Objective To understand the characteristics of the outbreaks in universities, and provide a scientific basis to control it. Methods We collected the influenza-like illness cases in one university in Beijing in the autumn of 2009, then analyzed the features and epidemiological characteristics of these cases. Results The epidemic situation had been lasted for 25 days. During these days there were 2333 patients with fever, and 854 patients with features of influenza, which accounts for 36.61% of the patients who have fever. There were five cases of abrupt fever. Conclusion It is important for universities to pay attention to the outbreaks of influenza and take preventive and controllable systems as early as possible.