Numerous main universities beneath China’s “double first-class” initiative have introduced undergraduate enrollment expansions for 2026, with new slots concentrated in synthetic intelligence, built-in circuits, new supplies and different strategic sectors, based on official enrollment plans from a number of establishments.
The double first-class initiative is a nationwide technique launched by the Chinese authorities in 2015 to construct world-class universities and disciplines by offering prioritized help to chose establishments and topic areas.
Southeast University in Jiangsu province will enhance its enrollment by 600 college students, whereas Xidian University in Shaanxi will add 400 and Xi’an Jiaotong University, additionally positioned in Shaanxi, will elevate its consumption by 360 in contrast with final 12 months. Fudan University in Shanghai, Nanjing University in Jiangsu and Lanzhou University in Gansu will every expand enrollment by 300 college students, whereas Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications has deliberate a further 180 locations, based on a report by China Central Television.
AI-related disciplines are a serious focus. Nine universities, together with Beihang University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, and Harbin Institute of Technology in Heilongjiang, have been authorised to launch undergraduate applications in embodied intelligence. Tongji University in Shanghai is introducing new majors in future robotics and engineering web, whereas many establishments are increasing present applications in robotics engineering, laptop science, massive information and AI, the report stated.
Engineering applications in core applied sciences proceed to develop. Integrated circuits, semiconductors, new supplies, telecommunications, cybersecurity, low-altitude expertise, power storage and electrical engineering are among the many precedence areas for growth. The enrollment enhance additionally covers new medication, new agriculture and new liberal arts majors, the report added.
Niu Guowei, director of the admissions workplace at China Agricultural University, instructed China Daily that the college plans so as to add 320 locations in 2026, with the rise allotted to top-notch modern expertise cultivation, worldwide applications and fields of pressing nationwide want.
The college has established three new innovation lessons — sensible plant safety, future meals and molecular science, he stated.
It can be launching two new Sino-foreign cooperative applications in AI and laptop science with the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom, marking its first engineering-focused worldwide partnerships, Niu stated.
Additional locations will likely be allotted to veterinary medication, laptop science, sociology, biomass science and engineering, facility agriculture, and companion animal science to fulfill the calls for of nationwide methods and market wants, he added.
Liu Zhaomiao, vice-president of Beijing University of Technology, stated the college’s whole undergraduate enrollment for 2026 stands at 3,979, a rise of 200 from final 12 months.
The new locations are aimed toward strategic rising industries and future-oriented sectors akin to built-in circuits, AI, quantum expertise, new power, new supplies and biomanufacturing, he stated.
The college has added new majors in quantum info science, our on-line world safety, and information computing and purposes, and is rising admissions in mechanical engineering, supplies science and engineering, optical engineering, and management science and engineering, he stated.
Meanwhile, it is usually increasing AI-empowered administration applications and built-in economics-management majors, he stated.
“The university will continue to deepen its educational reforms, driven by national strategies and the capital’s development needs, to provide solid talent support for building a strong education system and Beijing’s high-end industrial sectors.”
Wang Jin, director of admissions on the University of Science and Technology Beijing, stated the college’s 2026 undergraduate enrollment plan is 3,690, up 90 from final 12 months, with all extra locations directed to new supplies, built-in circuits and AI.
Two new majors are being launched: built-in circuit design and built-in programs, which can enroll 30 college students in their first 12 months, and mental property, which goals to domesticate interdisciplinary authorized expertise with engineering data in new supplies, AI, inexperienced low-carbon applied sciences and knowledge and communications expertise, he stated.
The college has in latest years launched a number of rising majors, together with AI, robotics engineering, clever manufacturing engineering, supplies intelligence — the primary of its variety in China — and carbon neutrality science and engineering, additionally a home first, he added.