Academic university mainly refers to full-time academic higher education focusing on cultivating teaching and scientific research talents. The types of degrees awarded are mainly academic degrees. It has a relatively complete talent training system and is supported by advanced scientific research concepts. Academic universities focus on experimental theoretical exploration and research. Generally speaking, academic universities focus on theoretical education, and the trained talents are more suitable for research and teachers. In China (similar abroad), generally speaking, comprehensive key universities tend to be academic, while professional universities (such as pure engineering) tend to be applied.

The main universities are: Peking University, Tsinghua University, China Renmin University, Beijing Normal University, Fudan University, East China Normal University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Tongji University, Nankai University, Tianjin University, Jilin University, Northeast Normal University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shandong University, Shandong Normal University, Nanjing University, Nanjing Normal University, Southeast University, Suzhou University, University of Science and Technology of China, Anhui University, Zhejiang University and Xiamen University. Sun Yat-sen University, South China Normal University, Jinan University, Wuhan University, Huazhong Normal University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hunan University, Hunan Normal University, Zhengzhou University, Sichuan University, Chongqing University, Southwest University, Xi Jiaotong University, Northwest University, Shaanxi Normal University, Lanzhou University, Nanchang University, Shanxi University, Yunnan University, etc.