China (Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou)
Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is a comprehensive university located in Suzhou, a 2,500-year-old historic city with ultramodern business districts also known as Venice of the East. It offers a wide range of course options from humanities and social sciences to STEM subjects, almost all taught in English. SLU students enroll as exchange students there to take various courses taught in English plus a required Chinese language course. They are not expected to know Chinese before going. An international university with students, faculty, and staff from 50 different countries, XJTLU is accredited by the University of Liverpool in the UK, and the course delivery and assessment is in line with the rigorous standards of the British Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).
- Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) campus in a more modern district of Suzhou
- Fall and Spring semesters
- Off-Campus Innovator Award Eligible (Students who participate in the program in 2026-2027 will receive a $250 Off-Campus Innovator Award)
- All courses taught in English except the required Chinese language course
- Enrollment caps at 12 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
- Live at a new dorm building and commute to campus around half an hour (subway or bike share)
- Explore estimated additional costs for this program and others.
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 (SIP), alongside a number of other institutions, XJTLU is a joint venture between Xi’an Jiaotong University, a top STEM-focused university in China, and the University of Liverpool, one of the most prestigious public research universities in the UK. The SIP campus, where our students will stay, is about 200-acre with over 8,000 students. Suzhou is only 20 minutes by high-speed train from Shanghai, China's most populous and cosmopolitan city.
Academics
XJTLU offers an extensive range of academic subjects from STEM to humanities and social sciences. Students register through the XJTLU university registrar and all the courses are in English except language courses. More information about the XJTLU courses (modules) is in their module catalogues. Click on the Domain (department) and Mod (course) code for details of individual courses.
Per the XJTLU general guidelines for exchange students, SLU students there should usually take courses at Level 1 and up, except for the Chinese Language (CLT), China Studies (CCS), and Spanish Language (SPA) courses. They can take only one Chinese Language (CLT) course in a semester. The CCT (Chinese Culture) and PHE (Physical Education) courses are not open to exchange students.
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
Grade Conversion
Grades from XJTLU transfer back to St. Lawrence University as follows. Keep in mind that your grade in courses in a big university tends to depend more on major exams such as the midterm and final and that you might not have as many low-stakes assignments as at SLU.
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 Wenhua apartments around half an hour away from campus by public transportation. Typically two students share a room with bunk beds, private bathroom, study desks, wardrobes, a balcony. The air conditioner can either cool or heat up the room as needed. There is also a communal kitchen and laundry room onsite. Students receive a stipend to cover the cost of meals and utilities.
Calendar
XJTLU usually posts its new academic calendar six months before Semester 1 (fall). Semester 1 (fall) typically begins in late August and ends in mid-January. Semester 2 (spring) typically begins in mid-February and ends at the beginning of June. SLU students going in the fall semester need to double check the window before the SLU spring 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. Stephanie Wang - Questions about program academics.