The World First Class University and First Class Academic Discipline Construction (), together known as Double First Class (), is a

tertiary education Tertiary education, also referred to as third-level, third-stage or post-secondary education, is the educational level following the completion of secondary education. The World Bank, for example, defines tertiary education as including univers ...

development initiative designed by the People's Republic of China central government in 2015, which aims to comprehensively develop elite Chinese

universities A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United State ...

into world-class institutions by the end of 2050 through developing and strengthening their individual

faculty Faculty may refer to: * Faculty (academic staff), the academic staff of a university (North American usage) * Faculty (division) A faculty is a division within a university or college comprising one subject area or a group of related subject ...

departments. The Double First-Class University Plan has made new arrangements for the Chinese higher education institution development. The universities included in this plan are called Double First Class Universities. The Double First-Class Universities are considered to be the most elite institutions of Chinese tertiary education, representing the top 5% of overall universities and colleges in

Mainland China "Mainland China" is a geopolitical term defined as the territory governed by the China, People's Republic of China (including islands like Hainan or Chongming Island, Chongming), excluding dependent territories of the PRC, and other territorie ...

(approximately 3,000 higher education institutions).

History

In October 2015, the

State Council of China The State Council, constitutionally synonymous with the Central People's Government since 1954 (particularly in relation to local governments), is the chief administrative authority of the People's Republic of China. It is chaired by the pr ...

published the 'Overall Plan for Promoting the Construction of World First Class Universities and First Class Disciplines' (Double First Class University Plan), which made new arrangements for the development of higher education in China, replacing previous higher education projects. In June 2016, the Ministry of Education of China announced that the Project 211 and Project 985 had been abolished and replaced by the Double First Class University Initiative. In September 2017, the full list of the universities and their disciplines of the Double First Class University Plan was jointly published by the Ministry of Education of China, the Ministry of Finance of China and the National Development and Reform Commission of China. According to the list, 140 universities have been approved as ‘Double First Class Universities’ by the

. The Double First Class University Plan underlines that driving the overall development of universities by building and strengthening their faculties and departments, and eventually developing the 140 listed elite universities into world-class universities by 2050. The Double First Class University Plan represents a new way of ranking universities in China. By 2021, the 140 Double First Class Universities accounted for roughly 4.65% of the 3,012 universities and colleges in Mainland China, representing the most elite part of higher education institutions in this country. In December 2021, the 23rd meeting of Central Comprehensively Deepening Reforms Commission chaired by

General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party The general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party () is the head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the sole ruling party of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Since 1989, the CCP general secretary has been the paramount lead ...

Xi Jinping Xi Jinping ( ; ; ; born 15 June 1953) is a Chinese politician who has served as the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and thus as the paramount leader of China, ...

deliberated and approved 'Some Suggestions on Further Promoting the Construction of World First Class Universities and First Class Disciplines'. In February 2022, the 'Some Suggestions on Further Promoting the Construction of World First Class Universities and First Class Disciplines' were jointly published by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Development and Reform Commission. In addition, with the approval of the

, the updated list of "Double First Class Universities" has been released. According to the Phase 2 List of the Double First Class University Plan, the previous university classifications have been abolished, and a total number of 147 universities have been included in the plan (accounted for 4.88% of 3,012 Chinese higher education institutions), after 7 universities newly adding into the list since February 2022.

Double First Class Universities

The Phase 1 list of 140 Double First Class Universities were issued by Chinese Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, and National Development and Reform Commission without any ranking within the lists (by "school code") in 2017. In February 2022, the Ministry of Education of China announced that the classifications had been invalidated, and the universities included in the Double First Class University Plan would be referred to as Double First Class Universities. According to the updated Phase 2 list of the Double First Class University Plan (without any ranking within the list), a total of 147 universities have been approved and recognized as Double First Class Universities, taking up 4.88% of universities and colleges in China.

Double First Class Universities listing follow in alphabetical order

Anhui University Anhui University (), colloquially known in Chinese as An Da (安大, ''Āndà''), is located in Hefei, the capital city of Anhui Province, China. Founded in 1928 in Anqing, named 'National Anhui University' in 1946 and moved to Hefei in 1958, A ...

(安徽大学) * Beihang University (北京航空航天大学) *

Beijing Foreign Studies University Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU; ), is a public university in Beijing, China. BFSU boasts the oldest language programs in China offering the largest number of foreign language majors on different educational levels. Located in Haidia ...

