Published : 2025-10-02

On 2 October 1895, Peiyang University (北洋大學堂), the predecessor of Tianjin University (TJU), was formally established.

Tianjin University is China's first modern university, pioneering modern higher education in China.

Tianjin University was established by imperial approval from the Guangxu Emperor and named Peiyang University.

Sheng Xuanhuai (盛宣懷), a representative figure of the Self-Strengthening Movement, served as the first supervisor, and American educator Charles Tenney serving as the chief instructor.

Tianjin University has changed its name multiple times throughout its history; besides Peiyang University, it was also named "Peiyang University School", "National Peiyang University", "The Second Engineering College of National Peiping University", and "National Peiyang College of Engineering".

In 1937, it even briefly merged with three other institutions to form the "National Provisional University of Xi'an", undergoing multiple reorganisations.

After the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, National Peiyang University was re-established, and subsequently restored its name to Peiyang University in 1946.

Finally, in 1951, Peiyang University merged with Hebei College of Engineering and was renamed Tianjin University by the state.

Tianjin University is one of the nation's first batch of key universities; and after the Reform and Opening-up started, it was also included in the first batch of universities for key construction under "Project 211" and "Project 985".

It was selected as a Class A university for the national "World-Class University Construction" initiative as well.

Tianjin University currently has the Weijin Road Campus, the Peiyangyuan Campus and the Binhai Industrial Research Institute Campus, with more than 40,000 full-time students currently enrolled.