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China Elevator Stories
China's Imperial Examination System
China introduced the Imperial Examination System in 607.
29/11/2025
Ruth Silbermayr
Author
Higher learning has a long history in China.
Although the first modern university, Imperial Tientsin University, was established during the Qing dynasty in 1895, China has long placed great importance on education.
One system established in the seventh century AD was the Imperial Examination System, which focused on the civil service exam and determined eligibility for government positions.
During this time, one of the main focuses was the Confucian canon, which was taught across the country.
Students who passed these exams could work as lower-level officials during the Sui dynasty (581–618), when the Imperial Examination System was formally established.
It was introduced in 607 by Emperor Yang of Sui and later adjusted to suit the needs of the time. This system was upheld until 1905, shortly before the end of the Qing dynasty in 1912.
I am currently teaching at a university in Northeast China. Although it doesn’t have as long a history, the campus is a nice retreat from the city, featuring lots of trees, a pond, and natural areas suitable for walks when the weather is still warm enough (which it was until last week, though it has turned quite cold this week).
Have you ever taught at a university in China?