(北京外国语大学) * Beijing Forestry University (北京林业大学) * Beijing Institute of Technology (北京理工大学) *

Beijing Jiaotong University Beijing Jiaotong University (Chinese: 北京交通大学), formerly Northern Jiaotong University, is one of the oldest public universities in mainland China. The main campus is located in the Haidian District in central Beijing. Its coordinates ...

(北京交通大学) *

Beijing Normal University Beijing Normal University (BNU, ), colloquially known as Beishida (), is a public research university located in Beijing, China, with a strong emphasis on humanities and sciences. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China ...

(北京师范大学) *

Beijing Sport University Beijing Sport University (BSU) (), formerly known as "Central Institute of Physical Education" () and "Beijing Institute of Physical Education" (), is a nation-level public university located in Beijing, China. It is one of the National Key Univ ...

(北京体育大学) *

Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT, ), colloquially known in Chinese as Beihua (北化, ''Běihuà'') or Huada (化大, ''Huàdà''), is a public technological university in mainland China. BUCT was founded in 1958 and is a part ...

(北京化工大学) * Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (北京中医药大学) *

Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications The Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT) () is a key national university distinguished by the teaching and research in the field of cable communications, wireless communications, computer, and electronic engineering. BUP ...

(北京邮电大学) * Beijing University of Technology (北京工业大学) * Capital Normal University (首都师范大学) *

Central Academy of Drama The Central Academy of Drama (), abbreviated Zhong Xi (), is a drama school in Beijing, China. It is a Chinese state Double First Class University Plan university identified by the Ministry of Education of China. The school is the first theatre ...

(中央戏剧学院) * Central Academy of Fine Arts (中央美术学院) * Central China Normal University (华中师范大学) * Central Conservatory of Music (中央音乐学院) *

Central South University Central South University (CSU; ) is a national public university in Changsha, Hunan, China. The university is sponsored by the China Ministry of Education. It is a Chinese state Double First Class University. Hunan Medical University, Changsha ...

(中南大学) * Central University of Finance and Economics (中央财经大学) *

Chang'an University Chang'an University () is a university located in Xi'an, China. Chang'an is the ancient name of Xi'an which means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. It was one of the Double First Class University Plan and former "211 Project Proje ...

(长安大学) * Chengdu University of Technology (成都理工大学) *

Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine The Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CDUTCM; ) is a provincial public medical research university in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Founded 1956, the university is one of the four earliest traditional Chinese medicine colleges est ...

(成都中医药大学) *

China Academy of Art China Academy of Art (), also translated as China National Academy of Fine Arts, was founded in Hangzhou in 1928 by the government of the Republic of China (1912–49), Republic of China and the renowned educator Cai Yuanpei. It was the first a ...

(中国美术学院) *

China Agricultural University China Agricultural University (CAU, ; abbreviated as 农大) is a public research university in Beijing, People's Republic of China specializing in agriculture, biology, engineering, veterinary medicine, economics, management, humanities ...

(中国农业大学) * China Conservatory of Music (中国音乐学院) * China Foreign Affairs University (外交学院) *

China Pharmaceutical University China Pharmaceutical University (CPU) is a university in Nanjing, China that specializes in the pharmaceutical sciences. It is one of national key universities under the Double First Class University Plan and former “Project 211” and univers ...

(中国药科大学) * China University of Geosciences (中国地质大学(武汉)) * China University of Geosciences (Beijing) (中国地质大学(北京)) * China University of Mining and Technology (中国矿业大学) *

China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing) China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT) (), colloquially 矿大, is a national key university under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Education of China, and a Double First Class University Plan, former Project 211 and Projec ...

(中国矿业大学(北京)) * China University of Petroleum (Beijing) (中国石油大学(北京)) * China University of Petroleum (Huadong) (中国石油大学(华东)) *

China University of Political Science and Law China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL; simplified Chinese: 中国政法大学; traditional Chinese: 中國政法大學; pinyin: ''Zhōngguó Zhèngfǎ Dàxué'', abbr. 法大, ''Fǎ Dà'') is a research university established in 1952 ...

(中国政法大学) * Chongqing University (重庆大学) *

Communication University of China The Communication University of China (CUC) () is a leading public university in Beijing. It is one of the China's key universities of ' Double First Class University Plan', directly administered by the Ministry of Education of the People's Rep ...

(中国传媒大学) *

Dalian Maritime University Dalian Maritime University () is a university located in Dalian, Liaoning, China. It is a key maritime institution under the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China, and is a Chinese state Double First Class University Plan un ...

