from 1916 to 1927, reshaped the university on the principles of freedom of thought and inclusiveness and is regarded as its founding spirit.1916 至 1927 年任校长的蔡元培以思想自由与兼容并包重塑学校，被视为北大精神的开创者。

• Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao and Hu Shi taught at Peking University and led the New Culture Movement and the early spread of Marxism in China.陈独秀、李大钊与胡适在北大任教，领导了新文化运动以及马克思主义在中国的早期传播。

• Lu Xun, Qian Xuantong and Liu Bannong also taught there, and the university press published much of the literature of the period.鲁迅、钱玄同与刘半农也曾在此任教，学校的出版机构刊行了这一时期的大量文学作品。

• The geologist Li Siguang, the physicist Rao Yutai and the chemist Zeng Zhaolun built the university's science departments in the 1930s.地质学家李四光、物理学家饶毓泰与化学家曾昭抡在二十世纪三十年代建设了学校的理科各系。

• Ma Yinchu, president from 1951, was known for his work on population and for the criticism his New Population Theory attracted.1951 年起任校长的马寅初以人口研究著称，其《新人口论》曾引发批判。

• Ji Xianlin, the scholar of Sanskrit and Indian studies, taught at Peking University for decades and served as its vice-president.梵语与印度学学者季羡林在北大任教数十年，并曾任副校长。

• Tu Youyou, who shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015 for the discovery of artemisinin, graduated from the university's medical school in 1955.因发现青蒿素于 2015 年分享诺贝尔生理学或医学奖的屠呦呦，1955 年毕业于北京大学医学院。

• The university's alumni include members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, government ministers and leading writers and journalists.其校友中包括中国科学院与中国工程院院士、政府部长以及知名作家与新闻工作者。

• Peking University has also educated many of the scholars who built other Chinese universities in the twentieth century.二十世纪许多参与创建其他中国高校的学者，也出自北京大学。