China's institutions of higher learning
generally fall into several categories. Some are administered directly by the
Ministry of Education, or other ministries and commissions; some are
administered by governments at the levels of provinces, autonomous regions and
cities directly under the central government. There are also schools run by
local city and non-government-run schools. Universities and independent colleges
are higher-learning institutions with equal position.
To ensure the enrolment quality of
institutions of higher learning, China has established a strict entrance
examination system. High school graduates with diploma can enter institutions of
higher learning after passing the national college entrance
examination.
By
the end of 1997, there were
1,020 institutions of higher learning, with an enrolment of 176,400 postgraduates,
3.1727 million undergraduates in China. 416 key disciplines and 152 national
key laboratories and department research public laboratories have been set
up in institutions of higher learning.