China (Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou)
Students who are studying science majors will find Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) a good fit for them. The university offers extensive STEM courses, and all courses are taught in English. 450 Faculty and staff from 50 different countries are recruited from international institutions. XJTLU is accredited by Liverpool University in the UK, and the course delivery and assessment is in English in line with the rigorous standards of the British Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).
Based in Suzhou
- Spring and Fall semesters
- Off-Campus Innovator Award Eligible- (Any admitted student who go to the program in 2025-2026 will receive a $250 Off-Campus Innovator Award)
- All courses taught in English except the required Chinese language course.
- Enrollment caps may be limited to less than 15 per semester based on space limitations.
- Pre-requisites: 3.0 GPA; an Asian studies OR Chinese language course, OR a course with significant Asian related content.
- Must take Chinese while in the program
- Live at the university residence hall
Apply to Study in China (XJTLU)
Location Academics Housing Calendar Orientation Program Contacts
Location
Located at the Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District within Suzhou Industrial Park, alongside a number of other institutions, XJTLU is a joint venture between Xi’an Jiaotong University and Liverpool University in the UK. Suzhou is only 20 minutes by high-speed train from Shanghai. It has a 200-acre campus with over 8,000 students on campus.
Academics
XJTLU offers an extensive range of academic subjects from STEM to social sciences. Students register through the XJTLU university registrar and all the courses are in English.
Courses at XJTLU may be worth different amounts of credits. Below are common XJTLU Module Credit and how they convert to SLU Unit value. In order to maintain full-time student status, SLU students must take XJTLU courses that are equivalent to 3.5 SLU units. However, in order to be on track for graduation, we require students to take 4 SLU units equivalent courses each semester while at off-campus programs. Your final schedule may be more than four individual classes in order to be equivalent to 4 SLU units.
Module Credits: 2.50
SLU UNIT VALUE: 0.5 UNIT
Module Credits: 5.00
SLU UNIT VALUE: 1 UNIT
Module Credits: 10.00
SLU UNIT: 2 UNIT
Course List:
You can find more information about the XJTLU courses (modules) in their module catalogues. Please click on the Domain (department) and Mod (course) code for details of individual courses.
Grade Conversion
Grades from XJTLU transfer back to St. Lawrence University as follows:
70-100%, First Class
-70-100%: 4.0
60-69%, Upper 2nd Class
-65-69%: 3.75
-60-64%: 3.50
50-59%, Lower 2nd Class
-55-59%: 3.25
-50-54%:3.00
40-49%, Third Class
-45-49%: 2.5
-40-44%: 2.0
0-39%, Fail
Housing
SLU students stay in the Wencui Parfait apartments where two students share a bedroom with en-suite bathroom, sharing the living room and kitchen. Students eat meals at the university. They receive a meal stipend to cover the cost of meals.
Calendar
The spring semester typically begins in mid-February and ends at the beginning of June. The fall semester typically begins in late August and ends in mid-January. SLU students have to check the academic calendar before applying the fall semester.
Orientation
Pre-departure: The CIIS office organizes in-depth orientation sessions on campus prior to the students' participation in the program. This includes a program-specific session(s) in which the students will learn more about the program, local culture, academic expectations, and any other important information. There is also an orientation session led by the CIIS office on culture shock, pre-departure preparations, as well as safety and security while abroad.
On-site: XJTLU will host orientation sessions when students arrive.
Program Contacts
If you are interested in learning more about the China program please contact one of the following people.
CIIS Office: Dr. Yanqiu Zheng, Associate Director of Asia and Pacific Programs - Questions about eligibility, program logistics, and other off-campus opportunities.
Faculty Coordinator: Dr. Zhenjun Zhang - Questions about program academics.