East China University of Science and Technology: A Comprehensive Overview
East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), located in Shanghai, stands as a dynamic, research-intensive public university known for its high teaching quality. Since its founding in 1952, ECUST has established itself as a leading institution with a specific focus on the chemical industry, making it the first of its kind in China. ECUST prepares students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world with a diverse array of programs designed to meet the evolving demands of global society.
Strategic Location and Campuses
Strategically situated in Shanghai, the bustling economic heart of China, ECUST is comprised of more than 1.7 million square meters on three campuses: Xuhui, Fengxian, and Jinshan. The main campus is located on Meilong Road in Xuhui District, in the southwest of downtown Shanghai and 17 kilometers from Hongqiao Airport, with an area of approximately 415,000 m2. The Xuhui campus's location in central Shanghai offers convenient access to transportation, with bus and subway lines nearby, as well as free school buses to and from the Fengxian Campus. The university’s advantageous location in Shanghai, a global commercial and tech hub, provides students with access to fantastic industry connections and research opportunities.
The Xuhui campus houses the dormitory building for international students, which offers single rooms with separate bathrooms and sightseeing balconies, as well as public kitchens, laundry rooms, and study rooms. These dormitories are considered cost-effective, comfortable, and satisfactory. The Fengxian campus features a new nine-story library that serves as a central hub for undergraduate students.
Academic Structure and Programs
ECUST boasts 16 academic schools, 68 Bachelor’s programs, 142 authorization points for Master's degrees, and 80 authorization points for Ph.D. degrees. The university offers 13 first-level and 81 second-level doctoral programs, 25 first-level and 147 second-level master programs, and 65 undergraduate programs. Currently, there are more than 26,000 students, including 1,630 international students. The number of faculty and staff members has reached 3037, among whom there are more than 1100 professors and associate professors.
Joint Multi-Degree Programme
ECUST's groundbreaking Joint Multi-Degree (JMD) Programme allows students to fast-track their education. In just four years, students can earn two bachelor’s degrees and even add a master’s degree. This program is taught entirely in English by faculty from top global universities, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical economic analysis and modern business practices. The curriculum is aligned with international standards, enriching students’ learning experience through extensive international exchanges and interactive learning methods.
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International students can apply for the JMD program, which is specifically designed to attract and cater to them, offering a global perspective and international standards in curriculum design. ECUST offers scholarship opportunities for students enrolled in the Joint Multi-Degree Programme, ranging from partial to full ride scholarships, covering from 10% to 100% of one-year tuition and accommodation fees. The annual tuition fee for the JMD program at ECUST is 70,000 RMB, which is approximately 9,872 USD.
Computer Science and Technology
East China University of Science and Technology offers a nationally acclaimed Computer Science and Technology undergraduate program established in 1985. The curriculum focuses on advanced fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data mining. The program is recognized for innovations like machine olfaction technology, which enhances various industries including bio-fermentation and petrochemicals. The program’s objective is to produce versatile professionals proficient in solving practical industrial challenges and adept in international communication.
Chemical Engineering and Technology
The Chemical Engineering and Technology program at East China University of Science and Technology is among the oldest and most prestigious in China. This program focuses on equipping students with a strong foundation in the core principles of chemical engineering, enhanced by practical skills and a deep understanding of engineering design, problem-solving, and project management. Graduates are known for their adaptability and competence in various engineering fields, making them highly sought after in the chemical industry and related sectors.
Visual Communication Design
The Visual Communication Design program at East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) aims to cultivate top-tier, internationally-minded creative talents in the field of visual design. Focused on practical application and global relevance, the program develops students’ design skills, conceptual and methodological thinking, and professional knowledge. The program utilizes cutting-edge approaches such as artificial intelligence in design, dynamic and interactive visual design, and integrated visual design. It prepares students to be highly adaptable and socially responsible designers who are well-equipped with the necessary theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and a deep understanding of the latest scientific, technological, and artistic trends. Graduates are expected to excel in various fields, including brand and packaging design, digital media, UI interface design, and more, embodying a strong innovative mindset, team spirit, and market awareness.