(大连海事大学) * Dalian University of Technology (大连理工大学) * Donghua University (东华大学) * East China Normal University (华东师范大学) * East China University of Science and Technology (华东理工大学) * Fudan University (复旦大学) * Fuzhou University (福州大学) * Guangxi University (广西大学) *

Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou Medical University (GMU, Chinese: 广州医科大学), formerly known as Guangzhou Medical College, is a Chinese medical school located in Guangzhou, China. History It was established in 1958. The internship program began in 2013. ...

(广州医科大学) (* newly added in Phase 2) * Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (广州中医药大学) *

Guizhou University Guizhou University (; Pinyin: Guìzhōu Dàxué), known as Guida (贵大 Guì Dà), is a provincial research university located in suburban Guiyang, capital of Guizhou, China. Founded in 1902, it is the flagship institution of higher learning ...

(贵州大学) * Hainan University (海南大学) * Harbin Engineering University (哈尔滨工程大学) *

Harbin Institute of Technology Harbin Institute of Technology (; abbreviation: HIT or ) is a public research university and a member of China's elite C9 League and a member of the University Alliance of the Silk Road. HIT is a Chinese Ministry of Education Class A Dou ...

(哈尔滨工业大学) * Hebei University of Technology (河北工业大学) * Hefei University of Technology (合肥工业大学) * Henan University (河南大学) *

Hohai University Hohai University (HHU; ) is a public research university in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. It is under the direct administration of the Ministry of Education of China, and previously administered by the Ministry of Water Resources from 1958 to 200 ...

(河海大学) *

Huazhong Agricultural University Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU; ) is a public university in Wuhan, giving priority to agriculture, characterized by life sciences and supplemented by the combination of agriculture, basic sciences, engineering, liberal arts, law, economic t ...

(华中农业大学) *

Huazhong University of Science and Technology The Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST; ) is a public research university located in Guanshan Subdistrict, Hongshan District, Wuhan, Hubei province, China. As a national key university directly affiliated to the Ministry of ...

(华中科技大学) * Hunan Normal University (湖南师范大学) * Hunan University (湖南大学) *

Inner Mongolia University Inner Mongolia University is a university in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, under the authority of the Inner Mongolia regional government. It is a member of the Chinese state Double First Class University Plan and former Project 211, and identified as a ...

(内蒙古大学) * Jiangnan University (江南大学) *

Jilin University Jilin University (JLU; ; often abbreviated JLU or ) is a leading national research university located in Changchun, China. It is under the direct jurisdiction of China's Ministry of Education. It is a Chinese Ministry of Education Class A Do ...

(吉林大学) *

Jinan University Jinan University (JNU, ) is a public research university based in Guangzhou, China. "Jinan" literally means "reaching southward", indicating the university's original mission to disseminate Chinese learning and culture from North to South wh ...

(暨南大学) * Lanzhou University (兰州大学) * Liaoning University (辽宁大学) * Minzu University of China (中央民族大学) *

Nanchang University Nanchang University (NCU; ) is a public research university located in Nanchang, Jiangxi, China. NCU has also been recognized as a National Key University in the nation. Based on the new plan initiated by Chinese Ministry of Education in 2017, ...

(南昌大学) *

Nanjing Agricultural University Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU, ) is a public research university located in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China. It is funded by the Ministry of Education of China as part of the nation's Double First Class University Plan and former Projec ...

(南京农业大学) * Nanjing Forestry University (南京林业大学) * Nanjing Medical University (南京医科大学) (* newly added in Phase 2) * Nanjing Normal University (南京师范大学) *

Nanjing University Nanjing University (NJU; ) is a national public research university in Nanjing, Jiangsu. It is a member of C9 League and a Class A Double First Class University designated by the Chinese central government. NJU has two main campuses: the Xian ...

(南京大学) *

Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics The Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA, ), colloquially known as Nanhang (南航), is a public research university in Nanjing, China. One of the Seven Sons of National Defence, it is directly supervised by the Ministry of I ...

(南京航空航天大学) *

Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine The Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (a.k.a. NJUCM, ), is located in Nanjing, capital of China's Jiangsu province. It is jointly constructed by the People's Government of Jiangsu Province and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese ...

(南京中医药大学) *

Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST; ), colloquially Nan Xin Da () is an elite Chinese state Double First Class University Plan university approved by the Ministry of Education of China, located in northern part of ...

(南京信息工程大学) *

Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications The Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications (NJUPT or NUPT; ) is a public university located in Nanjing, China. It is jointly developed by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Po ...

