China to expand Double First-Class university enrollment by 76,000

During a State Council Information Office press conference regarding the “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan,” China’s Ministry of Education announced plans to expand undergraduate enrollment at “Double First-Class” universities. Between 2027 and 2030, enrollment for these elite institutions is expected to increase by 76,000 students.

Guo Peng, Director of the Ministry of Education's Development Planning Department, stated that this expansion focuses on structural optimization and quality improvement rather than mere quantity. The initiative aims to align academic disciplines with national strategic needs, specifically prioritizing emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, biomedicine, and new energy to cultivate strategic and high-demand talent.

To support this growth, the government intends to utilize central budget investments and ultra-long-term special treasury bonds to fund the construction of new campuses and improve essential facilities, including laboratories, dormitories, and dining halls. This aligns with broader educational goals to expand high-level applied undergraduate programs and strengthen industry-education integration.