Beihang University, previously known as Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics is a major public research university located in Beijing, China.

The university is a member of China's Project 211 and Project 985 group of key state universities, with a heavy focus on high-level technological and scientific research. BUAA was founded on October 25th, 1952, with an area of over 100 hectares.

Beihang University was formed in 1952 from a merger of the aeronautical departments of Tsinghua University, Peiyang University, Xiamen University, Sichuan University, Yunnan University, Northwestern Engineering College, North China University, and Southwest Aeronautical Institute.

Beihang University was among China's first 16 key universities in the 1950s and was among the top 15 for priority development during China's 7th Five-Year Plan period (1986–1990). During the 8th Five-Year plan it was listed among the top 14 for priority development, and at the start of the 9th Five-Year Plan BUAA was among the first batch of 15 universities in project 211 for Higher Education.