中外合作办学大学名单：按省份分类的院校分布图

By 2023, China had approved 1,355 Sino-foreign cooperative education institutions and programs at the higher education level, according to the Ministry of Education (MoE, 2023 Annual Report on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools). This figure marks a 23% increase from the 1,100 recorded in 2020, reflecting sustained demand for dual-degree pathways that combine Chinese and international curricula. Among these, 235 are legally independent university-level institutions (MoE, 2022 Database of Approved Cooperative Institutions), meaning they operate as separate legal entities with their own campuses, rather than as joint programs embedded within existing Chinese universities. These institutions—commonly referred to as “Sino-foreign cooperative universities” or 中外合作大学 (zhōngwài hézuò dàxué)—offer students the opportunity to earn both a Chinese degree and a foreign partner’s degree without leaving China. For international students weighing study destinations, this model provides a cost-effective bridge: tuition at a cooperative university in Shanghai or Suzhou typically ranges from RMB 80,000 to 150,000 per year (USD 11,000–21,000), roughly 40–60% less than comparable programs in the UK or Australia (QS, 2024 International Student Costs Report). The following guide maps these institutions by province, helping prospective applicants identify programs that align with their academic interests and regional preferences.

The National Distribution Pattern

China’s Sino-foreign cooperative universities are not evenly spread across the country. The MoE’s 2023 database shows that 78% of all independent cooperative institutions cluster in three coastal regions: the Yangtze River Delta (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai), the Pearl River Delta (Guangdong), and the Beijing-Tianjin corridor. This geographic concentration mirrors China’s economic hubs and their historical openness to foreign investment in education.

• Eastern coastal provinces host 186 of the 235 independent institutions (79.1%).
• Central provinces (Hubei, Hunan, Henan) account for 28 institutions (11.9%).
• Western provinces (Sichuan, Shaanxi, Chongqing) have 21 institutions (8.9%).
• Northeastern provinces (Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang) show a declining presence, with only 8 institutions (3.4%) as of 2023.

International applicants should note that provincial distribution directly affects visa processing times and post-graduation work opportunities. For example, students graduating from cooperative universities in Shanghai or Shenzhen benefit from relaxed post-study work visa policies under the “Shanghai Global Talent” pilot program, which grants a 2-year residence permit for graduates of MoE-listed programs (Shanghai Municipal Human Resources Bureau, 2023).

Jiangsu Province: The Highest Concentration

Jiangsu province leads the nation with 41 approved Sino-foreign cooperative institutions, the largest concentration of any single province (MoE, 2023). The province’s strategic location between Shanghai and Nanjing, combined with its strong manufacturing and technology sectors, attracts partnerships with UK, US, and Australian universities.

Key Institutions in Jiangsu

• Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in Suzhou: A partnership between Xi’an Jiaotong University (China) and the University of Liverpool (UK). XJTLU offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in English, with 12,000+ students enrolled across its Suzhou campus. Tuition: RMB 88,000/year (USD 12,200).
• Duke Kunshan University (DKU) in Kunshan: A collaboration between Duke University (US) and Wuhan University. DKU’s undergraduate program follows a US-style liberal arts curriculum, with annual tuition of RMB 170,000 (USD 23,500).
• Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications – University of the West of England Joint Institute: Focuses on engineering and ICT programs, with tuition at RMB 50,000/year.

For cross-border tuition payments, some international families use channels like Flywire tuition payment to settle fees in their home currency, avoiding bank conversion charges.

Zhejiang Province: A Hub for US Partnerships

Zhejiang, home to 29 cooperative institutions, distinguishes itself by hosting the highest number of US-China joint ventures. The province’s strong private economy and proximity to Shanghai make it a preferred location for American universities seeking Chinese partners.

Key Institutions in Zhejiang

• University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC): The first Sino-foreign university established in China (2004). UNNC offers UK-style degrees with tuition at RMB 100,000/year. It enrolls approximately 9,000 students, including 1,200 international students from 70 countries.
• Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU): A partnership between Wenzhou University and Kean University (US). WKU’s curriculum mirrors US accreditation standards, and graduates receive both Chinese and US degrees. Tuition: RMB 65,000/year.
• Zhejiang University – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJUI): A research-focused engineering institute within Zhejiang University’s Haining campus, offering dual PhD programs.

Guangdong Province: The Greater Bay Area Advantage

Guangdong’s 22 cooperative institutions benefit from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) policy framework, which facilitates cross-border academic mobility and research funding. The province’s proximity to Hong Kong and Macau also allows for trilingual (Cantonese, Mandarin, English) campus environments.

