China Adds 38 New Undergraduate Majors for 2026

China’s Ministry of Education has approved 38 new undergraduate majors for the 2026 academic year, introducing cutting-edge fields such as Brain-Computer Science and Technology, Deep Earth Science and Engineering, Agricultural Robotics, and Commercial Artificial Intelligence. The new programs, detailed in the 2026 Undergraduate Major Catalog, are designed to break disciplinary boundaries and align with national strategic priorities, as reported by Guangming Daily.

Strategic Alignment with National Goals

The new majors reflect China’s push to cultivate talent in emerging technology sectors critical to its long-term development. The initiative is deeply embedded in the Education Strong Country Plan (2024-2035) and the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which prioritize deep-sea, deep-earth, and polar exploration as frontier technology areas. The new Deep Earth Science and Engineering major directly supports the national “March to the Deep Earth” strategy, while programs in Intelligent Computing, Commercial AI, and Embodied Intelligence align with China’s aggressive AI development agenda.

Brain-Computer Science: A Landmark Program

Among the most notable additions is the Brain-Computer Science and Technology major at Tianjin University, the nation’s first undergraduate program in this field. “Brain-computer interfaces show enormous potential in education, healthcare, production, daily life, aerospace and other fields, creating an urgent need for interdisciplinary innovative talent,” said Ming Dong (明东), Vice President of Tianjin University, as quoted by People’s Daily.

Tianjin University had already piloted a Brain-Computer Interface direction in Fall 2024, admitting 41 students over two cohorts from hundreds of applicants. The university also led the formation of a National Brain-Computer Interface Education Consortium with 14 participating institutions, including Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Zhejiang University, and Harbin Institute of Technology.

Cross-Disciplinary Innovation Across Universities

Several other universities have launched pioneering programs:

China University of Mining and Technology established Deep Earth Science and Engineering to support deep resource development and clean energy storage. “Deep-sea, deep-earth, and polar exploration are key drivers of new quality productive forces and national resource security,” said Zhou Lai (周来), Deputy Director of Academic Affairs.
Jiangsu University created China’s first undergraduate major in Agricultural Robotics, addressing the urgent need for talent in agricultural automation. Liu Jizhan (刘继展), Vice Dean of the School of Agricultural Engineering, stated the program “shoulders the important mission of cultivating urgently needed interdisciplinary talent for the intelligent transformation of China’s modern agriculture.”
Shanghai Jiao Tong University launched Marine Intelligence and Unmanned Technology, the first “AI+” undergraduate major in the marine field. Xue Hongxiang (薛鸿祥) described the program as embedding AI “genes” into the “body” of marine equipment.
Harbin Institute of Technology is among nine universities approved to offer Embodied Intelligence, supported by multiple national key laboratories and a faculty of over 60 national-level leading talents.
Northeastern University revived its Vacuum Engineering and Technology program, originally established in 1958, now the only program in China covering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Jiang Xizhuo (姜曦灼) noted that graduates will solve “bottleneck” problems in semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, and high-end equipment.
University of Science and Technology of China launched a Commercial AI major through its School of Technology and Business, while Nankai University established Data Resources and Data Intelligence under the management discipline.
Greater Bay Area University launched an Intelligent Computing program emphasizing “mathematics-driven AI.” Chair Professor Zhang Hongkun (张宏坤) explained: “Intelligent Computing does not train students who can only ‘call models’ — it trains students who can understand AI, improve AI, and use AI to solve scientific and industrial problems.”

Analysis and Implications

The introduction of 38 new majors represents a systematic, state-coordinated effort to build a talent pipeline from the undergraduate level upward. A defining characteristic is their cross-disciplinary nature — intentionally breaking down academic silos by combining neuroscience with electronics, AI with management, and robotics with agriculture.

Many programs also emphasize industry-education collaboration. Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s marine program involves partnerships with China State Shipbuilding Corporation and COSCO Shipping, while Greater Bay Area University’s Intelligent Computing program works with Huawei.

These moves may intensify global competition in brain-computer interfaces, AI, and advanced manufacturing, as China invests in domestic talent cultivation rather than relying solely on overseas recruitment. The emphasis on cross-disciplinary, industry-integrated education could also serve as a model for other countries seeking to reform higher education.

What to Watch For

As the 2026 academic year approaches, the first cohort of students will enroll in these programs. Key questions remain: How will universities staff these highly specialized programs given faculty shortages? What will be the enrollment capacity? And how will graduates fare in China’s evolving job market? The answers will shape the success of this ambitious educational experiment.

Based on reporting from Guangming Daily and People’s Daily.