Xi'an Jiaotong–Liverpool University
西交利物浦大学 | |
Seal of Xi'an Jiaotong–Liverpool University | |
Other name | XJTLU |
|---|---|
| Motto | Aethera ac lucem petimus 博学明道,笃行任事 |
Motto in English | Light and Wings |
| Type | Private, not-for-profit Chinese-foreign cooperative university |
| Established | 22 May 2006 |
| Founders | Xi'an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool |
| Accreditation | Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China |
Academic affiliations | University Alliance of the Silk Road |
| Chairman | Zhiwei Shan |
| President | Wenquan Tao |
| Vice-president |
|
| Executive president | Youmin Xi |
Academic staff | c. 1,300 full-time academic staff |
Total staff | c. 2,400 |
| Students | c. 26,000 |
| Location | , , 215123 , China 31°16′29″N 120°44′17″E / 31.2748°N 120.73807°E |
| Campus |
|
| Language | English |
| Campuses |
|
| Colours | Dark blue and magenta |
| Website | xjtlu.edu.cn |
![]() Campuses in Suzhou and Taicang | |

Xi'an Jiaotong–Liverpool University (XJTLU; Chinese: 西交利物浦大学; pinyin: Xījiāo Lìwùpǔ Dàxué) is a private, not-for-profit Sino-foreign cooperative university in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. It was established in 2006 through a partnership between Xi'an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool, and was approved by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China.[1][2][3]
Undergraduate students normally receive two degrees: one from XJTLU, recognised by China's Ministry of Education, and one from the University of Liverpool. Postgraduate students receive a University of Liverpool degree recognised by China's Ministry of Education. The university provides degree programmes primarily in English across fields including architecture, business, engineering, finance, language and culture, science, and urban planning.[4]
XJTLU is primarily based in Suzhou Industrial Park, with an additional campus, XJTLU Entrepreneur College, in Taicang. As of 2026, the university reported around 26,000 students and more than 2,400 staff.[5]
History
[edit]In September 2004, Xi'an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool jointly agreed to establish a new autonomous institution in Suzhou. XJTLU was approved by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and opened on 22 May 2006, with 164 students in its first cohort.[1][2]
The university was established as a Chinese-foreign cooperative institution involving a Chinese university, a British university and support from Suzhou Industrial Park. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education described XJTLU as a private university operating on a not-for-profit basis within China's transnational higher education system.[3]
XJTLU later expanded outside its main campus in Suzhou Industrial Park. XJTLU Entrepreneur College in Taicang admitted its first students in 2019 and the Taicang campus opened in September 2022.[6]
Governance and partnership
[edit]XJTLU was created through a partnership between Xi'an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool. The institution is governed in China as a Chinese-foreign cooperative university, while also delivering programmes that can lead to University of Liverpool awards.[1][3]
The partnership allows undergraduate students to receive both an XJTLU degree and a University of Liverpool degree in most cases. It also provides a route for some students to transfer to Liverpool during their studies, commonly referred to by the universities as the "2+2" route.[2]
As of 2026, XJTLU's chair of the board of directors was Zhiwei Shan, its president was Wenquan Tao, and its executive president was Youmin Xi.[7]
Campus
[edit]Suzhou Industrial Park campus
[edit]XJTLU's main campus is located at 111 Ren'ai Road in Suzhou Industrial Park, within the Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District of Suzhou.[8]
The Suzhou Industrial Park campus developed in phases. Its early development focused on the North Campus, whose plan was designed by the American architecture firm Perkins+Will.[9]
The Central Building, designed by Aedas, contains the university library, museum and administrative facilities. Its design was inspired by Taihu stone, and the building was nominated at the 2014 World Architecture Festival.[10][11]
The South Campus was designed by BDP and developed as the university's second major phase of campus expansion. BDP describes the project as a campus masterplan including teaching, laboratory and research facilities.[12]
Taicang campus
[edit]XJTLU also operates XJTLU Entrepreneur College in Taicang, a county-level city administered by Suzhou. The college admitted its first cohort of students in 2019, and the Taicang campus opened in September 2022. The campus was designed around seven specialist school buildings connected by a circular hub.[6]
Academics
[edit]Degree structure
[edit]XJTLU offers undergraduate, master's and doctoral programmes. Undergraduate students normally receive both an XJTLU degree, recognised by China's Ministry of Education, and a University of Liverpool degree. Postgraduate students receive a University of Liverpool degree recognised by China's Ministry of Education.[4]
Schools and academies
