The Sino-British College, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology

Of the nine partner universities, three deliver UK degrees in Shanghai at SBC:

• BA (Hons) Events Management – the University of Huddersfield;
• BA (Hons) Business Management – Sheffield Hallam University;
• BEng (Hons) Industrial Electronics and Control Engineering and BEng (Hons) Manufacturing Systems Engineering (Both with ‘Management’ options available) – Liverpool John Moores University

All students are registered with NCUK for the first two years and complete the NCUK International Foundation Year and NCUK International Year One.

SBC students then have the option of completing their final two years in the UK. Alternatively, they can complete the whole of their degree in Shanghai. These courses are delivered by SBC staff and ‘flying faculty’ from the universities. Students have the opportunity to be awarded a degree from the University in the UK as well as the University of Shanghai Science and Technology.

Over 3,000 students have progressed from SBC to NCUK universities.

SBC has grown into a successful, high-profile example of collaborative best practice, celebrated by the Chinese government and the UK QAA. The 2012 QAA TNE China Case Study commented: “SBC is the only higher education institution in China involving a partnership between a Chinese university and a foreign university consortium”. It adds the “degrees were selected because of their relevance to the needs of industry, both locally in Shanghai and generally in China.”

 Sharing Best Practice

In addition to the tangible benefits, both the UK and Chinese universities have learned from each other and shared best practice in international collaboration, as acknowledged by the UK QAA and the Chinese Government. NCUK provide the founding quality assurance and supporting staff development in the first two years. This is further enhanced through the presence of the UK universities that complement the skills and knowledge exchange. Each year, over 150 staff based in Shanghai have benefited from this unique collaboration in terms of cultural development, soft skills and career progression. As some move on to different roles, they continue to share this best practice further afield.

Increased Student Recruitment and Employability

The SBC operational model has proved to be very successful in terms of recruitment, student achievement, progression to the NCUK universities, and employment. The College has operated to capacity since it began. In 2015, 98% of students gained employment within six months of graduating or proceeded to further study. The average starting salary for graduates is 22.5% higher than the average in Mainland China.

Having a high profile, shared campus in downtown Shanghai is a real benefit to the international profile of the universities. This enriches the experience of UK students who get to work on live projects with students from other countries. In 2016-17, the University of Huddersfield sent UK-based students to Shanghai to study a year of their degree. This will enhance their skills, contribute to their employability and enrich the learning experience.

SBC itself now hosts about 100 international students annually from nearly 30 countries and regions, providing those students with a unique cross-cultural experience both inside and outside the classroom. Students from as far afield as Mexico have benefited, read about Karen’s Journey here.