(南京邮电大学) *

Nanjing University of Science and Technology The Nanjing University of Science and Technology (), colloquially NJUST (), is one of the National Key Universities under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China. It is a science-oriented university located in Xuanwu Distri ...

(南京理工大学) *

Nankai University Nankai University (NKU or Nankai; ) is a national public research university located in Tianjin, China. It is a prestigious Chinese state Class A Double First Class University approved by the central government of China, and a member of the f ...

(南开大学) *

National University of Defense Technology The National University of Defense Technology (NUDT; ) is a national public research university in Changsha, Hunan, China. Founded in 1953 as the People's Liberation Army Military Academy of Engineering, the institution is directly affilia ...

(国防科技大学) * Ningbo University (宁波大学) * Ningxia University (宁夏大学) * North China Electric Power University (华北电力大学) *

Northeast Agricultural University Northeast Agricultural University (NEAU; ) was established in 1948 in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China. It is a Chinese state Double First Class University Plan university, identified by the Ministry of Education. NEAU is ...

(东北农业大学) * Northeast Forestry University (东北林业大学) * Northeast Normal University (东北师范大学) *

Northeastern University Northeastern University (NU) is a private research university with its main campus in Boston. Established in 1898, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs on its main campus as well as satellite campuses in Charlotte, North Ca ...

(东北大学) * Northwest A&F University (西北农林科技大学) * Northwestern Polytechnical University (西北工业大学) * Northwest University (西北大学) * Ocean University of China (中国海洋大学) * Peking Union Medical College (北京协和医学院) *

Peking University Peking University (PKU; ) is a public research university in Beijing, China. The university is funded by the Ministry of Education. Peking University was established as the Imperial University of Peking in 1898 when it received its royal charte ...

(北京大学) *

People's Public Security University of China People's Public Security University of China () is a university in Xicheng District, Beijing, China. It was founded in 1948 and is directly under the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China. The university specialises in ...

(中国人民公安大学) * Qinghai University (青海大学) * Renmin University of China (中国人民大学) *

Second Military Medical University The People's Liberation Army Naval Medical University (), also known as the PLA Second Military Medical University (SMMU) (), is a public university in Shanghai, China. It was founded in September 1949 and named in July 1951. It is a national ke ...

(第二军医大学) * Shaanxi Normal University (陕西师范大学) *

Shandong University Shandong University (, abbreviated as Shanda, , English abbreviation SDU) is a public research comprehensive university in Jinan, Shandong with one campus in Weihai, Shandong and one campus in Qingdao, Shandong and is supported directly by ...

(山东大学) * Shanghai Conservatory of Music (上海音乐学院) * Shanghai International Studies University (上海外国语大学) * Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学) *

Shanghai Ocean University Shanghai Ocean University () is a public university in Shanghai, China. The university changed its name to the current name on 6 May 2008, authorized by the Ministry of Education The People's Republic of China, and the whole school was to ...

(上海海洋大学) * ShanghaiTech University (上海科技大学) (* newly added in Phase 2) * Shanghai University (上海大学) *

Shanghai University of Finance and Economics The Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE; ), founded in 1917, is a finance- and economics-oriented research university located in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China. The university is under the direct administration of the ...

(上海财经大学) *

Shanghai University of Sport Shanghai University of Sport (上海体育学院; Shànghǎi tǐyù xuéyuàn) is a public university in Yangpu District, Shanghai, China. Founded in 1952, it is the first university of its kind in the People's Republic of China. It is a Chine ...

(上海体育学院) *

Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine This is a list of universities and colleges in Shanghai. Others * People's Liberation Army Naval Medical University (中国人民解放军海军军医大学) * China Executive Leadership Academy in Pudong (中国浦东干部学院) * Chi ...

(上海中医药大学) * Shanxi University (山西大学) (* newly added in Phase 2) * Shihezi University (石河子大学) * Sichuan Agricultural University (四川农业大学) * Sichuan University (四川大学) * Soochow University (苏州大学) * South China Agricultural University (华南农业大学) (* newly added in Phase 2) * South China Normal University (华南师范大学) *

South China University of Technology The South China University of Technology (SCUT; ) is a public university in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. The university is co-sponsored by the China Ministry of Education and the Guangdong Provincial People's Government. The university is a mul ...

(华南理工大学) * Southeast University (东南大学) *

Southern University of Science and Technology Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) ) is a public research university in Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. It changed its English name from South University of Science and Technology of China (SUSTC) to Sout ...

(南方科技大学) (* newly added in Phase 2) *

Southwest Jiaotong University Southwest Jiaotong University () is located in national central city Chengdu, Sichuan Province, affiliated to the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. It's a national key university co-supported by the Ministry of Educatio ...