[edit]XJTLU is organised into schools, academies and teaching centres across its Suzhou Industrial Park and Taicang campuses. As of 2026, the university listed undergraduate programmes across fields including architecture, artificial intelligence, business, engineering, film and creative technology, finance, language and culture, microelectronics and intelligent manufacturing, pharmacy, robotics, science, urban planning.[13][14]
| Academic unit | Campus or college | Undergraduate programmes |
|---|---|---|
| School of Advanced Technology | Suzhou Industrial Park | Artificial Intelligence; Computer Science and Technology; Digital Media Technology; Electrical Engineering; Electronic Science and Technology; Information and Computing Science; Mechatronics and Robotic Systems; Telecommunications Engineering[15] |
| Design School | Suzhou Industrial Park | Architecture; Civil Engineering; Industrial Design; Urban Planning and Design[16] |
| School of Humanities and Social Sciences | Suzhou Industrial Park | Applied Linguistics; China Studies; English and Business; English and Communication Studies; English Studies in Global Context; International Relations; Media and Communication Studies; Translation and Interpreting[17] |
| International Business School Suzhou | Suzhou Industrial Park | Accounting; Business Administration; Digital and Intelligent Marketing; Economics; Economics and Finance; Human Resource Management and People Analytics; Information Management and Information Systems; International Business with a Language[18] |
| School of Mathematics and Physics | Suzhou Industrial Park | Actuarial Science; Applied Mathematics; Applied Physics; Financial Mathematics[19] |
| School of Science | Suzhou Industrial Park | Applied Chemistry; Bioinformatics; Biological Sciences; Biomedical Sciences; Environmental Science; Materials Science and Engineering[20] |
| XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy | Suzhou Industrial Park | Biomedical Statistics; Biopharmaceuticals; Pharmaceutical Sciences[21] |
| Academy of Film and Creative Technology | Suzhou Industrial Park and Taicang | Arts, Technology and Entertainment with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism; Digital Media Arts; Filmmaking; TV Production[22] |
| School of AI and Advanced Computing | XJTLU Entrepreneur College, Taicang | Data Science and Big Data Technology with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism[23] |
| School of CHIPS | XJTLU Entrepreneur College, Taicang | Microelectronic Science and Engineering with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism[24] |
| School of Intelligent Finance and Business | XJTLU Entrepreneur College, Taicang | Intelligent Supply Chain with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism[25] |
| School of Intelligent Manufacturing Ecosystem | XJTLU Entrepreneur College, Taicang | Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism[26] |
| School of Internet of Things | XJTLU Entrepreneur College, Taicang | Internet of Things Engineering with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism[27] |
| School of Robotics | XJTLU Entrepreneur College, Taicang | Intelligent Robotics Engineering with Contemporary Entrepreneurialism[28] |
Accreditations
[edit]XJTLU has received professional accreditations and recognitions for several schools, departments and degree programmes. Its architecture programmes are validated by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) at Part 1 and Part 2 levels.[29]
The Design School has also received accreditation from the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) for civil engineering-related programmes and from the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) for industrial design programmes.[30]
The School of Advanced Technology has programmes accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.[31]
Within the School of Science, the BSc Applied Chemistry programme is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry, the BSc Biological Sciences programme by the Royal Society of Biology, and the BSc Environmental Science programme by the Institution of Environmental Sciences.[32][33][34]
International Business School Suzhou is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), EQUIS, the Association of MBAs (AMBA), and the Business Graduates Association (BGA). Its accounting, finance and project-management programmes have also received recognition from professional bodies including ACCA, CIMA, CPA Australia, ICAEW, the CFA Institute and the International Project Management Association.[35][36][37]
The university's English Language Centre has accreditations from BALEAP and the Chartered Institute of Linguists.[38]
Identity
[edit]The university's motto is given in Latin, English and Chinese as Aethera ac lucem petimus, Light and Wings, and 博学明道,笃行任事 respectively. XJTLU identifies dark blue and magenta as its standard colours.[39]
Rankings and reputation
[edit]| Ranking body | Ranking | Scope | Year | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS | QS World University Rankings | World | 2027 | 1001–1200[40] |
| QS World University Rankings by Subject | Subject | 2026 | 551–700[40] | |
| QS Sustainability Rankings | World | 2026 | 1051–1060[40] | |
| QS Asian University Rankings | Asia | 2026 | =326[40] | |
