Recent Momentum from the 2026 National Education Work Conference
China's higher education landscape is undergoing a pivotal shift with the Ministry of Education (MOE) emphasizing classified advancement of university reforms as a cornerstone of its 2026 agenda. At the National Education Work Conference held on January 8, 2026, MOE leaders outlined eight major tasks, placing 'classified promotion of higher education reforms' prominently to optimize structure and layout in alignment with national and regional strategies.
The push comes amid rapid expansion: China now boasts over 3,000 higher education institutions, including approximately 1,500 bachelor's degree-granting universities and more than 1,400 vocational colleges. With vocational undergraduate programs surpassing 100 institutions by early 2026, the reform aims to curb homogenization and foster specialized excellence.
Experts note this as an 'inevitable choice for intrinsic development in the popularization era of higher education,' addressing long-standing issues like universities chasing 'big and all-encompassing' models.
Historical Evolution of University Classification in China
The roots trace back to 2010 with the 'National Medium- and Long-Term Education Reform and Development Plan Outline (2010–2020)', which first proposed establishing a classification system and implementing differentiated management. Subsequent policies, such as the 'Overall Plan for Deepening New Era Education Evaluation Reform', reinforced this by shifting evaluation from quantity to quality and characteristics.
Key milestones include the launch of Project 211 and Project 985 in the 1990s, evolving into the Double First-Class Construction in 2015, selecting 147 universities and 282 disciplines by 2017. The second round, set for 2026, will expand scope moderately, prioritizing interdisciplinary fields like AI and emerging technologies while tilting resources toward populous provinces and central-western regions.
- 2010: Initial classification proposal.
- 2015: Double First-Class replaces 211/985.
- 2024: Education Powerhouse Plan framework.
- 2026: New Double First-Class round and nationwide push.
This timeline reflects a strategic pivot from elite focus to a balanced ecosystem serving China's modernization goals.
Defining the Tracks: Research, Application, and Skill Types
Central to the reform is a clear typology. Research-type universities prioritize fundamental innovation and global competitiveness, exemplified by elite institutions like Tsinghua and Peking University. Application-type focus on industry alignment, bridging academia and economy through practical programs. Skill-type, often vocational undergraduates, emphasize hands-on training for high-skill roles in manufacturing and services.
Each track further divides into comprehensive (multi-disciplinary) or specialized (niche-focused), allowing flexibility. For instance, of China's ~2,820 ordinary higher schools in 2023, vocational colleges numbered around 1,500, now expanding with 102+ vocational bachelor's by 2026.
| University Type | Focus Areas | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Research-Type | Basic research, tech breakthroughs | Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University |
| Application-Type | Industry collaboration, regional development | Shanghai University of Engineering Science |
| Skill-Type | Vocational skills, artisan training | Various high-level vocational colleges |
This structure ensures no 'one-size-fits-all,' promoting 'each excelling in its beauty' (各美其美).
Local Innovations: Shanghai's Twelve-Grid Model
Shanghai pioneered since 2018 with a 'twelve-grid' system: four categories (academic research, applied research, applied technology, applied skills) crossed with three dimensions (comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, specialized). This evaluates via tailored indicators, influencing funding and leadership assessments.
Shanghai University of Engineering Science's Aviation College exemplifies applied innovation, piloting 'human-machine collaborative' flight training as a high-level local applied university pilot.Explore career paths in applied higher ed.
Provincial Strategies: Jiangsu's Tiered Excellence Plans
Jiangsu implements 'High-Level University Peak Construction Plan' for research-types, 'High-Level Higher Vocational College Construction Plan' for skills-types, and since 2024, 'First-Class Application-Type Undergraduate University Selection and Construction Implementation Plan'. These provide differentiated funding, enrollment quotas, and evaluations, fostering upward mobility.
Such models inspire national rollout, with provinces like Chongqing aiming to double Double First-Class institutions.
The New Double First-Class Era: Expansion and Focus
2026 marks the second round of Double First-Class, building on 147 universities from the first. Priorities: research universities aligning with tech innovation; application-types serving regional strategies; skill clusters for high-end manufacturing. Resources tilt to mid-western growth areas, promoting equity.
- Expand scope moderately.
- Emphasize AI, new engineering, interdisciplinary.
- Dynamic adjustments based on performance.
This integrates with classification, ensuring top-tier leads while others specialize.
Addressing Persistent Challenges
Despite progress, hurdles remain: misconceptions of hierarchy leading to 'big-all' pursuits; uniform evaluations favoring papers over contributions; resource Matthew effect starving local schools. Reforms counter via multi-stakeholder input (government, employers, students) and AI-driven portraits.
Stakeholders, including professors, urge balanced metrics. Read the full China Education News report.
Implementation Roadmap: Evaluation, Support, and Dynamics
Step-by-step: 1) Positioning via government-university dialogue; 2) Tailored evaluations with databases and third-party audits; 3) Differentiated support (funding, quotas); 4) Dynamic shifts allowing track upgrades. Digital tools enable real-time monitoring and satisfaction surveys.
Benefits include reduced competition, enhanced contributions. Risks: Over-rigid categories—mitigated by flexibility.
Real-World Impacts and Case Studies
Early wins: Shanghai's model boosted specialized outputs; Jiangsu's plans elevated vocational grads' employability (often 95%+). Nationally, classification aligns with 12.7 million unemployed grads in 2026, channeling skills to economy.
For international scholars, this opens postdoc roles in niche areas. Future: Stronger global ties, as seen in Leiden rankings where Zhejiang tops Harvard in impact.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Global Context
University leaders welcome tailored metrics; employers praise skill-matching. Internationally, mirrors OECD pushes for relevant tertiary ed.
Photo by Bangyu Wang on Unsplash
Outlook: Toward a Diverse, World-Class Ecosystem
By 2035, expect a mature system with upgraded tracks, AI integration, and equitable growth. This positions China as higher ed leader, benefiting students, faculty, and economy. Explore Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, career advice, university jobs, and post a job at AcademicJobs.com for opportunities in this evolving landscape.