Beihang University
Beihang University is a public Chinese national research university founded in 1952 and one of the "Seven Sons of National Defence," specializing in aerospace engineering, advanced materials, and dual-use defense research while educating over 43,000 students across Beijing and Hangzhou campuses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1952
- HeadquartersHaidian, China
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Beihang University does
Beihang University is a public research-intensive national university under China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, founded in 1952 and headquartered in Haidian District, Beijing. It is one of the country's elite "Seven Sons of National Defence" institutions, with a functional focus on aerospace engineering, aeronautical and astronautical education, and dual-use defense-adjacent research. The university serves over 43,000 students (16,796 undergraduates, 24,168 graduate students, and 2,237 international students) across 37 first-level disciplines and 8 "Double First-Class" disciplines, supported by 6,305 faculty and staff. Operations span three primary campuses — Xueyuan Road and Shahe in Beijing, and Hangzhou International Campus — with an additional research presence via the Ningbo Institute of Technology.
Beihang's core technology and research portfolio is anchored by 20 National Key Laboratories, 9 National Sci-Tech Innovation Centers, and 86 Provincial/Ministerial Level Platforms, producing IP across aerospace propulsion (cascade deswirl nozzle vortex reducers, aero-engine life assessment), advanced materials (thermoelectric cooling with ~6 W/cm² density, bamboo-fiber composites reducing UAV weight by >20%), quantum/condensed-matter physics (3D XY universality in Kagome spin ice), biomedical devices (93.56%-accuracy AI bone-quality imaging, knee-mounted SMA rehabilitation robot, ventricular septal defect occluders), and computer vision (real-time holographic camera, neuromorphic vision chip, SAR ship detection, federated edge learning). Approximately 25 drone swarm coordination patents have been filed, and the AI Light Operator cell sorter won the 2025 Silver A' Design Award.
The business model combines four revenue streams: Chinese government funding and research grants (National Key R&D Programs, NSFC); tuition and educational services (undergraduate, master's, doctoral, international, visiting-scholar, and Chinese-language programs); industry partnerships and consulting with aerospace, defense, healthcare, and technology firms; and technology transfer and patent licensing. Go-to-market is community-led, driven by national/international rankings, research reputation in aerospace and engineering, and participation in global academic competitions and collaborations. Distribution is via direct admissions (national entrance exams and graduate processes), a dedicated international admissions office, the Sino-French Engineer School dual-degree channel, the Hangzhou International Campus hub, and bilateral exchange programs. Strategic positioning is moderated by inclusion on the US Commerce Department export blacklist, which restricts access to advanced US-origin semiconductors including Nvidia AI chips.
Beihang University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Beihang University
- Legal name
- Beihang University
- Website
- https://ev.buaa.edu.cn
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1952
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Beihang University is a public Chinese national research university founded in 1952 and one of the "Seven Sons of National Defence," specializing in aerospace engineering, advanced materials, and dual-use defense research while educating over 43,000 students across Beijing and Hangzhou campuses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Beihang University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education and Aerospace Research
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Research Universities with Engineering/Polytechnic Emphasis (EDAHAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains (EDAHAEAI), Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB), STEM-Focused Technical Universities (EDAHAEAD)
Keywords
Where Beihang University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Haidian
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
Beihang University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Funding and Research Grants: Primary funding from Chinese government for aerospace and defense-related research programs including National Key R&D Programs, National Natural Science Foundation of China, and other national research initiatives
- Tuition and Educational Services: Revenue from undergraduate, master's, doctoral programs, international students, visiting scholar programs, and Chinese language programs
- Industry Partnerships and Consulting: Collaborative research and development with industry partners including aerospace companies and technology firms
- Technology Transfer and Licensing: Commercialization of research outcomes through patent licensing and technology transfer agreements
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Undergraduate programs for international students |
| Subscription | Annual | Master's and Doctoral programs for international students |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Beihang University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Beihang University is a public national research university that delivers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs across eight academic disciplines and operates 20 National Key Laboratories and 86 provincial-level research platforms. It produces research outputs in aerospace engineering, advanced materials, biomedical devices, AI imaging, neuromorphic computing, and drone-swarm autonomy, and licenses or transfers resulting technologies to industry partners.
Product overview
Beihang University operates as a comprehensive research university offering educational programs across undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels, while conducting advanced scientific research and developing innovative technologies. The university's product portfolio includes scientific instruments (such as the award-winning Light Operator cell sorting device), academic journals, and research services supported by extensive laboratory infrastructure including 20 National Key Laboratories. Educational offerings span 8 disciplines with over 40 master's and 30 doctoral programs, complemented by research bases that foster interdisciplinary innovation in aerospace, materials science, physics, and engineering.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Light Operator Cell Sorting Device
- Undergraduate Academic Programs
- Master's and Doctoral Programs
- Sino-French Engineer School Dual-Degree Program (l'École Centrale de Pékin)
- Visiting Scholar and Exchange Programs
- Chinese Language Program
- International Summer School
- Research Collaboration and Industry Partnership Services
- Academic Journals
- Technology Transfer and Patent Licensing
Quantifiable outcome
- Flow rate increases 327% when nozzle radial position increases from 130 mm to 180 mm in aero-engine vortex reducer research
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Beihang University
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Beihang University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability21 records
Feature11 records
Beihang University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Groupe des Écoles Centrales (France)coreLong-standing partnership with French engineering education group including establishment of Sino-French Engineer School (École Centrale de Pekin), joint labs on carbon neutralization, and collaborative research programs. In September 2024, inaugurated Beihang-Centrale Group Joint Lab on Carbon Neutralization at Hangzhou International Campus.