| Times Higher Education | World University Rankings | World | 2026 | 601–800[41] |
| China ranking | China | 2026 | =45[42] | |
| Arts and Humanities | Subject | 2026 | 501–600[41] | |
| Business and Economics | Subject | 2026 | 501–600[41] | |
| Computer Science | Subject | 2026 | 501–600[41] | |
| Education Studies | Subject | 2026 | 401–500[41] | |
| Engineering | Subject | 2026 | 501–600[41] | |
| Life Sciences | Subject | 2026 | 501–600[41] | |
| Physical Sciences | Subject | 2026 | 601–800[41] | |
| Social Sciences | Subject | 2026 | 401–500[41] | |
| ShanghaiRanking | Best Chinese Universities Ranking: Chinese Cooperation Universities | China | 2026 | 5th[43] |
XJTLU is included in major international university rankings, including QS and Times Higher Education, and in ShanghaiRanking's ranking of Chinese cooperation universities.[40][41][43]
Affiliations
[edit]XJTLU is affiliated with Xi'an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool through its founding partnership. It is also listed as a member of the University Alliance of the Silk Road.[44]
See also
[edit]- Chinese-foreign cooperative universities
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 教育部关于批准设立西交利物浦大学的函 [Ministry of Education reply approving the establishment of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University] (in Chinese). Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. 22 May 2006. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "About the partnership". University of Liverpool. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 Review of UK transnational education in China: University of Liverpool and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (PDF) (Report). Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Overview & Key Facts". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 "XJTLU establishes new campus in Taicang, China". University of Liverpool News. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Leadership". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Contact Us". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University". Perkins+Will. Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ↑ "Our Campus". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Central Building". Aedas. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University South Campus". BDP. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Undergraduate Programmes". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Academies and Schools". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "School of Advanced Technology". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Design School". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "School of Humanities and Social Sciences". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Undergraduate Programmes". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "School of Mathematics and Physics". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Undergraduate". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Academy of Film and Creative Technology". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "School of AI and Advanced Computing". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "School of CHIPS". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "School of Intelligent Finance and Business". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "School of Intelligent Manufacturing Ecosystem". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "School of Internet of Things". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "School of Robotics". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Validated international schools". Royal Institute of British Architects. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Professional accreditation". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Accreditation". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Applied Chemistry". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "BSc Biological Sciences programme got reaccreditation from the Royal Society of Biology". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "BSc Environmental Science receives international accreditation". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Accreditations". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "International Business School Suzhou, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University". AACSB. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "International Business School Suzhou, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University". Association of MBAs and Business Graduates Association. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Accreditations". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "University Identity". Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University". QS Top Universities. QS Quacquarelli Symonds. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Best universities in China 2026". Times Higher Education. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 "2026 Best Chinese Universities Ranking: Chinese Cooperation Universities". ShanghaiRanking. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Members". University Alliance of the Silk Road. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