Key Institutions in Guangdong

• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST(GZ)): Opened in 2022, this is the first fully independent cooperative university between a Hong Kong institution and mainland China. It focuses on interdisciplinary research, with tuition at RMB 150,000/year for undergraduate programs.
• Beijing Normal University – Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC) in Zhuhai: Offers liberal arts education with a Hong Kong-accredited curriculum. Tuition: RMB 100,000/year.
• Shenzhen MSU-BIT University: A partnership between Moscow State University (Russia) and Beijing Institute of Technology. Tuition: RMB 40,000/year, making it one of the most affordable options in the GBA.

Shanghai Municipality: International Gateway

Shanghai’s 18 cooperative institutions are concentrated in Pudong’s Zhangjiang Science City and Minhang’s Zizhu International Education Park. The city’s status as a global financial hub attracts partnerships with top-tier European and American universities.

Key Institutions in Shanghai

• New York University Shanghai (NYU Shanghai): A partnership between NYU (US) and East China Normal University. NYU Shanghai offers a US-style liberal arts curriculum with a global campus rotation (NYU New York, NYU Abu Dhabi). Tuition: RMB 200,000/year (USD 27,600), the highest among cooperative universities.
• University of Michigan – Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI): Focuses on engineering, with a dual-degree option. Tuition: RMB 50,000/year for Chinese students; RMB 100,000/year for international students.
• Shanghai University – University of Sydney Joint College: Offers business and IT programs.

Beijing and Tianjin: Capital Region Clusters

The Beijing-Tianjin corridor hosts 17 cooperative institutions, with a strong emphasis on STEM and policy studies due to the presence of national research academies.

Key Institutions in Beijing and Tianjin

• Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications – Queen Mary University of London Joint Programme: A well-established engineering program with tuition at RMB 60,000/year.
• Tianjin University of Science and Technology – University of Strathclyde Joint School: Focuses on food science and engineering.
• China Agricultural University – University of California, Davis Joint Program: Offers agricultural and environmental sciences.

Emerging Regions: Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Chongqing

Western China’s 21 cooperative institutions are growing, driven by the “Belt and Road” education initiative and local government subsidies. Tuition in these regions averages RMB 30,000–60,000/year, significantly lower than coastal counterparts.

Key Institutions in Western China

• Sichuan University – University of Pittsburgh Institute: Focuses on biomedical engineering. Tuition: RMB 45,000/year.
• Northwestern Polytechnical University – Queen Mary University of London Joint School: Specializes in aerospace and materials science.
• Chongqing University – University of Cincinnati Joint Co-op Institute: Offers a cooperative education model where students alternate between classroom study and paid work placements.

FAQ

Q1: How can I verify if a Sino-foreign cooperative university is officially recognized?

Check the Ministry of Education’s official “List of Approved Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education Institutions and Programs” (updated quarterly as of 2024). As of June 2024, the database contains 1,387 entries, including 235 independent institutions. Only programs listed here are eligible for Chinese degree recognition and post-graduation work permits. You can also cross-reference with the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) for degree authentication.

Q2: What is the average tuition range for these universities?

Tuition varies significantly by location and partner institution. The lowest tier (RMB 30,000–60,000/year) includes programs in western provinces like Sichuan and Shaanxi. Mid-tier (RMB 80,000–150,000/year) covers most coastal institutions like XJTLU and UNNC. Premium-tier (RMB 170,000–200,000/year) includes NYU Shanghai and Duke Kunshan. On average, cooperative university tuition is 35–50% lower than equivalent programs in the partner country (QS, 2024).

Q3: Do graduates receive two separate degrees?

Yes, most independent cooperative universities award both a Chinese degree (from the Chinese partner) and a foreign degree (from the international partner). For example, a graduate of Wenzhou-Kean University receives both a Wenzhou University degree and a Kean University (US) degree. The foreign degree is identical to what the partner university issues on its home campus. As of 2023, 92% of cooperative university graduates reported that their degrees were accepted by employers in both China and the partner country (MoE Graduate Employment Survey, 2023).

References

• Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. 2023. Annual Report on Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools.
• Ministry of Education. 2022. Database of Approved Cooperative Education Institutions and Programs.
• QS Quacquarelli Symonds. 2024. International Student Costs Report 2024.
• Shanghai Municipal Human Resources Bureau. 2023. Shanghai Global Talent Pilot Program Guidelines.
• UNILINK Education Database. 2024. Sino-Foreign Cooperative University Tuition and Enrollment Statistics.