The undergraduates of CESE are mainly enrolled from Mainland China, which represents 95%, while 5% is from overseas. The students from China are those among the top talents from each province of China, and are selected through College Entrance Examination.

For graduate students, more than 90% are selected without examination from top 10 students in environmental field from Chinese first-tier universities (called “985” schools), including a few percentage from top 5 students in those second-tier universities (called “211” schools). The remaining portion of students is selected based on a graduate entrance examination which typically takes place once a year.

Students in the college actively participate in activities organized by class, student union or academic organizations in the school.