Subjects to Study
Studying AI and Robotics in China: Programs, Requirements and Costs
Where international students can study artificial intelligence and robotics in China: real programs, teaching language, HSK and CSCA requirements, tuition and tips.
4 min read · Updated 29 Oct 2026 · Verified
Artificial intelligence and robotics are two of the fields China has invested in most heavily at its universities. This guide covers what has been built, where the programs are, and what you need to get in.
How fast China built AI education
- 2018 action plan. The Ministry of Education's AI Innovation Action Plan for Higher Education (高等学校人工智能创新行动计划) set targets for 2020: 100 "AI + X" interdisciplinary programs and 50 AI schools, institutes or research centers. It aims for universities to be the core of China's push to become a leading AI innovation center by 2030.
- A new AI bachelor's major. In the 2018 round of new bachelor's programs, published in March 2019, the Ministry approved the new Artificial Intelligence major (人工智能, code 080717T) at 35 universities. They included Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Nanjing, Xi'an Jiaotong, Harbin Institute of Technology, Beihang and Tongji.
- Robotics too. In the same round, universities registered 101 new Robotics Engineering programs (机器人工程, code 080803T).
For where Chinese researchers stand in AI, see our article Are Chinese universities underrated?
What the programs are called
Search for these names when you compare universities:
| Level | Program names |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | Artificial Intelligence (人工智能), Intelligence Science and Technology (智能科学与技术), Robotics Engineering (机器人工程), Automation (自动化), Computer Science and Technology, Data Science |
| Master's and PhD | Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science and Technology, Control Science and Engineering (控制科学与工程), Intelligence Science and Technology |
Programs in our database
These come from each university's own 2026 admission catalog. Tuition is per year.
| University | Program | Level and language | Tuition | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Yat-sen University | Artificial Intelligence (School of Artificial Intelligence, Zhuhai campus), 4 years | Bachelor's, Chinese | 33,800 CNY | HSK 5 (180+); CSCA mathematics, physics, professional Chinese (science) |
| Sun Yat-sen University | Intelligence Science and Technology (School of Intelligent Systems Engineering, Shenzhen campus), 4 years | Bachelor's, Chinese | 33,800 CNY | Same as above |
| Zhejiang University | Automation (College of Control Science and Engineering), 4 years | Bachelor's, Chinese | 24,800 CNY | HSK 5 (180+); CSCA mathematics, physics, professional Chinese (science) |
| Northeast Normal University | Intelligent Science and Technology (Jingyue campus), 4 years | Bachelor's, Chinese | 16,000 CNY | HSK 5; CSCA mathematics, physics, professional Chinese (science) |
| Northeast Normal University | Intelligent Science and Technology, 3 years | Master's, Chinese | 23,000 CNY | See the catalog |
| Northeast Normal University | Artificial Intelligence, 4 years | PhD, Chinese | 29,000 CNY | See the catalog |
| Zhejiang University | Artificial Intelligence, professional degree (ZJU-UIUC Institute, Haining international campus), 3 years | Master's, English | 36,800 CNY | Supervisor's acceptance required |
| Zhejiang University | Control Science and Engineering, 3 years | Master's, English | 36,800 CNY | Supervisor's acceptance required |
| Zhejiang University | Control Science and Engineering, 3.5 years | PhD, English | 42,800 CNY | Supervisor's acceptance required |
| Zhejiang University | Computer Science and Technology, 3 years (master's) or 3.5 years (PhD) | Master's and PhD, English | 36,800 / 42,800 CNY | Supervisor's acceptance recommended |
Our program search lists every computer science program we have, including Data Science at Nankai and Computer Science at Sun Yat-sen and Northeast Normal. We are adding more universities' catalogs, so check back.
Robotics: where it sits
At bachelor's level, look for Robotics Engineering, Automation and Intelligence Science and Technology. At graduate level, robotics is spread across several fields.
Zhejiang University is an example. Its Innovation Practice Base of Robotics and Intelligent Equipment covers 2,600 square meters, is open around the clock and trains teams for the RoboMaster university competition. The students there come from mechanical engineering, aeronautics and astronautics, electrical engineering and biosystems engineering. One is a master's student in agricultural electrification and automation, a field Zhejiang also teaches as an English-taught PhD (42,800 CNY a year).
So when you look for a robotics supervisor, look beyond computer science: control science, mechanical engineering and aerospace departments run robotics labs too.
How to get in
Bachelor's (mostly taught in Chinese):
- HSK 5 is the norm for these programs. Starting with little Chinese? Plan a language year first: see Learn Chinese first, then start your degree.
- CSCA in mathematics, physics and professional Chinese (science), so prepare your maths and physics well. Book a sitting well before your deadline: see our CSCA guide.
Master's and PhD (often taught in English):
- Find a supervisor early. Zhejiang University requires a supervisor's acceptance for its English-taught AI master's and for Control Science and Engineering. Read lab pages, then email a short CV and research proposal.
- English-taught programs ask for proof of English, such as IELTS or TOEFL, as each university requires. Check the catalog.
- The Chinese Government Scholarship covers master's and PhD students too: see our CSC guide.
Tips
- Check the campus. Sun Yat-sen's AI programs are in Zhuhai and Shenzhen, not Guangzhou. Zhejiang's AI master's is at the Haining international campus, not in Hangzhou.
- Compare program names, not just university names. "Intelligence Science and Technology", "Automation" and "Control Science and Engineering" can be as close to what you want as a program called "Artificial Intelligence".
- Keep learning Chinese even in an English-taught program. It is compulsory for degree students and opens up internships later.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study AI in China in English?
Yes, mostly at master's and PhD level. Zhejiang University teaches its master's in Artificial Intelligence (a professional degree at the ZJU-UIUC Institute) in English, as well as its master's and PhD programs in Computer Science and Technology and in Control Science and Engineering. The AI bachelor's programs in our database are taught in Chinese.
What do I need for an AI bachelor's in China?
For the Chinese-taught programs in our database: a high-school diploma, HSK 5 (Sun Yat-sen and Zhejiang ask for at least 180 points) and CSCA scores in mathematics, physics and professional Chinese (science).
How much does it cost?
Tuition for the AI and robotics-related programs in our database runs from 16,000 CNY a year (Northeast Normal University, bachelor's) to 36,800 CNY (Zhejiang University's English-taught master's) and 42,800 CNY for Zhejiang's English-taught PhDs.
Is there a robotics degree in China?
Yes. Robotics Engineering (机器人工程) is a bachelor's major with its own code, 080803T; 101 new robotics engineering programs were registered in 2018 alone. At Zhejiang University, students who build robots come from mechanical engineering, aeronautics and astronautics, electrical engineering and biosystems engineering.