The Sino-British College USST

Summary

he Sino-British College (SBC) is an international university college established as a Joint Venture by the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST) and nine university members of NCUK – The University of Bradford, The University of Huddersfield, The University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Liverpool John Moores University, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Salford, The University of Sheffield & Sheffield Hallam University.

SBC was established in September 2006 following approval by the Chinese Ministry of Education. It is one of the first transnational education (TNE) partnerships to be granted its second ten-year license. 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. 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.