Peking University has been a leading institution in China’s higher education since its very establishment in 1898. Over the past century, it has developed into a comprehensive institution of higher learning, embracing diverse branches of knowledge such as humanities and social sciences, engineering and applied sciences, education and medical science, linguistics and management science. Its inclusiveness of liberal arts and sciences highlights the University’s long-standing strength in a well-balanced disciplinary structure.

According to the latest data published by the ESI (Essential Science Indicators), Peking University, among universities and research institutions worldwide, ranked among the top 1% in 21 fields including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and biochemistry, monocular biology and genetics, computer science, engineering, materials science, botany and zoology, earth science, agronomy, psychiatry and psychology, environmental science and ecological science, clinical medicine, pharmacology and toxicology, neuroscience and behavioral science, social science, economics and business, immunology, microbiology and interdisciplinary, standing out as the best in Mainland China.

The latest data from China’s Ministry of Education regarding the academic performance of universities nationwide also indicate the University’s prominence in humanities, natural sciences and medical sciences. 16 out of its 48 disciplines evaluated were the best in China, 35 ranked the top 3, overtaking other universities by a considerable margin and showing its incomparable comprehensiveness. 16 No.1 disciplines: mathematics, physics, chemistry, geophysics, mechanics, Chinese language and literature, foreign languages and literature, Chinese history, world history, archeology, philosophy, political science, art theory, basic medicine, pharmacology, nursing; 35 disciplines ranked among the top 3 were evenly distributed in 5 faculties, 14 in the faculty of humanities and social sciences, 10 in the faculty of sciences, 5 in engineering, and 6 in medical science.

Pursuant to the Times Higher Education Rankings by subject 2017, Peking University is recognized among the world’s very best across a range of academic disciplines. In 2017, Peking University ranks within the global top 35 and best in China for physical science (19), life science (26), computer science (27), social science and management (35), arts and humanities (17), engineering and technology (12), business and economics (18).

The employability of graduates in the international job market has become an important criterion to evaluate the performance of a university and the quality of education it offers. The 2017 QS Graduate Employability Rankings ranked PKU graduates No.11 on the list, trailing straight behind other world-renowned universities such as MIT, Harvard, Cambridge and Oxford.

PKU graduates also stand out in the academic community. Among others, Mr. Xiaoliang Xie (B.S. in chemistry at PKU, Prof. of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard) were elected Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology in 2012, Mr. Xingwang Deng (78’ Biology at PKU, Prof. of Plant Biology at Yale) and Ms. Xuemei Chen (84’ Biology at PKU, Prof. of Plant Cell and Molecular Biology at UCR) were elected Fellow of the American Academy of Sciences in 2013. 7 PKU graduates were awarded Sloan Research Fellowships in 2013 alone. Ms. Bin Yu(80' Mathematics at PKU,Prof. of Statistics at UC Berkeley) and Ms. Hao Wu (82' Medical Science at PKU, Prof. of Biochemistry and molecular pharmacology at Harvard) were elected Fellow of the American Academy of Sciences in 2015.  Ms.Youyou Tu (Bachelor, in Pharmaceutical Seiences in PKU, researcher in China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences) won the Nobel Prize of Physiology or Medical in 2015.