THUSE persistently aims for impact, taking account of Chinese characteristics and a Tsinghua orientation. Considering local context and global vision, THUSE's research deploys theory and method to analyse practice and shape policy development. Major THUSE research focuses on education policy and evaluation, engineering education, foundation education, learning sciences and education technologies, academic degrees and graduate education, and college students' learning and development.

THUSE has completed hundreds of research projects. They include international and government projects, major projects in philosophy and social sciences, and major national projects. THUSE faculty have published many hundreds of scholarly papers and practical relates. THUSE is first-ranked in China for academic output and citations. A majority of THUSE faculty have won provincial and ministerial awards for work of pronounced academic and policy significance.