FoSE ranks in the top 1% in ESI for the Chemistry discipline

17 February 2025

Recently, according to the latest data from the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) database, a new discipline – the discipline of Chemistry – of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FoSE) of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) has successfully entered ESI global top 1% discipline list. This follows the inclusion of other disciplines (Engineering, Materials Science, and Environmental/Ecology), marking another significant achievement for the faculty.


ESI is a widely recognised analytical database that uses over 12 million bibliographic records from more than 12,000 academic journals. Being ranked in the top 1% signifies academic excellence on the international stage. This recognition highlights the faculty's strength in both academic development and research innovation.

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In recent years, FoSE has made significant progress in terms of faculty strength, curriculum development, student education and experience, career development, industrial cooperation and research results. It has also laid a solid foundation for talent cultivation and the transformation of scientific research achievements.

Strong Faculty and Innovative Curriculum

With more than 95% of FoSE faculty members having doctorates from foreign countries, the faculty is home to a global team of experts. Eighteen professors from FoSE were included in the "World’s Top 2% Scientists" list in 2024.

The courses in Chemistry discipline are aligned with international standards. High-quality education is ensured by the small-class format and English-medium instruction. Recently, Zhejiang Province acknowledged UNNC's Chemistry and Chemical Engineering discipline as a top-tier programme.

Research and Industry Integration

Chemistry is essential to address global issues like energy, the environment, and human health. To make sure that its contributions have practical applications, the faculty actively links research with industrial demands.

With a focus on cutting-edge areas like molecular biology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and green chemistry, the Chemistry faculty members collaborate closely with multinational corporations like GSK to translate research findings into practical applications. To foster connections between academia and business, the faculty also participates in international conferences and collaborations.


State of the art labs support the faculty's strong focus on research. One important lab that is promoting research into sustainable practices is devoted to the conversion of organic waste and is acknowledged as a provincial-level facility.

Looking Ahead

The inclusion of UNNC's Chemistry discipline in the ESI top 1% is a testament to its growing international reputation. FoSE will continue to strengthen its academic programmes, foster research collaboration, and contribute to both talent development and industry advancement.