University of Nottingham Ningbo (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. Five subjects ranked within the top 1% of global rankings of Essential Science Indicators (ESI), and over 40 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 received the maximum 5-year accreditation period from the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and has also achieved accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), while less than six percent of the world's schools offering business degree programmes hold this accreditation. 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.
"The 2023-24 Academic Year is a year of particular significance in the development of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), as we celebrate the University’s 20th anniversary since its founding. In 2004, UNNC was the first Sino-foreign university to open its doors in China, blazing a trail for others to follow. Twenty years later, we are now a community of more than 10,000 students and staff, hailing from 70 countries and regions with a broad range of backgrounds and cultures, and we continue to deliver on the promise of UNNC as a pioneer in global education.
Driven by our commitment to deliver education that transforms lives, we continue to emphasise teaching of the very highest quality, together with providing a rich and stimulating life. Benefitting from our global academic network, our students have the opportunity to study abroad in 160 universities across the world and gain experiences that will enable them to be global problem solvers. Indeed, they stand out in global competitions and win awards in various fields. Empowered by the British-style learning environment, our students become proactive learners, independent thinkers, excellent communicators and capable team workers, prepared to shape the world for the better. They are sought after by world-class universities and employers. The exceptional employability of our graduands is evidenced by a graduate employment rate of 96%.
Earlier this year, as we welcomed back our alumni to campus from across the world, I was very proud to hear of their various successes in their respective industries, and heartened to find so many of them reflecting on their time at UNNC as a life-changing experience - a testament to our progress toward the mission of unlocking potential, to which we stay true today." *
Professor Jon Garibaldi
Provost and Pro-Vice Chancellor
* Download the report to read the full statement from the Provost
View annual report from the previous academic year: AY2022-2023