The invention relates to a method for solvothermal preparation of a copper modified titanium dioxide nanorod. The method comprises the steps of 1, adding copper salt to ethylene glycol solution, conducting sufficient stirring, adding a titaniferous compound to the solution, and conducting violent stirring to obtain mixed liquid for use; 2, transferring the mixed liquid obtained from the step 1 into a hydrothermal reaction still lined with polytetrafluoroethylene, placing the hydrothermal reaction still in a drying condition for reaction at a constant temperature of 200 DEG C or more, and then reducing temperature to room temperature; 3, filtering, washing and drying the product obtained from the step 2 to obtain the copper modified titanium dioxide nanorod. The copper modified titanium dioxide nanorod prepared with the solvothermal method is controllable and uniform in size and excellent in photocatalytic activity.