(西南交通大学) *

Southwest Petroleum University Southwest Petroleum University (SWPU, ) is a Chinese university founded in Nanchong, Sichuan in 1958. It is a public university of Chinese state under the Double First Class University Plan. Introduction Southwest Petroleum University (SWPU), ...

(西南石油大学) *

Southwest University Southwest University (SWU, ) is a comprehensive university in Chongqing, China. It is a Chinese state Double First Class University Plan university. Overview Southwest University (SWU) is a comprehensive university sponsored by the Ministry o ...

(西南大学) * Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (西南财经大学) * Sun Yat-sen University (中山大学) *

Taiyuan University of Technology Taiyuan University of Technology () (abbreviation: TYUT or TUT) is a university in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, under the authority of the provincial government. In 2012, it celebrated its 110th anniversary. It has been included in major national i ...

(太原理工大学) * The Fourth Military Medical University (第四军医大学) * Tiangong University(Former name: Tianjin Polytechnic University) (天津工业大学) * Tianjin Medical University (天津医科大学) * Tianjin University (天津大学) * Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (天津中医药大学) *

Tibet University Tibet University (UTibet; ) is a public university in Lhasa, Tibet, China. The university is one of China's key universities and the largest university in the Tibet Autonomous Region. With an internationally renowned department of Tibeta ...

(西藏大学) * Tongji University (同济大学) *

Tsinghua University Tsinghua University (; abbr. THU) is a national public research university in Beijing, China. The university is funded by the Ministry of Education. The university is a member of the C9 League, Double First Class University Plan, Projec ...

(清华大学) * University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院大学) * University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (电子科技大学) * University of International Business and Economics (对外经济贸易大学) * University of Science & Technology Beijing (北京科技大学) *

University of Science and Technology of China A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degree An academic degree is a qualification awarded to students upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, usua ...

(中国科学技术大学) *

Wuhan University Wuhan University (WHU; ) is a public research university in Wuhan, Hubei. The university is sponsored by the Ministry of Education. Wuhan university was founded as one of the four elite universities in the early republican period of China and ...

(武汉大学) * Wuhan University of Technology (武汉理工大学) * Xi'an Jiaotong University (西安交通大学) * Xiangtan University (湘潭大学) (* newly added in Phase 2) *

Xiamen University Xiamen University (; Southern Min: ''Ē-mn̂g-toā-o̍h''), colloquially known as Xia Da (; Southern Min: ''Hā-tāi''), is a national public research university in Xiamen, Fujian, China. Founded in 1921 by Tan Kah Kee, a Chinese patriotic ex ...

(厦门大学) * Xidian University (西安电子科技大学) *

Xinjiang University Xinjiang University (XJU) ( ug, شىنجاڭ ئۇنىۋېرستېتى, ; zh , s = 新疆大学 , p = Xīnjiāng Dàxué ) is one of the major universities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China and is a national k ...

(新疆大学) * Yanbian University (延边大学) * Yunnan University (云南大学) *

Zhejiang University Zhejiang University, abbreviated as ZJU or Zheda and formerly romanized as Chekiang University, is a National university, national public university, public research university based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. It is a member of the prestigiou ...

(浙江大学) * Zhengzhou University (郑州大学) *

Zhongnan University of Economics and Law The Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL; ) is a public university in Wuhan, China. The university is funded by the Ministry of Education. ZUEL was established in 2000 with the merge of Central South University of Finance and Economics ...

(中南财经政法大学)

Double First Class Universities listing based on geographical locations

* represent the newly added universities in the Phase 2 list of Double First Class University Plan.

Assessment and Rankings

The Double First Class University Plan underlines that developing the listed Chinese elite universities into world-class universities by 2050 through strengthening their developments of disciplines and faculties. As of 2022, 110 Double First-Class universities among the Chinese mainland universities shortlisted in the world's top 1,000 by the

Academic Ranking of World Universities The ''Academic Ranking of World Universities'' (''ARWU''), also known as the Shanghai Ranking, is one of the annual publications of world university rankings. The league table was originally compiled and issued by Shanghai Jiao Tong Universi ...

, including 61 Top 500 universities, 38 Top 300 universities, 26 Top 200 universities and 8 Top 100 universities. On 18 September 2020, the members of "Double First Class" expert valuation group, which was headed by Lin Huiqing, Chairman of the Medical Education Expert Committee of the Ministry of Education and former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education, unanimously agreed that Tsinghua University has been fully established as a world-class university.

References