Disciplines and Rankings
ECUST has six disciplines, including chemistry, materials science, engineering, biochemistry and biology, agricultural science, and pharmacology and toxicology, ranked among the global top 1% by the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) subject ranking. Specifically, its chemistry program is ranked among the global top 1‰. According to the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) Database, 10 disciplines at ECUST rank in the top 1% globally. These include Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, Biochemistry and Biology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Agricultural Science, Computer Science, and Environment/Ecology.
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ECUST ranks 41st in the Chinese mainland and 6th in Shanghai according to QS World University Ranking 2024. It ranks top 500 in the ARWU (Shanghai Ranking's Academic Ranking of World Universities) 2021 based on the criteria including the quality of education and faculty, the number of highly cited researchers, and articles in high-ranking journals. ECUST is ranked 16th in China for producing graduates who are highly employable.
ECUST’s best-ranked subjects, according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities, include:
- Biotechnology (Rank: 11)
- Chemical Engineering (Rank: 17)
- Chemistry (Rank: 43)
- Automation & Control (Rank: 51-75)
- Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (Rank: 76-100)
- Instruments Science & Technology (Rank: 101-150)
- Biomedical Engineering (Rank: 101-150)
- Materials Science & Engineering (Rank: 101-150)
Library Resources
The Library of East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) was established in 1952 and is placed under direct auspice of the Ministry of Education of People's Republic of China. The library system of ECUST encompasses three branches among the major campuses. The library in Xuhui houses most of the book collections, while the new nine-story library in Fengxian marks the center of the new campus and is geared towards undergraduate students. Together, they cover a floor space of almost 46,000 m2 and offer 3,500 seats in the reading rooms.
Electronic resources are abundant, with databases shared among several university library systems and access to academic journals. In total, more than 2,600,000 books and publications are available. The university maintains subscriptions for over 2,000 foreign journals in print and over 30,000 in digital form. The library is a member of the Shanghai Library system and one of its main nodes where inter-library loan is possible. It plays an active part in the theory and practice of teaching literature search that have been set up at ECUST. In 2004, with the introduction of a master's degree in Information science, this role was further strengthened.
International Collaboration
Long-term academic relationships have been established with more than 60 universities, enterprises, and research institutes all over the world. ECUST has established long-term and wide-ranging academic exchange relationships with over 60 universities, enterprise groups and scientific research institutions from America, Japan, France, Germany, Britain, Canada, South Korea and Australia.
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School of Business
As an important part in the transformation plan of ECUST into a comprehensive university, the School of Business was established in 1990 on the basis of the Management Science and Engineering Department founded in 1983 and the Institute of Economic Development founded in 1987. In the early 1980s, the School's focus was on cultivating undergraduates majoring in Engineering Management, and the teachers' research was mainly on management in the manufacturing industry, especially the chemical industry. Later, with the increasing demand on talents in business administration and economics, ECUST decided to expand the scale of education in economics and management and increase the number of education programs and hence programs for undergraduates, postgraduates and PhD candidates started successively, including economics, management science and engineering, business administration. The MBA Program and EMBA Program of ECUST School of Business were accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA) in 2012 and re-accredited in 2018, both with a five-year validity period, the longest validity period of AMBA accreditation. The School was also accredited by the Chinese Advanced Management Education Accreditation (CAMEA) in 2015. In 2017, ECUST School of Business was recognized for its submission ‘B+T’ Educational System by the Innovation that Inspire Initiative of AACSB.
Student Life
Studying at ECUST offers a fulfilling experience both academically and personally. The university emphasizes the campus motto of “Industry, Pragmatics, Inspiration and Morality”, by continuously reviewing our performance and exploring operating models, to attract more and more industrious young students to further their education here. Over the last 50 years, ECUST has provided one group after another of elite graduates to better society. The university provides a conducive environment for students to thrive, supported by modern facilities and a vibrant community.
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