Central Academy of Fine Arts
University Overview & Academic Standing
Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA, 中央美术学院) is China's premier and most influential national academy of higher fine arts, directly under the administration of the Ministry of Education. Born from the National Beiping Art School founded in 1918 upon the advocacy of renowned educator Cai Yuanpei, CAFA is the first national art school in modern Chinese history and the benchmark of Chinese visual art culture.
CAFA comprises 8 specialized schools including Chinese Painting, Fine Arts, Design, Architecture, Humanities, Urban Design, and Experimental Art. Both Fine Arts and Design are designated as national Double First-Class disciplines, ranking at the absolute pinnacle (A+) across China. CAFA operates the iconic CAFA Art Museum designed by Arata Isozaki, holding world-class permanent collections of classical and contemporary masterpieces.
Attracting visionary artists, curators, and designers worldwide, CAFA offers world-renowned studio master classes, bilingual art history seminars, and Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) opportunities in China's creative capital.
- National Academic Tier: National Double First-Class Flagship / MOE Direct National Art Academy
- Supervisory Authority: Ministry of Education (National Direct)
- Institutional MOE Code: 10047
- Location & Campus Base: Chaoyang District, Beijing (Wangjing)
- Signature & Flagship Disciplines: Fine Arts (Painting & Sculpture), Visual Communication Design, Architecture, Art History, Digital Media Art
Campus Environment & Satisfaction Benchmarks
Authentic satisfaction ratings compiled from authenticated student feedback (Ministry of Education CHSI Student Satisfaction Surveys):
University Admissions FAQ
Does Central Academy of Fine Arts require CSCA exam scores for international applicants?
How do I apply for the CSC Type B scholarship at Central Academy of Fine Arts?
Are English-taught degree courses fully accredited internationally?
Colleges, Faculties & Degree Programs Under Construction
Our academic verification team is currently standardizing and translating the official substantive colleges, degree-granting faculties, and English-taught academic degree catalogs for Central Academy of Fine Arts. The verified academic curriculum and discipline taxonomy will be published in the upcoming database release.
Auditing parent schools, research institutes, and key academic departments authenticated via official university directories.
Compiling Double First-Class disciplines, ESI top 1% fields, and national first-class undergraduate programs.
Structuring English-taught Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. degree tracks along with HSK/IELTS entrance prerequisites.
Student Accommodations & Scholar Dormitories
Comprehensive on-campus accommodation facilities provided for enrolled scholars at Central Academy of Fine Arts:
Room Configuration & Amenities
- Single Room (Private Ensuite)
- 4-Person Scholar Suite (Bunk & Desk)
- Air conditioning, central heating & high-speed campus fiber WiFi
- Independent study desk, spacious wardrobes & private balconies
- Communal floor kitchens, automatic laundry rooms & student lounges
Accommodation Standards & Pricing
- Official On-Campus Rate: ~1,000 - 1,500 RMB/year (On-campus standard)
- CSC Full Scholarship: 100% complimentary room allocation included
- Utilities: Generous monthly electricity & hot water quotas included
Dining Halls & Certified Halal Canteens
Authentic culinary infrastructure catering to diverse international dietary and cultural needs:
- Dining Variety: 三 Student Dining Halls & Culinary Plazas
- Halal Dining: Certified Halal Dining Hall on-campus preparing authentic Muslim cuisine and Central Asian specialties.
- Canteen Price Range: Nutritious meals typically range from 10 to 25 RMB per meal.
- Digital Payment: Seamless access via Campus Smartcard, WeChat Pay, and Alipay.
Campus Cultural Festivals & Student Societies
Vibrant multicultural student community with rich extracurricular organizations and events:
International Cultural Expo
Annual flagship cultural festival showcasing traditional cuisine, music, costumes, and folklore from over 100 participating nations.
Language Exchange Clubs
Weekly peer conversation tables pairing international scholars with native Chinese students for bilingual fluency practice.
Outdoor & Excursion Societies
Organized weekend excursions to historical heritage sites, regional mountains, and eco-parks across Beijing.
Athletic Infrastructure & Sports Facilities
World-class athletic and recreation facilities open daily to enrolled university scholars:
Host City Overview & Wikipedia Climate Guide
Beijing (Beijing Province) provides an exceptional environment for international scholars, combining rich cultural heritage with world-class municipal infrastructure:
Beijing has a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dwa), bordering on a monsoonal cold semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSk). The city is characterized by hot, humid summers due to the East Asian monsoon as well as brief but cold, dry winters that reflect the influence of the vast Siberian anticyclone. Spring can bear witness to sandstorms blowing in from the Gobi Desert across the Mongolian steppe, accom...
Public Transit & Airport Connections
Rapid and budget-friendly municipal transportation connecting the campus across Beijing:
Metro Rail Connectivity
Direct subway lines connecting the campus station to downtown business hubs in 20-30 minutes (fares from 2 to 6 RMB).
International Airport
Direct access via Airport Express train or licensed taxi/Didi dispatch (~40-60 minutes).
High-Speed Rail Terminal
Seamless transit connection to high-speed railway terminals offering 350 km/h bullet trains across major Chinese metropolises.
Monthly Cost of Living Breakdown (Student Budget Estimates)
Realistic monthly student budget estimates for living in Beijing (surveyed living metrics):
| Expense Category | Estimated Range (RMB / Month) | Notes & Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Campus Canteen Meals | 1,200 - 1,800 RMB | 3 meals/day in university dining halls & halal canteens. |
| Dormitory Utilities (Electricity/AC) | 80 - 150 RMB | Basic quota covered; modest excess billed monthly. |
| Mobile Phone & 5G Data | 50 - 90 RMB | Student package with 50GB-100GB high-speed data. |
| Local Public Transit (Metro/Bus) | 100 - 200 RMB | Subway and shared bike monthly passes. |
| Personal Sundries & Leisure | 400 - 800 RMB | Cinema, groceries, gym, weekend coffee outings. |
| Total Monthly Living Budget | ~1,830 - 3,040 RMB | Fully covered by standard CSC monthly stipend (2,500 - 3,500 RMB) |