Address: 266 Xinglong Section, Xifeng Road, Xi’an High-tech Zone West, 710126 Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
Information & Communication Engineering, Electronic Science & Technology, Computer Science & Technology
Xidian University traces its origin to 1931, when a radio training class was set up, starting from a captured radio set that could only receive messages. The university is today headquartered in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, with a South Campus on Xifeng Road and a North Campus on South Taibai Road.
The university concentrates on electronic and information technology. Its schools include telecommunications engineering, electronic engineering, computer science and technology, microelectronics, optoelectronic engineering, artificial intelligence and cyber engineering, among others.
It is a public university under China’s Ministry of Education and is part of Project 211. The Shanghai Ranking’s 2026 edition places it in the 301-400 band of the Academic Ranking of World Universities, and its subject ranking for telecommunication engineering is among the top ten in the world. Prospective students can find programme lists on the official site.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Automation, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Optics, Physics, Process Control, Robotics, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Statistics, Telecommunications, Thermodynamics
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Strong ties with China’s electronics, telecommunications, and defense industries.
Research:
Wireless Communication & Networks, Radar & Signal Processing, Cybersecurity & Information Security, AI & Big Data, Microelectronics & Integrated Circuits.
Famous Alumnis:
N/A
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
2000
Current students***:
35000
Foreign students***:
N/A%
Cumulative former students***:
150000
Pros
Leading university for electronics and information technology, particularly in telecommunications and radar systems.
Cons
Highly specialized in electronics and IT.
Best For
Leading university for electronic and information technology, especially telecommunications and radar.
University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, a public university in Chengdu, lists electronic science and technology, information and communication engineering and computer science as main fields, a near-identical profile.
Northwestern Polytechnical University is a public university in Xi'an that concentrates on aeronautics, astronautics, marine technology and materials, making it the closest neighbour in the same city.
Xi'an Jiaotong University, also a public university in Xi'an, is built around energy and power, mechanical and electrical engineering.
Beijing Institute of Technology is a public university in Beijing with control science and information and communication engineering among its main fields.
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics is a public university in Nanjing with aerospace, mechanical and control engineering as main fields.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
Télécom Paris in France is a public school specialising in digital technologies, data science and cybersecurity, which echoes Xidian's information security focus.
University of Oulu in Finland is a public university that lists wireless communications, steel research and environmental science among its main fields.
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea is a public university with engineering, natural sciences and bioengineering as main fields.
Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States is a university with engineering, computer science and aerospace as its main fields.
ITMO University in Russia is public and lists computer science, optics and photonics among its main fields.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
How did Xidian University originate?
It grew out of a radio training class created in 1931 by Communist Party pioneers. The captured radio set used for training was nicknamed the Half Radio because it could only receive messages.
Where is Xidian University located?
The university is in Xi'an, in Shaanxi province in north-west China. It has a South Campus on Xifeng Road and a North Campus on South Taibai Road.
What are the main fields of study?
The focus is electronic and information technology. Telecommunications engineering, electronic engineering, computer science and microelectronics each have their own school.
Which schools make up the university?
The official site lists schools of telecommunications engineering, electronic engineering, computer science and technology, mechano-electronic engineering, optoelectronic engineering, physics, microelectronics and others, including artificial intelligence and cyber engineering. Check the programme page for the exact school that offers a degree.
Which Chinese government programme includes Xidian?
It belongs to Project 211, the Chinese government programme that supported selected universities. It is under the Ministry of Education.
What is the ranking of Xidian University?
The Shanghai Ranking 2026 places it in the 301-400 band of its world university ranking. In the 2026 subject rankings it stands in the top ten globally for telecommunication engineering.
Cybersecurity, Electronics, Information Technology (IT), Signal Processing
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
Innovation.world is not affiliated with this school/university. We recommend to contact them directly on their website for any special request.
To complete or correct any information here or share your opinion, please comment below or > send us a direct message <.