- International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR)coreCo-developed the world's first fixed-wing drone with bamboo-based composite wings. INBAR, Beihang's Ningbo Institute of Technology, and Long Bamboo Technology Group collaborated under China's 'Bamboo to replace Plastic' initiative.
- Long Bamboo Technology GroupcoreIndustrial partner in bamboo fiber composite materials research for sustainable aviation applications. Jointly developed bamboo-based tiltrotor UAV achieving over 20% weight reduction and quarter-cost of carbon fiber drones.
- Chinese Academy of SciencescoreCollaborative research in physics, condensed matter, and geophysics. Led by Professor Fu Jingcheng, joint research on airborne electromagnetic detection systems for underground and underwater mapping.
- Peking University Third HospitalminorMedical research collaboration on knee-mounted rehabilitation robot for children with spinal muscular atrophy, achieving significant improvements in muscle strength and motor function.
- MITminorInternational collaboration on medical robotics research including the knee-mounted robot development for neuromuscular disorder rehabilitation.
- Middle East Technical University (METU)minorInternational university partnership with Turkish institution METU, involving academic exchanges and potential research collaborations.
- State University of Rio Grande do Sul (UERGS) / ABRUEMminorBrazilian university delegation visit in June 2026, part of Association of Brazilian Rectors of State and Municipal Universities, exploring academic cooperation opportunities.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Beihang University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Georgia Institute of Technology: US aerospace and engineering powerhouse with comparable research intensity and graduate programs. Serves as an international benchmark for aerospace engineering education and a likely substitute destination for international students.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Global benchmark for aerospace and engineering research with which Beihang collaborates on medical robotics. Comparable in research output quality and international prestige but operates in a different funding and regulatory environment.
- Tsinghua University: China's premier comprehensive research university with broad engineering strength that overlaps Beihang's aerospace, AI, and materials science programs. Not defense-restricted, but competes for top students, faculty, and industry funding.
- Zhejiang University: Major Chinese research university with strong engineering, computer science, and materials programs. Direct overlap with Beihang's research areas and competes for international student enrollment and industry partnerships.
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University: Top-tier Chinese research university with significant aerospace, mechanical engineering, and AI research. Comparable in research intensity and scale, though broader in scope than Beihang's aerospace specialization.
Regional players
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay: Premier Indian technical university with strong aerospace and engineering programs serving as a regional peer in Asia. Comparable in scale and STEM focus but operates in a different national ecosystem without Beihang's defense alignment.
Direct peers
- Northwestern Polytechnical University: 'Seven Sons of National Defence' university with a parallel aerospace/aviation focus and similar scale of national key laboratories. Competes directly with Beihang for aerospace talent, defense contracts, and faculty recruitment in western China.
- Beijing Institute of Technology: Sister 'Seven Sons' institution with overlapping defense research mandates and joint collaborations (e.g., neuromorphic chip work with Beihang). Comparable in scale, defense alignment, and sanctions exposure.
- Harbin Institute of Technology: Another of China's 'Seven Sons of National Defence,' co-listed on the US export blacklist. Directly comparable as a top-tier Chinese STEM research university with strong aerospace, materials science, and defense research portfolios competing for the same government R&D funding pool.
- Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics: China's other flagship aviation/astronautics university, with directly comparable aeronautical engineering programs and research output. Competes for the same aerospace student pipeline and industry partnerships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Beihang University social profiles
Digital presenceBeihang University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Beihang University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Beihang University subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Beihang University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Beihang University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Beihang University
What does Beihang University do?
Beihang University is a public national research university that delivers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs across eight academic disciplines and operates 20 National Key Laboratories and 86 provincial-level research platforms. It produces research outputs in aerospace engineering, advanced materials, biomedical devices, AI imaging, neuromorphic computing, and drone-swarm autonomy, and licenses or transfers resulting technologies to industry partners.
Is Beihang University a public or private company?
Beihang University is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Beihang University founded?
Beihang University was founded in 1952. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Beihang University based?
Beihang University is headquartered in Haidian, China, in the Asia region.
How does Beihang University make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Funding and Research Grants are the primary driver. The others are tuition and Educational Services, industry Partnerships and Consulting and technology Transfer and Licensing.
Who are Beihang University's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Georgia Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Northwestern Polytechnical University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Does Beihang University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Beihang University.
What industry is Beihang University in?
Beihang University's product category is Higher Education and Aerospace Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAAAD, Public Research Universities with Engineering/Polytechnic Emphasis, with a secondary code of EDAHAEAI, Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains. Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8700.