University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) was founded in 2004 with the approval of the Ministry of Education. It is the first Sino-foreign cooperative university in China that possesses an independent legal personality and independent campus, providing bachelor's, master's, and doctoral education. The number of enrolled students is nearly 10,000, and teachers and students come from more than 70 countries and regions. UNNC has been recognized as a 5-star institution by QS Stars Rating and is one of the first Chinese-foreign cooperative universities to have a national postdoctoral research station. Seven subjects were listed among the world's top academic subjects by Shanghai Ranking in 2024. Six subjects ranked within the top 1% of global rankings of Essential Science Indicators (ESI), and 54 UNNC scholars were listed in "World's Top 2% Scientists" published by Stanford University and Elsevier.
UNNC has three faculties: Nottingham University Business School China, Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Nottingham University Business School China has been awarded the prestigious Triple Crown accreditation by AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA - a distinction held by fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide. Twelve of the undergraduate programmes from the Faculty of Science and Engineering have obtained international authoritative professional certifications. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has always been at the forefront of teaching and research and is committed to cultivating international professionals and leaders.
UNNC has established partnerships with 160 universities across over 40 countries and regions, and it is dedicated to providing expanded study abroad and exchange opportunities for students.
Data from the university's 2023 graduates indicate that nearly 30% of undergraduate graduates who chose to pursue further studies were admitted to the world's top 10 universities, and almost 80% of undergraduate graduates who were directly employed entered the world's top 500 companies or well-known Chinese and foreign companies, governments and public institutions. Approximately 92% of master's graduates were recruited by the world's top 500 companies or well-known Chinese and foreign companies, governments and public institutions. All doctoral graduates were employed with high quality, and all entered well-renowned universities, research institutions and companies.
At a time when higher education is being reshaped by technological change, global uncertainty and evolving societal needs, universities are called upon to do more than transmit knowledge. This annual report reflects a year in which the University has continued to meet that responsibility with ambition, confidence and purpose, making strong progress across education, research and engagement, while staying true to our distinctive Sino-foreign model: globally connected, locally rooted, and committed to making a meaningful contribution to China and the wider world.
Our first priority remains education. We expanded our academic programme portfolio and strengthened future-ready capabilities. A major milestone was the launch of the new School of Health and Life Sciences, jointly established with the University of Nottingham, uniting Chinese and international expertise in alignment with the Healthy China Initiative. As artificial intelligence reshapes how we learn, work and solve problems, we have built a forward-looking educational ecosystem that equips students with technical competence, ethical awareness and adaptability. This year, we introduced a series of AI initiatives across the student learning journey, positioning the University at the forefront of AI-enabled education in China. We also made substantial progress in broadening students’ pathways both at home and abroad. Following landmark approval to directly recommend undergraduates for further study at China’s leading universities, many students secured pre-admission offers. Internationally, our new undergraduate-to-master’s articulation agreement with Monash University is another tangible outcome of our continuing efforts to expand opportunities for students to study, work and thrive around the world.
Professor Jon Garibaldi
Provost and Pro-Vice Chancellor
* Download the report to read the full statement from the Provost
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